Spotting scope help

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Greg BPTR Director
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Spotting scope help

Post by Greg BPTR Director »

I'm looking to get me a new spotting scope for long range, in the $1200 to $1500 range. I would like some suggestions on what would be a good choice.
Greg
BFD
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by BFD »

45deg angled eyepiece or straight?
ChrisF
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by ChrisF »

I have a 821 Kowa. I think that's the numbe it is an older Scope. My buddy has a Vortex Razor model. Both are very nice scopes.
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Don McDowell
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by Don McDowell »

Vortex Razor.
AKA Donny Ray Rockslinger :?
ChrisF
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by ChrisF »

My buddies Vortex Razor is very nice
firefighter1990
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by firefighter1990 »

I use a leica for everything from silhouette, f/class, and hunting. I prefer the straight eye piece so I can keep an eye on the wind flags without picking up my head
Greg BPTR Director
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by Greg BPTR Director »

Thanks for the info.
Does anyone have or use a Kowa TSN-82SV scope, if so how does it compare to the razor.
Greg
Rufus Krile
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by Rufus Krile »

There's an 821 with LER eyepiece for sale over on 'SteelChickens.com" for $750. Not mine, but I do like them. I have an older 77mm that I've had for30+yrs of small bore rifle silhouette and resolution (what you're really looking for here...) could not be better. When you can see bullets in flight or can dial in parallax/focus to read the mirage at different ranges you are pretty much there. Never owned or even looked through a Razor but there'll be enough folks here that have to give good advice.
SFogler
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by SFogler »

Greg, For the amount of money you have to spend, you could consider one of the better scopes mentioned in these posts and still have money for a TV camera system. I use my scope out to 300 - 400 yards. I use the camera at 500 yards (the max distance on my range). The camera system zooms right in and I don't have any problems seeing the bullet holes in the black on paper. Doesn't matter what the lighting condition or mirage is since the camera is just a a few yards off to the side of the target and using its own WIFI to send the info to my iPad. I've tried to see bullet holes in the black at 500 yards with my scope and 'it depends.' When I am out at the range alone I can set the camera to 'record' and it will play back a few seconds and show the dirt kicking up when I sight in on the steel swingers... so I don't need a spotter. I have a Caldwell camera that's supposed to stream up to a mile but I haven't tried that. I think there was a thread awhile back that talked highly of the SME Bullseye. Just a thought.
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Lumpy Grits
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by Lumpy Grits »

Take a long, hard look at this Celestron.
I have been very pleased with mine.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... tting.html

Gary
"Hav'n you along, is like loose'n two good men"
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Don McDowell
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by Don McDowell »

Greg BPTR Director wrote: Mon Dec 03, 2018 10:00 pm Thanks for the info.
Does anyone have or use a Kowa TSN-82SV scope, if so how does it compare to the razor.
Greg
My shooting partner has the Kowa, I have the Razor. We end up using the Razor more than the Kowa.
At a recent match a Kowa user was used my Razor for a bit of spotting, and the first comment was "that's a good scope"
Which ever scope you end up with, don't forget to budget a couple hundred bucks for a good solid stand.
AKA Donny Ray Rockslinger :?
Kirk Stovall
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by Kirk Stovall »

People will always compare scopes to Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss, so why not get one. You can find a used one for the money you are talking about.

Here is an excellent scope that will serve you well for years and it is a real Swarovski 20-60X80mm for $1100.00

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Swarovski-AT80 ... :rk:6:pf:0
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Kurt
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by Kurt »

Like Lumpy, I also use a Celestron Regal M2 but mine is a 100mm https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... omerReview it is very sharp and bright. When I first got it there was a problem with the clarity at full power and I sent it back and 10 days later it came back fixed. I also use a Kowa 820 and it is a fine scope but I pay attention to the mirage for changes and the Celestron picked up the mirage when the Iowa does not. The 100mm has a down side and if I was to replace it it would be with the 80mm because it is very front heavy because of the large lens but it is sharp edge to edge and I have had it out in the rain a couple times with out a single problem. Celestron also has the option for a large selection of different eye pieces if your a star gazer.
Before deciding on any scope spend time reading reviews from bird watches and shooters and buy the scope that has a full return policy so if it's not what you expect you can return it for a exchange or a 100% refund.
Also get a good solid stand. A good scope is only as good as the stand it is sitting on.

Kurt
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Kurt
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by Kurt »

I might add.
If your at a store like Cabela's looking at scopes look at the objective lens and pay attention to the reflection you see of your self. The less mirror image you see of yourself returning the better the sharpness and clarity will be looking through the scope.
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
Jim Kidwell
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Re: Spotting scope help

Post by Jim Kidwell »

Celestron Regal M2 w/ LER eyepiece..................
....................................Jim
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