Spotting scope help

[06shooter]

I’m new to long range shooting and looking to buy a used spotting scope I been looking at some and like some feed back on these used ones under $1000
1. Swarovski option ST80 w/20-60 eyepiece older gray one
2. Leica APO Televid 77 w/20-60 eyepiece
3. Vortex Razor HD 85 w/20-60 eyepiece
4. Kowa TSN 820 32 eyepiece
Or if anyone has a suggestions on a scope under$1000 please let me know

 

[Raythemanroe]

I would recommend the Meopta Meopro or Meostar which ever you can afford. I have looked through these on the line and Swaro and everything on the line didn't compare.. Pentax would be a good used one to try and find, these have gone up in value so the deals aren't there really anymore.. Sightron SII has ED glass and probably will get you what you need for cheap.

Ray

 

[243Lapua]

I really like my ugly gray Swarovski. Nice glass and great image. Found mine on Ebay for $800.00 with 3 eyepiece and the camera adapter and original black Swaro carrying case.

 

[243Lapua]

I’m new to long range shooting and looking to buy a used spotting scope I been looking at some and like some feed back on these used ones under $1000
1. Swarovski option ST80 w/20-60 eyepiece older gray one
2. Leica APO Televid 77 w/20-60 eyepiece
3. Vortex Razor HD 85 w/20-60 eyepiece
4. Kowa TSN 820 32 eyepiece
Or if anyone has a suggestions on a scope under$1000 please let me know

Ebay #264417035996

 

[ballisticxlr]

All of those you have listed are pretty darned good. I'm partial to Kowa myself. If you want the best information about spotting scopes, hit up bird watching forums. Those dudes makes ELR shooters seem totally not picky at all.

 

[Raythemanroe]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/293174681187

Ray

 

[rardoin]

Out of those listed the Leica will likely be the best glass but also, like the Swaro, a straight viewing scope. My mother, an avid ornithology buff for 50+ years has a 20 year old Leica that I would put up against my Swarovski spotter... but it cost a few thou' back in the day. I would suggest finding a used Kowa TSN 80mm LER angled body as you will likely find that you will want the scope next to you on the firing line and a straight scope makes viewing through the spotter and riflescope simultaneously near impossible without severe compromise.

Robin

 

[swd]

The Kowa with the angled body and 27LER eyepiece is probably the most common spotter on the line at a mid/LR match. If you plan on using glasses while your spotting the 27 LER, long eye relief eyepiece is the way to go.

 

[06shooter]

Thanks for the info.
Looks like it’s about like any glass, ask 1000 people and you will get 900 different answers.
Looks like any would work. I will see what one is the best deal.
Thanks

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Let me add a few thoughts here since you're new to long range shooting.

I will "assume" that you will be shooting some sort of scoped rifle and that your goal is not to be able to see a bullet hole on a black target 1000 yards away. I will tell you how I use my spotting scope for long range shooting.

I am an F-class competitor and I shoot mostly 1000 yard competitions. I also wind coach some teams on occasion. I do not have an unlimited budget for such toys, so I try to spend wisely.

I use my spotting scope quite a bit. It is a Kowa TSN with a 27LER eyepiece. Nothing fancy, but it's very dependable, the glass, while not ED glass or (gasp) fluorite crystal glass, is good enough for my needs. Someone mentioned birders earlier and while I agree that these people are much more into spotting scopes than shooters, their needs are very different from ours.

Birders want the very best glass they can find and that's into ED, Super-ED and even fluorite crystal lenses. They require the best color rendition possible because they are looking at the plumage (of the Norwegian Blue,) and other birds. That's their pursuit, their quest and their goal. Also they do not look at birds at 1000 yards, they will be observing these flying dinosaurs at much closer range, and they usually look up in trees and forests, not flat across a wide open landscape where the mirage roams.

When I am shooting, I use my spotting scope to look at the conditions, the mirage and when on regular targets, the scores on the adjacent targets. The 27X power of my Kowa is perfect for that, gives me a wide view and I can easily see the scores on targets. When I score for a shooter on regular targets, my Kowa at 27X is perfect for that, as I easily see the scores on the target. When I wind coach a team, I can look through my Kowa for a very long time if I have to because the glass is good enough to not cause me any headaches and the 80mm objective makes for a nice bright image.

Also, I find that ED glass has a tendency to take the mirage somewhat, a quality that I do not want in my spotting scope while observing conditions, but it's definitely something I want in my riflescope to help me aim properly.

So, I spend my money on a great riflescope with ED glass (March) and spend less money on a fine spotting scope without ED glass (Kowa).

 

[Stepsjframe]

I have a Bushnell Elite 15x45x60 and it works very well for what you are looking for, plus can be had for under 400.00..

 

[06shooter]

Thanks for all the help
Good advice on needs of a scope.
Thanks for the offer on the bushnell, a member of our club just gave me a kowa tsn-3 with 30 eyepiece to use until I get thing set and going and then I should have a better idea of what I want.
Thanks this is a great forum