Spotting scope expectations

[MJY65]

I own an older (non-HD) Leupold 12-40x60 Gold Ring spotting scope. I originally bought it for hunting, but it spends more time at the range. I like the compact size and long eye relief, but really have never been that pleased with the resolution it provides. I honestly feel like my 5.5-22 Nightforce rifle scope provides a clearer image of the target than the 40x spotter. Is this typical for the Leupold?

I wouldn't mind upgrading, but don't want to spend the money if my expectations are unrealistic. How much better are the Vortex, Swarovski, etc?

Thanks

 

[limamike56]

I have the Leupold 12-40x60 Gold Ring Spotting Scope in HD and can clearly see the heads of 1/2 inch bolts on a traffic sign 485 yards from my house even on overcast days at 30 power. They are gray colored bolts on a yellow metal background but they are sharp and well defined.

 

[kraigWY]

First thing is you need to decide what you want to do with a spotting scope, what do you want out of it. Personally I want to see mirage. So reciently (about 6 months ago) I picked a day of little mirage and went to Cabala's and Scheels telling them I wanted a new spotting scope and what I wonted it to do.

So I get the clerk and a spotting scope and go out in the parking lot and focus on mirage, (remember I picked a day when very little mirage was present).

I kept trying scopes to see what worked best for my needs. I found one and bought it.

My choice doesn't matter, what matters is what works for you. Don't buy a scope until you can take it out and try it, see if it fits you. I don't know of any major sporting goods store that wont assist you in your choice.

 

[MJY65]

I guess I'm primarily looking at spotting bullet holes and groups when I can't go downrange with other shooters on the line. To that end, I'd like the sharpest resolution possible. Another consideration would be eye relief. I do wear glasses, so more ER is better.

 

[mikeltee]

I have found that birding stores carry a lot more high end spotters than sporting goods stores. That's is where I bought my Vortex, and I was able to compare it to the swarz. I have dicks sporting goods and gander mountain at my disposal and all they carry is crap.

 

[mikeltee]

I guess I'm primarily looking at spotting bullet holes and groups when I can't go downrange with other shooters on the line. To that end, I'd like the sharpest resolution possible. Another consideration would be eye relief. I do wear glasses, so more ER is better.

To check out a Vortex Razor HD. It has an adjustable eyepiece for you four eyes freaks. Lol
I have 25k worth of Nikon glass and the Vortex was good enough for me. They also offer a wide angle ranging retical which is hard to come by in a spotter. The higher end glass maybe better for a birder staring through it 6 hours a day, or an operator sitting and staring at a location all day, but for us range warriors, the Vortex is hard to beat for the bucks if sharpness, lack of distortion and chromatic abbreviation are your goals.

 

[MJY65]

To check out a Vortex Razor HD. It has an adjustable eyepiece for you four eyes freaks. Lol

I actually had a chance to borrow a friend's Vortex Razor HD and his Swarovski STS last weekend. Set up side by side with my old Leupold, the comparison was interesting. No doubt, the Swarovski had outstanding clarity. Unfortunately, both the Swaro and the Vortex only have 20mm of eye relief compared to the Leupold's 30mm. For me, this results in a considerable amount of vignetting. The overall effect is that the Leupold seems brighter, even though I'm sure the other two are superior lenses.

Not sure which direction to try next. I'd sure like the upgrade in clarity, but I don't think I want to deal with less than a full picture when wearing glasses.

 

[Bounce]

You may want to look at the Meopta Meostar S2. It's as good or better than the alphas,Leica, Swaro, Kowa. At 82 mm, the objective lets the light in, and the 30-60 eye piece has a wider FOV then anything out there, although you could also go with the 20-70 eyepiece. The scope is at least $1000 less than the alphas and the eye piece is about 40% less, While it has no reticle, it has received a lot of positive press in birding forums and Rockslide. The glass is amazing in its clarity and lack of tunneling/distortion/chromatic aberration. I bought mine after seeing the reviews and couldn't be happier. I have no affiliation with the Czech manufacturer or any distributor
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[hk401]

i have a swarovski 80 ATS HD, and it is amazing.....I don't know about the other spotting scope but it's depend on ur eyes.....my right eyes looked through the swarovski scope and it was natural color, but when i looked it thru my left eyes i can see the color on the grass total different color from my right eyes

 

[elfster1234]

I know i use my konus 60x to spot .224 holes at 300yards on white paper and there is no way my vortex 4-16x can see them.... My vortex can see .224 at 100yards easy but once in a blue moon ill still use my konus 60x for 100yards when the group is stupid small