Spotting Scope - Affordable

[G26ster]

I was at Cabela's yesterday looking at spotting scopes. All I found were two cheap ones ($49 & $69) and a bunch of really high dollar scopes. All were 20-60x60. I'm looking for a reasonably priced scope good for viewing 100 - 200 yd targets. I Perhaps the cheap ones are good enough, as I know nothing about scopes. I shoot my M1 Carbines without optics, so I need something to see my hit pattern (If I hit ) Any suggestions or schooling on these will be appreciated.

[Beiruty]

I was at Cabela's yesterday looking at spotting scopes. All I found were two cheap ones ($49 & $69) and a bunch of really high dollar scopes. All were 20-60x60. I'm looking for a reasonably priced scope good for viewing 100 - 200 yd targets. I Perhaps the cheap ones are good enough, as I know nothing about scopes. I shoot my M1 Carbines without optics, so I need something to see my hit pattern (If I hit ) Any suggestions or schooling on these will be appreciated.

I have one of the cheap bushnell paid $50 instead of $100. Let me tell you at those prices, Quality is medicore. I can sell it to you for $50.

[glbedd53]

That's been my experience with spotting scopes too. I'm one of those people that believes you get what you pay for most of the time and that sure seems to apply to spotting scopes.

[WildBill]

That's been my experience with spotting scopes too. I'm one of those people that believes you get what you pay for most of the time and that sure seems to apply to spotting scopes.

I believe that is true for most optics.

[Beiruty]

Not to beat on Bushnell, I have a Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30x50 at $700+ this rifle scope is excellent,crystal clear with side focus up to 24X. However. At 30X the picture quality degrades a bit (fuzzy).

[WildBill]

Not to beat on Bushnell, I have a Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30x50 at $700+ this rifle scope is excellent,crystal clear with side focus up to 24X. However. At 30X the picture quality degrades a bit (fuzzy).

Bushnell has been making quality optics for many years.

[Keith B]

Bushnell is one of those unusual lines that has everything from lower-end products to professional series. I have a pair of their higher-end aspherical binoculars that can't be beat for clarity and image quality. Also have a pair of cheap ones that are marginal at best.

So, when it comes to optics, you really get what you pay for in pricing IMO.

[WildBill]

Bushnell is one of those unusual lines that has everything from lower-end products to professional series.

Many companies have this kind of product line that varies from high quality optical glass to low quality plastic molded lenses. In addition to Bushnell, Bausch and Lomb, Celestron, Tasco and Weaver come to mind.

[The Annoyed Man]

That's been my experience with spotting scopes too. I'm one of those people that believes you get what you pay for most of the time and that sure seems to apply to spotting scopes.

I believe that is true for most optics.

This.

While you can certainly spend double or triple the price, the Burris spotting scopes I've seen at Cabela's seem like a decent compromise between quality and price.

[BobCat]

Recently upgraded to a Konus 20-80 (Optics Planet, about $200), from an old BSA I'd been using. Difference is shocking. They say "buy once, cry once" but I was not ready to spend ~$800 on a Kowa, and the Konus works so much better than the cheap BSA that I'm happy.

I can see .22 holes plain as day at 50 yards - clearly enough to tell a "double" from one hole. Haven't tried it at 100 yet but am confident of seeing .223 holes at 100. At 300 I can distinguish black pasters from the black target face. I leave it at 20x most of the time but the image does not degrade that seriously when I turn up the mag. Focus gets sensitive though.

Not trying to sell you something, just a data point.

BTW I'm the second-cheapest man in the world, and if I spend $200 on something and am happy with it, chances are it's pretty good.

Regards,
Andrew

[puma guy]

Not to beat on Bushnell, I have a Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30x50 at $700+ this rifle scope is excellent,crystal clear with side focus up to 24X. However. At 30X the picture quality degrades a bit (fuzzy).

I assume you mean the the image is fuzzy. Bushnell Elite products are covered by a lifetime warranty. You should send it back to have them check the resolution at full power. I have an old pair of Bausch and Lomb Elite binoculars I wouldn't trade for anything.

[G26ster]

Recently upgraded to a Konus 20-80 (Optics Planet, about $200), from an old BSA I'd been using. Difference is shocking. They say "buy once, cry once" but I was not ready to spend ~$800 on a Kowa, and the Konus works so much better than the cheap BSA that I'm happy.

I can see .22 holes plain as day at 50 yards - clearly enough to tell a "double" from one hole. Haven't tried it at 100 yet but am confident of seeing .223 holes at 100. At 300 I can distinguish black pasters from the black target face. I leave it at 20x most of the time but the image does not degrade that seriously when I turn up the mag. Focus gets sensitive though.

Not trying to sell you something, just a data point.

BTW I'm the second-cheapest man in the world, and if I spend $200 on something and am happy with it, chances are it's pretty good.

Regards,
Andrew

Can you provide the model # for the Konus you bought? There are several in that price range. Thanks.

[BobCat]

It is a 7120 and was wrong about the mag, it is 20-60 with an 80 mm objective. Sorry.

[Katygunnut]

It is a 7120 and was wrong about the mag, it is 20-60 with an 80 mm objective. Sorry.

Midway has it on sale through the end of April

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/de ... ber=466045

[BobCat]

$210 is a good price, it is $220 at Optics Planet.

It was just under $200 at Midway in December, I ordered it, it was backordered, I canceled, and when it was back in stock the price was up. Glad I got it from Optics Planet in the meantime.

I shouldn't be so cheap, it is just my nature.