Spotting scope recommendations
- Thread starter Overlay
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Depending on what you want from it ie target shooting maybe variable power would be more advantageous, but for general spotting scanning hunting ect I can highly recommend the Swarovski CTC 30x75 great scope very pleased with mine.
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caorach
Well-Known Member
I don't wish to sound like an internet pedant but do you intend using the scope for stalking or just on the range? There are lots of options if you just want an angled scope for use on the range but if you want a draw scope for stalking on the hill then there aren't so many options so it might help to have more info.
Overlay
Well-Known Member
Yep
Sorry guys should have explained a bit more - the usage will be for general deer spotting, bird watching, I only shoot out to 3oo yds so I suppose it could be used there on targets also, ideally one that can be used on a small tripod
I use 8x32 and 10x 42 swaros for stalking and general use, something that will reduce the distance and with clarity ideally for a better ID
Don't know if it's me and the worn out eyeballs but binos aren't cutting it, definitely for bird watching and smaller birds, I use the 10 x binos on top of my sticks to minimise wobble so they are the best ones to date
Not had much experience with spotting scope magnification usage hence thread
I had use of a vortex spotting scope today that was better over distance than the binos
Cheers
Phil
Overlay
Well-Known Member
Just googled the scope, what eyepiece is the best ??? Doesn't appear to come with one as it's a separate order
If you know where to find one for sale, please let me know!
Overlay
Well-Known Member
Got a carbon swaro tripod to put it on, very very stable and light, so could be a good fit, I picked it up last year intending to put a rifle rest on it like the one I’ve already got for shooting, never got around to it so I’m hoping it will all come good, there’s a Swaro Binos shop in Canterbury, so I’ll be in there tomorrow as I’m working that way
FISH BOY
Well-Known Member
Recently bought a Meopta TGA, which is a 30x75 compact rubberised drawscope equivilent to the Swaro CTC.
Got it like new for less than a third of the price of a CTC and absolutely astounded by the clarity of it. chuffed to bits with it. Welcome to come round and try it next time your round my way.
Got it like new for less than a third of the price of a CTC and absolutely astounded by the clarity of it. chuffed to bits with it. Welcome to come round and try it next time your round my way.
404Shooter
Well-Known Member
Another vote for the Swaro CTC. The tripod you mention will make it easier to use but I find it’s stable enough off a bag, branch, wall and so on. I also use a Spartan clamp to attach it to the shooting sticks.
Ooops
Well-Known Member
You may already have tried this but I thought I'd mention that there's a lot of North Americans mounting 10x 42 on quality tripod
caorach
Well-Known Member
Most deer spotting with a scope depends to some degree on you lying down and resting the scope on your leg to keep it steady as there's no way you are carrying a tripod when stalking. To use a scope like this it needs to be fairly long in order that you can look through it at one end and rest the other end on a leg or knee while you lie down, hence why most scopes dedicated to stalking are 3 draw scopes. This would be somewhat at odds with how you'd use a scope at the range or for birds.
I have one of the 3 draw Optolyth 30X80s which I like but it is only just long enough to be used "traditionally" but it will go on a tripod etc. as suits. They do come up second hand and are reasonably good optics if you keep in mind that these large magnifications will never have the light gathering of lower magnifications and, also, that the key to spotting deer with them is being able to hold them steady.
You also need to keep in mind that draw scopes can not be made waterproof or dust proof and so they are prone to sucking in water and dust, so they require a little bit of sensible use.
Whilst I agree on the scope - I have the STS65 - having both the 20-60 zoom and the fixed 20x eyepieces, personally I’d recommend the fixed 20x. I find the image through it noticeably better.
I am biased, though, as I also prefer prime camera lenses to zoom lenses!
If it’s the Swarovski PCT tripod then you’ll be absolutely fine - it’s actually manufactured for Swarovski by Gitzo (it’s their Mountaineer model). The older, non-carbon, tripods were made by Manfrotto.Got a carbon swaro tripod to put it on, very very stable and light, so could be a good fit, I picked it up last year intending to put a rifle rest on it like the one I’ve already got for shooting, never got around to it so I’m hoping it will all come good, there’s a Swaro Binos shop in Canterbury, so I’ll be in there tomorrow as I’m working that way
Manfrotto tripods, at least their professional models, are good in their own right. Gitzo, however, are several steps up in terms of quality.
If you’ll mostly be spotting from a tripod, whether standing or prone, then the angled model spotting scopes work well.
If you’ll mostly be spotting from a car or freehand, though, then perhaps consider a straight scope instead.
Ideally have a try of both and see which model suits you best from an ergonomics perspective.
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