Longrange hunting spotting scope help!

[Sully2]

Sully, I always respect other's opinions even if they are different from mine. Go figure....Have you ever looked at a Nikon EDG Fieldscope? That is about apples and apples in price. I have and truely thought the Nikon was better to my eyes. If you really want to check out something top of the line check out Nikon's EDG VR, this thing is about as incredible as they come, in my opinion. Just so you know, while I do some free lance work for Nikon, my opinon is not swayed because of it. I absolutely understand that not everything Nikon makes fits everyone's needs. Just the way it is, but I think Nikon tries to have quality made products at many different price points from entry level to top tier. At the end of the day, I tell folks to buy what you thinkis going to serve your needs the best.

Just for fun check out the new EDG VR.

I look thru just about everything...even though Im not buying...every chance I get to the mall Optics store.

I didnt say that Nikon didnt make some dammed nice scopes...and rifle scopes...and etc..etc..but regardless they still arent the "best of the best" and as I said the prices reflect that.

 

[pyroducksx3]

I am interested in the kowa but if I cant get the price down I could almost step up to the ziess. What is Kowas warranty couldnt find it on their website, not really a good start. The razor is still the frontrunner. I have talked to people that say its as good as a swaro 80 non hd model and with their lifetime no-fault warranty its tough to beat. I know people who have had them blow off ridges or drop them in parking lots and vortex sends them a new one. with a 1600$ spotter it nice to know it will be good to go for life.

 

[handloader1]

I just purchased this spotting scope, and I am very happy with it Pentax - Camera Land NY Stright PF 80 ED. Good luck.

 

[Bravo 4]

Kowa Service

Scott told me one of his customers had knocked his over on the tripod and cracked the front lens. He sent it in expecting to pay for the damage and they fixed it for free. I've delt with Scott on several occasions and take him at his word. $1350 shipped, I believe.

 

[lhouston78]

Every bodies eye is a little bit different and if you look at a lot a scopes even brand for brand not all scopes are as good as the next. I look through every scope before I buy.
We compare lots of scopes and this is what we found.

The new swarovski that was just releast
Leica
Zeiss
Vortex razor and swarovski HD
swarovski

and down. I have not looked through the Kowa. After looking through and hunting with the Lieca and swarovski a lot I would look at the vortex. The only thing I wish it had is a wide angle lens(the swarovski lens will fit them).

Just my findings good luck.

 

[handloader1]

Sully2:

Check out this information:

Premium Spotting Scopes in Review: Nikon, Zeiss, Leica, Pentax 80mm, 85mm, 105mm Optics

PentaxWebstore.comF-80ED Spotting Scope PF-80ED Spotting Scope

PentaxWebstore.com:smc Waterproof Zoom Eyepiece smc Waterproof Zoom Eyepiece

http://www.cameralandny.com/

Good luck.

 

[Scot E]

I look thru just about everything...even though Im not buying...every chance I get to the mall Optics store.

I didnt say that Nikon didnt make some dammed nice scopes...and rifle scopes...and etc..etc..but regardless they still arent the "best of the best" and as I said the prices reflect that.

There is almost nothing that can be gleaned from viewing scopes inside a store under artificial light.

I am curious if you have looked at the Nikon ED fieldscopes or the new EDG line? Only the most trained eye could find any meaningful difference between them and some of the top end glass, especially the EDG glass.

Scot E.

 

[Sully2]

Double post

 

[Sully2]

There is almost nothing that can be gleaned from viewing scopes inside a store under artificial light.

I am curious if you have looked at the Nikon ED fieldscopes or the new EDG line? Only the most trained eye could find any meaningful difference between them and some of the top end glass, especially the EDG glass.

Scot E.

A classic example of reading something into a post that wasnt there. Did I say I looked thru them INDOORS? The store is quite willing to hold my VISA card...worth a hell of a lot more than any scope they sell.....for me to walk out of doors and look at everything from birds to car bumpers.

The "only the most trained eye" comment must certainly be of your own making!!! It doesant take lab equipment to see visual difference in color bleed and edge definition of objects

 

[Scot E]

color bleed and edge definition of objects

This tells me you have never looked at the Fieldscope ED or EDG optics.

They are fantastic and most guys I know can't see any difference between them and the big 3. Most guys can't see a difference between the Razor and the Big 3 and the EDG is better than the Razor IMO.

.for me to walk out of doors and look at everything from birds to car bumpers.

A side by side comparison at dusk and dawn is the best and only valuable way to compare optics. Even the low to mid range optics can look pretty good in full daylight especially if you are looking at shining signs and car bumpers.

Scot E.

 

[Sully2]

This tells me you have never looked at the Fieldscope ED or EDG optics.

They are fantastic and most guys I know can't see any difference between them and the big 3. Most guys can't see a difference between the Razor and the Big 3 and the EDG is better than the Razor IMO.



A side by side comparison at dusk and dawn is the best and only valuable way to compare optics. Even the low to mid range optics can look pretty good in full daylight especially if you are looking at shining signs and car bumpers.

Scot E.

The first is plainly YOUR opinion.....the second is if it looks like "crap" at 1:00 PM...it aint going to look any better at dusk or dawn!

Nikon makes some good optics in many forms...but their Spotting scopes STILL are not the ultimate in quality. Everyone brags on Nikon camera lenses...and they are good for sure...( their ED stuff) but whose lenses VANISHED off the new and used market way back when?? CANON....to be made for 35mm motion pic cameras because of their fluorite glass in the lenses for TRUE color.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Well from what I can gather the nikons are good scopes but for an edg the price is as expensive as the ziess, swaro, leica for glass that is almost as good so that doesnt really make sense to me why I would purchase one, even though they are good. As Im interested in the big lenses 80 or bigger (I like that huge eye piece they have also) the only afordable option from kowa was the 77 but for 100$ more I could get the ziess so that didnt make sense for me. For the money I think Im on the razor train and will be ordering one shortly. For the 1000$ less than the next option in the big eyes and for glass that some cant even tell the difference on I dont see how this isnt my best option. Thanks

 

[Sully2]

Well from what I can gather the nikons are good scopes but for an edg the price is as expensive as the ziess, swaro, leica for glass that is almost as good so that doesnt really make sense to me why I would purchase one, even though they are good. As Im interested in the big lenses 80 or bigger (I like that huge eye piece they have also) the only afordable option from kowa was the 77 but for 100$ more I could get the ziess so that didnt make sense for me. For the money I think Im on the razor train and will be ordering one shortly. For the 1000$ less than the next option in the big eyes and for glass that some cant even tell the difference on I dont see how this isnt my best option. Thanks

Your right on target "pyro"..!

 

[TheFishBox]

I have to say make sure that you look thru the scope you are thinking about buying because I hear everyone say that the razor is just as good but when you look at them side by side you can see a difference but you have to decide if the extra cost is worth it. Just saying at least to my eyes the razor is not as good