Spotting Scope

N

Nebraska Outlander

Active Member
Sep 6, 2011
160
0
I just recently went to Scheels to look at there spotting scopes and ask a few questions. Yet I don't feel they helped me that well at least to a point. I am looking for a good quality spotting scope and look at trying to save a little money to get a better glass. Right now from previous experience I think I want a spotting scope that will go up to 45x and not sure what brand to get. I want to use it for elk hunting and antelope hunting in the future. I was told to spend at least $200 on a spotting scope and really that was only suggestion I got from the guy at Scheels. I feel like my cap would be $400 on a spotting scope just can't really see me spending much past that.

Either way any input or questions would be really nice.

Nebraska Outlander
 
N

Nebraska Outlander

Active Member
Sep 6, 2011
160
0
I did a search for spotting scopes on this forum and found some information that I was looking for. I think I am going to end up with a NIKON PROSTAFF 16-48x65 SPOTTING SCOPE looks like what I am looking for along with it will go with my Nikon Rifle scope.

Either way thanks for looking and any more info would be appreciated.

Thanks
Nebraska Outlander
 
D

dewey

New Member
Jul 28, 2011
38
0
Minneapolis Minnesota
Hey Nebraska Outlander Mike Eastman did a blog excerpt talking about the Nikon ED 50 spotting scope and he seemed to like it.

Here is the link.

http://www.eastmans.com/mike/2010/10/nikon-ed-50/

Also in the EHJ #113 they did a huge comparison of spotting scope across 3 different price ranges and the Nikon Prostaff was one of the spotting scopes they reviewed with a overall rating of each spotting scope at the end of the article.

This should really help you out. Also could you please post any information you have found for spotting scopes as I am in the market for one as well and it sounds like we are in a similar price range.

Dewey
 
Big Sky

Big Sky

Active Member
Apr 6, 2011
151
1
Bozeman Mt.
I own the prostaff 20x60 and i feel that ouce you trun the power up above about 30 it is nearly impossible to focus it. At the lower powers it is a fairly good scope but I am saving my pennies now and wanting a vortex razor hd now.
 
Fink

Fink

Veteran member
Apr 7, 2011
1,961
204
West Side, MoMo
Neb- I have the 16-48x65, and love it.. Got it in Camofire.com for under $300, I believe. I used it a few weekends ago, sighting in a rifle, and could easily see bullet holes from 200 yards. For the money, you really can't go wrong, it's fairly lightweight and I felt it was pretty crisp on the highest settings. It's not top of the line by any means, but I'm pretty sure it'll get the job done.
 
Bitterroot Bulls

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
I think the Prostaffs are decent, and a good deal at those discounted prices. They just have a narrow field of view, and lose performance at the high end of magnification.

Big Sky,

I can assure you without question: The Razor HD is phenomenal.
 
N

Nebraska Outlander

Active Member
Sep 6, 2011
160
0
dewey said:
Hey Nebraska Outlander Mike Eastman did a blog excerpt talking about the Nikon ED 50 spotting scope and he seemed to like it.

Here is the link.

http://www.eastmans.com/mike/2010/10/nikon-ed-50/

Also in the EHJ #113 they did a huge comparison of spotting scope across 3 different price ranges and the Nikon Prostaff was one of the spotting scopes they reviewed with a overall rating of each spotting scope at the end of the article.

This should really help you out. Also could you please post any information you have found for spotting scopes as I am in the market for one as well and it sounds like we are in a similar price range.

Dewey
Click to expand...
Dewey,

I guess first, I would say one reason I am looking at the Nikon is because I have a Nikon on my rifle and love it. It is very crisp and clear and it always holds a zero. I am looking at the pro staff because it has a 65 mil objective which I am hoping will help in low light it is not too big but small enough to pack in and I also prefer a straight spotting scope vs a angled one. I have read it is easier to aquire your game or target on a straight one. I also read they tend to put better lenses in a straight one however I feel that they probably put the same lenses in both. Last with the price where it is I feel it will be the best scope in that price range. With a 10 month old and another baby on the way my wife is already having difficulty accepting this purchase. So right now I am going to be saving for a few months before I can purchase this scope.

Hope this helps and if you do a search on google you can type in spotting scope reviews and it pulls up a few links to research a little more.

Nebraska Outlander
 
J

jbtx

New Member
Jun 13, 2011
7
0
I read some information on the web about the Redfield Rampage....It had good reviews and sells for 239.00 everyday at Bass Pro.
I took a chance on it, and was amazed at the clarity and magnification. I read that Redfield is now made by Leupold.
I can read license plates on vehicles a mile away.....thats good enough for me.....
 
N

Nebraska Outlander

Active Member
Sep 6, 2011
160
0
I went and looked at some spotting scopes today including the RedField Rampage and after all my looking and talking to the sales persons I decided to stick with the NIKON PROSTAFF 16-48x65. I felt it was the brightest, felt like it would be the easiest to pack in, and felt like it was better quality than the others I looked at in that price range. After talking to the sales persons I realized that I needed something that would gather enough like early in the mornings and late in the evening therefore making my decision final on the Nikon. The others were great scopes just this one meets my needs. Now all I have to do is convince my wife that it is a necessity to buy this scope and it will provide for us!!! :)
 
M

mtnmax

New Member
Jul 26, 2011
2
0
Utah
Nebraska,
I own the Nikon ED 50, it weighs just 18 oz. Fits in a pack along with the tripod just fine. All together it weighs just under 3 pounds. I wouldn't head into the back country without it. Price was $800. I wanted to make a one time investment, not the cheapest nor the most expensive. It's great in low light situations. There's a lot out there, buy the best glass you can afford. I can say that I'm very pleased with my purchase.
 
Pronghorn73

Pronghorn73

Member
Mar 7, 2011
130
0
Franklin, Idaho
Nebraska Outlander, I bought the Nikon Prostaff about a month ago and will get a chance to use it for the first time the next few days on my anual Wyoming doe antelope hunt. We leave Wed. afternoon and will be back sunday. I will let you know how it does. Also, shop around, I bought mine from Cabelas for $299. I have also seen it on Camofire for the same price if I remember right.
 
Pronghorn73

Pronghorn73

Member
Mar 7, 2011
130
0
Franklin, Idaho
N. O. Hey made it back from WY and had another great trip. Filled the freezer, and got to try out the spotting scope. For the $ I don't think you could go wrong with the Nikon. I know there are high $ scopes that will out perform it but in this price range I'm happy with it. Mid-day you will see some heat waves as with most scopes, but it's pretty clear and gathers the light well in the morning and late in the day. My only small complaint was the zoom-power adjustement, kinda hard to find while looking through the scope to make adjustment, but after a couple days I got used to it. Overall very pleased!
 
N

Nebraska Outlander

Active Member
Sep 6, 2011
160
0
Thanks for the updates!!! I have been really excited to get this scope and can't wait till after the christmas season to start saving for it. Wish I would have thought of this earlier.

Nebraska Outlander
 
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