I know they are not even on the same size, weight and power and price range. Let me give a bit background here:

I have no experience with spotting scope > $100, and I'm planning to get a decent mainly for spotting paper target out to 300 yards in range and steel target out to 1000 yards, and maybe a bit hunting in the future. Athlon Cronus 20-60 seems to be a decent scope under $1500 price range with ED glass. I'm not sure how good it is compared to the new vortex razor hd.

I'm not aware of Kowa TSN-55 until it was highly recommended by someone from RokSlide. Did a bit research online and it seems its pure fluorite crystal glass is superior. Only concern is if the 45× power is enough at 300+ yards range. Plus, I can get it from Optics Planet at ~$1300 at the moment, which is a killer deal to me.

Vanguard Endeavor HD 65A/82A are not even on the same price range with the above two. But I heard a lot of good things about it and it is said in par with razor hd. Considering it's price (~350 for 65A, and $450 for 82A), it is very attractive to me. Will this one get the job done for 300+ yards? If so, I will just save the extra money on a better riflescope.

Thanks!

I have the little TSN-55 Kowa and really like it a lot. It'll certainly be getting used a lot more than my 85mm Zeiss Diascope.

553 or 554? I googled for a TSN-55 an came up with nothing?

oh, sorry for the misleadinf. i ordered the 554, which is the straight model.

Thx for the replu. So other than hunting, are you able to spot holes on paper target out to 200-300 yards?

The top of the line tiny Kowa is the TSN-550 Series. There is also the TSN-501 & TSN-502 which are only $349.99 but not the high end optic that the TSN-550 Series is.
There's also the Kowa TSN-660M series which is outstanding.

In the Athlons, the Cronus 12-36x50ED & Cronus 20-60x86ED are a best buy in their price range or even close to it. The Cronus 20-60x86ED is noticeably superior to a Razor HD and costs less.

We would be glad to discuss which spotter would be best for your needs, just give us a call, 516-217-1000, as well as to get your 24hour pricing

I just picked up the Vanguard Endeavor HD 65A cause of the reviews and price point. It does have some excellent glass but haven't make it to the range yet to test out how well I can see bullet holes at 300 yds. How soon are you needing one, maybe I can test it out soon and report back.

Sorry it’s the 553 (angled version)

I use shoot and sees so yeah that’s easy money. I suppose I could check it on standard paper and see.

Thanks for the offering. I'm not in a hurry:) How's optics on 45×? Is it clear enough?

Yes it's very clear and focuses very easily on 45x thus is the reason I opted for only 45x. The Vanguard has a focus knob and a fine focus knob to aid in the focus which to me makes it a lot easier to focus compared to my other spotter.

Just ordered the 82A Hope I get a Good example....

I looked hard at that one, as well. I'm guessing my eyes would have a hard time seeing a whole lot of difference between many of these models.

Let us know how you like it.

FC

I've got the Vanguard 65. It's nice for the money and will do what you're asking. They often have a pretty good rebate on them. I think mine was under $300 with the rebate

Where do you apply for the rebate?

Please let us know how it works

If there is one going on now, it would be sent to Vanguard with your receipt and proof of purchase. Ive had mine a few years but they offer rebates often

The little Kowa 553/554 can be had for $1300? That's with eye piece (Complete)???

I received the Vanguard 82A ED Today......The glass is OK at 30X but above that it is a little fuzzy lacks contrast....I also received a Cabelas 15-45x65 Krotos HD ...That was on Back order.

I spent the whole afternoon with them set up side by side...Looking as far as 1000 Yrds away....The Krotos Blows the Vanguard away....It is crystal clear to 45X and built like a tank...Colors just POP.....Wide field of view,..Good eye relief....Brighter than the 82A even at Dusk.. Its a Keeper....


I had bought the Krotos 20-60 yesterday and returned It...... No where near as good as the 45X Krotos....

Thanks for the inputs! Why do you think the 20-60 krotos is worse?

Also there is another ongoing thread in rikslide abt this and some one mentioned in the comment and i just quote:

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/optics/63120-cabelas-krotos-spotting-scope-4.html

""Hey....Just wanted to Give you a Heads up On these scopes....I picked up one of each the Other day On sale....I had to return both of them because of Metal shavings... If you have not checked them yet...You should The 45X was worse than the 60X...Take a Flash light and look down the Objective end... Move the Focus as far as it will go to the right...Both of mine were full of metal shavings...They will work loose and and get stuck to the Objective lens and might lock up the Focus in time.....I should have Know they were blowing these out for a reason..... It is a shame!!!!!! they have really good Glass..."

Do you notice any metal shaving? Thx!

I just could not get the 20-60 to focus very well and it was just harder to get behind.....The 45X seems brighter and Clearer and just pops in to focus has great depth of focus.....I am the one That they are Quoting on Rokslide ....I had to return the 45X it was full of Metal Shavings under the focus ring....The 60X also had a few metal shavings as well....If you look you can see where they machined 3 or 4 Holes and apparently forgot to blow out the shavings before Assembly.......I ordered another one in 45X to see if it was just bad luck on my end ....These scopes Have some of the best Glass I have looked at for under 1200 Bucks.....They are one of the best feeling spotters I have Handled....I also tested the water proofing....I filled the sink up with Hot water and dropped that sucker in there and left it for 1 Hour....It is 100% waterproof.....My friend has a new Meopta Meopro 20-60x80 when He looked thru the 45X Krotos... His response was WOW I could have saved 1000 bucks.....I will have the new one in 45x Tuesday... I will keep my fingers crossed and Report Back....If I have to send it back I will have to spend 1300 to get this quality of Glass....

Wow, impressive! Good luck on your next 45x, hope it would be even better I actually got my 60x on Wed, the glass looks good to me, as I have to admit that I have never been behind a good spotting glass with quality before, so the krotos already made me WOW. But the one I got was an open box item and I suspect it was a return. So I just returned it to local bass pro shop that night and ordered another one. That being said, I hadn't have a chance to check the metal shaving as I wasn't even aware of the issue by the time. My 2nd 60x will come on the coming Thu, will keep an eye on that.

So you can return cabelas branded stuff to bass pro?

How does the eye relief compare on these two?

I know that optical quality is everyone's main concern, but IMO eye relief gets little attention. It shouldn't. It is a key factor in a scopes usability.

Paul

Yea, any purchase from Cabela's can be returned to bass pro. And I just succeeded this week.

Did Cabelas quit carrying the Krotos in 15-45? and I read where some people are saying its made my Athlon.

I don’t wear eye glasses so I don’t find the eye relief troubling on either to be honest.

Yes it is discontinued they are out of stock 1 min and back in stock the next.....They have been in and out of stock all week....

They are all made by the top chinese glassing manufacture Bosma: http://www.bosmaoptics.com/showproducts.asp?id=648

I received the new 45X Krotos today....This one is perfect..... No metal shavings inside and the internal machining looks Great......I will play with it a few days and report any problems if I find any....