Sold/expired

[OldHunter59]

What spotting scope is useful at 1760 yards at a reasonable cost. I have two ranges 700 yards and 1000 that I've been using for a long time and I have an opportunity to shoot at a range that goes out to 1760 yards. I've been using an old ats 20-60x65 non-hd, but it ain't gonna cut in at the new place. I'd like to be prepared as much as possible.

 

[sable tireur]

What spotting scope is useful at 1760 yards at a reasonable cost. (?)

Like any question asking for guidance for any product, reasonable cost needs to be defined simply because it's a variable , some can afford more than others. So what is your idea of reasonable?

We all seem to see differently when viewing through spotting scopes or riflescopes so first hand experience at your local dealer or Sports Show will help tremendously.

There are a few folks here on the ELR forum who believe that only they have the information which should be regarded as gospel because of their experiences. So there might be some hesitation on the part of the rest of the ELR shooters to offer an opinion. But then again, opinions run the gamut when asked on a public forum anyway so here is what I use:

Kowa Highlander 82mm binocular spotting scope

https://www.rifletalks.com/equipment-reviews/kowa-prominar-high-lander-82mm-japanese-big-eyes/

Or in a single body form:

Kowa TSN-880 Series Straight Body High Performance Spotting Scope with PROMINAR Pure Fluorite Lens

https://www.optics4birding.com/kowa-tsn-880-spotting-scopes.html

The single version (TSN-880) runs about 1/2 the price of the binocular version.

I started out with 'Big Eyes' spotting scopes so I had to save for awhile before buying these.

Enjoy!

 

[Reelamin]

What is it you intent/want to be able to see and to what level? What is you the max you want to spend.

 

[OldHunter59]

I'd like to have better clarity at 1000, using medium steel plates (I think they're 16"). I can tell I'm hitting but not clear. On the 1760 yard range, I want to be able to tell that im hitting the target and where on the target. I haven't shot there yet, so I don't know what size target are there.

 

[OldHunter59]

I'm thinking Kowa Prominar 773 or 883, don't know if the extra $1000 is worth the investment. Considered Swarovski 85mm but don't want to spend $4k. My primary ranges will be my 700 and 1000 ranges - I shoot one on Fridays and the other on Sundays almost every week.

 

[OldHunter59]

Like any question asking for guidance for any product, reasonable cost needs to be defined simply because it's a variable , some can afford more than others. So what is your idea of reasonable?

We all seem to see differently when viewing through spotting scopes or riflescopes so first hand experience at your local dealer or Sports Show will help tremendously.

There are a few folks here on the ELR forum who believe that only they have the information which should be regarded as gospel because of their experiences. So there might be some hesitation on the part of the rest of the ELR shooters to offer an opinion. But then again, opinions run the gamut when asked on a public forum anyway so here is what I use:

Kowa Highlander 82mm binocular spotting scope

https://www.rifletalks.com/equipment-reviews/kowa-prominar-high-lander-82mm-japanese-big-eyes/

Or in a single body form:

Kowa TSN-880 Series Straight Body High Performance Spotting Scope with PROMINAR Pure Fluorite Lens

https://www.optics4birding.com/kowa-tsn-880-spotting-scopes.html

The single version (TSN-880) runs about 1/2 the price of the binocular version.

I started out with 'Big Eyes' spotting scopes so I had to save for awhile before buying these.

Enjoy!

Thank you for the links, I appreciate it. I've been leaning toward the 883

 

[tobnpr]

If only they could see through mirage...
Could be a $50 Barska or a $$$$ Swaro, doesn't matter most of the time where I shoot, it's so bad.

 

[OldHunter59]

The higher end models handle mirage better than cheap ones, but you're correct mirage can make shooting very challenging

 

[Jeff Heeg osoh]

We have had very good luck with the Vortex Razor spotting scope but as of last year the Viper HD has been used as well spotting targets out to 4000 yards.

Pick what you like and want but we really have had good results with these, Cheers

Jeff

 

[Bravo 4]

My opinion: I use an older ATS (non HD) at work and personally own a Kowa Prominar. I got the Kowa because it was the closest thing to a Swaro as I could find without the Swaro price. The only way you are going to get anything better than your Swaro is to get a newer bigger Swaro and that is not going to be economical. Your best bet to actually see that far is to look into something like these: https://www.longshotcameras.com/products/longshot-lr-3
They have come out to our Sniper Comp the last few years and work really well for our ELR stages.

 

[lotech]

I've had a Kowa TSN 884 Prominar with the 25x-60x eyepiece for several years. It's certainly to be recommended for the quality and optics, but it's a huge and heavy piece. Because of this and the fact that most of my spotting needs are not really long-range, mine's seen little use. A heavy-duty tripod that keeps movement and vibration to a minimum is a must.

 

[RockyRandy]

I'm so cheap at times I squeak! I have owned Swarovski, Vortex, bushnell, Tracts, Leuplod, The more you spend the better the optic, in that $1500 range you are going to get about them same quality no matter which one you choose. When you step up another $1000 you will start to really see the difference in glass. Add another $1000 to $2000 to that and you will be amazed! The big question is how deep are your pockets? I'm running the $1500 Tracts now and they work, but they are not in the same class as the Swarovski.
Spend once cry once, but not me I'll keep trying to find something in the Swarovski quality and a Vortex price.

 

[OldHunter59]

I'm so cheap at times I squeak! I have owned Swarovski, Vortex, bushnell, Tracts, Leuplod, The more you spend the better the optic, in that $1500 range you are going to get about them same quality no matter which one you choose. When you step up another $1000 you will start to really see the difference in glass. Add another $1000 to $2000 to that and you will be amazed! The big question is how deep are your pockets? I'm running the $1500 Tracts now and they work, but they are not in the same class as the Swarovski.
Spend once cry once, but not me I'll keep trying to find something in the Swarovski quality and a Vortex price.

Your post resonates…I tend to buy middle if the road, but spend more than top of the line by the time I'm done. With rifles, I'm the opposite - only buy GA or Stiller or Surgeon or similar.

I'm budgeting $2-2500. Leaning towards the Kowa Prominar 773. Doug at Cameraland says their eyepiece is the best in the market currently. A couple reviews have the 773 outperforming the Swarovski ats 20-60x65. If I had $4k I'd go for the big Swaroski.

 

[Ron Milby]

I managed a long distance range that went out to 1,670 yards. I used a Swarovski AT 80 HD with the 20-60 eye piece. It was great. You can find a lot of them on sale since they are the old model.