Selecting a Spotting Scope

[TexasMac]

First off, I want to make it clear that my intent in posting this is not to seek advice for myself. But if you have VALUABLE advice to offer for readers, I’m sure it will be welcomed. I’ve done the research and have narrowed the decision down to two, possibly three scopes and thought I’d share the information.

So, to start and based on comments from several experience shooters, I decided on a scope with at least an 80mm objective lens, preferring 100mm if possible. True or not, the general consensus was, a spotting scope with at least an 80mm objective lens was required to provide sufficient light gathering to successfully see and determine the changes in the mirage. In addition I set a maximum budget of $500, hopefully less (not including a tripod). Hence, my budget eliminated higher priced models from suppliers such as: Leica, Zeiss, Nightforce, Leupold, Kowa, Vortex and even Vanguard, leaving a couple of 100mm scope suppliers (Celestron Ultima 100 #52252, 22-66x100mm, Konus (Konuspot 100) #7122, 20-60x100mm) and several 80mm suppliers including the Bushnell LEGEND ULTRA, HD 20-60x 80mm 45°, with BaK-4 prisms and ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) glass. In my estimation it’s the highest quality of the ones I considered. BTW, having used spotting scopes with straight eyepieces and 45 degree angled eyepieces, I prefer an angled eyepiece and the ability to rotate the scope on the tripod mount to use for both offhand and prone. As an example, the Leupold 20-60x80mm SX1 Ventana did not make the list since it cannot be rotated on the tripod mount.

The Celestron #52252 is around $260, the Konus approximately $300 and the Bushnell Legend is listed on Amazon for $435. Other than the size of the objective lens and glass/light transmission quality, all three have almost identical specification. All are waterproof, have identical eye relief (a concern since I wear glasses) & the weights are very close. The exit pupil is determined by the magnification & objective lens diameter, therefore the 100mm scopes have a slight advantage. If I was a “birder” and very accurate color transmission was of high importance for viewing and photography, I’d pick the Bushnell Legend or even a more expensive scope with HD (High Density) extra-low dispersion glass & BaK-4 prisms. But in my estimation, for BPCR target shooting, the Celestron & Konus models discussed are more than adequate for the task. BTW, all have lifetime warranties.

I have not made a final decision at this time but I’m leaning towards the Konus. FWIW, I found that the best site by far to identify the various manufactures, models and compare specifications is http://www.opticsplanet.com/, which also offers excellent prices. I also ran across a good video on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVupGY58q4M) comparing the Celestron and Konus 100mm scopes. In this case the comparison was to a Celestron straight eyepiece scope but the comments should hold for the angled eyepiece version. As to my earlier findings and comments, no doubt there will be readers with differing opinions.

Wayne

[SgtDog0311]

Thanks Wayne... I sure need one. This will be handy reference once my pocket books says it's time. In about 15 minutes I'm heading out to my second BPCR match with something that will work but sure could be improved upon. John

[Nuclearcricket]

Over the past while I have read a lot of Q and A posted on various sites about spotting scopes. Almost without exception each and every individual has a different requirement that they want met. There is no single scope or optical device out there that will be everything to everyone. If all you want to be able to do is spot the hits and misses for your partner at a silly wet match, there are many scopes that will do that, if you want to be able to spot .22 bullet holes in the black on an overcast day at 200 yards, not a lot of scopes will do that.
All of that being said, some of the things to keep in mind to look for are a sharp image from the center to the edge of what ever your looking through. Something with a long eye relief will be a plus as many of us wear glasses any more and if your on the shooting line, you should have some eye protection on anyway.
For me, for general shooting, and for across the coarse High Power shooting I have a 22X60, x45deg. that I picked up from Champions Choice a number of years ago. Its a nice scope, I can easily see .22 holes at 100 when shooting off of the bench, and will work ok for silly wets. The angled eye piece is and can be nice,but it really depends on what your are going to use your scope for. The down side is that it can be a real bitch to get it set up and find your target at times. For shooting across the coarse it is really nice when shooting prone, easy to just turn your head and see the target and marker.
For spotting at a silhouette match I have used regular scopes as well as my 45 deg scope and for the most part they all worked. One thing I did use and owned for a while was a pair of 20X80 center focus Binoculars. Mine were Celestron. They had good eye relief, were very sharp and very bright. I did find that on a bright sunny day you really needed to wear sun glasses when using them.
One of the best things you can do before you make your purchase is get out and look through as many scopes as you can. If you can get to a match that has a practice day the day before, talk to shooters and take a look through their scopes. That gives you the opportunity to compare different scopes under identical conditions. From there, take notes and come home and comparison shop for prices and options. What Joe Snuffy had that you looked through on Saturday may not quite be what is available when you go shopping on Monday, but odds are you will find something close or a little better.
Something else to think about and perhaps consider is waterproof and weather proof. There is a difference, what it is exactly I can't say for sure, but I would definitely want something designed to keep moisture out. The absolutely best scope in the world is pretty much worthless if it has moisture inside fogging up the lens.
The last thing to consider is what your going to mount your scope on, and how far above the ground it is going to have to set. Tripods come in all price ranges from cheap to very expensive. You will want one that is good and sturdy but yet not so heavy that it takes 2 men and a boy to move it around. By the same token you don't want something that is going to fall over at the slightest breeze or bump. Anytime any optical device in motion meets an unmovable object, its never a good thing.
Just some more food for thought.
Sam

[Don McDowell]

Wayne, Vortex Viper, angled eye piece, and their high dollar stand.
Every one that has used our Vortex has been thoroughly impressed with it.

[Kurt]

The first thing I check looking for binoculars, scopes or Camera lenses is look at the lens and see how much mirror reflection I see coming back at me. This will give you a fast indication what the glass quality is, Coating and the way it is ground. The less reflection you see the better the lens is.

[kokomokid]

If this is for silhouette I would rather have a 20x-60mm baush lomb on a very good tripod than a $1200 scope on a POS tripod. Lot of adjustments on tripods may not be better, keep it simple. We shoot more in 10+ mph winds than less which makes flags more important than mirage.
I use a 20 year old 20x-80mm kowa and you can focus close for mirage and still see the hits clearly on the animals.

[Don McDowell]

Do your price comparison carefully, followed the link to the dealer in your OP. There are places that sell the same stuff much cheaper...
VORTEX...

[Kurt]

If this is for silhouette I would rather have a 20x-60mm baush lomb on a very good tripod than a $1200 scope on a POS tripod. Lot of adjustments on tripods may not be better, keep it simple. We shoot more in 10+ mph winds than less which makes flags more important than mirage.
I use a 20 year old 20x-80mm kowa and you can focus close for mirage and still see the hits clearly on the animals.

I agree with you 100%
For silhouette 20 to 27X60 is plenty scope. For that type of shooting you have a clean target for every shot except for the swingers.
My favorite is the Gong shoots, long range paper type matches are second. I have yet to start the silhouette game. The first official for that will be in a couple weeks, so I will see how that is.
But when you shoot the gong matches and the plates get splattered up you need a scope with a wider field of view with more magnification to see the lead dust when the bullet hits a splattered grayed up target out to a 1000 yards and beyond sometimes.
How many times at the shoots have you heard a spotter tell his partner give me 1-1/2 left you hit the right edge when you in fact seen the bullet go in at 8 just a couple inches in.
With a good scope you have a better chance to see lead dust or silver button spread out in a grayed out target.
Pick out your needs for the game you play the most.

[Don McDowell]

Even in Silhouette you need a scope that has sharp enough definition to identify the bullet strike...
VORTEX.

[kokomokid]

Agree with Kurt to pick your scope for what you shoot. Mine would be a poor choice maybe for long range or picking out 22 holes at 500.
I like a straight 20x eyepiece over a variable and use a straight scope as I may watch the flags till my shooter fires if im not using mirage.