What spotting scope would you reccomend in the $500 +/- $50 range?

[kebes]

Spotting scope is the next item on my wish list, thought I'd get your opinions. something relatively compact would be nice.

[lightmag]

good question i would like to know too

[todbartell]

Bushnell Elite, formerly Bausch & Lomb Elite, 15-45x

[Deaddog]

I agree with Bartell, can't go wrong with that scope for the price

[Yak]

I just bought one, a redfield rampage (check the consumer ratings online) and am very happy with it. It cost about 260 from cabelas, but came with a tripod which was garbage, a case and covers. Really good scope especially for the money. I am very happy with it so far and would reccommend it, but if your looking to spend more you could probably get somehting better. Still a good scope though, worth checking out.

Yak

[huntcoop]

Bushnell Elite, formerly Bausch & Lomb Elite, 15-45x

They are awesome, PM me as I have one that I'd part with :wink: .

[todbartell]

The Redfield is decent, but if you got $500 to spend, buy the Elite

[Johnny G1]

Bushnell Elite, formerly Bausch & Lomb Elite, 15-45x A very good spottin scope, had one for quite a few yrs.

[Johnny G1]

Yeh but I think it is 15-60,

[markt308]

vortex nomad. google it

[ElectricDyck]

Watch for a used elite, I've seen them used for $200 to $300 lately. I have an elite 15/45, it's adequate but lacks clarity over 30x magnification. I've had problems counting points at 500 yards with it.

[troutseeker]

Bushnell Elite's are good, but I sold mine and went with a Vortex Nomad. In my opinion it's just as good and I prefer the angled eyepiece and the larger objective.

[ytlogger]

If you're not in a hurry, why not look for a 'higher quality' used?

[BromBones]

I was in your boat a couple years ago, looking for a $500ish scope for a spare to use for local day trips etc., so I could have a decent compact scope to use and save wear and tear on my expensive scope.

After researching and trying out many different scopes, I bought a Vortex Impact 25-75x70. IMO the quality of the optics kick the shit out of Leupold and Bushnell products in that price range, and it was right around $300 said and done. Warranty is top notch, which is more than anyone can say about Bushnell or Leupold green ring products.

It's been dropped, soaked, frozen, etc and still performs like new. It is very compact, takes up little space in the pack, and is easy to keep stable. I use it more than my larger scope which was over 3x the price. I'm not gonna say the optics are better (though they are very good), but it is a more versatile scope.

Worth checking out.

[coach]

Make sure you take the time to look through a few different ones before spending your money. I bought a Vortex Impact this summer and it has turned out to be a very poor purchase. I find the optics to be very poor. My 10x42 nikon binoculars are far better than my spotting scope. As a result, it resides in my gun safe. I'm sure vortex makes great optics - lots of guys swear by them - but from my experience the nomad isn't great. A spotting scope has a very specific purpose. When packing that extra weight up a mountain or trying to size up an animal from long distance you really want something you are happy with and can rely on.

[Slee]

Bushnell Elite, formerly Bausch & Lomb Elite, 15-45x

best bang for your buck at this price range

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

take my advice , save up and get the swarski 20 by 60 hd .. i know its a lot but if you plan on hunting for the rest of your life you will know where the money went every single time you use it .. iv spent money on cheap scopes before and you get what you pay for ..just my advice. i guess it depends on how much you hunt or what your hunting .. i use mine lots during the year , with a camera adapter , which is a learning process..lol . but the scope is great for bear ,elk ,goat ,bighorn. or just eagle watching .

[Husky7mm]

If you do buy a cheaper spotter you will probably upgrade one day to a higher end spotter anyways, (if your serious about spotting that is) So go into dept or save and go for the optic you can use happily your whole life.
I have been skrewed buy bushnell on a pair of legends, that could happen to you. Not sure on the price but NIKON optic a reasonable and very crisp for the $$.

[Caveman]

Leupold compact 15x30

[kebes]

Thanks for the input guys, lots to think about.

[mod7rem]

One other thing to think about, alot of people say buy the best and be done with it so you are not wasting money. Well that isnt possible for most of us, so dont worry if you have to start with something you can afford first. A cheap spotting scope is better than no spotting scope because you are holding out for the best. My first spotting scope was a bushnell trophy compact that I used for 5yrs (cost $260) and in that time I used it to get goats, sheep, caribou and elk. It isnt the best but it worked. After the 5 yrs I sold it for $180, so how much money did I waste? As I can afford I upgrade into better gear. The main part is use your gear.