Best spotting scope for under 1000$

[L1986]

What do you guys suggest? Will mostly be used at the range but some hunting application. Thanks in advance.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I was going to suggest the Kowa 82SV, until I got to the hunting part. It's a great sub-$1000 scope for the range, but it's sort of big and long for hunting.

 

[dontpanic]

Pentax PF-80. Really good as is or it will take astronomical eyepieces so you can customize it however you wish. They even sell it without the eyepiece.

Old Bausch & Laumb are really good but they are starting to get spendy. They are very good though, you can't buy a modern spotter for their price. The one I bring every range trip is a vintage Redfield 15-60x. I prefer straight spotters over angled. Unbelievable value, they're out there for just a couple hundred dollars.

 

[jpjulian]

Don't discount the 600 series Kowa's. They have some pretty good glass in a smaller package.

 

[barrelnut50]

I second the Pentax PF-80 ED. You may not need a zoom eyepiece, either, because the fixed focal length eyepieces have larger field of view. Paired with a fixed focal length eyepiece like the XW10 or XW14 (depending on your usage), you'll have fantastic optics and rugged, waterproof scope for about $1,000.

 

[Chappy]

Take a look at the Sightron spotters. This is looking at some deer at about 500 yards away.

 

[coldboreshot]

What do you guys suggest? Will mostly be used at the range but some hunting application. Thanks in advance.

Since this is primarily for range use, you'll probably want a 20-60 power optic for detail at broad distances. Sightron's spotter is very good (personal experience). Reasonably priced and is HD rated. I moved onto a Kowa 82SV strictly because I went to lower power, wide-angle purpose. Vortex is a good one as well (great warranty backing). I also have their Diamondback series I received as a gift and it performs well. If you have the availability to sample different makes and models, pay attention to eye relief. Some optics force you to basically "fuse" you eyeball to the lens in order to have proper field of view. I apologize that I can't offer information on other brands, I can only support what I have personally experienced. Hope it helps.

 

[L1986]

Thanks for all the replies! I am going to see if I can find a place to look through a few different options

 

[std7mag]

I bought one of the Celestron C70 Mini Mak.
Large diameter, but short length. Super light weight!!
Works great when your hiking miles and spotting game!

Not so great at the range trying to pick up 223 Rem holes at 300+ yards.

 

[muleystalker]

The KOWA Prominar 66 Series are great scopes and if you look around you could find one for that price or keep your eyes peeled for a used one. I have one and use it for both hunting and the range.

 

[SKWERLZ]

The KOWA Prominar 66 Series are great scopes and if you look around you could find one for that price or keep your eyes peeled for a used one. I have one and use it for both hunting and the range.

Those are a great spotter especially at used prices