spotting scopes - The Firearms Forum

jbeam · 07-06-2011, 04:12 PM

Hello i was looking at getting a spotting scope for the range. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a good quality one for a fairly good price?

woolleyworm · 07-06-2011, 05:09 PM

What ranges are you going to be shooting at? For up to 300 yards, I had a Barska 20-60x60 that I picked up off of flEaBay for $68 shipped..... and then I thought I needed a "better" one, so I sold it; regretting that decision ever since. I'm buying another Barska for short range duties within the next couple of weeks. Best bang for the buck unless you're planning on shooting at 500+ yrds, then you're going to need a high quality optics.

permafrost · 07-06-2011, 05:18 PM

I've got a Simmons. I can't really reccomend it . To small a field of view at upper power. Also, I would get one with the angled eyepiece, just alot easier to work with IMHO.

todd51 · 07-06-2011, 05:28 PM

I don't know enough to recommend any of the spotting scopes. I have only had one and that is the one I am using. It is a Wind River by Wilderness Optics, imported from Korea by Leupold. It is a 15x45x60mm. It is quite clear and works ok for my short range uses but my complaint with it is eye relief. As you increase the magnification you have to almost climb into the eye piece to see all of the 60mm lens. It is so close that eye glasses are impossible to use with this scope. I have such limited experience with these scopes as to not know if this is normal or a defect. When I get another, the eye relief will be the first thing I check into.

langenc · 07-06-2011, 05:36 PM

Increasing the power does lots of stuff-mostly bad:

DECREASED

field of view

depth of field

Others Im sure??

amt light coming thru lense

INCREASED

ability to see holes-maybe

mirage

07-06-2011, 04:12 PM	#1
jbeam Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 30	spotting scopes Hello i was looking at getting a spotting scope for the range. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a good quality one for a fairly good price? -->

07-06-2011, 05:09 PM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,888	Re: spotting scopes What ranges are you going to be shooting at? For up to 300 yards, I had a Barska 20-60x60 that I picked up off of flEaBay for $68 shipped..... and then I thought I needed a "better" one, so I sold it; regretting that decision ever since. I'm buying another Barska for short range duties within the next couple of weeks. Best bang for the buck unless you're planning on shooting at 500+ yrds, then you're going to need a high quality optics. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

07-06-2011, 05:18 PM	#3
permafrost Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oklahoma, USA Contributor Posts: 1,777	Re: spotting scopes I've got a Simmons. I can't really reccomend it . To small a field of view at upper power. Also, I would get one with the angled eyepiece, just alot easier to work with IMHO. __________________ Stand and Fight

07-06-2011, 05:28 PM	#4
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,595	Re: spotting scopes I don't know enough to recommend any of the spotting scopes. I have only had one and that is the one I am using. It is a Wind River by Wilderness Optics, imported from Korea by Leupold. It is a 15x45x60mm. It is quite clear and works ok for my short range uses but my complaint with it is eye relief. As you increase the magnification you have to almost climb into the eye piece to see all of the 60mm lens. It is so close that eye glasses are impossible to use with this scope. I have such limited experience with these scopes as to not know if this is normal or a defect. When I get another, the eye relief will be the first thing I check into. __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

07-06-2011, 05:36 PM	#5
langenc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 428	Re: spotting scopes Increasing the power does lots of stuff-mostly bad: DECREASED field of view depth of field Others Im sure?? amt light coming thru lense INCREASED ability to see holes-maybe mirage Last edited by langenc; 07-06-2011 at 05:40 PM..