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Spott'g scope 4 semi-Novice |
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Charlie-bolted
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/26/2008 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 49 |
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Posted: February/26/2008 at 09:27 |
I am starting out and would like some opinions on 'quality' optics for mainly bench use, but also for light field use. I am target shooting at the 100,200 and soon longer ranges, but mainly between 100-250 yards. I am birddogging the Bushnell Elite 15-45x60 , or Bushnell Trophy or Legend series. I dont want to spend a whole lot until I can get my feet wet, but am still the type of person that learns/adapts quickly and I know ai will belooking for some better optics in the next say 12 months.
What are the opinions of the spotters I mentioned ? I am shooting 25-06 from a new savage and if I can discern bullet holes at 250 I would be happy (in good conditions of course) but further out hopefully would be nice too.. I am hearing (from this board) many good things on the Elite, but not sure I really want to spend the 400, if I can make a Trophy work it would be ok, but searching for opinions.. (oh also look'g at Burris Landmark) - like this forum, seems like a lot of knowledgeable people.. thank you.
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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If you know that you will be looking for better optics in the next 12 months, then you would be better off to "bite the bullet" now and just go for the whatever those "better optics" are right from the beginning. It will result in far less money spent in the long run.
However, if you really do need a spotter right now and also need to stay under $400, you should look at:
Actually, some of these scopes are good enough that, depending on the demands you place on them, they might just serve well enough that you won't ever need to upgrade them to anything more expensive. Edited by lucznik - February/27/2008 at 12:02 |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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anweis
Optics Master Joined: January/29/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1148 |
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I have two actually. It's been a year since i bought them and i decided to get two more (for introducing kids to the wonders of nature). Absolutely excellent scopes. I have looked through several models/makes/brands recently. The zoom is not very good past 30x, but that is to be expected in this price range.
Every single thing Brunton that i ever looked at seemed 30% overpriced compared to performance offered.
I agree with lucznik: on the long run it is better to save $ and wait until you can get a really good tool. Though, the Sandpiper might be just it.
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Heitmann13
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/20/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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I have compared the Leupold 10-20x40 vs. the Leupold 15-30x40 compacts, and I went with the 10-20 over the 15-30, I couldn't really see a remarkable difference between 20x and 30x. And I liked the fact that I could use the 10-20 as a monocular if I choose to.
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Charlie-bolted
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/26/2008 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 49 |
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that info really helps out.. have not really heard too much of vortex, stokes and brunton but will definitely check into them. There’s almost too many options!.. Just looked at the leupold, I like this one, compactness to me is good, however, quality optics is first priority over magnification. (waterproof, ruggedness are up there also). You may be right though, if I wait and buy a 1K or more spotter, it probably would make a lot of sense, in the long run. I’m wondering if anyone knows from experience, what range bullet holes are visible thru the Elite given ‘good’ conditions. This would help give me a sense of the ‘reach’ .. Either way, gonna have to look into these leads and will have to make my decision soon before I go el loco. . muchas gracias for everyone's response.. |
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Charlie-bolted
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/26/2008 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 49 |
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I am looking more closely at the Stokes(Vortex)Sandpiper and the Bushnell Elite options. I've read here and on different forums a LOT of good things on these spotters(as far as the economical option goes) .. The Sandpiper is heavier and a little bigger but cheaper, the Elite is lighter and more compact. Both seem to be rugged,wtr-proof/fogproof. I like the Vortex's warranty.
Anyway, still may wait and step up to the upper end Elites or Vortexes/Stokes. Doesnt seem like I could go wrong here. .Will post a follow up if I end up going the cheapy route..
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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Actually, I completely agree with this. I would be even more harsh about the Epoch line saying that they are at least 50% overpriced.
The little 50mm Eterna is a good scope. I was surprised by how pleasant the images were when I looked at one last summer. I will concede however, that I probably wouldn't be willing to pay full retail for it. Perhaps $300.
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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mazkbrown
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/20/2007 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Hi Lucznik:
I‘m willing to buy a spotting scope, and this post is the right place to learn, for example: I see this options great, but if want to upgrade one step ahead of this options, which will be your suggestions? Thanks
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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mazkbrown,
I'm not entirely sure how to answer your question because you haven't indicated what exactly you're trying to accomplish with your spotting scope. For example:
Although spotting scopes are not nearly as prolific as binoculars, there really are quite a few good ones available. In general, some options you might want to look at might include:
Edited by lucznik - May/07/2008 at 11:25 |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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mazkbrown
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/20/2007 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Hi Lucznik:
thanks for your answer. The spotting scope I need is for general purpose, maybe digiscoping, sometimes on the field, birding, etc. Your suggestions are great, know I see with special interest the Bushnell excursion 15-45x60, but nobody is making a review of this scope. Thanks Lucznik!! |
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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Noone is posting a review of this scope because noone has seen one yet. They are not scheduled to be released to retailers until somtime late this month.
On paper the excursion looks really good with excellent eye relief (25.5mm), an incredibly wide FoV across the magnification range (starting at a whopping 176 ft @ 15X), reasonably compact size (11.7 inches long), and a weight (37 oz.) equal to the Leupold Golden Ring upon which the Excursion's design is obviously patterned. To top it off, the scope uses ED glass which will help tremendously with image quality - especially at high magnification.
Of course, the low cost (~$320) suggests that some kind of compromise has probably been made somewhere. That could be in image quality, build quality, etc. The comparable ED FLP Leupold scope costs well over $1000. I'm sure some of that extra cost is to pay for Leupold's name and legendary warranty but, I would be surprised if the Excursion proves the Leupold's equal in terms of construction and image quality. Then again, binoculars like the Nikon LXL, Bushnell Elite, Leupold Golden Ring, Vortex Razor, etc. have been proving quite convincingly that they can compete with the best of the "big 3" while costing often less than 1/2 as much so; anything is possible. Edited by lucznik - May/08/2008 at 10:30 |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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