DirtyDigz 1,812 Posted November 29, 2010 A friend recently became a member of the Cherry Ridge range and invited me out a couple of weekends ago. Loved the place, awesome range. It was the first time I had my AR on a range where I could shoot beyond ~25 yards. Neither one of us have any magnifying optics; when shooting at cardboard at 50 and 100 yards I just could not reliably see where the shots were landing. Would like to get a spotting scope or a set of binoculars for next time I go out. Don't need anything fancy, just enough magnification and clarity to tell where .223 holes are appearing on cardboard at 50 and 100 yards. Any recommendations? Cabela's has a Simmons spotting scope for $50 (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Simmons-20-60x60-Spotting-Scope/753486.uts) but the reviews are a less than inspiring. Am I wasting my time looking at spotting scopes or binoculars under $100? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 264 Posted November 29, 2010 I have this: http://www.amazon.com/Barska%C2%AE-20-60x60-Waterproof-Spotting/dp/B001HN9QZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291001701&sr=8-1 It's limit is about 150 yards, beyond that it gets fuzzy. But 150 and closer it works beautifully for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vjf915 456 Posted November 29, 2010 I have this: http://www.amazon.com/Barska%C2%AE-20-60x60-Waterproof-Spotting/dp/B001HN9QZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291001701&sr=8-1 It's limit is about 150 yards, beyond that it gets fuzzy. But 150 and closer it works beautifully for me. My friend has that scope, I have used it when we went shooting. I can vouch for it being clear out to 125 yards. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maideneddie 35 Posted November 29, 2010 +1 for the Barska scope. Used one that another member has at Cherry Ridge, and bought one that night. It really is a good value for the money considering everything that it comes with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djg0770 481 Posted November 29, 2010 I use Binoculars that my parents bought for me when I was a little kid (less than 10 yrs old). I have gotten more use out of that pair of binocs than probably any gift I ever got as a kid. I have used it to inspect roofs from the ground, I have used it to spot stars (in the sky, not the movie kind). Finally, since getting into guns, I have used it at Cherry Ridge. I know that it's nice to have the tripod setup with a spotting scope, but I know that I can take my binocs into the field. Most garage sales have at least one set for sale, and they're usually dirt cheap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,877 Posted November 29, 2010 Keep an eye out on woot.com or 1saleaday.com. I picked up a Yukon Firefall 15-45x60 spotting scope for $55 shipped. It included a hard case, tripod, filters, soft case, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shane45 807 Posted November 29, 2010 I guess if the range is 150 or less it might not matter much. But if you shoot beyond that, a good spotter is a great investment. I went with Kowa. It has been fantastic. I was easily picking up bullet trace with it yesturday when Sam and I were playing with optics and doing some testing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 177 Posted November 29, 2010 I use an 80mm Konus scope. Its fantastic. I've learned about it from a few guys at my range. I've been told by more than a few people that the quality rates along with scopes twice its price. http://www.amazon.com/Konus-7120-20x-60x80mm-Spotting-Tripod/dp/B001DX7Q8W Bit more pricey than 60mm scopes, but if you need to reach out 150+ yards, it will do it happily. I went from a 60mm Bushnell scope to the 80mm Konus. Wow, night and day difference. That being said, there are other 80mm lens scopes out there for less, such as http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-52250-Ultima-Spotting-Scope/dp/B0002CTZ70/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1 . I don't have any first hand experience with them though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJdiverTony 27 Posted November 29, 2010 Spotting scopes: http://www.telescope.com/control/telescopes/spotting-scopes-and-monoculars Binoculars: http://www.telescope.com/control/binoculars I have a couple of their telescopes for astronomy purposes and also a couple of binoculars, and they sell very good quality stuff and the price isn't bad depending on which model you pick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njpilot 671 Posted November 30, 2010 I use an 80mm Konus scope. Its fantastic. I've learned about it from a few guys at my range. I've been told by more than a few people that the quality rates along with scopes twice its price. http://www.amazon.com/Konus-7120-20x-60x80mm-Spotting-Tripod/dp/B001DX7Q8W Bit more pricey than 60mm scopes, but if you need to reach out 150+ yards, it will do it happily. I went from a 60mm Bushnell scope to the 80mm Konus. Wow, night and day difference. That being said, there are other 80mm lens scopes out there for less, such as http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-52250-Ultima-Spotting-Scope/dp/B0002CTZ70/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1 . I don't have any first hand experience with them though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njpilot 671 Posted November 30, 2010 I use an 80mm Konus scope. Its fantastic. I've learned about it from a few guys at my range. I've been told by more than a few people that the quality rates along with scopes twice its price. http://www.amazon.com/Konus-7120-20x-60x80mm-Spotting-Tripod/dp/B001DX7Q8W Bit more pricey than 60mm scopes, but if you need to reach out 150+ yards, it will do it happily. I went from a 60mm Bushnell scope to the 80mm Konus. Wow, night and day difference. That being said, there are other 80mm lens scopes out there for less, such as http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-52250-Ultima-Spotting-Scope/dp/B0002CTZ70/ref=pd_sbs_sg_1 . I don't have any first hand experience with them though. I have the 80mm Konus and it is good. Only used it for 250 yds so far, no problem. Midway puts it on sale pretty regularly. I paid $198 for it. On sale now, but out of stock. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites