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Joined: Oct 2006
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OP
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Joined: Oct 2006
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I'm looking to add a spotting scope for use at the gun range at my lease. Typical normal range is up to 450yd. I might also have some need for it for an aoudad hunt, but not much more after that.
I'm not looking to spend a ton of money. But I subscribe to the "buy once, cry once" philosophy and hate to buy something I'll ultimately be disappointed in. So top end cap is probably $1500ish. I'm thinking probably angled instead of straight body, unless someone convinces me differently. It would mainly be used by the spotter, not the shooter. I did see that Eurooptics has a demo Zeiss Gavia at my top end and some others from Leupy and Vortex in the mid-range.
Anyone have some recommendations?
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Joined: Apr 2018
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2018
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Maybe try the Maven demo program. If'n you don't like it, send it back. Or the gpo GPOTAC 45.
Last edited by Jackson_Handy; 04/12/24.
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Joined: May 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
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Shop for higher end used. Optics depreciate greatly. I sold a 85mm Zeiss angled for around $1000 here on the CF. Don't overlook eye relief, especially in high power variables. Factor too often ignored.
Stupidity has its way, while its cousin, evil, runs rampant.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Last edited by horse1; 04/12/24.
I can walk on water.......................but I do stagger a bit on alcohol.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
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May I suggest the Revic Acura S65A Spotting ScopeFeatures: Fixed magnification 18X reticle eyepiece Included variable magnification 22-45X eyepiece Included carry/travel case Neoprene scope cover Eyepiece cap covers Integrated sunshade Windage and elevation correction reticle Spotting grid MOA ranging scale MIL ranging scale 65mm objective Extra low dispersion glass Enhanced multi layered anti-reflection coating Anti-fog coating Anti-scratch coating Phase correction coating Weight: 54 Ounces Objective Lens: 43 Ounces Fixed Eyepiece: 11 Ounces Varable Zoom Eyepiece: 12 Ounces
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Joined: Oct 2022
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2022
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10x ED binos are the winner for me. Hawk and Maven for cheaper versions, Meopta for great pro glass.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,488 |
I recently bought an Athlon Cronus 20-60-86 from Doug for the same purpose. It’s big & heavy enough I wouldn’t want to pack it if I was carrying a rifle but for range work or scouting it’s very impressive. Best bang for the buck - my hunting partners who use Vortex Razors can’t see any difference in performance. My home range is only 225 yards but it’s easy to spot new scars on the 500 yard rock. I’m seeing features & reading signs well beyond what I could with my smaller Nikon fieldscope.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,237
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,237 |
May I suggest the Revic Acura S65A Spotting ScopeFeatures: Fixed magnification 18X reticle eyepiece Included variable magnification 22-45X eyepiece Included carry/travel case Neoprene scope cover Eyepiece cap covers Integrated sunshade Windage and elevation correction reticle Spotting grid MOA ranging scale MIL ranging scale 65mm objective Extra low dispersion glass Enhanced multi layered anti-reflection coating Anti-fog coating Anti-scratch coating Phase correction coating Weight: 54 Ounces Objective Lens: 43 Ounces Fixed Eyepiece: 11 Ounces Varable Zoom Eyepiece: 12 Ounces Will this scope be able to discern bullet holes out to the OP's 450 yd max range?
My heart's in the mountains, my heart is not here. My heart's in the mountains, chasing the deer.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,640
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
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Will this scope be able to discern bullet holes out to the OP's 450 yd max range? There's no such thing as a scope that will meet a criterion like that unless you specify the conditions. Under ideal conditions a lesser scope may perform acceptably, but light, contrast, mirage all affect what can be seen or discerned. The best scope can't discern bullet holes through significant mirage. I've BTDT.
Stupidity has its way, while its cousin, evil, runs rampant.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2006
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Will this scope be able to discern bullet holes out to the OP's 450 yd max range? There's no such thing as a scope that will meet a criterion like that unless you specify the conditions. Under ideal conditions a lesser scope may perform acceptably, but light, contrast, mirage all affect what can be seen or discerned. The best scope can't discern bullet holes through significant mirage. I've BTDT. A range I used to use had heavy rubber matting for target-backers (non light-leak from behind), and you shot from E to W. With Redfield targets (red/orange and white) I could find .224 bullet holes @ 10x or higher. This was possible until about noon or about as long as you had the rising sun behind you. That's a case of just the right lighting conditions. The private range I use currently, the 200yd and 300yd targets are shaded all day. Even w/50x-60x "Alpha" spotting scopes, I often can't see holes smaller than .30 cal. Additionally, I'm not saying it's impossible, but, I've never been in a situation where I'm able to reliably spot bullet holes in a target @ 400yds+ with any reliability no matter the lighting conditions. I've owned 15-45x65 Zeiss Victory, 20-60x85 Swaro, 20-60x65 Swaro, 16-48x62 Leica, 20-60x77 Leica, and 20-50x65 APO Leica and none of them show me bullet holes @ 400+ reliably. Something on the order of a "Shoot-n-see" target is likely better past 300 but I HATE black backgrounds on targets.
I can walk on water.......................but I do stagger a bit on alcohol.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,640
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,640 |
What the horse said. You can buy a lot of Shoot-N-Sees for the price of a better scope. And if you're cheap like me you can make them last a long time with the Shoot-N-See pasters, or using a smaller one as a repair center.
Stupidity has its way, while its cousin, evil, runs rampant.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,603 |
May I suggest the Revic Acura S65A Spotting ScopeFeatures: Fixed magnification 18X reticle eyepiece Included variable magnification 22-45X eyepiece Included carry/travel case Neoprene scope cover Eyepiece cap covers Integrated sunshade Windage and elevation correction reticle Spotting grid MOA ranging scale MIL ranging scale 65mm objective Extra low dispersion glass Enhanced multi layered anti-reflection coating Anti-fog coating Anti-scratch coating Phase correction coating Weight: 54 Ounces Objective Lens: 43 Ounces Fixed Eyepiece: 11 Ounces Varable Zoom Eyepiece: 12 Ounces The Revic brand will probably be as popular as Huskamaw optics.
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,912 Likes: 1 |
10x ED binos are the winner for me. Hawk and Maven for cheaper versions, Meopta for great pro glass. At 450 yards?
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,688
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,688 |
I bought the Zeiss Gavia for the same task. I haven't had a chance to get it out as of yet but it does seem very clear from my initial testing.
NRA Lifetime Endowment Member
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
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I bought the Zeiss Gavia for the same task. I haven't had a chance to get it out as of yet but it does seem very clear from my initial testing. That's the spotter I think I'm leaning towards.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,614 Likes: 22 |
Shop for higher end used. Optics depreciate greatly. I sold a 85mm Zeiss angled for around $1000 here on the CF. Don't overlook eye relief, especially in high power variables. Factor too often ignored. Don’t get caught up in buying something new of less quality. Used alpha glass is still alpha glass and will save you plenty of money and get something that isn’t “almost as good.” $1500.00 is a very good budget to get a high quality used Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica scope. I would also encourage you to get the angle eyepiece, once you get used to it, it is a more useful configuration…
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,900 Likes: 1 |
I recently bought an Athlon Cronus 20-60-86 from Doug for the same purpose. It’s big & heavy enough I wouldn’t want to pack it if I was carrying a rifle but for range work or scouting it’s very impressive. Best bang for the buck - my hunting partners who use Vortex Razors can’t see any difference in performance. My home range is only 225 yards but it’s easy to spot new scars on the 500 yard rock. I’m seeing features & reading signs well beyond what I could with my smaller Nikon fieldscope. I purchased the Athlon Cronus as well. Very happy with it compared to my older Leupold. My use is similar to yours…99% range use. It is heavy but that keeps it stable and it is wonderfully clear. You will need a good tripod due to the weight but with the Cronus, you will have room in your budget for that. I bought an Athlon tripod and it is great too.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,227 Likes: 3 |
Shop for higher end used. Optics depreciate greatly. I sold a 85mm Zeiss angled for around $1000 here on the CF. Don't overlook eye relief, especially in high power variables. Factor too often ignored. Don’t get caught up in buying something new of less quality. Used alpha glass is still alpha glass and will save you plenty of money and get something that isn’t “almost as good.” $1500.00 is a very good budget to get a high quality used Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica scope. I would also encourage you to get the angle eyepiece, once you get used to it, it is a more useful configuration… That would be my plan as well. Good posts.
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Nov 2003
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3 of the 4 clubs where I have regularly competed have used high end Kowa Prominar spotters for years (decades?). With the price getting up to the $3K+ range the one I frequent most decided a while back to test some of the more bargain TSN-82SV. I have to say that for sub $1100 with eyepiece they are pretty darn nice. With a $1500 budget, and solely for range use vs mountain humping, I'd do that in a blink...
You can no more tell someone how to do something you've never done, than you can come back from somewhere you've never been...
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 3,043 Likes: 5 |
Go to the classifieds and buy that 25x Leupold with the small tripod. Pretty cheap for what it can do.
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