Re: Best Spotting Scope...$300-$500 Range
I have a Konus 80mm spotting scope. It is surprisingly clear and bright. I actually compared it to my dad's fixed 20x Leupold Gold Ring. With the Konus turned down to 20x we couldn't see any difference in brightness or clarity. We know there had to be some but we couldn't see it.
I use mine a lot in Bullseye pistol. I have no trouble seeing .22 holes in a black bullseye at 50 yards. Sometimes it gets cloudy and/or late and the light gets dim. The scope surprises everyone who looks through it.
There is a guy who sells the Konus scopes with the guarantee that if after a year you don't like it he will buy it back. I don't think he has had to buy one yet.
The only downside to it, and this is common, is that the tripod sucks wind.
The upside is pretty good optics, a 45* eyepiece with a ring that allows the body to be rotated. I have used mine prone, sitting and standing with no problems. The eye relief is alos very good. I use mine wearing glasses and it is easy to see even cranked up to 60x. .223 bullet holes are easy to see at 200 yards if on a light colored bullseye- nothing can see them at that range on a black bullseye.
The 80mm is a great range scope but might be a little big and heavy for hunting. Konus makes smaller scopes but I only have experience with the 80mm.
I honestly believe you would need to go to a much more expensive scope to get a better scope.
Jim
