ED Glass?

[Forester]

I am new to this forum, and new to long range hunting. Right now I am working with a Savage .308 that is showing 1/2 minute potential out to 4 or 5 hundred yards (500 is the longest range I have access to) My old Winchester spotting scope becomes useless at about 300 or so because the glass just is not very clear.

I am looking at a Celestron Ultima 80 or possibly Ultima 100. Is the extra $$$ for ED glass generally worth it? How much difference does it make in any brand?

I would like not to spend more than 3-400 on a spotting scope right now, If ED glass is not worth the extra then is the Celestron Ultima 80 @ $178 on optics planet a good choice?

Thanks for the help!

 

[bkondeff]

I would wonder what type of Long Range hunting you plan on doing, but in most situation I would say from a hunting stand point, good binoculars and a spotting scope are more important than a rifle scope or even the rifle.

 

[Forester]

As things stand right now, the spotting scope will be mostly for range use. Long rang hunting for me right now is 500 yard deer and varmints. Thats not really long by most standards here but that is the farthest I can practice at right now and thus the farthest I am comfortable to hunt at. I have good binoculars that will be with me for hunting but it would be nice to be able to see bullet holes a little better on the range.

So the question remains...is ED glass worth the extra cost?

P.S, I love this new savage, I am still working loads up but today it posted a .39MOA average over 3 3 shot groups with 165gr Game kings, and .27MOA average with 168gr Match Kings. All shot at 200 yards.gun)

 

[CAM]

Forester
Wish I had an answer for you on the "ED" glass. I'm told the ED is best if your going to photo thru the scope or for low light times, also the colors are brighter.

There are some optic guy's on the form that you could email and ask.

Also, you might want to check out the Vortex line of scopes.
Thier resonable price, lifetime warranty.

I didn't get the ED with mine because I don't hunt with it or take pictures.

Last time I was shooting I set it up but never looked thru it!!
We use steel plates painted white and a non shooter was using it to spot for us.
We were shooting at 1600 yards and could see the hits with our scopes on 22 power.
You might want to get some steel targets for your 500 yard testing.

CAM

 

[Buffalobob]

A couple of points. As Cam says ED glass is chiefly a color issue and if you are looking for a reddish brown elk in brown grass at a mile or more then you better have it or some of the newer stuff.

ED has a few disadvantages but usually if a lens is made out of ED then there will be other "improvements" associated with it. ED has a different refractive index and so the whole (?- or at least part) lens system must be redesigned. Not all "ED" glass is actually real ED. This is like buying a 1967 GTO and finding out that the serial number belongs to a dam LeMans.

Bottom line is ED is for secondary chromatic aberration- blurring/fuzzy transition of colors.

I know I didn't answer your question and you wish you had a brick handy, but there is just no way of knowing without actually looking through the scope.

 

[Forester]

A couple of points. As Cam says ED glass is chiefly a color issue and if you are looking for a reddish brown elk in brown grass at a mile or more then you better have it or some of the newer stuff.

ED has a few disadvantages but usually if a lens is made out of ED then there will be other "improvements" associated with it. ED has a different refractive index and so the whole (?- or at least part) lens system must be redesigned. Not all "ED" glass is actually real ED. This is like buying a 1967 GTO and finding out that the serial number belongs to a dam LeMans.

Bottom line is ED is for secondary chromatic aberration- blurring/fuzzy transition of colors.

I know I didn't answer your question and you wish you had a brick handy, but there is just no way of knowing without actually looking through the scope.

No problem, at least I am starting to understand it a little better. Saying "blurring/fuzzy transition of colors" makes it make sense in my mind better than just saying "better colors".

I'm not sure I am any closer to a decision, but at least I know more now.

 

[bryceh12321]

I would wonder what type of Long Range hunting you plan on doing, but in most situation I would say from a hunting stand point, good binoculars and a spotting scope are more important than a rifle scope or even the rifle.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaat?????????????????

 

[Havingfun]

Forester,

Attached is a link which I have saved because it gives a real world review of the difference between ED and non ED spotting scope.

Nikon Fieldscope III ED explained in plain english. Must reading for anyone interested in shooting sports optics.

Hope you find it useful.

Good Luck