Spotting scopes 1000.00 and under

If your shopping for a new spotter, then no. Your not going to find anything under a grand with better glass that a Razor HD.

But if you buy used, Yup.

Go used, and you can get some damn good glass for that budget.

Some examples.

If you don't care about a reticle:




If you want a reticle, reticle eyepieces are available for these and the glass is quite good. I have 2 of these, and the glass is on par with Kowa Prominar:

A better deal. This one is newer and comes with a zoom eyepiece.


If you can find the HDF version with the flourite lense, even better. I have one of each, and the flourite is just a little better in in contrast.
 
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Athlon Cronus 20-60x86 ED Spotting Scope reduced from $1,499.99 to only $999.99

  • Aprochromatic Lens System: Apochromatic lense system gives you the result of images which have greater contrast, sharpness and color definition
  • ED Glass: ED glass gives you an image with little or no chromatic fringe so the final result brings a clearer and sharper image to your eyes
  • ESP Dielectric Coating: ESP Dielectric Coating is a multi layer prism coating that reflects over 99% of the light to your eyes bringing you a clear, bright image that displays accurate color reproduction.
  • Magnesium Chassis: Magnesium chassis give you the strength of a metal chassis while reducing the weight as much as 30%
  • XPL Coating: XPL Coating gives you an extra protection on the exterior lenses from dirt, oil and scratches
  • Bak4 Prism: Bak-4 glass prisms reflect more light to your eyes which will give you brighter and sharper image.
  • Advanced Fully Multi-Coated: Advanced Fully Multi-Coated lenses gives you better light transmission to bring optimum brightness and true color across the entire light spectrum.
  • Argon Purged: Argon Purging uses the inertia gas with bigger size molecules to purge any moisture out of the tube giving you better waterproofing and thermal stability .
  • Waterproof: Waterproof to protects the binocular in the harshest weather conditions or if accidently submerged underwater
  • Dual Focus: Dual focus has dual speed focus knobs that offer both faster and finer focus adjustment
  • Rotating Ring: Rotating Ring allows you to rotate the scope around tripod supporting ring into the most comfortable and convenient angle for observation
 
Doug, would you say thats a better buy than the razor hd's? I was looking at the 22-48x65 Specifically or maybe dropping down to the viper line.
 
If your shopping for a new spotter, then no. Your not going to find anything under a grand with better glass that a Razor HD.

But if you buy used, Yup.

Go used, and you can get some damn good glass for that budget.

Some examples.

If you don't care about a reticle:




If you want a reticle, reticle eyepieces are available for these and the glass is quite good. I have 2 of these, and the glass is on par with Kowa Prominar:

A better deal. This one is newer and comes with a zoom eyepiece.


If you can find the HDF version with the flourite lense, even better. I have one of each, and the flourite is just a little better in in contrast.
I actually picked up the optolyth from the first ebay link that you posted. All i can say is wow! For $385 shipped, it is the best spotting scope glass that I have ever looked through. Had it at the range today next to a vortex razor hd 80mm, a nightforce 80mm spotter and kowa 76, and a swaro, general consensus from 10 different individuals watching trace and hits at 1k yards, the optolyth and the Swarovski are about even. Best money I ever spent.
 
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Cronus Tactical spotter if a pretty good option if you want a reticle. I'm very pleased and find the reticle very useful. Give Doug a call at Camera Land a call he is very helpful and can meet your needs.
 
I actually picked up the optolyth from the first ebay link that you posted. All i can say is wow! For $385 shipped, it is the best spotting scope glass that I have ever looked through. Had it at the range today next to a vortex razor hd 80mm, a nightforce 80mm spotter and kowa 76, and a swaro, general consensus from 10 different individuals watching trace and hits at 1k yards, the optolyth and the Swarovski are about even. Best money I ever spent.

Which eyepiece did you get?

I have the 30x with reticle and a 20-60 variable. I find the 20-60 to be to most useful. @ 20x it has great eye relief, and is where I keep it set for general spotting.

For calling corrections, the 30x is a wide angle eyepiece and has a great field of view, but short on eye relief. To my eye, the glass ranks right up there with Kowa Prominar and Swaro, and bests most FFP tactical mil type spotters.

They make an adapter to allow the use of standard 1.25" astronomical eyepieces. I've been planning to buy a Baader Hyperion 24mm eyepiece to try. It should get me about 18x and pretty good eye relief.
 
Sightmark Latitude 20-60x80 XD Tactical Spotting Scope
at least its worth looking at at the price

good luck which ever or what ever you decide to get .
I have liked ours so far I am just unhappy with the bi pod I picked up to use it with but that was all my fault . Also the no camera attachment ability but for the price I may have had grandiose expectations
 
Which eyepiece did you get?

I have the 30x with reticle and a 20-60 variable. I find the 20-60 to be to most useful. @ 20x it has great eye relief, and is where I keep it set for general spotting.

For calling corrections, the 30x is a wide angle eyepiece and has a great field of view, but short on eye relief. To my eye, the glass ranks right up there with Kowa Prominar and Swaro, and bests most FFP tactical mil type spotters.

They make an adapter to allow the use of standard 1.25" astronomical eyepieces. I've been planning to buy a Baader Hyperion 24mm eyepiece to try. It should get me about 18x and pretty good eye relief.
20x eyepiece
 
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