What to look for in a spotting scope?

[Turbodab]

I'm starting to do some reloading with the idea of being able to shoot more, and hopefully at the same time develop the right loads for my rifles. I have very limited experience with spotting scopes but am interested in getting one that would limit the number of trips out to the target. What do you look for in a reliable spotting scope and what are the best values out there?

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[DapperDan]

Best value Vortex razor Hd although down may say maven.

West I’ve used so far is the new swaro I picked up.

I guess some questions need to be answered before a “best” can be decided on.

At what distances are you shooting?

Is weight an issue?

Do you plan on taking it on a hunting trip and pack it up and down mountains?


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[Alpine4x4]

Best value is going to be the Athlon Ares bar none. For a scope that can be had around $500 new its impossible to beat. They also offer a reticle eye piece for it as well.

 

[DapperDan]

I have a razor hd 22-48 x 65mm. I bought it basically brand new on here for either $450 or $500 about 7 years ago. To me, it was the best piece of glass o had owned and I could never imagine needing/wanting anything more.

I finally got the bug and bought a new spotter that I probably only use a couple times a year. I have the Swarovski ATX 25-60 eye piece paired with the 85 mm objective and all I can say is damn…. There is no comparison. I like it so much so that the 65mm objective is in my future for sure. My only gripe is weight packing it around but honestly I just need to spend more time in the gym. And the modular system of Swarovski is amazing considering you can have one eye piece and 3 different objectives.


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[Turbodab]

Best value Vortex razor Hd although down may say maven.

West I’ve used so far is the new swaro I picked up.

I guess some questions need to be answered before a “best” can be decided on.

At what distances are you shooting?

Is weight an issue?

Do you plan on taking it on a hunting trip and pack it up and down mountains?


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Honestly would love to do hunts with it at some point, but right now this would be mainly for shooting such that weight wouldn't be an issue.

Local range only goes out to 200 yards but would like to find options further.


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[Turbodab]

Best value is going to be the Athlon Ares bar none. For a scope that can be had around $500 new its impossible to beat. They also offer a reticle eye piece for it as well.

I just bought an athlon scope for the first time. I've been seeing lots of good reviews. Was curious how the spotting scope was. Have you tested it out personally?


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[Turbodab]

I have a razor hd 22-48 x 65mm. I bought it basically brand new on here for either $450 or $500 about 7 years ago. To me, it was the best piece of glass o had owned and I could never imagine needing/wanting anything more.

I finally got the bug and bought a new spotter that I probably only use a couple times a year. I have the Swarovski ATX 25-60 eye piece paired with the 85 mm objective and all I can say is damn…. There is no comparison. I like it so much so that the 65mm objective is in my future for sure. My only gripe is weight packing it around but honestly I just need to spend more time in the gym. And the modular system of Swarovski is amazing considering you can have one eye piece and 3 different objectives.


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That's what I'm afraid of!


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[Alpine4x4]

I just bought an athlon scope for the first time. I've been seeing lots of good reviews. Was curious how the spotting scope was. Have you tested it out personally?


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I own the Ares 15-45 and the Cronus 20-60. Great scopes. The Ares has a minor bit of CA, but for the price you can't complain. It kills the competition. The Cronus is crystal clear, it's only downfall is the FOV and the tunnel feel. Both hit above their weight for the price.

 

[Turbodab]

I own the Ares 15-45 and the Cronus 20-60. Great scopes. The Ares has a minor bit of CA, but for the price you can't complain. It kills the competition. The Cronus is crystal clear, it's only downfall is the FOV and the tunnel feel. Both hit above their weight for the price.

I'm a newbie to spotting scope jargon. What is CA? FOV?


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[Alpine4x4]

I'm a newbie to spotting scope jargon. What is CA? FOV?


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CA is chromatic aberration. The color fringing around objects in the view. FOV is field of view. Wide field of views are generally considered better than narrow.

 

[Sled]

I'm a newbie to spotting scope jargon. What is CA? FOV?


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Chromatic aberration and field of view

 

[nphunter]

I'm starting to do some reloading with the idea of being able to shoot more, and hopefully at the same time develop the right loads for my rifles. I have very limited experience with spotting scopes but am interested in getting one that would limit the number of trips out to the target. What do you look for in a reliable spotting scope and what are the best values out there?

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Something cheap from harbor freight or Walmart will work just fine for shooting targets at 200 yards. You don’t need a decent scope for that a $50-$100 will work just fine. Save the extra money for reloading supplies.

There’s a $35 20-60x60 Barska on eBay with a table top tripod that would work great for what you’re wanting to do.

 

[JGRaider]

I have the Gen1 Razor HD 65mm spotter, and the Athlon Ares 65mm as well (son stole it from me). My eyes find the images in the Razor a bit sharper than the Ares, but both are very serviceable for range use. I also prefer the dual knob focus mechanism of the Razor compared to the barrel focuser of the Athlon.

 

[DapperDan]

It would be hard to beat the razor 65mm for what you’re wanting to do. I spotted caribou with it out to 4 miles.

The pics above are at a mile to mile and a half.


The pics below are on low magnification and 150ish yards

I have used my vortex to spot hits on paper and have found it to be more than enough. Plus, it’s compact so if you ever do go on a hunting trip you have the spotter.

Lastly, if you ever scratch a lens just run over it with your truck and put the pieces back in the box. Send it to vortex and they will send you a new one. lol


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[Turbodab]

It would be hard to beat the razor 65mm for what you’re wanting to do. I spotted caribou with it out to 4 miles.

The pics above are at a mile to mile and a half.


The pics below are on low magnification and 150ish yards

I have used my vortex to spot hits on paper and have found it to be more than enough. Plus, it’s compact so if you ever do go on a hunting trip you have the spotter.

Lastly, if you ever scratch a lens just run over it with your truck and put the pieces back in the box. Send it to vortex and they will send you a new one. lol


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What adapter did you use to take the pictures? Those look amazing!

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[DapperDan]

What adapter did you use to take the pictures? Those look amazing!

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Man I forgot what adapter it is. I think it was the novigrade. I’ve since switched to an Olin phone adapter for my swaro. These were taken at just under a mile and a half with my swaro and Olin adapter.

The imitate quality would have been a little better but the wind was gusty and I had to snap pics between gusts so it’s not super crisp but still more crisp than the razor at the same distance.

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