Looking for a good quality spotting scope for my AR-15. Nothing in the 2,000 range, but something more practical. Has it's own case, can read 300 yards out fairly easily at a target, comes with it's own tripod and fog free glass elements. I see ones that are 80-90mm for $150 and ones the same size for $1500. Very hard for me to distinguish between them or actually know what's a good one and what is. Any recommendations for a spotting scope for when old man winter finally slips away and some warm sunny days comes out I'd be playing with my ACSS reticle reptaor 1x x 8 Platinum scope. Weather just to wet out there for me now. Has to have a tripod of course and a nice carry case would be nice. Anyone have a nice powerful spotting scope they would recommend with good glass?

I think the phone ap and camera is the way to go

Best bet would be to use a camera. You will not easily see .22 holes at 300 yards with even the very best spotting scopes. You can get a system that reads 1 mile away for just a fraction of what a mid-range scope+tripod costs.

Next question is then, what is a good camera setup at a reasonable price?

9 minutes ago, RichP said:

Best bet would be to use a camera. You will not easily see .22 holes at 300 yards with even the very best spotting scopes. You can get a system that reads 1 mile away for just a fraction of what a mid-range scope+tripod costs.

What? I am able to easily see .223 holes at 300yds with my Burris XTR II 5-25x set on 12x power. 

1 hour ago, diamondd817 said:

What? I am able to easily see .223 holes at 300yds with my Burris XTR II 5-25x set on 12x power. 

Lol - I need shoot-n-see targets and a 60x spotter to do the same. Even then, holes on lines are hard to make out.

 

Anyone have examples of a camera setup? Didn't know they were even available.

 

A great spotting scope for the money is the Konus.  Link

You can also use the PhoneSkope attachment to put on the eyepiece and it will put your phone on it. https://amzn.to/2SUntDc

I have a pretty cheap Celestron 25-75x70 that does the job. I don't need Leica quality glass -- just enough to see the target. At full zoom (75x), the slightest movement makes the target dance as you're counting holes. It works better when the tripod is on the concrete floor rather than my range's wooden tabletops. Sells for about $89. 

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546159-REG/Celestron_52238_C70_Mini_Mak_2_7_70mm.html

Stay away from barska 

i was looking at this 

https://www.opticsplanet.com/redfield-rampage-20-60x60mm-spotting-scope-kit.html

On 12/23/2018 at 10:30 AM, myhatinthering said:

Next question is then, what is a good camera setup at a reasonable price?

If you have a digital SLR, you can easily attach it to most spotting scopes using a T-ring adapter.  They are inexpensive, under $20.00.  But, like Maks said, the smartphone adapters are pretty useful too.

I bought a Celestron Ultima 80 20-60x80 three years ago, it sells for $170 on Amazon.  I'm very happy with it.  It's easy to see 223 holes at 200 yards.  I have not used it beyond that range shooting but I guess it would be good at least up to 400, maybe 500 yards with splatter targets.  It's fantastic for bird watching and looking at the moon too.

Btw, if anyone wants to try my phoneskope adapter, let me know. 

My buddy whom moved to DE jus got this 

https://www.kowaproducts.com/KowaTSN-82SVSeriesSpottingScope/KowaTSN-82SV-AngledSpottingScope/

from bh photo 

6 hours ago, MichaelDiggs said:

Anyone have examples of a camera setup? Didn't know they were even available.

 

Targetvison https://targetvisioncam.com/collections/spotting-scope

Caldwell https://www.btibrands.com/product/ballistic-precision-lr-target-camera-system/

SME Bullseye https://www.shootingmadeeasy.com/bullseye-cams/