Spotting Scope Recommendations

I am thinking of buying a new spotting scope.  I have had a small rather cheap Tasco for decades.  It works but the optics are about what you would expect.  I have been accused of being an optics snob when it comes to cameras L,N,C,H,etc.  I like Leupold rifle scopes but I noticed at the store that their binoculars are made in China now, on the other hand so are rather high level Nikon cameras and lenses.  Maybe something around $400.00?? (I may be way off) I like the 45 degree eye pieces generally. I know you can drop a couple of thousand rather quickly.  I see a lot of brands that I don't recognize at all.

Thanks!

DLB

I have a Vortex that I like. Models range from $300 and up.

The Hawke 9-27 x 56 on eBay is crazy good for the price. About $259.

I bought a really nice scope a few years back but it did not fit my shooting box. I ended up with a cheap scope, but it fits. So make sure it will fit. Some where I saw a setup that worked with a camera and a tablet or cell phone.

Cmp has new old model kowa 501's for $300.

Some eBay seller in Canada gets the small ng scopes in sometimes, people seem to like those though I don't like their short eye relief.

I use a celestron land scout. It isn't the greatest, and it struggles with 22 at 50 yards, but mine was dirt cheap due to a loose prism that was an easy fix. Had I paid full price ($90?) I would not be that impressed.

toddcfii wrote:The Hawke 9-27 x 56 on eBay is crazy good for the price. About $259.

^^^ +1  More than sufficient for 22 holes at 50. It's really compact and good optics.   I bring it on vacations because it takes up so little space.

I've been using 4 different KOWA spotting scopes for bullseye and rifle shooting for the past 30+years, and I never regret what I paid for!  Don't buy cheap glasses.  You will regret it and eventually you would want to get a better one.  For BE, your best bet is TSN-501.  It fits in your gun box and quality of lens is perfect for BE.  CMP sells discontinued new old stock TS-501 ($294).  For 25yd/25m is okay but not 50yd/50m especially when you shoot 22lr.  KOWA does not repair them any longer.  This TS model was discontinued nearly 20 years ago.  I have TSN-554 in my pistol box but you don't have to spend that much of money.   TSN-501 will do the job!

Bushido:  Have you looked through a Hawke?  I have looked through the TS-501 for a couple matches and found the Hawke to be superior.  With it you can see 22 holes at 50 yards. The TS 501 struggles at 50 (as you said).  The Hawke is more compact in most dimensions also. It probably sits deeper in the box due to the larger eyepiece.  But is shorter overall.

https://www.amazon.com/Leupold-SX-2-Alpine-20-60x80mm-Angled/dp/B088KR573Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CJ73DJPCBUWK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SzxPGK9-sxkv2ayeKUgGvVrv91E1uHrNArnEpC1zfT69n45JbhMwY4FnEvrg8AiueIe0rzmZnsComrp0n5BcLluJRIR1dc4P0TnvQOtHMf7x1DkUd8BtVywEs1CLC74k2H8adtZHrUT5es_NtV_nK-SJaD-aAntwXqQ1pbWHo7G2WyiRtXezI4xTBWi--5860RV58ghS8_TyRk7kkJv-SUZ4fdOGvnRjh57oMqW_cI9l2JqIFlhA1OZpVECaxzyO5aAnOiFluCR-BzRjdji6bG4hTws0G-wVeTS4PlhBMXM.SQtCqcKb3A6dcOdizHmDPG7_1SnHbzOFyrPdd5KhPbU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Leupold%2BSX-2%2BAlpine%2BHD%2BSpotting%2BScope%2C&qid=1710801061&sprefix=leupold%2Bsx-2%2Balpine%2Bhd%2Bspotting%2Bscope%2C%2B%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-1&th=1


Maybe this one?

I've always had good luck with Leupold rifle scopes and other products.

DLB

Couple of years ago I was competiting at a number of ranges, some of which were illuminiated by vehicle headlights at 50 yards and found my ancient Champion Choice spotter was not up to the task.  I took advantage of the cameralandny liberal return policy and tried a number of new models, striving to find a 50 mm spotter that would fit in my box but allow me to see 22 holes in the black at 50 yards with the poor lighting conditions we had.   

Bottom line is that I could not find a 50 mm scope that worked.   I also determined that I need a angled spotter that rotates in the mount, such that I could position it looking down at about 45 degrees so I did not disturb my footing.   

Ended up with a Nikon 20x65 fieldscope new old stock delivered from Japan via eBay.  If you go this route, get the "ED" version as opposed to the standard version.  It is big, it is heavy, but it delivers a excellent image which is acceptable for my needs. I use the 20x LER eyepiece although it came with a 45x and a 20-45 variable eyepiece that I carry in my range bag although I rarely use them.   I have two of these scopes, a ED model for Bullseye and a non ED model for my air pistol box (found the non ED model at a estate sale!).  I have to disconnect them from my box to store them next to the pistols because they will not fit in the bottom tray (Tnb strongboxes).    

I also own a Kowa TSL 601 which is a 65 mm spotter with 25xLER eyepiece which is a step above the Nikon in image quality but does not rotate which is why I did not use it for pistol shooting.  I include it here to give you a example of the image quality of the Nikon since the image quality of the Kowa TSL 601 is rather well known.  (excellent image but not the best when compared to the 80 mm Leika, Pentax, Zeiss, Swarovski's, etc)

Regards, 
Crankster

I just bought a Vortex 20x60x60 that was on sale at Midway, a nice scope but too big for my shooting box.  Nice glass and it seems like a good value.  I was thinking it would be smaller than it is.  The danger of not buying in person.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2420626118?pid=668104

Kowa tsn-501. Can't go wrong...comparison from champion choice scope to 501 at perry this year. Same target same mag.

I use a Kowa TS-611 (45 degree eyepiece) with a 25x long eye relief lens and it works great.

Dennis, aka Dulcmrman

10sandxs wrote:Kowa tsn-501. Can't go wrong...comparison from champion choice scope to 501 at perry this year. Same target same mag.

Does the tsn-501 do well in low light/dusk?

Much better than the champ choice or any of the other $75 scopes I've tried...