Nikon ediii best budget spotter?

[503Dan]

I’ve been reading through a lot of threads on spotters. Currently do not own a spotter and I’d like to get one in the 60-65 objective range. Is there a better option for glass in the sub 1000 used market? Sub $500? Seems like if I can find the Nikon for $400 ish I’ll be able to get my money back if I upgrade. Just looking for opinions.
Use case would be very broad from spring bear and mountain bucks to desert mulies and back to around home for blacktails.
Thanks in advance

 

[BLJ]

I like mine.

From what I’ve seen anything under $400 is a good price on the ED 3.

I’ve read quite a bit about the Athlon Ares 15-45 being a comparable but I’ve never looked through one.

 

[HuntHarder]

Nikon spotting scopes with ED glass punch waaaay above their price point.

 

[503Dan]

I’m thinking about ordering this one. It ships from Japan so I’m a little bit hesitant. Looks like Nikon warranty may or may not cover it if I have issues. I’m not sure what it would cost to have it serviced if it didn’t cover it. Anyone have any thoughts?

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Beendare]

Nikon spotting scopes with ED glass punch waaaay above their price point.

I would agree. BUT and it's a big but....the ED glass in mine does not overcome the 60mm objective in very low light at long range. My Big scope- Zeiss 85mm - is a little bit better....enough that I rarely use my 60mm since I don't backpack in with it. The 60mm is SO MUCH better for backpacking it's not even close....no way I'm packing that big scope around.

I'm going to sell my mint Nikon ED 60mm to some lucky guy...I just haven't got around to it yet.

 

[503Dan]

Looks like the lin

I would agree. BUT and it's a big but....the ED glass in mine does not overcome the 60mm objective in very low light at long range. My Big scope- Zeiss 85mm - is a little bit better....enough that I rarely use my 60mm since I don't backpack in with it. The 60mm is SO MUCH better for backpacking it's not even close....no way I'm packing that big scope around.

I'm going to sell my mint Nikon ED 60mm to some lucky guy...I just haven't got around to it yet.

I’m in the market. Pm me if you decide to sell

 

[ckt3]

I am an a similar position as you, OP. Still reading and researching. Seems that a lot of people like the Athlon Ares G2 spotters.

 

[nm.otter]

It ships from Japan so I’m a little bit hesitant.

What kind of tariff hit do we take these days on a JP shipment?

 

[gooberfish]

I've seen nothing but praise for the ED III's optics, especially in that price range. Tons of good (and recent!) discussion on it over at the Bird Forum. The consensus is that it matches, if not out-performs, many of the much more expensive mid-range spotters.

One thing to keep in mind is that the tripod foot on the ED III is very far forward on the body, so you might also need to invest in a decently long plate if you want it balanced on a tripod.

 

[503Dan]

I actually just picked one up, and yes it’s definitely not balanced. Do you by chance know what length I need to get to be balanced?

 

[gooberfish]

What kind of tariff hit do we take these days on a JP shipment?

Last I checked, it's a blanket 15% on top of whatever other customs and import fees you have to pay. Unfortunate as so many good optics are from Japan... I would try to stick to duty paid shipping if you buy anything on Ebay from Japan to avoid surprise charges.

 

[gooberfish]

I actually just picked one up, and yes it’s definitely not balanced. Do you by chance know what length I need to get to be balanced?

Unfortunately I don't, but I've had decent luck trying to "balance" an unbalanced scope on my finger to find an approximate center of gravity (recommend doing this over a bed or couch for inevitable drops) then just measuring how long of a plate I would need to meet it. Not perfect, but usually good enough.

Hope you enjoy the scope! How are you liking the optics so far?

 

[Bugger]

I actually just picked one up, and yes it’s definitely not balanced. Do you by chance know what length I need to get to be balanced?

What eyepiece came with it? They really shine with the fixed. The 24x on the 60mm is a gem.

 

[betelgeuse]

I bought an 82mm ED on with a zoom from KEH used for about 500, it had a zoom eyepiece. I found a fixed WA 30/38 x on ebay for 300. I liked the 82 so much I bought a 60 mm ED on Ebay from Japan for $300 all in. Has a 20-45x eyepiece. There are a ton on Ebay. The 60 is pretty small and fits in my pack.

They are way better than the Nikon Pro Staff I had. I gave that to my nephew

 

[503Dan]

I got one with the 20-60. I’d like to find a fixed 30 I think because the field of view is definitely lacking. But for now I’m very happy. I don’t have enough time behind expensive glass to say how good it is or isn’t but to my eyes it’s miles ahead of my buddies Athlon which seems to be what people always recommend in this budget.
I paid 500 for an angled 60 with the 20-60 eyepiece. I would’ve liked to get one cheaper but looking at some old classifieds I don’t think I would have found an angled any cheaper before spring bear.

 

[Bugger]

I got one with the 20-60. I’d like to find a fixed 30 I think because the field of view is definitely lacking. But for now I’m very happy. I don’t have enough time behind expensive glass to say how good it is or isn’t but to my eyes it’s miles ahead of my buddies Athlon which seems to be what people always recommend in this budget.
I paid 500 for an angled 60 with the 20-60 eyepiece. I would’ve liked to get one cheaper but looking at some old classifieds I don’t think I would have found an angled any cheaper before spring bear.

Your fixed eyepiece options for the 60mm are 24, 40, and 60x. The 40x is a fairly tight eyebox so I imagine the 60 would be pretty uncomfortable and dark with a 1mm exit pupil.

 

[503Dan]

Sorry the 24x a lot of the ones I’ve seen on eBay they list as 30x for the 80mm so I’m mixing numbers up.

 

[gooberfish]

Your fixed eyepiece options for the 60mm are 24, 40, and 60x. The 40x is a fairly tight eyebox so I imagine the 60 would be pretty uncomfortable and dark with a 1mm exit pupil.

There actually is a 20x/30x/38x wide MC eyepiece that gives the EDIII 30x, it’s just increasingly hard to come by. I’ve seen a few listed secondhand with ED50s as 20x.

 

[Bugger]

There actually is a 20x/30x/38x wide MC eyepiece that gives the EDIII 30x, it’s just increasingly hard to come by. I’ve seen a few listed secondhand with ED50s as 20x.

Interesting, didn’t know that!
That’s not a bad deal since a lot of used 50’s are going for not much more than just the eyepieces themselves.