Rifle Scopes Compact Spotting Scope

[Fisky]

I appologize, I posted this in the hunting forum first, but realized this would be a better place for it. Mods, feel free to delete that post if you want.

Entertaining the idea of selling my Swaro spotter and buying a more compact quality spotting scope. I find my self doing more and more hunting from a backpack in recent years, and frankly, that Swaro is a pig to haul around. I don't require, nor do I want, a reticle in it. Just looking for a compact scope with great glass.

Any reviews on the Leupold Golden Ring 12-40x60 HD???

Suggestions?

Thanks

 

[learjet]

Re: Compact Spotting Scope

ive got one of the nikon ed compacts and love it. its gotten to the point me and my shooting buddies often dont take the heftier glass out, and we never take it hunting any more. note the eye relief is short, and the focus touchy, other than that its great.

hth

http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/scopes/ed50/index.htm

 

[Fisky]

Re: Compact Spotting Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: learjet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ive got one of the nikon ed compacts and love it. its gotten to the point me and my shooting buddies often dont take the heftier glass out, and we never take it hunting any more. note the eye relief is short, and the focus touchy, other than that its great.

hth

http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/scopes/ed50/index.htm </div></div>

I was just on Nikons site looking at them actually...They caught my eye. Can't find too many reviews on them though.

How's the FOV on them, or more importantly, edge to edge clarity? If you're spotting from a pickup, or sptting hits at the range, they reach out there fairly well?

 

[kill_goose]

Re: Compact Spotting Scope

Seeings how you have a big swaro now, and if weight is the issue, the 65mm swaro is only like 34 oz. The Vortex Nomad is 36 oz.

Maybe sell the big swaro and get a small swaro?

 

[learjet]

Re: Compact Spotting Scope

check out bird watchers reviews of them, thats where i stumbled on them about a year ago. they are well liked. edge to edge its better than my buddies older PR modified loopy spotter, and he thinks the glass is better all around. ive never messed w any real expensive spotter, so i cant really compare. spotting target hits at the range w them seems a matter of atmospheric conditions more than anything, on high mirage days none of the spotters we have(none as nice as urs)will allow us to see hits on black paper targets past3-400yds. on clearer days we have seen hits at 500. spotting new hits on fresh painted steel isnt a problem at any range we have shot to, but our farthest target is 1030yds out. seeing trace etc is easy. the FOV doesnt seem limiting to me, once again i really dont have much to compare it to.

like i said before the eye relief is finicky, and too close for use w my glasses on, and the focus is coarse - it takes a mighty tiny twist to get it just right. those r the only 2 gripes ive got w mine

 

[Fisky]

Re: Compact Spotting Scope

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[scotharr]

Re: Compact Spotting Scope

The Nikon ED compact is best of breed in that size. You might also look at the Kowa 600 series scopes: they are quite a bit lighter than the Swaro and pretty darned good: at a much lower price.