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  #1  
Old 07-10-2014, 09:42 PM
wylecoyote wylecoyote is offline
 
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Default Spotting Scope Question

I am looking at new spotting scopes and I am looking to get some other input. I can't afford the swarovski or zeiss 2500-3000 dollar scopes but I am looking at the leupold sx-1 or the bushnell elite. Anybody out there have any thoughts on a good mid range spotting scope?
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  #2  
Old 07-10-2014, 10:59 PM
rednk rednk is offline
 
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I'm not sure what your budget is, but I would say best bang for your buck hands down is kowa. If that is to much the new vanguard endeavor hd is pretty impressive for the price. Birding forums have the best reviews.
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  #3  
Old 07-10-2014, 11:35 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is offline
 
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Kowa makes great spotting scopes.
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Old 07-11-2014, 07:13 AM
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Roughneck Country Roughneck Country is offline
 
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on the low end scopes i really like the Celestron found the glass to be way better than the low end leopolds or bushnells. I think the 60mm scope was only $100 as well
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  #5  
Old 07-11-2014, 08:09 AM
wylecoyote wylecoyote is offline
 
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I am looking for something in the 700-1000$ range. Something I csn take sheep hunting and prairie hunting as well. Checked out the Kowa's on line, they didn't really shoe power range just mm. Which one would you guys suggest?
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  #6  
Old 07-11-2014, 08:34 AM
pikeslayer22 pikeslayer22 is offline
 
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Did you look at the Vortex?
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  #7  
Old 07-11-2014, 08:38 AM
338ultra 338ultra is offline
 
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Take a look at the Cabelas brand, good glass for the money.
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Old 07-11-2014, 09:17 AM
150fighter 150fighter is offline
 
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I would take a look at Vortex spotting scopes. All reviews I have read say that they are comparable with Swaros, but for $1000 less!!
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Old 07-11-2014, 09:19 AM
wylecoyote wylecoyote is offline
 
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I did look at the vortex. Read a couple reveiws saying it was really good but got dim up past 50 power. But I am thinking all the mid range scopes might be similar.
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Old 07-11-2014, 10:02 AM
toomanyhobbies toomanyhobbies is offline
 
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All the 60mm scopes get dim at high power, just the facts of life. For $1000 you have a lot of options, Celestron is not widely known in the hunting world but they are a huge optics company. I own several Celestron telescopes, including a 100mm ED glass spotting scope. Most of the Asian made scopes likely come from the same factories, I've seen Vortex scopes that look the same as Celestron.

Take the time to go and test out a range of optics or you will be disappointed. ED glass is a big improvement.
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  #11  
Old 07-11-2014, 11:53 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 150fighter View Post
I would take a look at Vortex spotting scopes. All reviews I have read say that they are comparable with Swaros, but for $1000 less!!

The reviews that I read, did say that Vortex provided good value for the money, but they had them ranked below a level below Swarovski.
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  #12  
Old 07-14-2014, 02:50 PM
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Jordan Smith Jordan Smith is offline
 
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Image quality is a very subjective thing! I've read reviews that said the Razor had a slightly better image than the Swaro it was being compared to!
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  #13  
Old 07-14-2014, 04:50 PM
wylecoyote wylecoyote is offline
 
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Any of you guys sheep hunters? I want to use this for sheep hunting also. What do some of you guys use for that?
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  #14  
Old 07-19-2014, 05:58 PM
outdoorsman12b outdoorsman12b is offline
 
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You can get some great Leupold's in that range.
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Old 07-19-2014, 06:54 PM
MathewsZ7 MathewsZ7 is offline
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Vortex is decent for the money. It's not a Swaro or a Leica but sheep have been
Spotted with far worse. Nikon, Cabelas, Leupold will all do the trick. Go to a store and ask if you can view a selection outside. Then decide what works best for your eyes in your price range. Where the top end glass thrives is on eye fatigue. Clarity can seem comparative but after 8hrs behind the glass certain brands are bought for a reason.
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  #16  
Old 07-19-2014, 07:25 PM
lannie lannie is offline
 
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Check out the Pentax line up. They get great reviews on the birding sites.
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