Help me pick a spotter

[fly1tie6]

I’m in the market for a spotting scope. For the most part it will be used at the range and rarely put in the pack so size/weight are not a huge concern at this time but I want to make sure I keep it in check. I want to keep this a buy once cry once situation and be happy with my purchase for quite sometime. Unfortunately I do not have a shop local to me where I can look thru different scopes but I believe I have narrowed down to a couple. So far it’s between the Meopta Meopro 80 HD and the Kowa 773. The Kowa is a little above my price range but I am willing to spend a little more if it is worth it. What say the group?

 

[Beendare]

if you are using it for hunting thats one thing....yeah get a good one. Zeiss/ Kowa/swaro/Leica

A range scope?....IMO, you don't need to break the bank for something like that.

...

 

[fly1tie6]

if you are using it for hunting thats one thing....yeah get a good one. Zeiss/ Kowa/swaro/Leica

A range scope?....IMO, you don't need to break the bank for something like that.

...

There is a good chance it will get used for hunting as well. At the time it will pull more duties at the range but I want to have a good one should it get called for hunting duties. At the least it will be used looking for game in larger fields.

 

[idahohikker]

Sounds like you would be very much fine with a mid range spotter. I have a Viper and it's plenty good for a little range time and telling me if something has horns at 3 miles. The Athlon Ares is a better buy I think.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Have you considered the Athlon Cronus 20-60x86 ED Spotting Scope? under $1,500.00 and quite a fine scope

 

[fly1tie6]

Have you considered the Athlon Cronus 20-60x86 ED Spotting Scope? under $1,500.00 and quite a fine scope

I haven’t. I actually called the shop today but Neil said this was your weekend off. I will call you Monday to discuss.

 

[FlyGuy]

I bought that Kowa from Doug at Cameraland and I have been extremely impressed. I’m sure the meopta is good to, but man that Kowa is money.


You can’t cheat the mountain

 

[Benjblt]

Camofire has had a past years Vortex 16-48 for around $750 a bunch of times. I always thought that one was a great value in an effective power range, as well as about the lightest one I've found. I've no personal experience with it but I thought if it was good glass it's the best value for hunting situations. I rarely ever use over 45 power in my 20-60 Swaro as the picture quality drops after that.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[WestNE]

Here is my opinion after trying a few scopes though admittedly never anything in the alpha class.

No matter your destination a smaller scope is always more convenient to carry to the range or in the mountains. On top of the weight/ size benefits of the scope you can use a much more company tripod. With lower priced scopes you can increase optical performance with a larger scope/ objective but my guess is that a mid-sized, 60-65mm scope is going to outperform a full sized, 80-85mm tier 2 unit.

If it were me I would be looking at mid- sized alpha scopes as a do everything solution.

Nick

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[JigStick]

when I purchased my spotter it was critical that it have a mil based reticle in it as we often use it for ranging targets. that narrowed down the options pretty quickly for us. Ive heard good things about the Meopro though.

 

[Jardo]

I went with the kowa and it smokes all the others. You’ll never regret buying the best.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[kupper]

If you decide to go the meopta meopro route let me know as I intend to sell mine. Upgraded to the S2. Very good condition and I’d let it go for $750 with the case and phoneskope adapter.

 

[fly1tie6]

If you decide to go the meopta meopro route let me know as I intend to sell mine. Upgraded to the S2. Very good condition and I’d let it go for $750 with the case and phoneskope adapter.

This would have been good to know about a week ago. Oh well. Too late now. That is a very good deal though.

 

[fly1tie6]

Update...so I chose to go with the Kowa TSN-773 and so far all I can say is WOW! This spotter is amazing. Initial impressions is that it is crystal clear and sharp as a tack. Big shout out to Doug at Camera Land on another great deal and recommendation.