I have narrowed my choice of a spotting scope down to either a Nikon Earth and Sky 15x45x60, or a Leupold Wind River Sequoia 15x45x60.
Both are similar in price.
I tried to check the difference in brightness, but inside a store I really can't tell much difference. The Leupold did seem a little brighter and crisper, but it's hard to be sure.
Anyone have one of these or have a friend with one? Do you like it?
Which would you choose? Is the Leupold quality on this line of scopes as good as their other optics?

Jim

quote:

Is the Leupold quality on this line of scopes as good as their other optics?

No. It is just similar. Get the Nikon as they have so much more experience in the making of excellent optics. Nikon makes their own lenses and doesn't have to import the glass from an outsourcer. Just go look at the two in sunlight and compare. You will like the Nikon better.

Maybe the E&S has undergone improvements in the past few years or maybe I got a bad one, but I was not at all impressed. It is not in the same class as the Nikon 16-47x60mm Spotter XL. I have owned both and the Spotter XL is as good as anything out there for it's size and purpose. I understand this is not an apples to apples comparison since the Spotter XL is about $200 more with the same accessories. I've seen Tascos that were as good as good as the E&S for a lot less money, as is my $50 Simmon fixed 25x spotter. I'm not familar with the Wind River Sequoia. I've also owned the outstanding Bausch & Lomb Elite 15-45x60mm (which now carries the Bushnell label) and couldn't really distinguish it from the Spotter XL in terms of quality. It was an excellent spotter and waterproof to boot. These topics usually make recommendations you didn't ask for, so I'll break ground first. Unless the quality has slipped signficantly since being rebadged as Bushnell, I would spend the extra few $ for the 60mm Elite vs. the Nikon E&S.

That is the Bushnell Elite?
I did try the Nikon and Leupold at the store, but indoors only. The eye relief on the Nikon was very short. I almost had to put my eye ON the eyepiece, The Leupold's eye relief was much better. I use glasses sometimes and that is an issue.

Jim

Smallfish, the eye relief is what made me not like the Nikon, and the Leupold seemed a little bit brighter- but that was sighting on a corner of the interior wall. Are the Nikon eyepieces expensive? If not, do they make a zoom eyepiece with longer relief?

Jim

My eyes are in good shape and I prefer the Nikon. As to why eye relief on a spotting scope is a big deal you'd have to ask someone who wears prescription glasses. I don't think that the quality of the lenses is comparable on those two models. I have no idea about eyepieces as the Nikon works just fine for me as it is.

I pasted a link to the Bushnell below. What is your intended purpose for a spotter? Do you intend to take it hunting, to the range, etc? You will probably get more specific recommendations if you provide more info.

Bushell Elite 15-45x60mm

Pepperbelly:

Since you're relatively new to the forum you may not be aware that "small fish" has a singular purpose in life: To trash the Leupold brand in any and every way possible. For whatever reason, he is irrational on this subject, therefore to be discounted.

As to the Wind River spotter, it is Leupold's entry-level line made in Asia by a contractor (as are the Nikon and Bushnell products mentioned). The Wind River is certainly not up to the standards of Leupold's "Golden Ring" American made line (and is not meant to be), but is rather similar to other "brand name" Asian optics.

I would make my choice based on personal observations, and although I am highly prejudiced -- for good reason -- toward Leupold scopes, I wouldn't make a wager as to whose "popular priced" spotters may be the best. This is not to say that the Wind River or the others may not be good values for the money -- they likely are. They're just not meant to perform like $1,000 instruments.

Personally, I have a Bausch & Lomb marketed a few years ago by Bushnell before their rights to that name expired. It is Asian, was moderately priced, and does reasonably well. Again, just trust your own eye, and ask the store to allow you to step outside to try the instruments at longer range. Most stores understand this need and will usually accomodate you. If they won't, try another store.

Thanks for all the replies, and the tip.
CSH, I will be using the scope mostly for range work. I would like to be able to see .223 holes at 200 yards. I don't even know if that's realistic or not.
I am limited in what I can pry out of my wife's hands, -- err, afford. I have a gift card to Academy for some of the cost. The only 2 scopes they have that are halfway decent are the Leupold and the Nikon. The Nikon is on clearance for $244.00, and that is a big attractin itself.
Cabelas is close to me and has a Burris I might look at again. I don't know who makes their house brand optics, but some are as highly priced as the Leupold scopes.
If I had the money to spend I would buy a Leupold Gold Ring in a heartbeat. I thought the Green Ring Sequoia was made by them also. I may end up with that scope.
The only real attraction for the Nikon is the ability to change eyepieces, but I wouldn't do that often, if at all. The Leupold looks good to go from the box.
As far as eye relief I do wear prescription lenses- I am slightly near-sighted. I can shoot with iron sights at 100 yards without them, but I see more clearly with the glasses.

I'll look at both again, outside if possible, and go with whichever is the brightest and most clear.

Thanks,
Jim

If you can catch the gun department manager at Academy, they usually have a lot of discretion and can authorize you to take the scope outside for a look-see.

Alternatively, Academy is pretty liberal about returns. If you decide on one, take it home, and find upon viewing in the actual outdoors that it comes up short, Academy will usually take it back without hesitation. That would apply to the "regular" price merchandise, but possibly not something on "closeout".

Good luck!

quote:

I would like to be able to see .223 holes at 200 yards. I don't even know if that's realistic or not.

With the Earth & Sky spotter I owned that would not be an overly optimistic goal. Even with a really good spotter seeing at that detail would depend on lighting, wind conditions, and the sturdiness of the tripod. The slightest movement of the scope and you won't be able to discern holes that small.

I meant to say in the previous post that 22 caliber holes at 200 would be overly optimistic.

What do you think of this scope?

Jim

pepperbelly, I had a Konus in 20x60, 80mm I think, and it was superb. Far better than the wind river stuff or whatever from Leupy, and I would suspect better than the Nikon you mentioned. I have a buddy who has a Nikon, I think it is something like the Monarch line or some such and it is excellent. I had (just had lasik surgery) nearsightedness with a corretion of something like -1.25, I had no problem with the eye relief on my Konus, or my friends Nikon, but the eyebox (area where you can see full field of view) is almost always the best on Leupold products.

If the Konus is in your price range, it sounds like that thing with a 100 mm objective should be sweet!

Good Luck--Don