Spotting Scope Reccommendation

There have been many threads, and I've read them all and tried to find what I think fits my need.  A compact, clear, quality scope, which is probably what everyone else wants with an angled eye piece.  My current spotting scope was given by a good friend to get started, but its starting to fall apart, its heavy, and pretty bulky without an angled eye piece, but man, its super clear and I love that.

I think I have a good start at a list, but if I'm missing something, specifically in the used/discontinued market, I'm happy to hear about it and start hunting.

Champion's Choice CC1030 

Magnification:          10 -30 x 50mm
Dimensions:              8.9" x 2"
Min Focus Distance:  Less than 10m

http://www.champchoice.com/store/main.aspx?p=ItemDetailOptions&item=CC1030



NG Baby Spotting Scope

Magnification:          20 x 33mm
Dimensions:             7" x 1.3"
Min Focus Distance:  Less than 10m    
Eye Relief:                       
Weight:                   32 oz


http://www.potfire.com.au/ng-spotting-scopes/ng-baby-20x33-spotting-scope.html





Minox MD 50 W Spotting Scope

Magnification:          16 - 30 x 50mm
Dimensions:             8.4" x 2.5" X 4.8"
Min Focus Distance:  5m
Eye Relief:               15 - 11mm
Weight:                   22 oz
Note:                      Waterproof and nitrogen filled to prevent fogging.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/524108-USA/Minox_62225_MD_50_W_2_0_50mm.html



Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Spotting Scope

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598391-REG/Bushnell_786351ED_Legend_Ultra_HD_2_0_50mm.html

Magnification:           12 -36 x 50mm
Dimensions:              9.8" x ??"
Min Focus Distance:   4.6 m
Eye Relief:                17 mm
Weight:                   36 oz
Note:                      Waterproof and nitrogen filled to prevent fogging, but discontinued.




Nikon ED50-A Spotting Scope 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/426150-REG/Nikon_8321_Fieldscope_ED50_A_2_0_50mm.html

Magnification:          16 -30 x 50mm
Dimensions:              8.1" x 2.8" x 3.9"

Min Focus Distance:   3m
Eye Relief:                9.4mm
Weight:                   16 oz
Note:                      Waterproof and nitrogen filled to prevent fogging.




Kowa TS-501 Spotting Scope

Magnification:          20 x 50mm or 20-40 x zoom eye piece
Dimensions:             8.9" x ?? X ??"
Min Focus Distance:  6m
Eye Relief:               13 mm
Weight:                   13.6 oz
Note:                      No weatherproofing

I have the Champions Choice scope, and I like it. I got mine cheaper ($60?) At Camp Perry 2 years ago.
My Nikon scope is brighter....but it wasn't inexpensive. ..

I'm not overly concerned with price (within the bounds of reason) if the scope is compact, clear and has good eye relief.  My sons compete in 3-P air rifle and he can use it as well so it will get plenty of use.  Since its in my 3 gun box I'm trying to keep the size down.

My current scope is an old school Simmons, super clear/bright and adjustable from 12-36 x 50, but it's a large at 14" and 2.5" wide, so it takes up most of my box.

I also have the Champion Choice scope with the angled body and am 100% satisfied with using it for bullseye. I was using a Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50 but it is considerably larger, more expensive, and heavier. The Vortex has been repurposed for highpower and F-class spotting duties. I was VERY interested in the NG scope but was worried 20x wasn't enough, they make a 30x but it isn't classified as a baby. ( I believe a vendor in CN advertises the NG scopes.) After talking to another owner of a CC angled scope I made my purchase, no problems with my scope even after dropping my box with everything locked in and extended out.

The classic scope is a 20x 50mm. I've gotten used to a straight scope in the pistol box because it is what I started with and is what my mentor used. The one that I am using now is the kowa 20x fron the days when they were gray metal. 

That said, I think that the cc scope is a good idea because you can turn it down to 10x for 50 feet.

Let's go old school here too

It sounds like the CC1030 is very popular, but has anyone tried the Minox?

It's a little shorter than the CC, focuses inside 10m, is waterproof, but the low side magnification is much higher at 16 vice 10. Since folks are using the NG, which is fixed at 20 (I believe) I don't think that would be a problem.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/524108-USA/Minox_62225_MD_50_W_2_0_50mm.html

http://www.minox.com/fileadmin/downloads/bedienungsanleitungen/spektive_monokulare/Mnx_Man_MD50_MD50W_0211_web.pdf

Check the CMP on-line store for Kowa TS-501.  It's good value.  Item ID = 832.

I have a set of Minox binocs and they are real sleeper, almost as good as the big german brands.

Minox is made in Germany so I'm glad to hear that.  I assumed the quality would be good.  What I'm not sure about is the low side magnification.  It starts at 16x vice 10 on the champion's choice.  

It's a 1/2 inch shorter than the CC1030, but also 1/2 wider.   So I'm assuming the volume in the box is about the same.

I have the Minox. I went to B&H and looked at it, Bushnell, Nikon and a few others in person.

Here is the Minox with the arm folded. Like this, it fits in my Strong Case (3 gun) and there is plenty of room for all the other stuff. I leave it on 16X for indoor. Even through prescription glasses eye relief is good enough to see the target. I can't say if it's "the best" (our eyes are all different) but it works well for me for Bullseye — all in all a high quality scope.

Thanks Pat, I'm leaning toward the Minox.  Glad to hear that you like it.  I'll be picking up the CC spotting scope for my Son who's in 3-P air rifle so I can try that too.  I could always swap with him...lol

carykiteboarder wrote:Check the CMP on-line store for Kowa TS-501.  It's good value.  Item ID = 832.

Don't blab! Those are supposed to be a secret.

I would buy the Kowa if I could find an adjustable magnification eye piece   I did notice the Minox is a little shorter and weatherproof, although heavier.  Both have a lifetime warranty.  I'm not sure what the difference in quality there is between the two, I've never seen a Kowa or Minox in action, let alone at the same time.

The Champion's Choice CC 12-50x50mm 45 Degree Spotting Scope, model CC-542, was recommended to me, and I've been very pleased with mine.  Seems to be quite well made, doesn't take up a lot of room, and the 45 degree angle is handy.  I see it in the store for $110 now.

I have small ng last year or so. Really like it. Cheaper on eBay from importer in Canada.

Which scope has the greatest eye relief for shooting glass wearers...

The smallest scope you can get, I have a 20X thats more than enough.

+1 to the champ choice angled

Magnusbullets wrote:I have small ng last year or so. Really like it. Cheaper on eBay from importer in Canada.

I was going to buy one at the local Escondido Fish and Game match but, I think the owner sold it or put it up before I had a chance to talk.   Not sure which.  Hopefully it makes another appearance I would like to try it out.  Seller had a fair price, but I don't know who it was


Update:  Thanks to Jon Eullete, I was able to connect with the seller of the NG.  I'll pick it up December and I'm ordering the CC spotting scope for my Son so I should be able to compare the two.  I'm still very interested in the Minox.  It looks excellent.

That Champions Choice scope looks a lot like a Celestron I bought from Amazon.  Two friends are also using this scope.  It works well and price was right.

http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-52320-Landscout-10-30x50-Spotting/dp/B00B73JXKC

For that price I just clicked buy.  I'll report back but I'm sure it will be more than adequate.  Bullseye puts very little importance on optics vs. HiPower, we're really just spotting holes at short range not reading mirage several hundred yards down range.

WoW, that's a great deal.  Thanks for posting, the looks identical to the Champion Choice spotting scope.  I was rooting around for the sub 10m to buy for my son who's doing 3-P Air Rifle, but didn't see it.  Looks like Champions Choice has that one direct to them only.

Just received the Celestron from amazon and went to try it over at the range.  Bright sunny day and it seemed more than adequate for the 22 holes at 25 yards, very good image.  I kept it at 15X, no need for more.  Will try it indoors next week.  It's no Kowa, but I could throw away a case of these for less than one too.

motorheadjohn wrote:That Champions Choice scope looks a lot like a Celestron I bought from Amazon.  Two friends are also using this scope.  It works well and price was right.

http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-52320-Landscout-10-30x50-Spotting/dp/B00B73JXKC

I got mine a few weeks ago but had not been out to shoot between a cold that I refused to share and the holiday rush. Finally on the (indoor) range Tuesday and I was very impressed, so was a friend who wanted the link. Mine cost $41.99, now they are $69.99, I suggested that he wait and see if there might be another sale although so far I think it would be worth the 'regular' price. Anyone seen them elsewhere for something close to the 'sale price?'

Bruce


Edit:  Tried it outside today, won't be replacing my regular scope to try and spot .22 holes at 200 yards but overall I am pretty happy with it for shorter range stuff. Definitely not as sharp around the edges as in the center (forget what that is called) but I think that it will be fine as a pistol scope.