Recommend me a budget spotting scope...

[Stid2677]

+1 for the Pentax PF65,, absolutely the best mid range spotter I have looked through and hunted with. I ran one of these for several years and used it to judge several sheep. I spent many hours looking through mine and found it much easier on my eyes than the Leupold I had.

 

[GOnDEEP]

I have dealt with a lot of lower budget optics in my day due to tight funds through school and can honestly vouch for Vortex optics now. I've used everything from a Winchester to a Swaro and most everything in between. I can’t speak for the Pentax as it is the only piece of glass that I haven’t used of anything mentioned in this thread. On that note, I can honestly say that I feel overall it is extremely tough to beat the quality for the money that Vortex offers. The Nomad I used for a few years was an awesome upgrade for the price and I loved it. For your price range you can't go wrong with this glass. As you stated above it is slightly heavier than the Minox but the glass and magnification you will get with the Nomad will not disappoint you, especially at lower light times. Like TNT and DOT stated above most lower end glass will be pretty distorted past 45X magnification but in the right conditions (no heat monkeys, cool, calm) I have been able to glass elk sheds at well over a mile away with this glass. I currently have upgraded to the Viper HD and absolutely love that bugger. I know that’s a little above what you’re looking for but the non HD is right in your price range. I’m sure you’ve checked out the links above for Camera Land but watch those and you can find steals of deals on there. I was instantly sold on my Viper when they were running a promotion for a $150 tripod included for $0.01. Good luck I know it took me MONTHS of reviews and research to settle on a scope.
P.S.-Sorry about the lengthy post.

 

[Matt Cashell]

i still dont see the point of 50mm spotters. as budget as i would go would be a viper in at least 65. other wise sell the binos you have now and use the combined money to upgrade those until you can swing a spotter. youll get more use out of better binos than so-so in both departments

The point to 50mm spotters, IMO, is to provide some extra magnification for infrequent uses, at a low weight penalty. I think they compliment a bigger scope for more frequent use.

I have a Burris Landmark 20x50 compact spotter already and after I got my 10x42 binos, I stopped using it.

While I think the Minox is a better spotter than the Burris, if you find yourself leaving it, then you will likely leave the Minox behiind as well. It seems a larger scope with higher magnification would suit your needs better.

I had the Pentax 65ED mentioned frequently in this thread, and agree it is a great value for the optical quality offered, although clearly above the OP's price range.

The problem for me was the one I had broke in my pack. I used the Pentax "worry-free" warranty, which worked quickly, and after the $20 fee, I had a new scope. I then sold the Pentax.

My experience may have been an anomoly.

 

[desertcj]

Yeah, the Minox seems cool but for what I want to do I think I need something bigger. I'm gonna add the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80 to my short list. It's a bit more than I was wanting to spend(Or explain spending), but I don't want to be buying again for several years.

 

[littlebuf]

Buy once, cry once...

 

[littlebuf]

At least what the guy I buy all my vortex stuff from tells me....

 

[desertcj]

There is always something better coming down the pipeline but yeah, I get the message.

 

[littlebuf]

The point to 50mm spotters, IMO, is to provide some extra magnification for infrequent uses, at a low weight penalty. I think they compliment a bigger scope for more frequent use.



.

i guess i should say i get it, but i still don't see the point (i'm not a complete imbecile ). the one thing worth always paying the weight penalty for is optics. hell take less food if you gotta balance it out. Ive looked through them and they don't offer all that much more than binos do. not enough to justify space in the pack any way, all be it very little space they take up.

 

[Colo4x4XJ]

I'm a big fan of the Celestron Regal M2 65. You can usually find them for $430-$500 and it's ED glass. I figured if astronomers like their glass in telescopes and scientists like their glass in microscopes then Celestron probably knows what they are doing.

 

[Mtnboy]

I'm selling a like new Vortex Nomad angled for $200

You won't find more bang for you're buck in my opinion. It's what I use right now and it works just fine for me, like you, the wife isn't too keen on a $1k spotter right now either (unless I draw a Mtn Goat tag this year, she'll be a good sport then!). I'm selling this for my Dad, he is gonna upgrade to a Razor.