Spotting scope advice

[gunnermhr]

I have the ATS 65HD. I'm somewhat interested in the new BTX with a 95mm objective, It's a really nice optic. I'm having a hard time deciding between that or 2 spotters set up as bino's. If I could find a pair of Kowa TSN-4's I'd go that route simply because of a financial stand point. The TSN-4 is a really nice scope.

If my ATS was a straight eyepiece I'd just buy another one and make a set of big eyes with them.

 

[Hermantk]

Looking to up grade my spotting scope , I will use it mostly for target shooting ,paper and steel. I narrowed it down to either Zeiss or Swarovski. Need input as to which of these to go with?

When I was looking for a spotter last year, i contacted my (Kahles) riflescope dealer who is also a swarovski dealer. For F-class he told me to go and get a Kowa somewhere. He said that, while Swarovski makes a great product, they are overpriced. I contacted Kowa and told the sales manager that i shoot f-class and that my primary need was to see and read mirage. He suggested the 82SV. He said that the 883/884 were better if you wanted to look at the plumage on a hummingbird, but if I wanted to see bullet holes and read mirage, the 82 would be just fine. And it certainly is. And at a fraction of the price.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have a Zeiss 85 and like it, have been using it mostly to spot 6mm holes at 500 yds. I was able to look through a Zeis, Kowa, Penrex, Swki, and Leica at a target with holes at just under 600 yds the day I made my choice. The Zeiss and Swki seemed the best ith the edge in resolution at 60x going to the Zeiss. I am happy. I have noticed at matches on different days different scopes seem to be a bit better than others. I have friend who has Meopta that for the money is another you might consider. Another thing I noticed in all is the zoom lenses take away from light and resolution looking for holes. I wish Zeiss made a straight 50x or 60 eyepiece, that would be ideal.

 

[Kittitas George]

We talked with a sales person at Scheel's in Great Falls MT, (older person with a wealth of knowledge, not some stupid punk kid a $3.00 an hour know it all) we were looking at the Swarovski 10 X 42 binoculars. He spent a a lot of time asking what they would be used for (hunting elk,deer,gophers) the lens coating had a lot to do with color observation. One model worked better for hunters, another worked better for birders. We didn't buy a pair then, but Bill bought a pair on our return from eastern MT. prairie dog shoot. Two of us had Swarovski binoculars. Good glass pays off, spotting for the other shooters and looking thru good glass at the end of the day.

 

[Bamban]

I have the Zeiss 85 and the Optolyth 100, I prefer the Optolyth. The only downside is the weight.

 

[USMCDOC]

When I was looking for a spotter last year, i contacted my (Kahles) riflescope dealer who is also a swarovski dealer. For F-class he told me to go and get a Kowa somewhere. He said that, while Swarovski makes a great product, they are overpriced. I contacted Kowa and told the sales manager that i shoot f-class and that my primary need was to see and read mirage. He suggested the 82SV. He said that the 883/884 were better if you wanted to look at the plumage on a hummingbird, but if I wanted to see bullet holes and read mirage, the 82 would be just fine. And it certainly is. And at a fraction of the price.

I have in the past owned a Kowa 821 and a Leica APO 77. I now have the 82SV and i don't feel that i made a bad investment. I would say that no one can go wrong with purchasing a Kowa 82SV in my opinion.

 

[Siko12]

I'm no expert, and have no experience with either of those exact models so take it for what it's worth.
I have owned Zeiss and Swarovski scopes and my general impression is that Swarovski models are more consistently good. I had a Zeiss Conquest hd5 for a while that I kind of hated.

All that said, if I was scoping a .375 H&H I would go with the Zeiss out of your two choices. I'm not really a high magnification guy especially for .375 which I assume is not necessarily a long range sniper rifle, and the illumination is a major plus if you're in the woods, or poor light.

 

[Dub]

I'm no expert, and have no experience with either of those exact models so take it for what it's worth.
I have owned Zeiss and Swarovski scopes and my general impression is that Swarovski models are more consistently good. I had a Zeiss Conquest hd5 for a while that I kind of hated.

All that said, if I was scoping a .375 H&H I would go with the Zeiss out of your two choices. I'm not really a high magnification guy especially for .375 which I assume is not necessarily a long range sniper rifle, and the illumination is a major plus if you're in the woods, or poor light.

aren't we talking spotting scopes? or is it rifle scopes?

 

[Siko12]

aren't we talking spotting scopes? or is it rifle scopes?

Oh in that case i have zero help with this, Not much experiences with high end sporting scopes.

 

[paulT]

Kowa prominar with Long eye relief 32X power wide angle Lens Outstanding Scopes.

 

[Boatschool02]

TTT.
Excellent info.
Thanks,

 

[Alvin]

If you want the latest, Swarovski is releaseing in October a new 115mm objective to go with their ATX, STX or BTX eyepiece

 

[KY_Windage]

My thoughts are you do not need the best spotter for target shooting.

Couldn't agree more. I just need decent glass with long eye-relief. A used Leupold 12-40x60 for $550 gave me that and more. I look through the Swarovski's etc. and go "so what?"