Recommended Optic for Monitoring Wind and Mirage

[GunnyUSMC]

I am shooting FClass F-TR and have purchased as scope stand with an older scope with angled eyepiece for use while in the prone position to watch wind and mirage. Unfortunately, the scope i have is older and does not have a good eye relief.

I am looking for recommendations for a good scope that will be effective for this use.

Basic requirements is 1) angled eyepiece 2) long eye relief and 3) affordability

Thoughts?

 

[BobinNC]

I was bored so I took up your case, and went to my old pals at EuroOptic. I did a quick run through​

of all their offerings. 16 to 17mm seems standard eye relief. I listed all those that were #2) 18mm or larger eye relief below, that had #1) angled eye pieces. I can't relate your #3) affordability as what I consider "affordable" and what you do, might just be a coincidence. In any event I went through them fast and gave little thought to how good each may be in actual usage, as my spotting scope knowledge is basically nil....​

These might help you:
Guide to Choosing a Spotting Scope

EuroOptic:
Spotting Scopes

Vortex Viper 20-60x 85mm Spotting Scope Angled-HD V502​

Leupold SX-4 Pro Guide 20-60x85mm HD Angled Spotting Scope 177597​

Athlon Cronus G2 20-60x86mm Dual Focus Angled Spotting Scope 311006​

Burris Signature HD 20-60x85mm Angled Body Green Spotting Scope 300103​

Leupold SX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 20-60x85mm Angled Spotting Scope 185679​

Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD Gen 2 20-60x80mm Angled Spotting Scope 185684​

 

[GunnyUSMC]

oh cool…. thanks

I did some initial checks at eurooptic as well and there was just soooo much. this is most helpful.

I honestly dont know what one might consider to be long or extended eye relief when it comes to spotting scopes

part of me was hoping that someone who uses a spotting scope in the same manner as what i am planning to use it for might be willing to share some lessons learned.

 

[BobinNC]

Gunny,

Neither did I. But the the Guide to Spotting scopes for Birding was oddly very helpful. Birds and Bullet holes have much in common, since they both start with the letter B.....

In any event they say 14mm is the minimum for eye relief for glasses wearers and the ones they listed in their article and the one's I listed are all 18mm (.070") or better.

Perhaps somebody will chime in and bail us out, as we stumble about in blissful ignorance in the dark...

Good Luck.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Update…

i posed the question to Vortex and they said the only solution they can offer is to purchase a extra long relief eyepiece for the Razor HD.

I talked with a local shooter and asked what scope they shoot with and or recommend for monitoring wind and mirage. They quickly pointed to the Kowa TSN-82 with the extra long eye relief eyepiece. I had a chance to look through the Kowa and was impressed.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

I don't know anyone who has bought a Kowa and regretted it. For a pure spotter without reticle they would be my choice.

That glass is something special.

 

[Nbmonte]

Affordable and f class optics don’t always go together. Why the spotting scope? Very few of the ftr shooters I shoot with use a spotting scope. Unless you plan to coach in a team environment, the spotting scope may be unnecessary.

Kowa and Pentax are usually the go to. I use a Pentax pf80 for Palma shooting and really like it. I’ve looked through a few kowa and they’re also a very good option.

Why do you require long eye relief? It may limit your options

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Why do you require long eye relief? It may limit your options

I have a decent enough scope but the eye relief is very limited. it takes too long to get a good picture and forces me out of position. the extended eye relief allows me to get a much quicker view of wind and mirage so i can respond quickly with my pending shot

 

[Nbmonte]

You might get a few more answers on the accurate shooter forum, I think it has a few more f class shooters in it.

Or if you do Facebook, there are a few f class groups where people might have experience with the optics you’re thinking of.

 

[fdkay]

I don't use spotting scopes much, but, for me, the extremely high magnification is more of a problem than it is worth.
With a 20-60, I find myself at 20X (I' not glassing extreme distances though)
I have used that 20-60 on a very decent tripod (manfrotto), it is so sensitive to wind and vibration, it makes it difficult to use (not impossible).
I prefer the lower magnification of a 15-45 or, better yet, an 11-33.
Of course, this is a personal thing and YMMV.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I don't use spotting scopes much, but, for me, the extremely high magnification is more of a problem than it is worth.
With a 20-60, I find myself at 20X (I' not glassing extreme distances though)
I have used that 20-60 on a very decent tripod (manfrotto), it is so sensitive to wind and vibration, it makes it difficult to use (not impossible).
I prefer the lower magnification of a 15-45 or, better yet, an 11-33.
Of course, this is a personal thing and YMMV.

Totally agree. I have a good 20-60 (Vortex Razor HD) for spotting shots. If I go with the Kowa, the extended eye relief will be fixed at 25x, which i think will be perfect for monitoring wind and mirage

 

[Denys]

Kowa spotting scopes come in several versions. I shoot F-TR and I also wind coach sometimes. I have used a Kowa 82SV for many years. I have the LER eyepiece as well as the 25-60X eyepiece or whatever the zoom eyepiece is. I also have the digiscoping adapter and so on. A few years ago, I decided to get the Kowa 88x model because it sports pure fluorite crystal glass. I find that along with Super-ED glass, CaF2 glass helps me discern mirage faster and easier compared to regular optical glass. So I stored my 82SV and its eyepieces and so on, and concentrated on the 88x. I have the LER eyepiece for the 88x, as well as the zoom eyepiece and more recently the super wide-angle eyepiece. At 35X, that's the one I use the most.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Kowa spotting scopes come in several versions. I shoot F-TR and I also wind coach sometimes. I have used a Kowa 82SV for many years. I have the LER eyepiece as well as the 25-60X eyepiece or whatever the zoom eyepiece is. I also have the digiscoping adapter and so on. A few years ago, I decided to get the Kowa 88x model because it sports pure fluorite crystal glass. I find that along with Super-ED glass, CaF2 glass helps me discern mirage faster and easier compared to regular optical glass. So I stored my 82SV and its eyepieces and so on, and concentrated on the 88x. I have the LER eyepiece for the 88x, as well as the zoom eyepiece and more recently the super wide-angle eyepiece. At 35X, that's the one I use the most.

This is great feedback. I searched for the 88x but all i could find was the TSN-88 Prominar. I assume that is the same scope you are referring to. What a beautiful scope… just not ready to spend $4k (yet!) but might be in my future.

Thanks Again

 

[Denys]

This is great feedback. I searched for the 88x but all i could find was the TSN-88 Prominar. I assume that is the same scope you are referring to. What a beautiful scope… just not ready to spend $4k (yet!) but might be in my future.

Thanks Again

Yes, that's the one. Kowa has several models and the first two digits are the diameter of the objective lens. I use the X to stand in for straight or angled. The Prominar series usually refers to the use of CaF2 glass. The 82SV is not a prominar, but it is much more affordable and is a very good spotting scope.
Optically speaking, I consider the Kowa Prominar spotters to be best in class. Swaros are second, but they have great features.