Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Intermediate spotter

Looking for an intermediate spotter as I cant swing a $1500 spotter right now. Will be used for locating game (not counting rings on a Ram) and some range use. Previously had a Leupold wind river, which was okay, and a Minox compact which I hated. Think Ive narrowed it down to a Nikon Prostaff 16-48x60 or a Bushnell Elite 15-45x60. Nikon optics usually appeal to my eyes, pariculaly their monarch binoculars, so kinda leaning nikon, but would love to hear from folks who have experience with either model.

For a little, packable, inexpensive scope check out this Kowa TSN-501:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...01_20_40x50_compact_spotting.html?sts=pi

I've looked through one and it gave a nice view for a 50mm objective. I have also looked through the Nikon and it looked good as well, though it was a bit difficult to focus at maximum magnification; however, because I rarely use magnification above 30x anyway I wouldn't not choose the Nikon on that basis.

With the OP's criteria the TSN 501/502 would be on the short list for sure.......

And every spotter 65mm or less I've used much doesn't like anything over 45x, including Leica and Swaro.....

Thanks fellas, Ill check it out.

-checked it out, very appealing, good practical magnification, just wish it were a 60mm. Like the size/weight as well. Do any big box stores carry these? Is Kowa relatively new? Looks like its Japanese manufacture.

Somebody did a review a while back on the Athlon 15-45. Sounded pretty good. I'll be ordering one here shortly. Cameraland carries them.
Call Doug, he'll fix you up.

Kowa has been around for a long time; their 82mm scope, the TSN-82SV, is the go-to scope for high-power rifle competitors, they also make some very high end spotters popular with bird watchers who are notoriously picky about optics. I don't think big box stores carry them, but B&H has a fantastic return policy and I think CameraLand carries them as well. Might ask Doug about them.

If your budget is between $750-$800 look at the past model Vortex Razor of two years ago.

These are still around and new in the box

Just read Rick's "Big Eyes" article and now debating...spotter or big eyes on a tripod.

Another one to consider is Pentax PF 65 ED. A very good spotter for the money, gets good reviews on optics sites. Pentax makes some great eyepieces or there are a lot of other brand eyepieces that will fit so you have lots of choices.
I had one for about 4 years that I used for sheep, goats, and caribou. No complaints at all, the only reason I sold it was because I got a good deal on a Kowa Prominar and I had to have it.

Here is the link to the Athlon Ares Spotting Scope review
For the price it absolutely is a best buy. please give a call for you "24hourcampfire" pricing.

Merry Christmas

Vanguard Endeavor HD 65, can be had for way less money than you’ve budgeted. Extremely underrated spotter!

If your primary use is “locating game”, 15X binos hands down for me.

Roland, for the price of the Athlon Ares 15-45x65 ED Spotting Scope there really is nothing out there better

I paid $200 for my Vanguard.

Did great identifying spike elk at 1.2 miles in bad lighting. There's digiscope pictures I free-handed over on Rokslide.

I paid $250 for mine, I had just sold a Swaro STS 65 and was looking for something temporary, and I feel like I gave up nothing. That Vanguard is a really nice spotter for the money. Several reviews out there comparing it to the Razor and it bests it!

I've been very pleased with the optical performance in my Vortex Viper HD 15-45. The glass is very very good for $600 but like any other sub $1000 spotter, I would not trust it to last long with any abuse. However, I have used spotters in the sub $1K price range from Konus, Bushnell, Leupold, Sightron, and Vortex. None of them felt like they could take much abuse, some even broke under light use, but the Viper HD has been my favorite so far.