Cabela's Krotos HD Spotting Scope

[Papa Charlie]

I see where Cabela's has their Krotos HD Spotting Scope on sale ($699 vs $1199). It is 20-60x86mm.
The sale price seems very good, but concerned about quality. I can buy a Vortex Viper 15-60x80mm factory refurbished for $509.

Does anyone have any experienced with this scope?

Does anyone have any experienced with this scope?

 

[nakneker]

Send Ledd Slinger a PM, he has one. You might want to look up his review or comments he posted here a couple months ago.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Thanks, just found and read Led Slingers report and the rest of the thread.
I wouldn't expect the krotos to perform as well as a $2k scope but as they sell it for $1k normally, I would expect it to be as good as any other scope for equal money. Better would be good, but it should be at least as good.
I have a cheap scope now and won't embarrass myself by telling you what as it was a starter unit. Would like to move up but don't have the money to spend on a high end spotter. So was hoping this might be something to consider.
I am torn between the Vortex Viper at $509 and the Krotos at $699.

 

[nakneker]

I don’t know anything about the two. I know the Vortex warranty is one of the best. Ledd knows white a bit about both brands I believe. I would send him a Pm.

 

[Shrek]

If you want to learn about spotting scopes you really should get on Bird Forum. I’ve had a Swarovski ATX for a couple of years now so I’m out of the loop on budget scopes but Vortex has always been mediocre for the price. Alpine has been well respected for the price for a long time but things change in the optics business. Unless you’re buying alpha glass you’re mostly getting Chinese out of one or two factories with different labels and slightly different specs.

 

[Gman]

Do yourself a favor and buy a Pentax PF80-ED scope body. (NY camera stores have them new for about $850/straight body) Then choose whatever eyepiece you want. You can read up on them over on the Bird Forums. They make the best astronomical eyepieces in the world. (1.25" diameter) They are Made in Japan. (no chinese junk)

I have got a PF80-ED & a PF100-ED (which is no longer available in the US) I wouldn't trade the PF100-ED for a Swarovski, Leica, or Zeiss.

PM me if you want a good deal on a zoom eyepiece if you buy the Pentax.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Talked with him Papa Charlie in PMs. Advised him to go look through them himself before ordering. First reason, because I've never looked through the 20-60x80mm Krotos model. Second, because eveyone's eyes are different.

I will never order a binocular or spotter again without looking through it myself. I spend a lot of time in these sorts of optics so I am very picky about a lot of things. Eye relief, eye strain, contrast, resolution, light gathering, ergonomics, etc.

Not so picky with riflescope glass because I don't shoot competitions. I like good clear glass in a rifle scope, but it doesnt have to be the best. There I am more concerned with mechanical reliability and holding zero.

The 65mm Krotos is surprisingly good glass for the money in my opinion and is built like a tank. Extremely solid optic. I would imagine the 80mm has the same solid construction, but cannot comment on the glass. Yes the Krotos is made in China. But so is the Vortex Viper. No doubt Vortex has the best warranty in the business, but Cabelas warranty is almost identical and very convenient if you happen to have a Cabelas store close by.

Talked to a clerk the other day at cabelas when I was looking to find the new Leica Noctivid binoculars for a peek. Ended up talking about my Cabelas branded Meopta Meostar HD binoculars I bought there a while back and he told me a guy had lost his objective covers on the same binoculars and came in to get a replacement set. They didn't have any in the store and they didn't want to take the covers from the box of a new set of binos, so they ended up trading him for a brand new set of binos so he would have the covers. That's crazy!

 

[Papa Charlie]

There is a lot to be said for the customer service you get at Cabela's. Not always the best price but there is value in the service.

 

[Ironworker]

I had the Krotos 20x60x86mm . I took it out in the field for shooting at targets at 375 yards. It was fair and only fair. Boxed it up and Cabelas took it back and refunded me. Very happy and learned to get what I want out of a spotting scope I'll need to spend 2K.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I had the Krotos 20x60x86mm . I took it out in the field for shooting at targets at 375 yards. It was fair and only fair. Boxed it up and Cabelas took it back and refunded me. Very happy and learned to get what I want out of a spotting scope I'll need to spend 2K.

That's why it's so important to look through optics before buying.
And that's why I also own the Meopta Meostar S2 HD 20-70x82mm. There's just certain needs I have with certain types of hunting and shooting that the small 15-45 Krotos simply cannot accomplish. Tho the Krotos serves its purpose well as a high country pack scope and backup to my big Meopta.

Again, I cannot comment on the larger 20-60 Krotos

 

[Ironworker]

20-60 Krotos is what I had. It wasn't a keeper