Cameraland is running good deals on these. Anyone have one? What is the difference between these and the uhd? Also curious where they are made. Have found info saying the cronus rifle scopes are made in Japan but can't find info on the spotters.
Affordable non Chinese spotting scopes
- Thread starter GreenMushroom
- Start date
These Cronus Spotters are the same as the UHD's. They changed the name but not the scope, even the product # is the same. They are made in China
That's unfortunate. Guess I'll keep saving my $ for a Kowa. Are there any other affordable options out there that aren't made in china? When it comes to spotting scopes and binos I've found it difficult to find out where they are made. I'm a buy once cry once kinda guy but 3k plus for a euro spotter is hard to stomach.
To give u an idea of were my price/quality lines meet up I've got swarovski slc 10x binos, leica 2800 rangefinder, and all my rifle scopes are LOW from Japan. Have been pretty impressed with scopes coming out of the Philippines and would be open to something made there.
To give u an idea of were my price/quality lines meet up I've got swarovski slc 10x binos, leica 2800 rangefinder, and all my rifle scopes are LOW from Japan. Have been pretty impressed with scopes coming out of the Philippines and would be open to something made there.
Good luck on no China. Euro and Kowa are about the only choices. I have the Cronus and it’s a great piece of glass
Meopta Meopro HD 80 Spotting Scope 598880
Meopta Meopro HD 80 Spotting Scope 598880 | Only at EuroOptic.com!
This says it is assembled in the US. Glass made "in house" so I'm assuming wherever in Europe meopta normally gets their glass. Seems like an option. Bh photo and cameraland have for cheaper. They don't seem to make a 15x45.
https://cameralandny.com/shop/kowa-...60a-00163e9110c0?variation=1666071&query=Kowa spotting scope
This and this..
https://cameralandny.com/shop/kowa-...615-00163e9110c0?variation=1853920&query=Kowa 663m eyepiece
Is about 1200$. I'm assuming Japanese made but I can't find anywhere it specifically says so. The wide angle 30x eyepiece looks interesting too. That would add another 200 something if u want both eyepieces. Quite a bit lighter than the meopta.
This and this..
https://cameralandny.com/shop/kowa-...615-00163e9110c0?variation=1853920&query=Kowa 663m eyepiece
Is about 1200$. I'm assuming Japanese made but I can't find anywhere it specifically says so. The wide angle 30x eyepiece looks interesting too. That would add another 200 something if u want both eyepieces. Quite a bit lighter than the meopta.
Care to share? I've found it pretty easy to find out where rifle scopes made but for binos and spotters it seems to be a closely guarded secret. Pentax and sightron seem to have been made in Japan but I can't find out about there current models.
Leupold 12-40x60mm HD Golden Ring Spotting Scope
Shop Leupold 12-40x60mm HD Golden Ring Spotting Scope | 4.6 Star Rating on 11 Reviews for Leupold 12-40x60mm HD Golden Ring Spotting Scope + Free Shipping over $49.
shop.opticsplanet.com
These say designed, machined, and assembled in the US. Doesn't say about the glass but Leopold hd stuff I've looked through has been good. The mk4 is a bit more expensive but has the fancy reticle. Biggest drawback for me is I want to use prone and these don't seem to be available with angled eye pieces.
https://cameralandny.com/shop/swaro...0163e9110c0?variation=1245954&query=Swarovski spotting scope
And a relatively affordable swarovski. I've been really impressed with my slc 10x and I'm assuming this matches up in the glass department. Just a matter of if it's worth it over the other brands. The kowa is a lot cheaper and from reviews seems to be 95% of the Swarovski.
And a relatively affordable swarovski. I've been really impressed with my slc 10x and I'm assuming this matches up in the glass department. Just a matter of if it's worth it over the other brands. The kowa is a lot cheaper and from reviews seems to be 95% of the Swarovski.
Can you confirm which models? You would think the monarchs would be Japanese made but vortex shipped the razor line to china so who knows. I looked on Nikon's sight and they dont say where they are made.
Some of the Monarchs are, or were, but some were also made in Thailand. I know the older FieldScopes were made in Japan. I think that is part of the problem, manufacturers are constantly moving production from here to there, and it makes it difficult to keep up with what is made where.
I didn't know Vortex moved the Razor line to China, guess I won't be buying anymore of those.
I didn't know Vortex moved the Razor line to China, guess I won't be buying anymore of those.
That's what has made my search difficult. A lot of companies have switched production of binos/spotters to china in the last few years and up to date info is hard to find. Think I'm going to go with the kowa 663m. Bhphoto has the body on sale for 850 and it looks like its normally 1000. Think I'll pick that up and get everything else as I have time to do research.
As a long time supporting vendor here it would be our pleasure to assist you with a spotter
Yep, Doug can steer you in the right direction, and probably get you a damn good deal too!
Also have to give props to Doug. They hooked me up with a 773 Kiowa spotter at thebest price I could find. Just have to give them a call...
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