Budget but quality spotting scope?

[hitchphil]

Any ideas or recommendations on a good quality optics but cost effective ~£100-£150 ish spotting scope for full-bore target rifle?

Am thinking ~80mm objective, zoom to x40-50-60 angled eye, rotates on its mount, covers, slide out shade, tough construction, waterproof. Not bothered about the stand, have one.


sign92

[Steve E]

80mm objective-Check
Zoom- Not necessary just get a fixed 24x or 30x eyepiece. Under £100-£150 you'll be lucky.
Buy the best you can afford, buy once. A cheap 'scope rarely has the light gathering qualities needed to see the mirage in low light/cool days. Its not for snobbery that the TR guys and girls are using Kowa's, Leica's etc. You need good optics that will last.
Check out places like the RSPB and bird watching,magazines/websites as you can get second hand good quality 'scopes relatively affordable from them. My step father just got a Kowa 820 (80mm 36x) from the RSPB at Slimbridge for very good money. In almost new condition and less that half retail price.

[ukrifleman]

I bought a Practica P90, 25-75x90 spotting scope and am well pleased with the quality.

Log on to Scopes`N`Skies, they have them on sale for £99-99 inc p&P

ukrifleman.

[Strangely Brown]

Usually a good selection of second hand scopes from these people.

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand-Search/

And yes, I do work for them!

[matdoodson]

I just picked up an Optolyth TBG65 20-60 x 65 from eBay for £180. I don't have much to compare it with, but I'm impressed with the clarity of the optics and the build quality (made in Germany)... but I'm yet to test it at the range. Need to pick up a bench stand for it next!

Like "Steve E" mentions, definitely don't bother with anything too cheap - I bought a pair of cheap pair of 'zoom' binoculars last year, total waste of time and money!!

[Strangely Brown]

I use an Optolyth TB80 with a 30x eyepiece for TR and historic stuff, a good recomendation!

[ovenpaa]

180 quid for an Optolyth sounds like a bit of a bargain.

[pe4king]

I have got 5 of them on my ebay watch list at the moment, that's where my money will go, just don't outbid me ya bas

[Rickoshay]

Find an extra £50 and snipe an Optolyth on the Bay of E. Excellent quality, rugged and armoured, crystal clear optics - built for the job, West German Army sniping and observation posts. Try and buy one with an original case too; so long as you look after it they seem to hold good value now.

[hitchphil]

Bought a scope will report back after this weekend when it gets used in anger. But scanning down the bedroom windows of my street it semed to be pretty sharp & clear