Suggestions please on VERY COMPACT scopes etc.

[downrange914]

Hi All - was wondering if I could ask for your help please.

I'm starting out in shooting, and looking to purchase an optical device which I can use for spotting purposes with a high upper end magnification number as I have an eye condition which is helped by having a high magnification (I know it becomes harder to read without some form of stability but am happy to live with that).

I'd be shooting out to 1000 yards (paper punching), and looking for a zoom level of greater than 20x power (variabe) - the only other requirement is that it has to be as compact as possible as I don't drive I have to carry all my kit with me in a rucksack ...

The reason why I use the term "optical device" is because I'm happy to consider anything as long as it fits my requirements - spotting scope/binoculars/monocular - anything and everything is fair game.

Upper end of budget would be around 600 GBP (942 USD) - could I have some ideas of what you'd suggest please ?

Before I reduced my budget (i.e. before I overspent on my rifle !) I was looking @ the Nikon Fieldscope ED50 - however now even if I was willing to wait a bit longer and save up for it, it's too big for what I want (I know light gathering is affected at higher magnifications - but am willing to put up with that)

The three that I've narrowed it down to are as follows (open to other suggestions - this is just what I've found - would appreciate any feedback on those listed below as I haven't had a chance to check them out in person) :

1) PRAKTICA W10-40x30
http://www.praktica-uk.com/product_info.php?products_id=271

2) Olympus 10-30 x 25 Zoom PC I Binoculars
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-10-30-25-Zoom-Binoculars/dp/B00006G33N

3) Opticron BGA Roof Prism Monocular (10x42) + Universal Tele-Adapter UTA 2.5x for Binoculars and Telescopes = total 25x
http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/bga_mono.htm
http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/uta.htm

The slightly higher upper magnification on options 1 and 2 make them attractive, however the price suggests the quality won't be very good ...

Option 3 sounds reasonable, but 25x is a bit on the small side for me (judging by the view on 24x power scope when I've shot at 1000 yards)

Was wondering if anyone had a view on the above, or knows of any other devices ?

Sorry for the long post - would appreciate any feedback ...

 

[Eric B.]

Re: Suggestions please on VERY COMPACT scopes etc.

Leupold 12 -40 W/ 60 mmm objective is the best compact spotting scope that I could recommend. I've had one for many years. However it is spendy.

But look at Cabela's online catalog of optics for more low budget but decent quality scopes and binoculars. You absolutely need a nitrogen filed scope or binos.

Budget priced "Zoom" binoculars generally have very poor optics. I would not waste my hard-earned money on them.

 

[Tactical_Tom]

Re: Suggestions please on VERY COMPACT scopes etc.

Minox makes the Minox MD 50 16-30x50 which is really small and can be had for around $250. The minox is really nice for the price and I don't think there is anything much better in that size range other then maybe the Nikon ED50 or a FLP scope like the leupold.

 

[downrange914]

Re: Suggestions please on VERY COMPACT scopes etc.

Apologies for the delay in replying ...

Thanks for the info Tom - I've since had the opportunity to use a Nikon scope (don't know the model name, but it goes up to 60x - probably around 60mm objective lens), and although it's bigger the extra magnification is king ...

I've noticed (and this is consistent across all model types of scope) that the size of the objective lens is approximately linked with the magnification available for that particular size of scope - so there's no way I'm going to get anything good quality without the size unfortunately

This means I'm going to modify my selection criteria and go for a proper scope - but probably looking around the 50mm - 65mm objective lens range which should get me to around 60x power - but hopefully still be portable ... will be posting again shortly to get people's recommendations on a compact scope in the 50-65mm objective lens size ....

Many thanks for your suggestions though.

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: Suggestions please on VERY COMPACT scopes etc.

+1 for the Leupold and it is in budget.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-12-40x60mm-golden-ring-spotting-scope.html

Davide came up with an interesting upgrade for it:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3058979

 

[downrange914]

Re: Suggestions please on VERY COMPACT scopes etc.

Many thanks TJ - the doubler would effectively make it a 80x 60mm - a big + for me