I think about getting one every few years, but just never get serious. Thinking it's time to make it happen....

It will be used for checking paper and steel targets at the range. Looking over bean fields for woodchucks and checking out deer. Will also get some winter action, scouting and looking for bedded coyote and fox in the snow along fence rows etc...

I'd love a Swaro, but they are to pricey for me, esp for part time use. That said I don't want junk,but something that is a good value. Humidity is very high here spring through fall if that makes a diff on choices. Range would be out to 1/2 mile.

Not sure what I need to spend to make that happen .

What do you guys use and or think is good for the money ?

Thanks

Meopta S2

Buy a swaro ATS65 with WA eyepiece and don't look back. You should frequent gear sites like Rokslide and MuleyCrazy and find one priced right. You could also call Doug and Neil and SWFA Sample list until they have a Demo Swaro that pops up. Just don't compromise and buy right the first time. You will enjoy it more and not second guess yourself.

I got a Meopta 20-70X myself. Awesome piece of glass and doesn't seem to lag at all compared to Zeiss and Swaro examples I have used in the past either. Just about 1/2 what a Swaro would be.

S2 is a no brainer

Kowa gets good reviews too.

i've got a meopta s2 myself with 20-70x eyepiece strictly for the range when i'm sighting in guns. no complaints but i don't have anyting to compare it to either. i just gotta go off what all these fellas say and online reviews.choose wisely though as i'd hate to go subpar then have to pony up for what i shoulda got in the first place. but, imma buy once cry once guy too.
Big Ed

We have the Meopta Meostar S2 20-70x82 angled on sale for only $1,799.00, reduced from $2,699.99

If you want something smaller and less expensive check out the Athlon Ares 15-45x65 ED on sale for $499.99. Check out this Athlon Ares 15-45X65 ED Spotter review over on RokSlide
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/athlon-ares-65mm-full-review.136883/

FWIW, I've posted before that I've compared the S2 w/20-70x more than once, side by side on tripods, with the Kowa 884, Nikon 82ED, Zeiss 85 FL T, and Swaro 80 HD. To make a long story short, the S2 and Kowa 884 stood out, with the S2 being better to our eyeballs at higher mags. The only thing better that I ever saw hunters bring into camp was the modular Swaro spotter system that goes for about $4k. I hear on this forum and a couple of others that the Kowa 883/884 is top of the heap, and they are great, but not quite an S2 IME.

Screaming deal right there!

Says a lot about the margins on these products...

I compared then also and I went with the Kowa 884

You aren't kidding there!

Thanks to all for the info. I will look into these and any other options you think I should look at.

Tempting....

Does Meopta not make a 65mm sporting scope?

They do not and have not, however, one never knows what the future will bring

Went with the Meopta and have never regretted it.

Don't overlook the Pentax PF-80 ED scope. I can't personally say how they compare to the higher priced Swaro's, Leica or Kowa scopes but, I am very happy with mine. If you believe the numerous reviews from shooters, hunters and birders, it compares favorably in some of the important categories and their eyepieces are American standard 1.25" telescopic eyepieces. I've only had mine for a few weeks now and will primarily use it at the range shooting 100 to 300 yards and so far, it has more than met my needs and was well worth the price.

I snagged an Athlon Ares (see Doug’s post) and they are absolutely remarkable for the money!

I've had the Athlon 15-45 that I got from Doug for over a year. Used it at the range and on backpack deer hunts where I was using it for extended periods of time. I'm no optics expert but I can't fault it.

I echo Nicaburns & Blacktailer on the 15-45 Ares. I think it's a, "wow" product, and I bought mine back when Doug was selling them for 20% more than he is now.

I've not looked through the Meopta or Swaro, and wouldn't begin to put the Athlon in their orbit. I would suggest, however, that the distances and geography that the OP mentioned, won't really let those Alphas show how much better they might be. One might need to be in some really wide-open country to truly appreciate the difference.

Just a thought.

FC

Good info from all !

Flat as pancake here and most of my hunting area is mile square sections . Chucks and preds can be a real challenge to pick out at the 1/2 mile fence row. Winter is my biggest challenge ,esp when the snow drifts are deep and you can't quite make out the coyote or coyote look a like in the shadows. Every once in a while I make the walk only to find out it's a rock, etc..... Not my fav when it's cold cold cold...lol