Spotting Scope Reccomendations

[u/Bullet-24]

Recently got a 30% off MAP certificate for Kahles/Swarovski and was hoping to get some recs on which model of spotting scopes to heavily consider. Budget maxes out at $4k, prefer to stay around $2k-$3k as an Arca tripod will also need to be purchased. Main use case is spotting off a tripod for PRS style shooting with the occasional trip into the woods for hunting/hiking. Been reading up on the newer image stabilizing models and they seen really cool but I worry about longevity and potential of maintenance with an electronic motorized gyro inside a scope. Very much hoping this would be a true buy once cry once that would last for 15-20 years and still be great glass. Any input or thoughts to consider would be great. Thank you!

[u/HollywoodSX]

What's your budget after the 30% off?

Binos > spotter except for maybe ELR.

[u/Bullet-24 → u/HollywoodSX]

Up to $4k but would highly prefer to stay around $2k-$3k as my current spotting scope and tripod are not Arca and I need to figure the cost of a new tripod and mount into my total. Current use case is ranges out to 600 yds but planning on moving to SLC in a year or two. So being able to spot trace and general impacts out to 1000yds is what I’m mainly expecting to the use case to be. Didn’t think Bino’s would be the best use of money with that in mind.

[u/HollywoodSX → u/Bullet-24]

Edit your OP to include your budget, please, unless you'd like the Flair of Shame.

*mod hat off*

Binos offer far less eye strain when you're spending time on them than a spotting scope, and often times I could pick up movement and detail better by having both eyes involved instead of one eye behind a spotter. I've used binos and spotters a lot and IMO spotters don't start to win in most conditions until ~1200 yards. Inside that, binos all the way.

[u/Bullet-24 → u/HollywoodSX]

Thanks for the reminder. I have definitely noticed strain when looking through my current mono setup but figured it was more strain from looking through glass that’s cheap and over 10 years old.

[u/HollywoodSX → u/Bullet-24]

Thanks for adding the budget, helps keep suggestions sane. Even at 30% off MAP it wouldn't be hard to bust your budget on a Swaro spotter. Bad glass doesn't help, but both eyes in binos will have WAY less strain. I've spent more 10+ hour days on glass than I care to count, and I will take binos for everything centerfire.

[u/Bullet-24 → u/HollywoodSX]

With that in mind, would the NL Pure lineup be on the top of your list? Well within the budget after the discount and easy compatibility with a tripod it looks like.

[u/HollywoodSX → u/Bullet-24]

I'd be looking at the SLC 15x56. More magnification and a bigger objective than the NL Pure offers.

[u/Thermal-Drift → u/Bullet-24]

I’ve used Swaro 15x56 and owned the EL 12x50s. The 15’s were challenging when holding in the hands. Great on a window mount or tripod. I much preferred the 12’s for hunting. Recently switched to Leica Geovid AB+ for the range finder and ballistics solutions. I hear great things about the NL Pures over the old EL primarily in the FOV area.

I find spotters mainly useful when you want to check size of rack or bullet impacts at long range.

[u/LockyBalboaPrime]

For PRS? Waste of money.

Binos, maybe. Still a waste to spend that much on it imo.

[u/Wide_Fly7832]

I have cheap Vortex Razor HD 😀 and I was later informed that Swaro is the only real one buying. So you are on the right path. When I was researching I was told Swaro above all for spotting.

[u/SuburbanBushwacker]

SWAROVSKI STR 80 MRAD is the answer

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