I am doing preliminary research on spotting scopes, as I hope to purchase one in the medium future. It will be used from a pack..IE I will be carrying it, hopefully into Elk country.
I am not able to afford a Swarovski. Just not possible in my tax bracket.
One other point, I wear glasses and have alot of astigmatism, so I must view through my glasses, I can't focus and get a clear view without them. I've tried and it does not work.
I have looked at Cabelas Euro (Meopta), the Leupold Gold Ring, and an 85mm Razor. The Razor's eye relief was too short to work for me...as I got to the higher powers, I could not see a whole picture, even pressing my glasses against the eye piece. Maybe there is a longer eye relief choice there, but it appears to not work. Plus, it was recommended to me that it is too heavy for my use. Is the 65mm Razor any better in terms of eye relief at higher power?
The Meopta was beautiful. But the clerk I was with who has a lot of experience hunting (and uses Swaro these days) suggested it was a bad choice to haul around in a pack. It's price was too much for me as well, though sometimes it goes on sale.
So the asked what I planned to do with it, and when I told him, he suggested the Leupold. He said he always suggested this one (other than Swaro), as it is light and tough. Eye relief was great. He claims it is popular with a lot of high country hunters.
Any thoughts and other models/brands to consider? I had Kowa on my radar until I was told (and read) that the eye relief is even less than on the Razors.
I am not able to afford a Swarovski. Just not possible in my tax bracket.
One other point, I wear glasses and have alot of astigmatism, so I must view through my glasses, I can't focus and get a clear view without them. I've tried and it does not work.
I have looked at Cabelas Euro (Meopta), the Leupold Gold Ring, and an 85mm Razor. The Razor's eye relief was too short to work for me...as I got to the higher powers, I could not see a whole picture, even pressing my glasses against the eye piece. Maybe there is a longer eye relief choice there, but it appears to not work. Plus, it was recommended to me that it is too heavy for my use. Is the 65mm Razor any better in terms of eye relief at higher power?
The Meopta was beautiful. But the clerk I was with who has a lot of experience hunting (and uses Swaro these days) suggested it was a bad choice to haul around in a pack. It's price was too much for me as well, though sometimes it goes on sale.
So the asked what I planned to do with it, and when I told him, he suggested the Leupold. He said he always suggested this one (other than Swaro), as it is light and tough. Eye relief was great. He claims it is popular with a lot of high country hunters.
Any thoughts and other models/brands to consider? I had Kowa on my radar until I was told (and read) that the eye relief is even less than on the Razors.
