Spotting scope power

smokedstew · #1 09-25-2019, 08:15 PM

Brands aside I'm looking to purchase my first spotting scope. I'm looking at either a15-45×60 or a 20-60x80ish, and looking for insight. I plan to use it for sheep hunting but also closer to home in some old cut blocks and across smaller valleys. Is the 20× going to be useable around home, a 15-45 enough for the mountains?

robson3954 · #2 09-26-2019, 05:01 AM

I have a 20-60. I’m not a sheep hunter but would definitely want 60x for judging rams. The biggest limiter on distance is usually heat waves in my experience.
If I’m scanning an area too far for my 8.5x binos, 20x is okay for that.

Dubious · #3 09-26-2019, 06:12 AM

If your going to be packing it around a lot you want the smaller less bulky lighter one.

Bock Fever · #4 09-26-2019, 07:23 AM

Yeah exactly, it all comes down to how much weight and bulk you want to pack.

20 power will be just fine for at home, assuming you're also carrying binos.

I have a 60 power scope which gets used for both purposes. The only thing I would say is to really get the benefit of the power you buy, you need to have quality glass. For example, I have the Vortex Viper and I like it but from 50-60 power it's not super clear.

My buddy has a swaro and his max power is perfect. I know you were trying not to discuss brands but just wanted to give you an example of how lots of power in a mid-range scope just ends up being packed around for not much benefit.

raw outdoors · #5 09-26-2019, 07:27 AM

I pack a 25w-50x80 Swarovski and it’s a beast. I hunt sheep every year and I haven’t needed it to judge a ram in ten years. There is not almost legal ram running around everywhere your not using it all the time. The 80 is excellent to light gathering. 60 power once it’s after 10:00am you can’t use it at long range because of heat waves. I have a 20-60 eyepiece for a sworo if somebody wants.
Backpack hunts a 65mm would be nice.

smokedstew · #6 09-26-2019, 10:25 AM

Thanks for the info so far boys, I only said not brand specific because I know the best answer is buy swaro or zeiss but in my current situation I'd be another 5yrs saving for one��. Still torn on the comparisons, size wise the ones I'm considering are 3lbs and 13.5" long for the 15 and 4lbs and 15 long for the bigger one. Not to concerned about the weight most my gear is old and heavy so I'm used to it haha.

bobtodrick · #7 09-26-2019, 10:34 AM

Have sold a couple of these http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/engli...da2/index.html
to AO members who are very pleased with them.
At about $900 it's the closest you'll get to Leica/Swaro quality at a lot less cash.
To give an idea, Pentax supplies telescopes to many leading university astronomy observatories...they definitely know how to make exceptional glass.
Send me PM or contact me at McBain Camera (we are a site sponsor) for more info if required.

Ram94 · #8 10-01-2019, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobtodrick

Have sold a couple of these http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/engli...da2/index.html
to AO members who are very pleased with them.
At about $900 it's the closest you'll get to Leica/Swaro quality at a lot less cash.
To give an idea, Pentax supplies telescopes to many leading university astronomy observatories...they definitely know how to make exceptional glass.
Send me PM or contact me at McBain Camera (we are a site sponsor) for more info if required.

Is that $900 including the eyepiece? Also, do you know if the base plate will fit into a Vortex Summit SS tripod panhead release?