Looking for recommendations on a spotting scope that will be used at the range only. Would like something that would provide enough clarity to see bullet holes in the target out to 4-5 hundred yards. My budget is $400 dollars.

Thanks in advance!

Your timing is perfect as we have lowered the price on the Athlon Ares 15-45x65 ED Spotting Scope from $599.99 to only $429.99 (while inventory lasts).

Take a look at this recent review of the Athlon Ares 15-45x65 ED over on Monster Muleys?
https://www.monstermuleys.info/xf/threads/full-review-athlon-ares-65mm-spotter.111591/#post-1827105

UHD Glass Extra-Low Dispersion glass gives you an image with little or no chromatic fringe so the final result brings an ultimate clearest and sharpest image to your eyes

ESP Dielectric Coating ESP Dielectric Coating is a multi layer prism coating that reflects over 99% of the light to your eyes bringing you a clear, bright image that displays accurate color reproduction.

Aluminum Central Chassis Aluminum Central chassis offers you the strength of a metal chassis and the life time durability.

XPL Coating XPL Coating gives you an extra protection on the exterior lenses from dirt, oil and scratches

Bak4 Prism Bak-4 glass prisms reflect more light to your eyes thus will give you brighter and sharper image.

Advanced Fully Multi-Coated Advanced Fully Multi-Coated lenses bring you better light transmission to bring optimum brightness and true color across the entire light spectrum.

Argon Purged Argon Purging uses the inertia gas with bigger size molecules to purge any moisture out of the tube giving you better waterproofing and thermal stability .

Waterproof Waterproof to protect the binocular in the harshest weather conditions or if accidently submerged underwater

Rotating Ring Rotating Ring allows you to rotate the scope around tripod supporting ring into the most comfortable and convenient angle for observation


Magnification 15-45
Objective Lens Diameter 65 mm
Prism Glass Bak 4
ESP Dielectric Coating Yes
XPL Coating Yes
ED Glass Yes
Lense Coating Advanced Fully Multi-Coated
Field of View 171-81 ft
Exit Pupil 4.3-1.4 mm
Eye Relief 0.75-0.63"
Close Focus 13.1′
Dimension (LxW) 9.5"x3.5"
Weight 43.4 oz

Thanks Doug. Will check it out.

That is a good review, I need something for hunting and wish it was easier to do a side by side test. I was looking at the 20-60x85 model.

Over the past 4 years I have bought 8 different spotting scopes and returned them all. I too was looking for a spotter to see hits out to 500yds. This proved to be much more difficult than I ever expected. I bought many scope under $500 from Bushnell, Celestron, Barska, Visionking, Cabelas and Nikon up to 60 and 80 power. I can probably take a little time later and list all the model numbers. The net result was none of them had the glass to see hits on paper past 300. I finally found a used Vortex Razor HD x85 and I can finally see his at 500 yds. but it's still not easy. Bottom line is that hits on paper (even with reactive targets) are very difficult to clearly make out past 400-500 yards. Painted steel targets offer a better alternative as the hits leave large marks that can be seen out to 700-800yds with a good spotter. You could probably get away with a new 85mm Viper but you might struggle a little with a 65mm as the image detail falls off a little more quickly.

Hope this helps a little. The bottom line is that really good glass is needed past 400yds to see hits on paper.

Well put.

May I repeat:

"The bottom line is that really good glass is needed past 400yds to see hits on paper"

Doug,
Looking seriously at the Ares Athlon spotter you mentioned at a great price. Do you have a recommendation for a decent ball head to go with it that won't break the bank? My tripod is driving me crazy at the range and spotting for game and I need to do something but budget is holding me back ...

TIA,
Bob

I’ve got the Athlon Doug suggested, it was $100 more when I bought it and I’m very pleased. Great bang for the buck

Vortex viper

Another vote for the Athlon. It is a great scope although I don't know about seeing bullet holes at 4-500 yards. I can vouch for it working to see 223 holes at 200 though.

Just a heads up guys we are down to less than 20 of these Athlon Ares 15-45x65 ED Spotting Scopes

wbyfan1, one item that hasn’t been mentioned is do you want a straight or angled spotting scope???
As for myself I would only own a straight, but others for whatever reason prefer the angled.

Bob,
Please give a call and speak with my brother Joel as he's the resident Tripod Guru

I have a 60mm Leupold HD, and it is not a 400+ yard scope. Very nice and compact for closer stuff. I also have a 62mm Leica APO and that is capable.

I would look for a used Kowa with a 27x eyepiece. Great spotter. Seeing bullet holes at 500 yards, maybe if the sun is right and conditions are perfect. Not likely.

In the long range gong shooting game with black powder cartridge rifles out to 1000 yards there is 1 brand of spotter that stands out and that's KOWA. MB