What spotting scope do you recommend for short distances (under 1,000), and what do you recommend for long, long, long(1,000+) distances? (4 recommendations 2 budget friendly, and 2 , well you know, if you could afford what would it be? (2,000+).
And what do you think of this one:
Or would you recommend going with a set of high-powered binoculars to kill two birds with one stone?
I can only share my anecdotal experience, but I went with the Leupold SX-4 Pro Guide 20-60x85 and I am very happy with it for scouting out to 1000yds.
The scope you linked seems highly priced given it’s only 8-40x60, but I don’t know if the market for “tactical” is different or has different features to justify the high price.
Also, do consider that you’ll want a quality tripod to go with the scope. Especially if you plan to shoot off of it. That may impact your choice if you’re on a limited budget.
I just have a data point for you. I spent $800 on a Vortex 20-60 x 85 spotting scope and I hate it. Its fine for 100 yards, but at 200 yds its pretty much useless. So then I went out and bought a DJI Mini 3 drone and I fly it out to the target to spot for me. It works like a charm. I have one target at 700 yds and I can see it clear as day.
How much is your Leupold? And what tripod do you recommend? Something that can be multi-use, i.e rifles as well.
Thanks
Hands down Kowa (I have the 883 model that was recently updated last fall with the 88 model) regardless of budget with Swarovski being a close second when it comes to optical quality. For a shorter range scope they have the 553 or the new 66 series. They also have the highlander high powered Bono’s but they’re massive. I have Leica Geovid Pros 8x32 for a binocular & rangefinder combination which can range down to 10m. I like having both a spotting scope and bino because there are times when the Bono’s will be invaluable especially in shorter visual distances. Leica and Zeiss are also great alternatives. I’m sensitive to optical quality and I see little value in enduring greater eye strain and optical distortions. Great glass will always be great if you can budget for it.
Personally, I’d rather have premium optics and one or two hunting rifles if I had to make a choice versus a lot of rifles and budget or mid-range optics. As much as I get the benefits of buying American literally every American brand optic that I’ve looked through is a compromise just to say you’re buying American IMO. When that isn’t the case then I’d consider them.
I’ve mentioned it in other threads but for spotting optic reviews check out what birders and wildlife photographers have to say. They tend to be far more discerning than the typical hunter. They also compare a wide range of optics across the budget lines. If you’re a veteran or first responder there are plenty of discounts to be had and one of the exceptions to American optics being a compromise specifically is the Vortex Razor UHD binoculars and their Razor LHT 4.5-22 scope… also the Zero Compromise Optics scopes but they’re up there in price with the best of Europe (S&B, Zeiss, Kahles, Swarovski, Leica, etc.) and Canada (Tangent Theta).
I decided this year to invest in a good spotting scope.
I ended up going with the swarovski atc. The Kowa (cant remember the model) was a close second. Either would be a great choice. I spotted a bull from @5 miles off i couldnt see the exact details of his rack but could tell he was a bull. The kowa is about 400 bucks less. That leaves more room for tripods and accessories etc.
Both are compact and lightweight premium optic.
Here’s a comparison lineup of their latest models.
The Leupold Pro Guide scope retails for $1000. If you have any LE/MIL or first responder friends you can perhaps take advantage of their VIP discount program.
I also got the pro guide tripod but frankly I didn’t do as much research in that area, just checked out a few options and went with the Leupold to match.
I’ll admit that I’m biased towards Leupold as a brand though, they make quality glass and they are local to me. I prefer to buy US/local and they have a bomb proof warranty in my experience so it makes it a pretty easy decision for me to look their way first.
Thank you for the link. Very informative. I looked them up online at Optics planet and all three cost starting at around $2,250 up to $4,200.
I also looked at Leupold 20-60x80 Mark IV, $2,699 , Leica APO-Televid 25-50x65 $2,900,
Minox MD 80 ZR $2,950, Zeiss Victory Harpia 95 $4,199+ $800 eyepiece, Zeiss Victory Harpia 85 $3,999 + $800 eye piece and a Zeiss tripod about $600. Then there is Zeiss conquest Gavia 85 w/30-60x with wide angle eyepiece for $1,999.
I also checked out Pentax PF-80ED GLASS 80MM with eyepiece for $959.
And lastly Pentax PF-100ED scope 100 mm ED glass for $1,699 on OP and for $1,499 on Amazon (which is the least expensive and weighs only 2600 gm (2.6 kg=5.7lbs).
Zeiss looks the most expensive since you have to purchase the eyepiece separately.
Leupold is somewhere in between and Kowa has midrange to high range. I couldn’t find the weight on all of them. But visually (could be deceiving) the Pentax 100 seems to have smaller foot print!
Obviously with most everything sky can be the limit. I am thinking of limiting my budget to $3,000 and under including scope, tripod and eyepiece.
One last question, has anyone experimented with a DSLR TELEPHOTO lenses?(kill two birds with one stone).
Are you asking about digiscoping with a spotting scope or using a telephoto zoom with a camera? If you’re asking about a camera lens, there aren’t many comparable lenses. Even a longer 600-1200mm lens will only get you a fraction of the reach of the long end of a spotting scope which would be closer to using a 2000mm+ lens.
If you’re asking about digiscoping, one of the reasons that I went with Kowa was their wide range of adapters. Swarovski has adapters for the major brands as well and obviously Leica supports use with their camera lines. Companies like Olin make smartphone adapters for many of the major spotting scope brands with the more popular smartphones from Apple, Samsung, etc.
For a tripod that you’d never really need to replace, RRS makes excellent (but pricier) models. I’m seeing and hearing lots of great things about Two Vets Tripods as well. You can pretty much get any off the shelf Arca compatible Carbon Fiber Video Tripod and be set. They’re made to hold camera systems that can weigh 20+ pounds. Most of the higher end ones will run a Manfrotto style plate but there are plate adapters you can get if you find a deal too good to pass up… or you can hold off for an Arca one. Companies like B&H run daily 24 hour specials so you can sign up for email notifications… or just check the site. Also the older 773 or 883 regularly run for $2k for the entire kit. B&H just ran one on the 883 a week or two ago. You can also try dealers like Cameraland NY. If you call (Ask for Doug) they often can get you a better price than the website shows.
What do you think of the Pentax 100?. The Leupold at $2649 is also very attractive, as is Kowa TSN-66A PROMINAR, $2,999 (The price is my ceiling).
I just checked out your RRS tripods, out of my reach. Two vets were a bit more reasonable ($600-$700).
What tripod adapter is used for attaching the spotting scope to the tripod? What is it called?
Anybody has a link to one I could use?
Thanks
Most can use a standard Arca-Swiss mount. Some have feet with Arca built in.
Never used the Pentax spotting scopes but they make good camera optics. I would focus in on the close out 773/774 or the 883/884 if you can. Should be priced closer to the $2k mark.
Have you seen Kowa 773/883 on sale with price drop to $2k? That would be quite bit of discount to $2k!
I ended up ordering the Pentax PF-100ED with an eyepiece XF SMC 6.5-19.5mm (1.25"") and a run of the mill tripod (KOAH discounted). All came out to about $1,900. (I also have a Vortex high country tripod for my rifles).
At $999 price point there are a lot of brand name scopes, with OL range of 60-85 like Pentax PF-80ED with an eye piece, Vortex RS-56A 13-39X56
for $849.99 on Scopelist, Leupold SX-4 pro guide
20-60/85 $839(like new, brand new is $999).
I am also contemplating a compact scope like Leupold golden ring 10-20x40 @$599, or Bushnell 15-45x60 T series @$579.99.
All the Swarovski and Zeiss scopes are quite expensive. The Swarovski atc is $2,500, Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 sporting scope w/30-60x85; wide angle eyepiece @$1,999, cover $99, and a Zeiss tripod $599.
Yeah I did see a sale a few weeks ago on the TSN-883 with eyepiece for $2699 and they had the TSN-773 for $1999 but it looks like that store (B&H) is sold out on them now.
If you have any of the discount sites for industry insiders or veterans (like Expert Voice or Guidefitter) then you can find competitive deals on them as well.
Interesting, I also have Sig Sauer BDX combo binoculars and range finder.
Initially, when I started getting bolt-action rifles I was planning on just getting one scope with QD mount and switch between rifles. But after talking to several people with more experience than I , I shelved that idea and decided to have a scope per each rifle. I only have a couple of European scopes, and the rest are US made.
I believe there are a few US made scopes that are just as good as the Europeans and of course they also charge you accordingly.
With that being said, I have a question about monoculars? Is there a need for them if you already have a rangefinder, binoculars and a night vision?
Or is it their compact size that makes them attractive?
I have a monocular rangefinder (Leica) that was my first rangefinder. I think the compact size is one of the largest benefits… and they’re usually small enough that you can fit it in a pocket to take as a backup rangefinder/spotting device if needed. Since buying rangefinding binoculars (also Leica’s) that’s my purpose for keeping it but throughout most of the year it lives in my golf bag now.
One of the “scope” retailers online has a Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 Angled Like New Used Spotting Scope w/30-60x85 for $1549 (brand new is $1,999).
Looks very attractive at the discounted price.
