Which Spotting Scopes are you using?

[Rob]

Looking for a pair around the $600 mark. I currently have the Bushnell POS model which is good for the range, but gives me a headache when using it for longer periods (hunting). I was looking at the Bushnell Excursion FLP's. anyone have any thoughts? Leuplold? Thanks Rob

[Spitzer]

This may help you out.

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15608&PN=1

[BiG Boar]

If you are getting eye/headaches you may want to change the way you are using the scope. I got them using a swarovski scope until I changed my way of viewing. However for the price that bushnell looks like a smokin deal.

[crazysheephunter]

Ya spend the extra 400-500 if you can and buy the Leupold Goldring 12x40x60.Its a great scope rather light and compact and very clear to look thru even at the 40 power.

[Rob]

If you are getting eye/headaches you may want to change the way you are using the scope. I got them using a swarovski scope until I changed my way of viewing. However for the price that bushnell looks like a smokin deal.

How do you mean? Use my binos more and the scope less? Thanks for the reply's. Rob

[Sitkaspruce]

You should be using your binos for all your glassing and using your spotting scope to look at certain objects, animals, to clarify something or looking at something that your binos cannot see clearly. Using your spotting scope for glassing can be the cause for headaches and sore necks.

I use a B&L Elite 20-60x70. A little heavy, but a nice clear scope. I really like the Leupold and of course the Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski, but for now will settle for my Elite.

Cheers

SS

[dana]

Last year I picked up a Leupold Goldring 12-40x60 at the Kamloops gunshow for $800. It was new, never used. I'd watch the Buy and Sell if I were you and you can find some good glass within that price range.

[Dirty]

Last year I picked up a Leupold Goldring 12-40x60 at the Kamloops gunshow for $800. It was new, never used. I'd watch the Buy and Sell if I were you and you can find some good glass within that price range.

How do you like it?

[dana]

I love it. Have used them for several years as a few of my buddies have the exact same scope.
I saw one at the Kamloops Gunshow today for $1050. Told the guy I bought one at last year's gunshow for $800 and he was shocked. :)

[bearhunter338-06]

I have a vintige Bushnell I use. Been looking hard at the Vortex spotting scopes. Yes I know they're not high end but for the money not to mention the warenty I think they'er the best out there for the price.

[Rob]

what would be a minimum for high country glassing for magnification? Leup. gold ring is 15-30x50, too little??

[stonecrazy]

Right now im using a vortex nomad 60 mm and it seems to perform very well it cost around 350 or so and its pretty clear, I use it alot. when the light starts to get a little dimmer my hunting partners 80mm swar is the ticket, he picked it up used for 1200 its an older scope but wow are the optics good. I really like the kowa scopes but they are around the same price as top end scopes of compariable size. the 66mm kowa is 1600 then 400 for the eye piece which is right around the ziess price. i also have the high country vortex tripod and it works very well for the lighter scope, my friend put his big heavy 80mm swaro on it and it seemed a little flimsy for a 6 pound scope. just my two cents.

[eaglesnester]

Looking for a pair around the $600 mark. I currently have the Bushnell POS model which is good for the range, but gives me a headache when using it for longer periods (hunting). I was looking at the Bushnell Excursion FLP's. anyone have any thoughts? Leuplold? Thanks Rob It is my humble opinion that spending less than $1000.00 US on a spotting scope is a waste of time and money. You just can not get good glass for less. Even spending $1000 barely gets you a scope that is acceptable. I have a 20X60 - 80MM Pentax PF80ED and it is only just OK. Spotting scopes are expensive and in order to get a good one that will not give you headaches you got to spend the bucks period. Hope this helps

Cheers & Tighter Groups: Eaglesnester

[Fisher-Dude]

Any of the spotters in your price range will give you headaches and eye twitches. You have to spend the $$$ to get away from that. Start saving your sheckles until you have enough for one of the Big Three. Check out Fisher's Hardware in Vernon - Larry always has good prices on optics.

[BCBear]

I just picked up a 30x60 leupold off of craigslist for $220. It's a few years old but the glass seems great and for a first spotting scope I'm feeling it was a good move.

I guess a spotting scope is like wine, once you've had the finer grapes it's hard to go back to the cheaper stuff.

[leadpillproductions]

i use alpen 15-30 it seems to work very good

[ryanb]

There is a lot of elitism when it comes to spotting scopes, and optics in general. GO with the best you can afford, but there's no point in blowing your budget...save that money to pay for hunting trips. You can have the best spotting scope in the world, but if you're sitting at home because you couldn't afford to take the time off work, what good does that do you?

[Duk Dog]

Bausch & Lomb (now Bushnell) Elite 15-45 x 60. Has done the trick for me for quite a number of years, but at some point will be upgraded. IMO good bang for the buck.

[thebigrig]

I have a bushnell elite 20-60X80 really nice scope for the money. I think you can pick them up from the states for 600 bucks right now.

[JeffR]

I just got a Vortex Nomad 20-60x60 and I am really happy with it. Only used it at the range, not in the field, but it performed better than I expected. I would buy it again.

[7magguy]

I like my Bausch and Lomb 15x45 x 60 - used it for 4 years and find it packs well in my backpack and is clear enough for my old eyes - and I paid about $500 for it - on sale. Not that I wouldn't like a new Ziess!!!!

[troutseeker]

I also have a Vortex Nomad 20X60X60. It is good and I don't see why I should re-mortgage my house for a spotting scope...

[Elkaddict]

I have a 20-60X60 Nikon Fieldscope III ED. It has excellent glass, comparable to the high end German stuff for about half the price. It has given me excellent service. My only bitch would have to be that I wish it had a fine focus as well as the barrel focus. It is just a little more coarse than I would like.
http://www.betterviewdesired.com/Nikon-Fieldscope-III-ED.php

[MidnightRun]

I too have the 20-60 x 60 Nikon Fieldscope III ED. There is a shortcoming with the physical size of the objective size and zoom eyepiece, anything over ~45X results in a very dim view in less than ideal light and a rather short eye relief. It is still a good scope though. Excellent image quality in my opinion and in addition to the caual use throughout the spotting sessions I have spent 2 consecutive days @ 8hrs each behind the scope with no eye strain. If anyone is in the market for this scope I would advise shopping south of the border, I felt the pain of buying at a very competitive Canadian price only to find it for nearly half price at cameralandny. Ouch!