I'm looking for a spotting scope to make positive identification of people carrying short AKs slung up to 2000m away, basically I need something with more magnification and clarity than 10x binos and rifle scopes. I've been looking at the leopold mark 4 and gold ring HD, but some reviews I've seen say that the clarity isn't that good on them. Durability, weight and eye relief are also important. Any suggestions?
Rifle Scopes spotting scope recomendation
- Thread starter DeltaDan
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Re: spotting scope recomendation
the questions comes back to how much are you willing to spend? Clarity and resolution is all about the money. To be able to determine if someone is carrying a weapon 2 clicks away also comes down to numnerous factors to include resolution. If you can pay 2k for the scopes than get the European glass such as Zeiss or Swarovski. Kowa's and Nikon's are also very good and are in the 1k and above range. This comes down to what they say about speed, how fast do you want to go, well, how much money do you have?
the questions comes back to how much are you willing to spend? Clarity and resolution is all about the money. To be able to determine if someone is carrying a weapon 2 clicks away also comes down to numnerous factors to include resolution. If you can pay 2k for the scopes than get the European glass such as Zeiss or Swarovski. Kowa's and Nikon's are also very good and are in the 1k and above range. This comes down to what they say about speed, how fast do you want to go, well, how much money do you have?
Re: spotting scope recomendation
Unless you've got $5k to spend for a Zeiss, the Leupold is the way to go. With few exceptions all of the expensive european/japanese scopes have fantastic glass, but no reticle and they are big and heavy.
Unless you've got $5k to spend for a Zeiss, the Leupold is the way to go. With few exceptions all of the expensive european/japanese scopes have fantastic glass, but no reticle and they are big and heavy.
Re: spotting scope recomendation
You might want to take a look at our Razor HD spotter and optional 30x wide angle reticle eyepiece.
Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
Scott
You might want to take a look at our Razor HD spotter and optional 30x wide angle reticle eyepiece.
Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
Scott
Re: spotting scope recomendation
I own a Leupold Gold Ring HD spotter and have no compalaints about it's resolution or clarity. Several LR shooters in my club have the same scope andd have been using them for a number of years which is what they told me to buy.
I own a Leupold Gold Ring HD spotter and have no compalaints about it's resolution or clarity. Several LR shooters in my club have the same scope andd have been using them for a number of years which is what they told me to buy.
Re: spotting scope recomendation
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeltaDan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm looking for a spotting scope to make positive identification of people carrying short AKs slung up to 2000m away, basically I need something with more magnification and clarity than 10x binos and rifle scopes. I've been looking at the leopold mark 4 and gold ring HD, but some reviews I've seen say that the clarity isn't that good on them. Durability, weight and eye relief are also important. Any suggestions? </div></div>
The Kowa 20X60X88 is the best that I have used. The resolution was better at 800 yards and beyound than my 20X60X80 Swaro. This spotter will give you the best resolution to pick out those AK's
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeltaDan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm looking for a spotting scope to make positive identification of people carrying short AKs slung up to 2000m away, basically I need something with more magnification and clarity than 10x binos and rifle scopes. I've been looking at the leopold mark 4 and gold ring HD, but some reviews I've seen say that the clarity isn't that good on them. Durability, weight and eye relief are also important. Any suggestions? </div></div>
The Kowa 20X60X88 is the best that I have used. The resolution was better at 800 yards and beyound than my 20X60X80 Swaro. This spotter will give you the best resolution to pick out those AK's
Re: spotting scope recomendation
There is a lot of good reviews around the Kowa and Vortex spotting scopes. I would contact Scott at Vortex. You'll be very happy with their service.
There is a lot of good reviews around the Kowa and Vortex spotting scopes. I would contact Scott at Vortex. You'll be very happy with their service.
Re: spotting scope recomendation
I have no experience with the Vortex Razor. But if I had the money I would get one.
I have no experience with the Vortex Razor. But if I had the money I would get one.
Re: spotting scope recomendation
I asked a related question on OpticsTalk, and the general consensus was that Kowa and Swaro have the best image, with Kowa slightly better. But the Vortex HD is the most image for the money, and is almost indistinguishable from Swaro. If that's too much dough, then Pentax is a good choice. I was warned to stay away from Leupold.
I asked a related question on OpticsTalk, and the general consensus was that Kowa and Swaro have the best image, with Kowa slightly better. But the Vortex HD is the most image for the money, and is almost indistinguishable from Swaro. If that's too much dough, then Pentax is a good choice. I was warned to stay away from Leupold.
Re: spotting scope recomendation
I have an as new Vortex Razor HD with the additional Reticle eye piece for sale here. Ready to ship.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1709153#Post1709153
I have an as new Vortex Razor HD with the additional Reticle eye piece for sale here. Ready to ship.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1709153#Post1709153
Re: spotting scope recomendation
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stringer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I asked a related question on OpticsTalk, and the general consensus was that Kowa and Swaro have the best image, with Kowa slightly better. But the Vortex HD is the most image for the money, and is almost indistinguishable from Swaro. I was warned to stay away from Leupold.
</div></div>
Now let add that you can have a reticle (and their warranty).....the answer would seem VERY simple.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stringer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I asked a related question on OpticsTalk, and the general consensus was that Kowa and Swaro have the best image, with Kowa slightly better. But the Vortex HD is the most image for the money, and is almost indistinguishable from Swaro. I was warned to stay away from Leupold.
</div></div>
Now let add that you can have a reticle (and their warranty).....the answer would seem VERY simple.
Re: spotting scope recomendation
i really like the USO Spotters for the price. Around 1k and you can get it with your reticle
i really like the USO Spotters for the price. Around 1k and you can get it with your reticle
Re: spotting scope recomendation
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ffhogue</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i really like the USO Spotters for the price. Around 1k and you can get it with your reticle </div></div>
Love the scope.....
apples and pineapples.....
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ffhogue</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i really like the USO Spotters for the price. Around 1k and you can get it with your reticle </div></div>
Love the scope.....
apples and pineapples.....
Re: spotting scope recomendation
I am identifying paper or steel targets, not Taliban, but so far I am very impressed with the vortex razors. Awesome spotter and great value. Scott at liberty did me right, as always. Doug at Cameraland would take care of you too.
I am identifying paper or steel targets, not Taliban, but so far I am very impressed with the vortex razors. Awesome spotter and great value. Scott at liberty did me right, as always. Doug at Cameraland would take care of you too.
Re: spotting scope recomendation
I've got the Leupold Mk4 with TMR reticle. You have to go way up in price to find better clarity. Seriously, friends with Kowa, Swaro, Leica, etc., have looked through it and said "wow". But the thing I really love about it compared to others is the eye relief and form-factor. Eye relief is amazing. At lower powers its "TV" like and even at max it's still terrific. Most spotters require you to jam your eye into the eyepiece at higher res. The size and weight are handy. It's very rugged and with the eye relief you can actually hold it like a set of binos and use it. Try that with most spotters.
I've got the Leupold Mk4 with TMR reticle. You have to go way up in price to find better clarity. Seriously, friends with Kowa, Swaro, Leica, etc., have looked through it and said "wow". But the thing I really love about it compared to others is the eye relief and form-factor. Eye relief is amazing. At lower powers its "TV" like and even at max it's still terrific. Most spotters require you to jam your eye into the eyepiece at higher res. The size and weight are handy. It's very rugged and with the eye relief you can actually hold it like a set of binos and use it. Try that with most spotters.
Re: spotting scope recomendation
At two clicks away you are going to need a scope with a large objective of 80mm or above to 85mm. The larger the objective and the more money spent on the optics, a measureable amount of correction for environmental conditions dealing with mirage and heat will be seen at that distance versus using a 60mm objective. Unfortunately compactness is going to go out the window if you need to be able to identify a slinged ak-47. IMO dealing with the top 5 high end scopes Swaroski,Kowa,Leica,Zeizz, and Nikon, I believe the Swaros will be the lightest, as much as I love my Nikon fieldscope it is definately heavy compared to the Swaro.
At two clicks away you are going to need a scope with a large objective of 80mm or above to 85mm. The larger the objective and the more money spent on the optics, a measureable amount of correction for environmental conditions dealing with mirage and heat will be seen at that distance versus using a 60mm objective. Unfortunately compactness is going to go out the window if you need to be able to identify a slinged ak-47. IMO dealing with the top 5 high end scopes Swaroski,Kowa,Leica,Zeizz, and Nikon, I believe the Swaros will be the lightest, as much as I love my Nikon fieldscope it is definately heavy compared to the Swaro.
Re: spotting scope recomendation
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scott_at_Vortex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You might want to take a look at our Razor HD spotter and optional 30x wide angle reticle eyepiece.
Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
Scott </div></div>
The answer is the most expensive glass you can afford. I love my Vortex Razor HD and wouldn't trade it for anything else. The only thing I wish it could do better is eliminate mirage. CameraLandny will do you well on this scope. Tell 'em 1911.it sent ya!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scott_at_Vortex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You might want to take a look at our Razor HD spotter and optional 30x wide angle reticle eyepiece.
Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
Scott </div></div>
The answer is the most expensive glass you can afford. I love my Vortex Razor HD and wouldn't trade it for anything else. The only thing I wish it could do better is eliminate mirage. CameraLandny will do you well on this scope. Tell 'em 1911.it sent ya!
Re: spotting scope recomendation
Good choice. If it does not give you what you need consider buying a fixed power wide angle eye piece in addition to the variable lens it comes with. Images will be a lot clearer and sharper than the variable lens, and will allow for better eye relief as well.
Good choice. If it does not give you what you need consider buying a fixed power wide angle eye piece in addition to the variable lens it comes with. Images will be a lot clearer and sharper than the variable lens, and will allow for better eye relief as well.
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