First spotting scope purchase, budget vs top notch

[MBtech]

Well, I have came to the conclusion that "Top Notch" is well over $1000 even more than double depending on which you look at. So I am going to sit somewhere in the middle to get started with.

Kowa TSN 82SV $659.95
Kowa TE 9Z 20-60x zoom eyepiece $339.95
(prices from B&H) cheapest I could find.
Grand total before Uncle Sam = $999.90 doesn't get any closer than that.
I will add the digiscoping camera adapter later and it will tag along on scouting/hunting trips and family vacations.

http://www.kowaproducts.com/Kowaeyep...xzoomeyepiece/
http://www.kowaproducts.com/KowaTSN-...SpottingScope/

Thanks for all the advice!!

[T2C]

Kowa makes a nice spotting scope. You won't be disappointed.

[MBtech]

Kowa makes a nice spotting scope. You won't be disappointed.

I think it should do just fine for my application and then some.
I'm going to start looking into your homemade bench mount idea..
I posted a thread on some benches I built for myself and my range, making some universal mounts for spotting scopes would be really nice to have around.

Any chance of getting a pic of yours?

[MBtech]

I really do appreciate all you guys commenting on this thread.
Like I said in OP anything past 100 yards is all pretty new to me, now it's time to do some more learning on longer range shooting.

[Koshinn]

Random question since we're talking about spotting scopes.

The M144 that comes with the M24. It's branded Litton Electro-Optics and if you google them you can find their contract win for $8.4 million for 250 scopes IIRC.

Anyway, did Litton subcontract the scope itself to Bushnell (Bushnell Elite Tactical)? It says "Elite" on the scope cover over the ocular lens, and Bushnell sells this: http://www.bushnell.com/hunting/spot...te-15-45x-60mm
That looks exactly like a M144.

Also, does Leupold make the tripod?

[MBtech]

Random question since we're talking about spotting scopes.

The M144 that comes with the M24. It's branded Litton Electro-Optics and if you google them you can find their contract win for $8.4 million for 250 scopes IIRC.

Anyway, did Litton subcontract the scope itself to Bushnell (Bushnell Elite Tactical)? It says "Elite" on the scope cover over the ocular lens, and Bushnell sells this: http://www.bushnell.com/hunting/spot...te-15-45x-60mm
That looks exactly like a M144.

Also, does Leupold make the tripod?

Dang, those do look exactly alike good question.

[T2C]

I think it should do just fine for my application and then some.
I'm going to start looking into your homemade bench mount idea..
I posted a thread on some benches I built for myself and my range, making some universal mounts for spotting scopes would be really nice to have around.

Any chance of getting a pic of yours?

It is pretty easy to make with basic hand tools. When you make the wood tension block, make sure you drill the hole first, then cut it in half with the saw second. It gives you better tension on the upright when you tighten the screws.

[T2C]

One more pic...............

[MBtech]

It is pretty easy to make with basic hand tools. When you make the wood tension block, make sure you drill the hole first, then cut it in half with the saw second. It gives you better tension on the upright when you tighten the screws.

That is pretty slick man, thanks for sharing that!

[Keith E.]

Well, I have came to the conclusion that "Top Notch" is well over $1000 even more than double depending on which you look at. So I am going to sit somewhere in the middle to get started with.

Kowa TSN 82SV $659.95
Kowa TE 9Z 20-60x zoom eyepiece $339.95
(prices from B&H) cheapest I could find.
Grand total before Uncle Sam = $999.90 doesn't get any closer than that.
I will add the digiscoping camera adapter later and it will tag along on scouting/hunting trips and family vacations.

http://www.kowaproducts.com/Kowaeyep...xzoomeyepiece/
http://www.kowaproducts.com/KowaTSN-...SpottingScope/

Thanks for all the advice!!

A Kowa fan here. I don't think that you'll be disappointed with the 82. They're pretty easy to move if you find that you don't like it for some reason.

Keith