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Sightron Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

itchyTF

Gold $$ Contributor
I had a good quality 20x spotting scope for a long time but wanted a variable. I figured I'd sell the older one and use that money for the replacement. Being recently unemployed I couldn't afford to spend more money than what I got for the older one. Kowa was out! After a lot of looking around on the internet (this part of MA has almost nothing to look at in person) I decided on taking a chance on the new Sightron spotter (sight unseen). Not the way I usually like to do things but I have a number of SIII's and they have a good reputation. It sounded like a decent scope for the money, almost too good. 20-60x with an 85mm objective and what they call HD glass. Other companies use other names (SD?). I asked Sightron if their HD was supposed to be equivalent to the other high end glass and they said yes. I also asked why so cheap? They said (in effect) they are taking a big hit on profit to get exposure on these new scopes. I haven't had a chance to put it through its paces yet but it seems like a nice scope. Just thought I'd pass it on. Got it for just over $500 shipped. Also comes with its own cover.

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Re: Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

Please post results once you get them. I've been toying with the idea of getting a high end spotter since my Leupy 15-40X60 can't pick up bullet holes at 600. A Zeiss I have at work can pick them up when the conditions are favorable. If the Sightron works I may pick one up. Thanks

Jet
 
Re: Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

Well you wasn't talking to me but I found this

http://www.fedtacticaldirect.com/Sightron-SIIBL2060X85HD-S-SII-Spotting-Scope-23011_p_59897.html
 
Re: Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

I am always intrigued when I see posts about "seeing bullet holes at 500" or "can you see bullet holes at 600?"

I own a Kowa scope (TSN-821M)... I have used it, and both a Leica and a Zeiss spotting scope (on two different ranges). Neither of those scopes (or my Kowa) allowed me to see holes consistently at 300 yards. Some of you guys must have pretty damn good eyes if you are seeing holes at 500 or 600 yards... unless the sun is directly behind the targets I suppose.
 
Re: Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

I can see 6mm bullet holes at 500 meters with my Nikon 20-60x82 depending on conditions. If mirage is bad, I don't think any spotting scope will let you see the holes.
 
Re: Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

swehrman -
I couldn't find a URL that worked but their phone # is 814-926-3051 (Hoover's Outfitting in Rockwood, PA.

Ray - Good price. With shipping it may come out a few dollars less than what I paid. As you see in the picture that one is the HD-S (straight), mine was the HD-A.
 
Re: Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

I read here some where, maybe the bulletin that Sightron was coming with a SIII spotting scope and I notice these say SII. Any clarification here? I am a very satisfied user of the 10-50x 60 scopes. Mike
 
Re: Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

I'm not aware of any SIII spotters. These SII's were just released in late April/early June. I wouldn't think they would have another release so close, but who knows? Give them a call and get it from the horse's mouth.
 
Re: Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

I use a Kowa 82mm strait eye piece scope at 27x. I really like it, and have little trouble seeing the pull pin on a pop rivet at 375 yards on a bright and sunny day. That's a lot smaller than a 6mm bullet hole. My scope has the standard glass as well. I kinda toyed around with a variable eyepiece, but was talked out of it by a couple bench rest shooters. May buy a 45x eye piece for it in the future.
gary
 
Re: Spotting scope - For What It's Worth

Well, I finally got to use the scope in real world conditions (although i was just an observer). Went to a Palma and F class match (800, 900 & 1,000 yds). Not the ideal conditions to check out the scope but it was something. Was a nice day but the sun (mirage) was out. There were only 2 brief moments where there wasn't any mirage. There was certainly no problem seeing the plugs in the target at any range, so that wasn't any challenge. While the match was going on I asked some of the other shooters to take a peek to get their opinion. They all said it was clear and looked like a decent scope. I didn't see any color aberrations. I was surprised how many hadn't heard of Sightron.

I hung around till the end of the match and there were a couple of High Power Service Rifle shooters that wanted to get some practice in at 600. So I followed them down. While the 2 guys were getting set up at the 600 line, there was one on the 300 shooting a string. I had the scope on 60x and i could see breaks appearing in the white scoring rings on the target as he was shooting. This was during one of those brief periods of no mirage. I couldn't make out any shots in the black although I really didn't expect to especially since the target was in the shade. There were holes in the white but they were there before and not coming from the shooter. I also don't know the diameter of them although I believe, at least, some of them were from the scoring plugs.

The guy at 300 left so the 600 yd firing started and of course the sun and mirage came back. The second brief no mirage period came and the targets appeared more blurry than the previous time. What's going on? I put my glasses on and what a difference. Clear and sharp like before. Up to this point I always thought I could focus optics with or without my glasses and get the same level of sharpness. GUESS NOT! I believe I have some astigmatism so maybe that's it, don't know for sure, but I guess I'll have to keep my glasses on from now on when viewing optics.

This wasn't an exhaustive test since I was at the mercy of the club member's activities and I was just a guest. But, I certainly think what I did see was promising and others had favorable opinions. I don't think anyone could go wrong with this scope especially at the price.
 
I'd like to hear your findings. Have you looked through swarovski hd glass before ? I'd love to see how they compare.
 
That camera is cool and I could see it's use for load development for me. Not sure it would help me in a match. Haha. I probably just need to pay for a swarovski.
 
Sightron SII 20-60x85 HD:

I haven't gotten out of the yard, so no extensive reviews here.. The glass is clear and good to the edge.. The focus has a course and fine adjustment.. I don't know if the fine adjustment is needed.. I really like the supplied cover and caps (Sightron caps usually suck).. Eye piece fit nice and the variable power adjustment is good.. I would like to compare it side by side to something up the scale like a Kowa.. We'll see..
Sightron SII 20-60x85 HD 2.jpg
This along with one S-TAC series scope and a new SV 10-50x scope are the only Sightron with HD/ED glass..It looks like Sightron glass when looking through it, white bright like in a SIII..
Sightron SII 20-60x85 HD.jpg
Shipped directly from Sightron to my porch on Halloween!!
Sightron SII 20-60x85 HD 4.jpg
Ray
 
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