Adequate spotting scope that won't break the bank?

[IA_shooter]

What are some suggestions for a good spotting scope for use in long range shooting that would be a good starter that won't break the bank. I realize you get what you pay for in most instances but I'm on a budget.

 

[huffmanite]

Several of gents I shoot with are quite happy with their Konus spotting scopes....sorry do not remembe their exact model of Konus other than it is 60 power max on them.

Forgot to mention some of them use what is a telescope for star glazing. Shot with a gent today with an Orion telescope. These work quite well and as I recall, considered reasonably priced.

 

[Scott Harris]

Depends on your budget.... Kowa offers tremendous bang for the buck. European anything does not.

 

[IA_shooter]

I want to stay under $500.00. I've been looking at Nikon , Leupold, and Konus models. I'm wondering if I need to go up to a 80 MM or if a 60-65 MM would be fine for 200-600 yd shooting?

 

[JohnW...ski]

I had a 100mm Konas that was very very good, and considering my new Kowa cost over 10x
what the Konas did and is not nearly 10x the scope I think a Konas would be a good start.

John

 

[Nodak7mm]

Take a look at the Celestron Regal Series: http://www.celestron.com/sports_outdoors/celestron-regal-65-f-ed.html

I have the 65mm model and looked through quite a few of them one the line before I made my purchase. Very happy with it.. Picked mine up from one of the camera places for under $400.

Rod

 

[IA_shooter]

I found a Konus 20-60X80 for 40% off on Ebay for $209 shipped that comes with the tripod and case. Hope I like it!

 

[BigDMT]

Most of the Bushnell scopes are really nice for the money

 

[tunacan]

Check out these little minox. For the price I don't think you could do wrong. I have read a bunch of reviews and people say good things about them

http://www.cameralandny.com/demos-minox.html

 

[tbeasley]

I went through this last year and I paired up with a shooting buddy to split the costs. Here is what I reviewed, I didn't want cheap, but I wasn't going to break out 1k either. So with the Japan glass getting better than ever, you should really look into the companies that are using it.

Celestron Regal Series is one that gets good reviews.

Theron is another great buy and on sale shipped under 1k and I've compared to Kowa 821, Swarovski, and Leica's. I'll say it was better than Leica but not the other two where as the color was little better (shooting targets!, no need for color pop) I bought the Theron and am very happy. The Theron is 25x-75x-82mm, also comes with a 30-35x wide lense(can't remember)

Zen Ray Optics

These 3 are 10x better than Konus however, their outside of the $500 budget hence split with buddy. Other shooters have viewed through mine at the range and must of all say wow! For that money wow!

O yea the Theron set at 55x, I can see the targets better and clearer through mirage than my Nightforce at 42x

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I got a 20-60x80 Konus, while I saved up for a Kowa. I wont be gettting that Kowa. My Konus blows away my buddies tsn-661! I am more than happy with it. I have seen bullet holes in the white a 1k yards, once. Conditions where absolutely perfect. Great scope.

 

[Texas Solo]

I got this Bushnell a couple of months ago:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/415143/bushnell-legend-ultra-hd-spotting-scope-20-60x-80mm-angled-body-with-soft-case

I'm pretty happy with it. It could be sharper at 60X, but I have no problem seeing hits on steel at 500M, or even bullet holes at 300M on a white background.