Would Like an Inexpensive Spotting Scope

[338winmag]

Okay I lied a little but don't slam me. If this is possible and if you have first hand experience...

I would like a pretty cheap spotting scope.
...and drum roll.... for about $90.00 (I originally had this at $60.00 but even I started flaming myself)

.. before you shoot me, I only want it for one thing. At the range and the ability to see the bullet holes at 200 yards decently.

I purchased a cheap Gordon 20-60x60. It has not been to the range yet and it might work but at anything over the 35 power you have to seat your eyeball into the eye piece. Since I use glasses, this pretty much disqualified this scope.


Anyone purchase any cheap Barskas or Firefields or ???

Thanks
338winmag

 

[JD338]

I have an old Bushnell that I have had for 35 yrs. It is a 20X range scope. It is for sale too if you are interested.

I treated myself a couple years ago to a Leupold Golden Ring 12-40x60mm Spotting Scope. I use it for scouting and target shooting.
I will take it to WY for antelope hunting this fall.

JD338

 

[338winmag]

Thanks JD338
I purchased one and will now test it and let everyone know if it is even possible to get such an inexpensive scope that is decent enough for range work.

 

[35 Whelen]

Well I can tell you this much the new line of Burris Highland Scopes are totally cool to look at and come with a case very Swarvoski looking afair...................... however optically they have that same problem as the one you mentioned in this thread . At 15X you have almost zero eye relief with glasses you can get 99% of the field of veiw ........... the minute you raise the power you will need to remove the eyeglasses as they dont have any at this point and to get the edges you cant with your glasses . How they can say they have .7 of an inch or roughly 20mm of eye relief I have NO IDEA as they really have about 2mm at 15X; and nothing the moment you raise the power. I ordered one last week after reading some rave reviews on the internet about them; for a customer. So not sure what those reviewers; are smoking; but I would like to get some. As that line of Burris Spotting Scope is compatable with all the rest of the Chinese crap down in that $100 price range and just packaged up very nicely .......................... good luck hope yours works out to better than this one did :!:

 

[338winmag]

Thanks 35 Whelen; I was not looking for a whole lot. I have other items in life that I want to spend my money on I just wanted to be able to see bullet holes decently clear at 200 yard range. I had problems with that last year and it cost me time walking back and forth after just 1-3 shots. My growing old eyes didn't help matters.

Okay for those who want the short and sweet.
Walmart - Tasco 20-60x60mm - $59.00
I can see a 3/8" dot at 245 yards very clear.
Can't wear glasses using this after 30x. "sigh"

The longer story..but there are a lot of catches.
I purchased the following to compare:
Gordon 20-60x60mm at Harbor Freight; Simmons Blazer 20-60x60mm at Wal-Mart; Tasco 20-60x60mm at Wal-Mart (yeah I know I stooped low but I just want to see bullet holes at 200 and thats it)

Even at $39.00, the Gordon was quickly eliminated. Once past 30x, one has to pretty much place the eyeball onto the lense to see anything besides a pin hole. In addition once side by side with the other two, the glass clarity and object focus for 245 yards was poor at best.

The Simmons Blazer and Tasco. First, there is so much freakin deception in this world, I don't put too much stock in "made in anywhere" these days. I believe these two scopes from different companies are identical twins in design, materials, and the boxes they came in, the lense covers, scope stands, etc etc.. Geeshhhh. Oh there is the slight different black ring instead of a gold ring, and black plastic knob instead of a silver plastic knob and one box states weight is 1.75 pounds and one box states 28 oz., but otherwise these are the same scope. The only real difference I believe I found is Quality control. The Tasco was actually a good bit clearer at 245 yards. Focusing on a white 3/8" white period on a real estate sign, the Tasco was significantly clearer and I believe I will be able to see those bullet holes at 200 yards pretty decently.

Who knows though, the next 3 Simmons Blasers could have better clarity than the next Tasco. Bottom line: its a crap shoot; its a poke and hope game. I went cheap and I got cheap but I think I got what I wanted. Will be heading out to the range in 2 weeks. If it doesn't work, I return to Wal-Mart (30 day return) and I bite the bullet and go get a decent spotting scope.