Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Spotting Scope

Wanting to buy a spotting scope for sighting in my rifles (.17 cal. and .234 cal.) at the range, as well as use out in the field varmint hunting. I want to purchase a good quality (i.e., clear) scope, but at the same time, keep it more in the medium price range. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Greg

I have the Nikon 16X to 47X, I am very happy with it, I believe it was 500 US.

sure hope you get tons of replies on this one as i am in need of a spotter, too, and not sure which way to go here.

Greg,
I use a Leica Televid 77 APO mounted on a Bogen Manfrotto Track Tripod with fluid head. I use the 32x Wide Field and the new 20-60 zoom. Would highly recommend the scope and the Leica Everready Field Case is well worth money... Bought mine from Chris at SWFA. Great prices and excellent service.

Regards, Matt.

Greg, the B+L 15-45x60 is an excellent scope for the money. I have used mine hard for the last 6 years and love it (it's no swarovski or leica, but a lot cheaper). Good Luck

280_ACKLEY

I concur with Matt. My Leica 77mm Televid w/32x eyepiece is the most incredible piece of optics I have ever looked through. It's like walking 32 times closer to the target.

Blaine

Is that 77 mm Leica in a middle price range?

Around here the long range shooters have Kowa's but maybe that's yesterdays news?

The Leica is in the upper price range, and if you don't plan to pack it around much, well worth the extra bucks. The new smaller Leica (and Swarovski 65mm) are pricey, too, but for stickin in your pack it don't get any better.

My pick for quality, value, and packability is Leupold's 12-40X60. Mighty good & user friendly.

When I first posted this question regarding spotting scopes and indicated that I was looking for something in the medium range, I had no idea that said range was so high. Spotting scopes can be very expensive! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

My medium price range was between $250-$350. Right now I am looking at either the 15-45x60 Leupold Wind River Sequoia, Angled or Burris Landmark Series spotting scopes. Does anyone know anything about either of these two scopes?

Greg

IMHO,
The Burris Landmark is fairly dismal. I was GIVEN a new one a couple of years back. The tripod broke on it's first outing and I've never been satisfied coming or going with the scope... Dunno on the Leupold Seqouia. Would have to be better than the Landmark.

Regards, Matt.

I have one of the Nikon XL 16-47 x 60mm waterproof, rubber coated, I am going to put in the classifieds. I'll give you first crack at it. It's in excellent shape, good scope, used on one trip and at the range a few times, comes with the zippered carry case, I still have the original box. $400 shipped to you.

I'v got the Wind River scope(and 10X50 binocs),I don't think you can beat them for the money.It compares(to our untrained eyes) favorably to spotting scopes costing much more such as the XL. Waterproof(I'm in OR,its gotten way "damp"),and fairly tough, mines taken a few knocks in the couple years I'v had it. Leupolds lifetime factory warranty to the original owner,register it. They weren't doing the warranty work at Leupold when they first came out with the binocular line,so evidently they'r a little more secure with the quality now.FWIW Leupold told me there would'nt be a WR riflescope line as their regular line would'nt be able to compete.I'd buy 'nuther.BTW I'v got the straight version,the angled type IMO are a real pain,when you'r trying to get something in the scope thats WAY over there.

Jeff

Greg, I have been using several brands extensively in ALL kinds of conditions for the last couple of years. Don't buy ANY of the scopes that are under $500. They will hurt your eyes (they make your eyes feel like they are being sucked out of your head). The best "middle" price scope is bar none the Leupold 12x42. The Swarovski in the same small package has HORRIBLE eye relief and you are basically looking into a small hole in the eye cup. I personally think Swarovski blew it with this scope, because it isn't near what the Leupold is. The Swarovski TS80 is good, but again, horrible eye relief and small pupil size (you have to stick your eyeball on the view finder). The Baush and Lomb scopes have poor eye relief and the edge of the field of view is blurry or curved (hurts my eyes). I have one and I HATE it. I wouldn't give you a nickel for ANY of the Bushnelle scopes, they suck the eyeballs out of your head as well and are really dark on cloudy days. The Nikon scope has okay eye relief, but still not that good. It is just "okay" above 30 power. As far as the upper range goes, the Leica 77 is king by a LARGE margin when compared to any other high end scopes, like Swarovski. It has better focus and is much clearer with exceptional eye relief. My picks go as follows in order of preference; Leica 77 $1,100, Leupold $650, Nikon $500. Flinch

I totally agree that the Leica is a great scope, but it is just too large for me to carry around hunting, although for varminting that would probably not be an issue. Plus, it is very expensive. I bought the Minox 62 ED scope, which I found to be exceptional, plus I think I only paid about $520 from Bear Basin. I have been very happy with it, and it is very practical, as it is easily packable.