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Spotting Scopes

katy

katy

Ballagh
Just got my 05 Early Fall Preview catalog from Cableas so I can pick out what I want and go see Brady at CIA to order!
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Any hoot, I need (should say want) a spotting scope. I already have a tripod that would work for it, but what do you guys look for in a spotting scope. I dont want to break the bank on one cause it will probley take a lot of abuse. What power should I be looking for? I will be using it around here a bit, and a lot out west for mulie and antelope. Kind of looking at Burris or Bushnell, possibly Nikon.
 
I have a cabelas brand 20-60 power scope and it's a piece of crap. I would recommend a nikon, they seem to make about the best affordable optics on the market.
I have mine mounted on an old gun stock and if I take it over 45 you pretty much have to use a tripod. Good luck fellas and let us know what you end up with.
 
Break the bank & purchase a Leica, Zeiss or Swarovski ... I chose to upgrade my Nikon to the Leica last year after my Mule deer hunt.
 
Spend the extra money at get a good one if you think it is going to get abused. Nikon, Burris, and Leupold (sp?) all make decent spotters, but the best would be Swarovski and Leica.
 
If you spend a lot of time spot and stalk hunting out west, quality optics are a must.

Reach down in those deep pockets of yours, shell out some green.
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Supertec...if you are looking at the Team Realtree version of the Nikon....avoid it. I bought it several years ago and sent it back after about 30 minutes of playing with it.
 
Chad,
I think the best thing for you to do is go to Cabela's, line up all the one's you can afford, and pick the one that's most comfortable to look through, even if it is a cheaper model. Clarity and design are important, but if you can't COMFORTABLY see through the scope for extended periods of time, you'll be less likely to use it out in the field. Like the above said, Leica's and Swarovski's will be the best, but they're spendy. If you need something right away, I suggest going to a large store with a large inventory and checking them all out. Four or five years ago I bought a Bushnell Banner Sentry, not because of price, but because of eye-relief and ease of finding targets through it. For some reason, Nikon's have always given me trouble, seems like I have to have my eyeball touching the lens befoe I can make anything out. Find one that's comfortable to use for you, otherwise it'll just end up staying in your pack.
CRITR
 
Being a Pro Photographer I can honestly tell you when it comes to optics you will get what you pay for. I learned along time ago that if it is not a Leica, Kahles, Swarovski, or Zeiss it is just going to disapoint. I have a Swarovski ST80, it is a little cumbersom, but when out west it is freaking awesome...Also while prairie dog shooting it stays extrememly clear in temps up to 100 degrees at 60 power. Keep in mind heat distortion plays a big part in how a spotting scope will perform, and when trying them out use them with low light, what good is a spotting scope if you can see through it? It will cost much more in the long run to buy a five hundred dollar one and then a better one. Look on ebay, there are a few online now....
 
The rule with optics is to get hte best you can possibly afford. In this market price does matter, your not just paying for a name like some other things. That said, I recently won a Burris spotting scope at a RMEF event and the thinkg works great. Extremly clear, and can mount to either a tripod or window mount. I think that it retails for like $400 or something like that.
 
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