Garrett H.
Well-Known Member
Can anyone suggest some great mid range and high end spotting scopes?
Spotting Scope Recommendation
- Thread starter Garrett H.
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screech
Well-Known Member
what will it be used for?
Garrett H.
Well-Known Member
Mostley target shooting out to 1000 yards but I would like to be able to use it for hunting as well.
Good evening Garrett.
I'll toss in my two cents. For reference, in my off time, I lead birding tours for donors for conservation groups. So, I have the opportunity to see lots of binoculars and spotting scopes and put them to some pretty good tests.
In spotting scopes, size does matter both in terms of performance and weight. In terms of performance only, the 77mm and 82mm are the best. The majority of birders use either Leica or Swarovski, with Kowa making a comeback recently. The Swaro has the better zoom eyepiece at maximum magnification of 60x. The Leica has the better focusing system and in my opinion better color fidelity. Also, in my opinion, the Leica has the better ability to see through excessive reflected light conditions such as hot, humid air or snow and water. For the no holds barred category, stick with either Leica or Swaro. Some also favor Kowa in the top tier, but personally I think that while they are good, they still have not come up the level of Leica or Swaro.
If you plan on carrying one hunting, weight really does matter. The 60-62mm class are almost as good as the full size scopes, but much more compact, lighter, and easier to carry. Also, the 60-62mm are a bit less expensive. Again, and this is just me, I would recommend sticking to Leica and Swaro. Kowa is almost as good. Spend the extra dollars for the flourite lens if you can afford it. If you plan on sticking to the range, go with the full size scope, they do outperform the 62mm at long distance. If you really plan on taking one much in the field, go to the 62mm.
Personally, I prefer the Leica over the Swaro, but it really is a personal preference as both as superb. I have an old post on performance factors which you might find helpful. Look through several before you buy. With either, go with the 20-60x zoom which is more useful in field use and only gives up a slight bit to a fixed power with respect to resolution. Among the fixed eyepieces, the Leica 33x wide angle has wonderful resolution.
One tip fwiw, always leave the lens cap on the "big" end unless you are using the scope. You should rarely to never have to clean it. My current scope, a Leica 77mm, is over ten years old and I have only had to clean the lens once. With the top end scopes, the extra price is mostly for the lens and especially lens coating, which is sensitive to excessive cleaning especially dust removal. Use a "lens pen" or similar brush to lightly brush off the dust. The eyepiece end will need much more cleaning but is not nearly as critical to the overall performance and so is less sensitive to cleaning. If you can afford it, go for the top end the first time and don't look back. A great scope, and great binoculars, are joys to use.
Here is an example of the type of performance demands I have in searching for birds with a scope.
Good luck with your choice.
I'll toss in my two cents. For reference, in my off time, I lead birding tours for donors for conservation groups. So, I have the opportunity to see lots of binoculars and spotting scopes and put them to some pretty good tests.
In spotting scopes, size does matter both in terms of performance and weight. In terms of performance only, the 77mm and 82mm are the best. The majority of birders use either Leica or Swarovski, with Kowa making a comeback recently. The Swaro has the better zoom eyepiece at maximum magnification of 60x. The Leica has the better focusing system and in my opinion better color fidelity. Also, in my opinion, the Leica has the better ability to see through excessive reflected light conditions such as hot, humid air or snow and water. For the no holds barred category, stick with either Leica or Swaro. Some also favor Kowa in the top tier, but personally I think that while they are good, they still have not come up the level of Leica or Swaro.
If you plan on carrying one hunting, weight really does matter. The 60-62mm class are almost as good as the full size scopes, but much more compact, lighter, and easier to carry. Also, the 60-62mm are a bit less expensive. Again, and this is just me, I would recommend sticking to Leica and Swaro. Kowa is almost as good. Spend the extra dollars for the flourite lens if you can afford it. If you plan on sticking to the range, go with the full size scope, they do outperform the 62mm at long distance. If you really plan on taking one much in the field, go to the 62mm.
Personally, I prefer the Leica over the Swaro, but it really is a personal preference as both as superb. I have an old post on performance factors which you might find helpful. Look through several before you buy. With either, go with the 20-60x zoom which is more useful in field use and only gives up a slight bit to a fixed power with respect to resolution. Among the fixed eyepieces, the Leica 33x wide angle has wonderful resolution.
One tip fwiw, always leave the lens cap on the "big" end unless you are using the scope. You should rarely to never have to clean it. My current scope, a Leica 77mm, is over ten years old and I have only had to clean the lens once. With the top end scopes, the extra price is mostly for the lens and especially lens coating, which is sensitive to excessive cleaning especially dust removal. Use a "lens pen" or similar brush to lightly brush off the dust. The eyepiece end will need much more cleaning but is not nearly as critical to the overall performance and so is less sensitive to cleaning. If you can afford it, go for the top end the first time and don't look back. A great scope, and great binoculars, are joys to use.
Here is an example of the type of performance demands I have in searching for birds with a scope.
Good luck with your choice.
Garrett H.
Well-Known Member
Jeff,
Thanks for the very good information and thanks for taking the time to post the pics.
Garrett
Thanks for the very good information and thanks for taking the time to post the pics.
Garrett
jeffbird, that pic of the pair of birds is great, thanks for sharing!
I have used the HD swarovski, and it is amazing. also used the leica's a little bit and was impressed with those. have heard some good things about the high end nikons.
I have used the HD swarovski, and it is amazing. also used the leica's a little bit and was impressed with those. have heard some good things about the high end nikons.
srhaggerty
Well-Known Member
Jeffbird,
What is your opinion on the Ziess brand?
What is your opinion on the Ziess brand?
Zeiss scopes and binos are excellent also.
The Optolyth has nice optics, but personally, it is just too much for me at least to carry in the field on a sustained basis. For use at a range or hunting where carrying is not such a factor, it is nice.
If I were buying a new scope today, I would go back to the 60 - 62mm size as field use is my main need. The optics are really good and they are just much easier to carry on long days.
The most important factor is to look through several, and on more than one occasion if possible, before making a final choice.
ds, good point on the tripod and head.
The Optolyth has nice optics, but personally, it is just too much for me at least to carry in the field on a sustained basis. For use at a range or hunting where carrying is not such a factor, it is nice.
If I were buying a new scope today, I would go back to the 60 - 62mm size as field use is my main need. The optics are really good and they are just much easier to carry on long days.
The most important factor is to look through several, and on more than one occasion if possible, before making a final choice.
ds, good point on the tripod and head.
paal_erik_norway
Active Member
In hi end...
I got a Swarovski 20-60x80 a couple of years ago. Very pleased with that.
My friend and hunting/shooting buddy got a Zeiss 20-60x80...
We have switch between those two, and we are not seeing anything different, it's a close race.
I got a Swarovski 20-60x80 a couple of years ago. Very pleased with that.
My friend and hunting/shooting buddy got a Zeiss 20-60x80...
We have switch between those two, and we are not seeing anything different, it's a close race.
jeff 300
Well-Known Member
kowa best bang for the$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
