Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

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loneranger
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Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

Post by loneranger »

In the market for a new spotting scope for range work. I have looked at a few brands and had my eyes on a Vixen model that James Corbett used to sell, but sadly they have been discontinued.
I am looking for a fairly compact scope with good eye relief (I hate squinting) and was thinking about the Vortex Diamondback, but do you guys have any recommendations for a good spotting scope for around $500-$1000 ?
Accuracy
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Re: Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

Post by Accuracy »

Celestron Trailseeker 80mm 20-60x angled spotting scope.
Well made excellent optics and great eye relief. Very reasonably priced too.
scott/r
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Re: Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

Post by scott/r »

You'd be able to pick up a good 2nd hand Kona with a stand for well within your price range. I think I payed about $350 mates rates for a tsn-1 that does more than I've ever asked it to do.
Scott.
GSells
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Re: Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

Post by GSells »

Hi , I use a $300 eBay Celestron since end of 2017 . Been everywhere I’ve competed and does the job .
Think it’s the 65 mm ultimer or something like that. I ware glasses when I shoot “astigmatism “ . I just took of the eye cup rubber .
Been good , saved a few points but like anything . It takes a lot of hard work to use a spotting scope successfully! One Question I always ask myself is “ is the scope going to help or hinder me on this detail ?” .
lonerider43
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Re: Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

Post by lonerider43 »

mine have been ebay,never had a problem with them,they are good out to the 1000yrd
see mirage reasonably well,pack away easy.
a mates got a big arse scope,i reckon you could use looking at moon craters.
doesnt seem to help him any more than mine helps me.
horses for courses mate.
Australian's Against "Gun-A-Phobia"
bainp
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Re: Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

Post by bainp »

I have a Konus 70. Not as good as a Leica that I also own BUT the difference in price is thousands. The Konus is almost up there in picture quality. I have been asked many times by someone to borrow my scope for scoring duties. At least twice I have allowed someone to borrow my Leica and the next thing I see is the scope lying on the ground from overbalancing while the scorer wasn't paying attention. I don't allow anyone to borrow any of my equipment any more.
I can't afford the cost of an overhaul of my Leica and I have never been offered the cost of repairs. For the cost of a Konus you can throw the spotting scope away if it gets damaged and buy a new one many times over.
Philip
loneranger
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Re: Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

Post by loneranger »

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback...
bsouthernau
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Re: Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

Post by bsouthernau »

bainp wrote: For the cost of a Konus you can throw the spotting scope away if it gets damaged and buy a new one many times over.
Philip

For scoring purposes I bought a cheapie from Australia Post for $75. I was so pleased with it that when they were clearing them at $50 I bought another. That was 14 years ago and they have toured the country and the world and given good service - but they are now falling apart. I've taken your advice - tossed them and just bought a bottom of the range Konus for $350.
bsouthernau
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Re: Best Value Spotting Scopes..?

Post by bsouthernau »

loneranger wrote:Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback...

It will pay you to shop around. Two different sellers offering the Konus 20-60x100 with a $75 price differential. The dearer one was "free" shipping, other one may have been shipping extra.
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