What are your opinions on spotting scopes? Smaller lighter 15-45x60, 25 or 30x50 fixed power, 20-60x65 or larger objectives like 80 or even 100? Each has thier advantages and disadvantages like anything else but for the best compromise between quality, size, weight and usability what do you think?
Seems to me like the 80's and 100's are to big and heavy. The 20-60x65's seem better in that respect but how usable is anything above 45 power?
The 15-45x60 ( or so) like the Nikon Spotter and Baush & Lomb/Bushnell Elites or Burris seem to fit the bill.
Then there's cost. $250 -$1500. The spotters and elites can be had on ebay for around 250. The big three 65's are $1200 minimum. I know that with optics you get what you pay for but $1200-1500 for a scope to be used once or twice a year??? There's got to be a better way!
I like the specs of the Pentax PF-65ED 20-60x65. Sells for around $625 online. Great reviews also. The Pentax scopes outrank the big three in some reviews. I have the high end Pentax DCF SP 10x43 binos and the are awesome. Comparable to the big three but only $425.00
But, at this point the 16-47x60 Nikon Spotter XL or XLII at 26oz for about $250 is looking a great sheep hunting scope.
Seems to me like the 80's and 100's are to big and heavy. The 20-60x65's seem better in that respect but how usable is anything above 45 power?
The 15-45x60 ( or so) like the Nikon Spotter and Baush & Lomb/Bushnell Elites or Burris seem to fit the bill.
Then there's cost. $250 -$1500. The spotters and elites can be had on ebay for around 250. The big three 65's are $1200 minimum. I know that with optics you get what you pay for but $1200-1500 for a scope to be used once or twice a year??? There's got to be a better way!
I like the specs of the Pentax PF-65ED 20-60x65. Sells for around $625 online. Great reviews also. The Pentax scopes outrank the big three in some reviews. I have the high end Pentax DCF SP 10x43 binos and the are awesome. Comparable to the big three but only $425.00
But, at this point the 16-47x60 Nikon Spotter XL or XLII at 26oz for about $250 is looking a great sheep hunting scope.
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