Re: Looking for a Better Spotting Scope
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 77Bronc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been using a Bass Pro Shop Redhead scope for years, purchased it on sale when I visited BPS in Houston...maximum magnification is 36X.
I am looking for something better and more power...considered the USO, and while it will be much better optically, only goes to 40X.
Kowa's can be had in a 60X and they look like a good option....are there any other suggestions?
77 </div></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">If you'll never need to use a reticle-equipped Eyepiece <span style="text-decoration: underline">AND</span> you want the absolute best image quality</span></span>, get an <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">
88mm Kowa Prominar (Angled Body)</span></span> or <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">
88mm Kowa Prominar (Straight Body)</span></span>.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">If you want the option of a (30X) Eyepiece equipped with a <span style="color: #FF0000">ROTATING MIL RETICLE</span></span> you have two choices - the <span style="font-style: italic">Optolyth S80 (Angled Body) HD Compact</span></span> or the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Optolyth S80 (Straight Body) HD Compact</span></span>. You can buy either Body separate or with the 20-60X Variable Eyepiece. The 30X MIL Reticle Eyepiece is optional. If you get off the bench and use a reticle-equipped spotter prone, a ROTATING RETICLE is VERY WELCOME. And when you turn the spotter within it's Collar the ROTATING RETICLE is required to keep the reticle square with the horizon and for calling impacts.
If you start with one Eyepiece I recommend that you get the 20-60X Variable for the better versatility (the Optolyth 30X WA Eyepiece is extremely clear and has a wide Field-of-View, but may be slow to find the target at close range). See my "review" of the Optolyth S80 HD Compact <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">
Optolyth S80 HD Spotting Scope</span></span>, where I contrast my Optolyth S80 HD Compact with 20-60X Variable against my Zeiss Diascope 65T FL with Zeiss 15-45X/20-60X Variable. I also wrote about the Optolyth 30X MIL Eyepiece.
I've used a Swarovski ATS 65, Swarovski ATM 65 HD, a Zeiss 65T FL, a Leupold 12-40X60 Golden Ring (no reticle), a Mark 4 12-40X[60mm] with Mildot reticle, a Bushnell Excursion FFP Tactical with Mildot reticle. I've also been able to compare a Razor HD [20-60X85mm] and a Zeiss 65T FL with Zeiss 15-45X/20-60X alongside my Optolyth S80 HD Compact with my 20-60X Eyepiece, and the S80 HD Compact has better image quality compared to the Leupolds, the Razor HD, and of course the Bushnell. However, the Swarovski and Zeiss 65mms' hold their own in all but the darkest light.
About using a reticle in a spotting scope: Normally, when an Eyepiece with a reticle is used on a spotting scope the scope must be positioned within it's mount and/or collar in manner that allows the reticle to still be oriented "square" with the target and/or horizon, allowing the target to be measured accurately and to allow accurate correction calls by an individual "spotting" for a shooter. Without the ability to compensate for a spotting scope's cant when placed on uneven ground and/or when the scope is rotated within it's collar, the reticle will often be skewed in relation to the target area/horizon.
However, if the reticle can be rotated within the Eyepiece itself (such as with the Optolyth MIL Eyepieces), the reticle can always be oriented to be square in relation to the target and/or horizon. This is highly desirable on a "straight" spotting scope, but indispensable for an angled spotting scope because the Eyepiece is at a 45-degree angle in relation to the Scope Body.
For illustrative purposes below are some photos of my Optolyth S80 (Angled) HD Compact spotting scope set-up for prone spotting. In the first two photos below the (45-degree angled) spotting scope has been rotated in it's Collar so that the Eyepiece and Reticle are at the 12:00 position and the reticle is "square to the horizon. This is the only position an Eyepiece with a non-rotating reticle actually aligns the reticle parallel with the horizon.
In the second and third photos the (45-degree angled) spotting scope has been rotated in it's Collar approximately 45-degrees to the Right. This would normally cause the reticle to sit at a 45-degree angle in relation to the target area. However, the reticle in the Eyepiece on the scope has been rotated approximately 45-degrees to the Left to keep the reticle perfectly aligned with the target area. In the fifth, sixth, and seventh photos the (45-degree angled) spotting scope has been rotated in it's Collar approximately 45-degrees to the Left. This would normally cause the reticle to sit at a 45-degree angle in relation to the target area. However, the reticle in the Eyepiece on the scope has been rotated approximately 45-degrees to the Right to keep the reticle perfectly aligned with the target area.
The eigth and ninth photos are through-the-scope photos shot hand-held in fading light, 90+ degree heat, and over a freeway, so there is a bit of mirage, crappy air, and camera shake that muddies the image a bit. They are not really respresentative of the image quality of an Optolyth HD, but they do show part of the Optolyth MIL reticle.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Angled" spotter set-up with Eyepiece at 12:00. This is the only position an Eyepiece with a non-rotating reticle actually aligns the
reticle parallel with the horizon. A "straight" spotting scope can fake a parallel horizon if rotated in 90 degree increments only:</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Gitzo GT1550T Traveller + RRS BH-30 LR and Optolyth S80 HD Compact w/30X WA MIL Reticle Eyepiece. Here the scope is set-up to
the Left of the shooter/spotter. The spotting scope has been rotated to the Right within it's Collar, while the Eyepiece's Reticle has
been rotated to the Left to remain "square" with the target area:</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Gitzo GT1550T Traveller + RRS BH-30 LR and Optolyth S80 HD Compact w/30X WA MIL Reticle Eyepiece. Here the scope is set-up to
the Right of the shooter/spotter. The spotting scope has been rotated to the Left within it's Collar, while the Eyepiece's Reticle has
been rotated to the Right to remain "square" with the target area:</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Through-the-scope photo of Optolyth 30X Wide Angle MIL Reticle Eyepiece. The "+" at -5 MILs' Elevation is at 1,032 yards:</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Crappy, off-center, through-the-scope photo of the Optolyth MIL-based "Ranging" Reticle:</span></span>
Also, you posted this thread in the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Sniper's Hide Rifle Scopes"</span></span> Section. Posting in the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"
Sniper's Hide Observation Devices"</span></span> Section would have been more appropriate and might get more (but not necessarily better), replies.
Keith
