And go.

Use case?

At Caladans recommendation I got a Nikon ED50 and have been super pleased for my use case (backcountry hunting).

Mainly used for spotting impacts at 1000 yards.

I did a ton of research on this very thing for this very purpose, just recently. I chose the Athlon Ares 20-60X85 ED. I've been very impresssed with it. I got a Vanguard Alta Pro tripod to mount it on and it's as good as any combo I've been around and all in under $1k.

ETA: I got the scope on eBay and the pod on camofire.com

Pentax PF80ED scope w/a fixed-power Pentax XW eyepiece (NOT the XF line of eyepieces) of your desired magnification level. Nothing w/a zoom lens in your price range will beat this combo You will have to shop around to keep this combo in your price range.

Otherwise, look at an 85mm Vortex Razor or a 100mm Celestron Regal. I believe that the Regal will take regular 1.25" eyepieces, but check to make sure if that is important to you. I'm fairly certain that the Razor does not take standard-sized eyepieces.

C

stdeb11 said:

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Use case?

At Caladans recommendation I got a Nikon ED50 and have been super pleased for my use case (backcountry hunting).

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Those are unbelievably good scopes for their size - especially when equipped w/a fixed-focal length eyepiece!

A little side rail.... for backcountry, what kind of tripod do you guys recommend? Would a primos Jim shockey Tripod work to double as a tripod for gun and also spotting scope / Binos. Or would y'all recommend a legit optics tripod? Primos has the quick disconnect for optics which can switch out for a gun rest.

A tripod such as you mentioned would be ok for a high-power binocular, or a low-power spotting scope. However, I would not consider using one if I were going above 20x-25x, especially if I were going to use it in a windy area.

C

If using from a bench or blind, would this be your recommendation?

I was able to pick up the previous model 85mm Razor for $830 at Cabelas bargain cave so deals are out there.

The Burris eye pieces also fit it if you want a long eye relief or one with a reticle.

The only draw back is I haven't been able to find a digiscoping adapter yet.

No experience with the Primos/Jim Shockey tripod you mention, seems kinda neat but i either have a bipod on my rifle or shoot off my pack.

For optics tripod I like the Schonfield Carbon fiber so far. I have their ball head as well and its ok (especially for the price) but needed some loctite and a learning curve of getting it cinched down prior to putting it on the pack. I use it for both the spotter and binos with the field optics research bino adapter. I'll hang a rock in an old crown royal bag from the tripod to steady if needed.

Slik makes a good tripod as well and almost got that instead. Outdoorsmans bino adapter and pan head are the gold standard but they're not cheap.

I know it is $100 more, but I really like this Leupold. The combination of power in a compact size is hard to beat.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-leupold-12-40x60mm-golden-ring-spotting-scope.html

Watch the bargain cave at Cabela's I got a Swarovski ATS-60 for under $1K.

cledus6150 said:

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Watch the bargain cave at Cabela's I got a Swarovski ATS-60 for under $1K.

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Cabela's no longer has their Bargain Cave. When BPS bought them out, they put an end to it.

That may be why that Swarovski was so cheap then.