alaskanwhtail
New Member
I am gonna buy a straight 20-60-65 spotting scope, does anyone own one and if so would they want more or is it to much money. *I own a 15-45-60 leopold and it just isn't enough. I have to go better.
Swarovrski
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Alaskan- I dont own either so this may not be of much use to you, but I do like optics. Two years ago I bought a Nikon fieldscope 15-45x60 from Cabelas for around $750. It was a great scope, but a little pricey I thought, for what you get. Then I bought a Bushnell Elite 20-60x70. I like it, its nice and clear at 20x and sometimes 30x isnt too bad. It is pretty much worthless beyond 30x however. Images get bigger but not clearer, and do get darker as well. The bushnell was around $450 and seemed pretty comparable to the nikon. I wish I had just bought the 80mm Bushnell with interchangeable eyepieces, and then went with a 25x or 30x fixed. I have always read that a fixed eyepiece will outperfom a zoom set to the same power. Since everything I've tried is not much use beyond 30x anyway, the zoom is kind of a waste. BTW, I tried the Leupold too and was expecting a little more for the money, I thought the nikon was better for about the same price (no offense!) and all the reviews i read were similar. Nice compact size though.
What I'm getting at is that if you want more power I think you will be dissapointed with anything less than an 80mm objective at least where fine details and low light are concerned. I read until my eyes bled on some of the birdwatching sites about optics, those guys are really picky. They have some very detailed reviews on them. Basicly there is a physical law that limits the resoution ability of a scope based on the objective lens size, which is why you rarely ever see scopes with anything more than 45x in the 60mm class. You may already know this stuff, if not maybe I've saved you some researching.
Granted, the added 5mm of the Swarovski 65mm will help some, as well as the increased quality of that brand, but I think if it were me I'd go all the way and get the 80mm. I know you hike alot, so I'm sure the extra weight would be the deciding factor.
I would LOVE to have any of the Pentax, Lieca, Swarovski, or ziess 80mm scopes, just never seem to have that much cash laying around!
What I'm getting at is that if you want more power I think you will be dissapointed with anything less than an 80mm objective at least where fine details and low light are concerned. I read until my eyes bled on some of the birdwatching sites about optics, those guys are really picky. They have some very detailed reviews on them. Basicly there is a physical law that limits the resoution ability of a scope based on the objective lens size, which is why you rarely ever see scopes with anything more than 45x in the 60mm class. You may already know this stuff, if not maybe I've saved you some researching.
Granted, the added 5mm of the Swarovski 65mm will help some, as well as the increased quality of that brand, but I think if it were me I'd go all the way and get the 80mm. I know you hike alot, so I'm sure the extra weight would be the deciding factor.
I would LOVE to have any of the Pentax, Lieca, Swarovski, or ziess 80mm scopes, just never seem to have that much cash laying around!
DLO
New Member
The bigger the objective lens, the brighter the image...The brighter the image, the more detail afforded at higher maginification. I'd go with the 80mm lens for sure. If you're spending that sort of $ on a scope, get all you can. I'm going with the ATS 20-60X80 HD. The angled configuration lends itself to quick views from the bench when spotting rifle targets and is much more comfortable during prolonged use when glassing game in the field. The weight difference is minimal. The the 80mm scope weighs in at 47.6oz The 65mm scope weighs in at 39.9oz.
alaskanwhtail
New Member
Well wieght is the biggest factor Thats why I narrowed it down to Swarovski. The reason I'm going with then straight is because when your sheep are on the other side of the ridge and you don't want to expose yourself with the angled version. I have been talking to alot of sheep hunters and been getting all thier tricks of the trade. I was just seeing if any body owned one and if there were any thing they didn't like about them. The reason I'm not going to get the 80 mm lens is it gathers way to much mirage in the high country. Keep the replys coming.
I haven't looked into the Leicas yet but will this week.
I haven't looked into the Leicas yet but will this week.
B
Bobcat
Guest
Kevin, I don't have a Swar spotting scope (yet), but I did buy a pair of their 10x42 EL's this year and they are fantastic. I should have saved myself all of the misery over the last 20 years with subpar glass and bought them from the start. Not much help on your decision I know but I went with the EL's instead of the SLC's because of the weight. The El's are made of Magnesium and are much lighter. A little pricier also because I was told by Eagle Optics that the EL's are hand made ?My 2 cents.
Bobcat
Bobcat
muddy
Well-Known Member
when i was a scheels wench i spent a lot of time in the optics section. i'd take all the spotting scopes and binos over to the window around dusk and check out the light gathering, clearity, and general quality of all the optics. the swarovskis are worth it if you really NEED them.
J
jdavis
Guest
I bought a pair a binocs from Sheels, they are 10 x 42 and have a lifetime warranty, no questions asked. I tried many types and sizes and as a bow hunter in Iowa I think the sheels 10 x 42 are right for me. The cost was 500.00 two years ago but they have made improvments to them and the price came down to 300.00. I really like them!
OneCam
Well-Known Member
Alaskan, I recently purchased a high end spotting scope. I did a side by side comparison with Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss. I would encourage you to do the same ... when I went into the store I was favoring the Sarovski Scope but the side by side comparison was no contest - LEICA was hands down clearier, crisper and brighter. You can't beat the gaurantee either - lifetime no fault that is transferrable.
I purchased the scope and liked it so much that I also had to have their new 8 x 42 Ultravid Bino's.
I purchased the scope and liked it so much that I also had to have their new 8 x 42 Ultravid Bino's.
alaskanwhtail
New Member
Thanks for the info guys, after doing alot of pricing and talking to dealers, I decided that the Swarovski STS 20-60X65mm HD was the best for the purpose of what I need it for. The dealer that I got it from was the cheapest outta them all. I also ordered the tripod and its hard case. Boy did I get a deal, this guy hadn't changed his website up and had the old tripod. I was unaware of the new one and it was alot more for the new one so I ended up getting the new one for the price of the old version. The website was www.opticsspot.com they were the cheapest after doing several hours of calling around and checking out websites.
DLO, You cannot magnify through mirage while glassing miles. Such as haze or a real muggy afternoon. The stronger the lens, the more it pics up.
DLO, You cannot magnify through mirage while glassing miles. Such as haze or a real muggy afternoon. The stronger the lens, the more it pics up.
DLO
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
DLO, You cannot magnify through mirage while glassing miles. Such as haze or a real muggy afternoon. The stronger the lens, the more it pics up.
[/ QUOTE ]
The objective lens is resonsible for the brightness and the resolution of the image you see. Mirage is an atmospheric condition caused by heat, not light. Mirage becomes very visible at magnifications 20x or more. As you magnify the image more and more.... the mirage becomes worse and worse no matter the size of the objective lens. A perfect example of that is in rifle scopes. They have relatively small objective lenses compared to spotting scopes, but can have high magnification. Mirage is definately visable through them and it's not because of their objective lens..... it's due to maginification. There is no way around mirage except lowering your maginification. Benchrest shooters use mirage as one of the best wind indicators you can have, and increase maginification on their scopes so that they can see it(mirage). A smaller objective lens will not decrease percieved mirage at a given magnification and if you think you will experience less mirage with a 65mm lens rather than an 80mm, you are misinformed. decreasing the size of your objective lens will the limiting factor when considering how much light and resolution your scope provides you, not to mention lessening your ability to view objects at times of low light. If you had two spotting scopes, side by side: One 20x65 and one 20x80. Both scopes would have the same percieved mirage and the 20x80 scope will seem a bit brighter with a bit sharper image. You mentioned muggy/hazy afternoons (haze is a function of relative humidity and is not in any way, mirage). A larger objective lens could only help in that situation, by increasing the resolution afforded by your scope. Seeing shapes through haze is much easier when resolution and contrast are greater. The scope you decided to buy is a great scope and will serve you well. I was just trying to correct the misunderstanding you seem to have with the whole mirage thing. Just trying to help bud...not tryin' get into a pissin' contest.
DLO, You cannot magnify through mirage while glassing miles. Such as haze or a real muggy afternoon. The stronger the lens, the more it pics up.
[/ QUOTE ]
The objective lens is resonsible for the brightness and the resolution of the image you see. Mirage is an atmospheric condition caused by heat, not light. Mirage becomes very visible at magnifications 20x or more. As you magnify the image more and more.... the mirage becomes worse and worse no matter the size of the objective lens. A perfect example of that is in rifle scopes. They have relatively small objective lenses compared to spotting scopes, but can have high magnification. Mirage is definately visable through them and it's not because of their objective lens..... it's due to maginification. There is no way around mirage except lowering your maginification. Benchrest shooters use mirage as one of the best wind indicators you can have, and increase maginification on their scopes so that they can see it(mirage). A smaller objective lens will not decrease percieved mirage at a given magnification and if you think you will experience less mirage with a 65mm lens rather than an 80mm, you are misinformed. decreasing the size of your objective lens will the limiting factor when considering how much light and resolution your scope provides you, not to mention lessening your ability to view objects at times of low light. If you had two spotting scopes, side by side: One 20x65 and one 20x80. Both scopes would have the same percieved mirage and the 20x80 scope will seem a bit brighter with a bit sharper image. You mentioned muggy/hazy afternoons (haze is a function of relative humidity and is not in any way, mirage). A larger objective lens could only help in that situation, by increasing the resolution afforded by your scope. Seeing shapes through haze is much easier when resolution and contrast are greater. The scope you decided to buy is a great scope and will serve you well. I was just trying to correct the misunderstanding you seem to have with the whole mirage thing. Just trying to help bud...not tryin' get into a pissin' contest.
alaskanwhtail
New Member
Thanks DLO, I'm not pissin mood, ever. Hopefully it will help harvest a nice trophy dall sheep this next august...
alaskanwhtail
New Member
I appliede for Tok and Delta managements units but still booking flights to the eatern brooks range in pursuit of them. I also have the option of doing 2 guiding trips for a master guide. I'm pretty sure Brian and I will do just fine in the brooks or perhaps if we are fortunate to get drawn.
Kelcher, do you really think I would hold out.
Kelcher, do you really think I would hold out.
alaskanwhtail
New Member
Well, I got it in the mail yesterday, and boy is it worth it. Now I need a swarovski scope on my 300 with all the light it brings in. The leopold will have to do as I'm outta cash for optics this year. Thanks for the replys.