Quality Spotting Scope

[bsekf]

So our son has commissioned me to find him a decent spotting scope. I know high quality starts at $1500 and we aren't going there. He wants something to watch wildlife, birds and some shooting. Sightron SIH seems to float to the top for some, seems as if I have heard about Alpen, "Shasta and Wings"? Konus, how about the "Sport" and Vortex "Diamondback"? My limited experience find most lacking in eye relief and ease of keeping eye positioned while viewing.

I have no problem with e-bay or used as long as it is returnable. Must stay under $500.00?

Do the cell phone adaptors work?

Bill

 

[johara1]

You can get a 65mm and a 80mm, body for around that figure or less and then you need to get the eye piece. most get a a variable eye piece that is small field of view and short eye relief, but get a fixed power and it has a wide field of view and long eye relief and is bright and clear and with ED glass and made in Japan..... jim

 

[johara1]

BTW. the fixed power eye pieces fit all their spotting scopes and there are two a cheaper series XF series and the better XW series that are better quality and have a wider field of view and a longer eye relief.... jim

 

[justinp61]

I bought a used Kowa 663 with a 20-60 eyepiece for $500 and have been very pleased.

 

[dc.fireman]

Bill - does it have to be new? The vintage 80's & 90's Kowas on eBay are down right bargains, and carry a life time transferable warranty.

 

[bsekf]

The body and eyepiece get me over my budget. How does the Kowa Sport compare to the Kowa TSN 501?

 

[lancexxx]

Sightron SII Blue sky eith ed glass. 20-60x85. They are on sale right now

 

[johara1]

So our son has commissioned me to find him a decent spotting scope. I know high quality starts at $1500 and we aren't going there. He wants something to watch wildlife, birds and some shooting. Sightron SIH seems to float to the top for some, seems as if I have heard about Alpen, "Shasta and Wings"? Konus, how about the "Sport" and Vortex "Diamondback"? My limited experience find most lacking in eye relief and ease of keeping eye positioned while viewing.

I have no problem with e-bay or used as long as it is returnable. Must stay under $500.00?

Do the cell phone adaptors work?

Bill

You can get a 65mm Pentax body for 480. eye piece is more...... I can say this 500.00 you are just wasting your money if you want to be able to see bullet hole and watch birds. look at the write ups on the Pentax.... I can sell the variable Eye piece cheap I don't use them any more I only use fixed power eye pieces any more. They will blow anything mentioned here with in the price range right out of the water. .... jim

 

[paulT]

Second hand Kowa 820 series with 30x wide eyepiece can be had for close to your budget truly fantastic scopes for Longrange shooting and birdwatching.

 

[coldboreshot]

So our son has commissioned me to find him a decent spotting scope. I know high quality starts at $1500 and we aren't going there. He wants something to watch wildlife, birds and some shooting. Sightron SIH seems to float to the top for some, seems as if I have heard about Alpen, "Shasta and Wings"? Konus, how about the "Sport" and Vortex "Diamondback"? My limited experience find most lacking in eye relief and ease of keeping eye positioned while viewing.

I have no problem with e-bay or used as long as it is returnable. Must stay under $500.00?

Do the cell phone adaptors work?

Bill

The Sightron is a fine spotter. I use one and I can get fine detailed mirage just as the day breaks.
Might be my eyes. Your experience may vary depending.

 

[johara1]

The Sightron is a fine spotter. I use one and I can get fine detailed mirage just as the day breaks.
Might be my eyes. Your experience may vary depending.

Try looking at 6mm bullet holes and see how good it is, for looking at mirage my 65mm Pentax I can see all the wind flags but one or two in a 1000 yd. range and while setting it on the mirage at the distance I want.... jim

 

[coldboreshot]

Try looking at 6mm bullet holes and see how good it is, for looking at mirage my 65mm Pentax I can see all the wind flags but one or two in a 1000 yd. range and while setting it on the mirage at the distance I want.... jim

I use mine specifically for f class matches where bullet holes are not as important as the mirage detail. The spotting disc or the electronic target takes care of that. I'm more concerned about where the bullet is going to end up via flags and mirage.

 

[johara1]

Same as Br at 1000 but I also shoot places I want to se bullet holes..... jim

 

[johara1]

Jim, what eye piece do you like with this spotter?

With the 65mm. when I'm at 1000 and using it for conditions I use the XW 20 eye piece and when want to see bullet holes and am using the 80mm. I use the XW7 that makes it 70 power. Both have very wide angle and they are very bright with the largest eye relief, no field of view lost with glasses..... eye pieces inter change with all Pentax scopes, if I would get a 100mm scope the XW7 would be 90 power in it and it is 55 power on the 65mm. great set up... jim

 

[bsekf]

Jim, just sent you a PM

Bill