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Posted: 6/7/2010 8:50:27 PM EDT
I am looking to get a spotting scope that is of top quality for a somewhat reasonable price, maybe around the 500-800ish range. I do believe in the buy once-cry once deal but just want to get the best bang for the buck. I also believe in the law of diminishing returns  I will be using it for range work with shorter range .22 rimfire use and .223 on up at longer ranges, maybe 100yds to 400-700 yards once I finish my .308 project.
I know the big name brands like Leupold will get me quality...what about Sightron? Any other brands that you would recommend after having first-hand experience? ETA...I meant to add that I know Nikon is known for having a great price/value ratio...any models to look at from them? I would appreciate any help you can offer since my birthday is approaching and the spousal unit is looking for ideas 
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Keep in mind to keep a check on the equipment exchange here as well as other sites like Sniper's Hide.
$800 will git you a pretty dang good spotter, but exactly what are your requirements? I ended up with a MK4 P4 12-40X60 Leupold, but portability, weather resistance, and a mil based reticle were very important to me. 
Spotter with Geovid rangefinder. 
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Check euro optics used section. They have some great deals on top quality equipment there. |
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Quoted:
Please tell me the exact tripod/stand set up you have here. Looks like a Ray-Vin (spelling?), is this correct? Thanks, 77Bronc That's right Bronc. It's the Ray-Vin Eclipse, I shortened the center rod and mounted a ball-head, for use with the rangefinder, and of course, painted the whole thing OD with some Krylon. |
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Quoted:
Keep in mind to keep a check on the equipment exchange here as well as other sites like Sniper's Hide. $800 will git you a pretty dang good spotter, but exactly what are your requirements? I ended up with a MK4 P4 12-40X60 Leupold, but portability, weather resistance, and a mil based reticle were very important to me. http://bellsouthpwp.net/e/d/edwin907/RV3.jpg Spotter with Geovid rangefinder. http://bellsouthpwp.net/e/d/edwin907/RV7.jpg Please see my original post about what I intend to use it for. The main thing is I don't want any fuzzyness and want bright, clear optics. I am willing to spend some cash but don't want to cross that breakover point where I am spending hundreds more for miniscule gains that I probably won't even notice. I found a really good deal on a set of Zeiss binoculars a few years back and they blow away anything in the same price range and compared to even more expensive optics it is very hard to see a difference...that is the set-up I am looking for in a spotting scope. Sure, I can drop 2000.00 on a Swarovski but is it really that much better than an 800.00 Kowa? Thanks for the help guys BTW, how much and where did you get that Leupold if you don't mind telling? |
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The ballhead I'm using is the Acratech, it's fairly light, and more resistant to dirt than the traditional ballheads due to it's open construction.
I've had it since they first came out, and I have no complaints. We're pretty lucky to have the variety in prone mounts that we do have. The Ewing is also an excellent model, and the "Tactical" Ray-Vin also very nice. I do like the Eclipse Ray-Vin, however, and having the ability to mount a secondary optic to the center post is great for a laser rangefinder. I cut the post down, then secured a ballhead mount (cup with a bolt through it) with JB Quick. After i got the whole setup together I like it even more than I thought I would, and of course it's totally modular, you can remove any part you like. If you put one together like it, let me know if you come up with any "improvements" as well! As far as spotters go, like I said $800 buys a heck of an optic, and the Kowa will shock you at how close to the Swaro it's performance comes. I bought my Leupold spotter from Optics Planet, they had the P4 reticle that I wanted in stock, the best price after I called them, and made a deal on the ARD as well. Plus free shipping and terrificly fast customer service. 
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