New to Spotters

[FrozenRopes]

I need a spotter to qualify at my range to use the longer range.
I've never used a spotter before, since 20x at 100yards was plenty from my scope. I have many questions.
I'll be shooting steal at longer yards not paper.
Am I actually going to get a lot of use out of a new spotter?
New or Used or just borrow one?
Are all of them huge?
Do I need to spend hundreds?
Can I get double duty out of the tripod as a gun mount? (I don't know much about tripods and there mounts either so any help there would be great.)
Thanks for any help!

 

[threetrees]

Re: New to Spotters

whenever you are unsure, borrow one.

whether you get alot of use out of a (new) spotter depends on what you do ... but ideally you have a spotter for the spotter. if you don't, changing back and forth between rifle and spotter is a pain.

if you decide to buy one, consider a used one

 

[FrozenRopes]

Re: New to Spotters

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: threetrees</div><div class="ubbcode-body">whenever you are unsure, borrow one.

whether you get alot of use out of a (new) spotter depends on what you do ... but ideally you have a spotter for the spotter. if you don't, changing back and forth between rifle and spotter is a pain.

if you decide to buy one, consider a used one </div></div>

Thanks, sounds like good advise.

 

[joemusso]

Re: New to Spotters

one word of advice don't buy a cheep spotter you will regret it.
save your money and buy a nice one.
keep an eye on the optics for sale forum here. they come up from time to time for a good deal.

thank you
joe

 

[FrozenRopes]

Re: New to Spotters

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joemusso</div><div class="ubbcode-body">one word of advice don't buy a cheep spotter you will regret it.
save your money and buy a nice one.
keep an eye on the optics for sale forum here. they come up from time to time for a good deal.

thank you
joe </div></div>

Is there a place to find a list of good to go spotters?

 

[OpticsPlanet]

Re: New to Spotters

Here is some pretty good general information:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/spotting-scopes-for-target-shooting.html

This info can be found on this page under "Spotting Scopes"
http://www.opticsplanet.net/howto.html

I personally prefer the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD with the ED glass:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-legend-ultra-hd-20-60x80-45-degree-spotting-scope-786081ed.html

I would also recommend taking a look at our OPMOD 20-60x60mm spotting scope. It will not have as bright a picture as the Bushnell, but i think it will work well for your application.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/opmod-20-60x60mm-spotting-scope-w-tripod.html

Chase B.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: New to Spotters

Learning to spot and be a good spotter is a valuable asset to have. In some matches you are part of a team and at a match you'll be doing your share helping others see their hits or misses, as they will also be doing for you as you shoot.

I've had numerous brands and models and currently use a 88mm Kowa and an older Unertl but you certainly don't need that to be a good spotter. We've had all the brands at the matches we attend from the very cheapies to the ultra high end but if I was needing a Spotter and just getting into this I'd get a Konus 80mm. The ones I've looked thru at the matches are much better than the price relates to. They aren't very heavy weight wise but they seem well made. Really clear and bright even out to our 1000 yard targets shaded in trees.

My Kowa is only 27X and the Unertl is 24X, most spotters come with a 20X - 60X but you'll find you'll seldom go above 30X due to mirage and haze in the air. Clear and bright are more important than high magnification, just the same as rifle scopes.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=7KvXT-u9C4qf6QH5_tyGAw&ved=0CNIBEPMCMAA

Don't scrimp on the tripod. Buy the heaviest best made one you can find, you don't need your scope vibrating around in a slight breeze and having to tell someone you missed their shot due to it shaking around. Keep an eye on fleabay or check Craigslist since a good one is pretty expensive but very well worth the money spent.

It's not a necessity when you get started but something you'll wonder how you did without once you get used to having it.

Question, you need to qualify to be able to shoot the longer distances at your range?

Topstrap

 

[FrozenRopes]

Re: New to Spotters

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Topstrap</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Question, you need to qualify to be able to shoot the longer distances at your range?

Topstrap </div></div>

Yeah It's ridiculous. They just added a long range area at our club, and one of the requirements is that you use a spotter.