Bimmer
01-11-09, 22:19
Hi all,
I got such good feedback here about buying a rifle scope, I thought I'd ask again about a spotting scope...
Yes, I've read all the threads on buying spotting scopes, and I've seen this:
http://rifle-company.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1201
I've got a Konus 20-60x80 on the way for myself. Having seen all the positive reviews of it on TFL and elsewhere, I jumped on one on GunBroker for $180, shipped.
Now I want a nice scope for my parents. They'll use it to view wildlife.
I thought of getting them another Konus (or even giving them the one I've got on the way), but (1) Konus seems to offer little in the way of warranty or customer service if they have a problem, and (2) I want to give them something with an recognizeable brand name.
I want it to be really nice, and I'm willing to spend up to $500 or so... This should be enough to get something really decent, I hope.
Brand:
Kowa, Swarovski, and Zeiss are too expensive, obviously.
Barska, Tasco, Simmons, and other bottom-end brands are also out — no offense intended to anybody using these.
Magnification/Lens:
I think I want to get them a 20-60x80 (or 20-60x82 or whatever).
This seems to be the standard "big" size. I want maximum magnification, and I figure if 60x is too much, then they can just use it at 20x.
Here's what I'm looking at, so far:
1. Bushnell Excursion FLP.
Advantage: it's zig-zag design makes it relatively compact, and Bushnell claims 30mm eye relief.
2. Leupold Sequoia.
3. Nikon Prostaff.
Does anybody here have experience with or opinions of these?
Does anybody have other suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Bimmer
I got such good feedback here about buying a rifle scope, I thought I'd ask again about a spotting scope...
Yes, I've read all the threads on buying spotting scopes, and I've seen this:
http://rifle-company.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1201
I've got a Konus 20-60x80 on the way for myself. Having seen all the positive reviews of it on TFL and elsewhere, I jumped on one on GunBroker for $180, shipped.
Now I want a nice scope for my parents. They'll use it to view wildlife.
I thought of getting them another Konus (or even giving them the one I've got on the way), but (1) Konus seems to offer little in the way of warranty or customer service if they have a problem, and (2) I want to give them something with an recognizeable brand name.
I want it to be really nice, and I'm willing to spend up to $500 or so... This should be enough to get something really decent, I hope.
Brand:
Kowa, Swarovski, and Zeiss are too expensive, obviously.
Barska, Tasco, Simmons, and other bottom-end brands are also out — no offense intended to anybody using these.
Magnification/Lens:
I think I want to get them a 20-60x80 (or 20-60x82 or whatever).
This seems to be the standard "big" size. I want maximum magnification, and I figure if 60x is too much, then they can just use it at 20x.
Here's what I'm looking at, so far:
1. Bushnell Excursion FLP.
Advantage: it's zig-zag design makes it relatively compact, and Bushnell claims 30mm eye relief.
2. Leupold Sequoia.
3. Nikon Prostaff.
Does anybody here have experience with or opinions of these?
Does anybody have other suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Bimmer