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| One of Us |
Got it on my mind that my next optic will be a spotting scope. Being a die-hard Swarovski fan, those are the spotters I'll be looking at. Primary use of the spotter will be at the range (100-300yds) spotting targets with .17 - .416 bullet holes in them, and for locating and watching prairie dogs explode. That said, my budget does not allow for the ATX/STX variants, only the ATS/STS versions. HD or non-HD; 65mm or 80mm? | ||
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I have owned the Swarovski' and they are good. I now have the Kowa 20X60X88 prominare lens and could not be happier _____________________________________________________ A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened. - Winston Churchill | |||
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i don't think i'd ever give up my swaro, but the new nightforce one might just be worth a looksee | |||
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I've owned the Kowa 884 Prominar and it is fantastic for sure. I consider it superior to the Zeiss and Leica spotters I've had side by side with it that our hunters bring into camp. I have not seen the new Swaro stuff, but I'm sure it's top shelf stuff. I just refuse to spend almost $4k on a spotter (new Swaro modular stuff). I've been using the Meopta S2 for the past 6 months, and have had it side by side with my Kowa 884. It would be nitpicking to pick a winner since they are both very bright and sharp. At higher mags the Meopta (70x) is sharper than the Prominar (60x), and find the resolution to be ever so slightly better with the Meopta. The S2 is truly world class for way less money. BTW, I'm sure you guys already know, but Meopta makes the new Nightforce spotting scope. They are identical, only difference being the rubber armoring. One man's opinion. FWIW: http://www.petersenshunting.co...ting-scopes-of-2013/ http://www.outdoorlife.com/blo...test-spotting-scopes | |||
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Thanks for the feedback. For my purposes, regardless of brand, what would you recommend as far as objective dia? Again, looking to find little holes in paper targets - 1-- to 300yds - and rate the 'red mist factor' when little prairie dogs explode. | |||
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| One of Us |
Seeing bullet holes that small at those distances is going to be a tough chore for any spotter, even the 80-85mm class stuff. So much is dependent on the atmosphere......mirage, dust, etc. If portability is not your main criteria, I'd choose the 80-85mm class personally. There is no substitute for the resolving power of larger objectives. Hope that helps some. | |||
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Interestingly enough, I stopped by the LGS a few minutes ago. The Swaro rep was in taking 2015 orders. I had a discussion with him regarding my quandry. He said that he would give me a call the next time he was in the area and had his samples. and that way I could have a first hand look, side by side. He believes that the ATX/STX series w/65mm will be as clear and definitive as the ATS/STS HD 80. | |||
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It depends on how good the light it (that's why I mentioned atmospheric conditions). I can guarantee you 100% that a 85mm spotter will out resolve the exact same model scope in 65mm. It's a matter of physics, and you can't change that. Now if viewing in low light, very first or last light, etc is not important then a 65mm spotter will be fine. | |||
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I have a 15-45x60 Leica pre-APO televid and Out to 300 yards I've not wanted more for paper punching. It's a nice size that's still portable and functional. For my needs I just haven't found any need for anything else. I do agree: like for like, 80mm is going to be brighter and more resolving. Whether you actually need that is another story. Regards, Robert ****************************** H4350! It stays crunchy in milk longer! | |||
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I went to Cabelas a few years ago intent on blowing several thousand in Cabelas Club points on either a Leica or Swaro. The optics manager told me to look at the Meopta - she said it was better than the other two. With the help of a Marine sniper who was at the optics counter, we took all three outside on tripods. The Marine and I both concluded the Meopta was the best. It is a fantastic spotter. Crisp at 70X. Only complaint: there is no storage sleeve. | |||
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AZWriter, rumor has it that Meopta either now has, or is fixing to have a slip on cover for the S2. I will be at DSC tomorrow and Reinhard Seipp, the head man of Meopta USA will be there at the EuroOptic/Meopta booth. I'll go by and get the scoop and let you know. If they have one I'm buying. | |||
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I'm dickering with the guy I bought my OM 70 Hornet carbine from on a pair of Japanese binoculars/ranging device that came off a destroyer after WWII. He is a retired optician, and guarantees them forever. A bit bulky, but great for Rockchuck/Coyotes as far as I can find them. I was out at his place last month and could read the name on his mailbox from 800yds away on his front porch. | |||
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Seems like I am always buying the next gen high end optics in binocs and spotting scope. Still lean towards Leupolds on rifles. Currently own 3 spotting scopes. 1) Vortex Razor 20X60 X 85MM. I use it for small astronomy; Great deal for the $$. 2) KOWA promonar 88. Great scope best optics I know but…the only scope with a pure fluorite crystal objective lens (all others are fluorite enfused glass; Zeiss, Leica, Swar, etc) problem is a pure fluorite crystal is very soft and delicate. I would not take it on a rough country hunt.Pricey!!! 3) Leupold gold ring HD 15X45X60MM; Really like this scope. Flourite enfused glass objective, compact and best of all over 1" of eye relief. This makes this scope so much more comfortable viewing than practically any other scope. Especially if you are on a mountain side in some contorted position. Tough to twist the power zoom ring. I use this scope twice as much as the other two combined and it costs less than both of them. On a bench, you can see 22 holes at 300 yds. EZ | |||
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Meopta has a new neoprene cover for the S2. Call Meopta USA to get one. | |||
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You've got some great gear for sure. | |||
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Got pic of the S2 cover? | |||
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I'm holding on to my old 20-60X Swaro AT80HD + Manfrotto tripod.  André DRSS --------- 3 shots do not make a group, they show a point of aim or impact. 5 shots are a group. | |||
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HD, really? | |||
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HD, yes. Not really necessary, considering I only use my telescope at the 100 m range, underground and indoors at that. Like demanding that all my hunting rifles shoot sub-MOA. It's all in the head, I know, but it instills quite a bit of confidence. André DRSS --------- 3 shots do not make a group, they show a point of aim or impact. 5 shots are a group. | |||
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Was not aware that the AT/ST 80 was a HD spotter. Learns something new every day.  | |||
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| one of us |
HD is proposed as an option (rather costly).   André DRSS --------- 3 shots do not make a group, they show a point of aim or impact. 5 shots are a group. | |||
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| one of us |
Pentax ED is the best value for the money. | |||
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| One of Us |
I sure like my swarovski 80 mm hd w/25-50 eyepiece. | |||
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My eyepiece is 20-60x. André DRSS --------- 3 shots do not make a group, they show a point of aim or impact. 5 shots are a group. | |||
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Wow, hey thanks! | |||
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I use a zeiss victory 20x60x85 spotters for anything over 300 yards. I have a Bausch & Lomb 15-45x60 scope for the range and backpacking. God, guns, & guts made us free. Let's keep all three! | |||
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| One of Us |
I did quite a bit of research on spotters a few weeks ago. There's an independent lab study of all the top brands, and the 2nd best rated was the Meopta Meostar, at less than 1/2 the price of the top spotters. The new Swarovski modular was tops, but at almost $4,000. I wound up buying a guy's Zeiss 85mm FL with a 20-60 eyepiece for $1,375, as he HAD TO HAVE the latest and greatest. I'm happy :-) | |||
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Spent some time at SCI this year looking at spotting scopes,for an Ibex hunt in 2016. 65mm seemed to be the recommended objective diameter. I prefered a rotating angled eye piece to the straight and if money was no object I thought the new Leica was pretty slick water proof life time warrantee. | |||
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Leica Televid APO-65 Angled Spotting Scope 40132 http://www.eurooptic.com/leica...-eyepiece-40132.aspx | |||
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Lifetime warranty to original owner only.....non transferrable. Great product backed by a schittty company. | |||
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A warranty is nothing more than an insurance policy. I have noticed Swar. products are typically a couple hundred bucks more than Zeiss or Leica ( Binoculars) Might be that insurance you are paying for. Warranty does you no good if something breaks 100 miles from no where in the sticks. I personally have never had a Leica binoc. fail and I am tough on equipment and hunt in difficult terrain. I have dropped two different Swar. products on three specific incidents and they were knocked out of alignment. They did a great job of servicing the units AFTER my trip was over. Warranty did not do me any good on these 4 figure hunts. Just my experience... | |||
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