(Part 2) Best spotting scopes according to redditors
We found 78 Reddit comments discussing the best spotting scopes. We ranked the 46 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
Ah. That explains it.
This is how mine turned out. Used a Redfield 20-60x60 scope. It's at a measly 50 yards. Also, had my setup a bit too close to the gun so it shook like nobody's business.
Amazon is usually pretty good, but their firearm-related product listings are a mess.
All of the Trijicon Reflex products are listed with a wordy description and no model number as the product title, and it's "by Reflex", whatever that means. Of course, the details confirm that it's a Trijicon, but what gives?
"Reflex 6.5 Moa Dot Reticle (With Ta51 Flattop Mount), Amber, 42mm by Reflex"
This thing. I kept it in my car to see just how fucked I was in traffic jams. Looks like the price went slightly up since I bought it.
Hello :-)
> mile away
Daytime & terrestrial observing is often limited by atmospheric seeing conditions, which limit the magnification. The air "wobbles" when magnifying higher. Same effect you see above a hot street in the summer, when warm air rises.
 
$100- Usually no serious telescopes in this price range. For day-time, a small refractor, but also a zoom spotting scope can work. To a degree.
 
For $200, you can get some nice entry level telescopes for astronomy. Though usually those are reflectors (largest aperture for your money) and thus not suited well for daytime observing (upside-down image). The 4" refractors in this price range are often relatively simple "shorties", which are nice for wide-field, but not suited to push magnification far beyond 100x.
A Maksutov-type telescope is a very compact type of telescope. It usually has a long focal length, making it easy to reach high magnification with simple eyepieces. The down-side of this system are the small maximum field of view and the longer cool-down time due to it's closed tube. And they are rather expensive compared to reflectors.
 
$300-$400 will usually by a large telescope for astronomy (XT6, AD8). For spotting scope purposes a 5" Maksutov. Great little bucket for planets as well.
A astronomy tripod may cost $100, better $200. Though as said, if you have a sturdy camera tripod, that'll do... At least for the 3 and 4".
 
Make sure to plan in a little more for another eyepiece or two. Do not get eyepiece sets, despite their good reviews. They rarely contain good eyepieces, and the selected focal lengths don't fit every telescope well.
For day-time spotting scope use, a $50 zoom eyepiece1 2 can be nice, even though they are not ideal for astronomy (small apparent field of view on the lower magnification setting).
 
> too much light pollution
Moon and planets can be observed even when there's a lot of light pollution.
 
Clear skies!
Konus is as cheap as I would go: https://www.amazon.com/Konus-7116-15x-45x65mm-Spotting-Tripod/dp/B001DXBWUA/
Here's one.
I'm considering this one. I didn't want it to be too expensive because I have to accept the fair chance that it won't be where I left it when I come to recover the SD card.
wouldn't this be cheaper and easier to install?
I'm looking at some on Amazon for about $288 http://www.amazon.com/RSM-Russian-Mosin-nagant-Sniper-Scope/dp/B00H9VGGS8 , hoping this thing will be worth the money
I'm a believer in quality glass, but there comes a point where price and quality are not a linear relationship. 100 bucks typically buys something mediocre For about 500 bucks (or even less) you can get some pretty high quality glass that will work well as a spotting scope. For 1500 dollars you get something fantastic, but not 3 times better than the 500 dollar optic. If you've got the money and will use it a lot however, it may be worth it.
One thing to keep in mind, at 82x magnification, you will need a lot of light for a bright image, and the effects from heat rising will be very magnified. You'll need to get a massive objective lens to make 82x work well.
I've got one of these (which I highly recommend) and the effects of heat and light loss are noticeable even on 60x with an 82mm objective lense. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJFAYJ2/ref=twister_B00EYB2TPK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Also, are you sure it's 82x and not an 82mm objective lens. That's an oddly specific magnification.
Nah, there's one specifically for 7.62x39 unless I'm mistaken.
EDIT: check it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VSQ5BA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VBaxybMH8GDYY
This is what my buddy has when we go to the range together. It's great for observing trace, but I'll be damned if I can see the impact at 500 yds unless the sun is behind the target and the background isn't shadowy. I would suggest that you find a friend to shoot with, so you can help each out at the range by learning to observe fire. The US Army manual is here, and if you're willing to spend a couple bucks, this is (and I can't stress this enough) a GREAT resource for all concerns long-range. The author stresses knowledge and technical proficiency rather than cool-guy stuff, unlike a lot of other books on the subject.
Happy shooting, and happy Independence Day!
This doesn't quite apply to your immediate needs, but if there is ever a chance that you'll shoot with a spotter you'll want a spotting scope that is capable of reading trace, which means ED glass. That'll mean a higher price point. Something like this.
I don't think a FAL is a good gun for much of anything. If you intend on making it your primary though do yourself the favor and run a few hundred rounds through it at the range. Just see how well it holds up and get used to the sights on it by standard just in case.
If all goes well with the shooting test then Id go for the upgrades. I would go with the new stock and probably get a nice RDS on it like the dagger defense DDHB or for longer ranges something like a Trijicon ACOG TA01, however its on the more expensive side of things... For a stock, when I looked its kinda slim pickings but I didn't look too hard but I liked this one a good bit.
FWIW, the Amazon reviews are numerous and generally favaroble:
https://www.amazon.com/BARSKA-Blackhawk-20-60x60-Spotting-Carrying/dp/B001S8KG1Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493213166&sr=8-2&keywords=barska+spotting+scope
Here, Here and Here, though i would pick a $10 binocular over a $30 spotting scope. (based on experience with both)
ALPEN 20-60x80 Waterproof Fogproof Spotting Scope https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014GD5NS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_4IQHhSAxr3NlF
I got it for $280 a month or so ago, so you may have to keep an eye on it to go back down.
If it was a real ACOG it wouldn't say made by ACOG. This thing screams knockoff. If you're going to spend that kind of coin, use a more reliable model that says made by Trijicon at least.
Better choice: http://www.amazon.com/Trijicon-ACOG-Scope-Illuminated-Horseshoe/dp/B004VSQ5G0/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1376318426&sr=1-1&keywords=Trijicon+ACOG+3x30