Which one to use?

[sewwhat89]

My need for optics is limited to 500m from a bench and maybe 800 in the field. As far as hunting goes, I am limited to about 400 yards from all of my stands. The question is which spotter to get. I have heard a lot of good things about the Nikon 50 ED as well as the Pentax glass. Pentax has a 65 ED scope in the same $600 range as the Nikon. I cannot see needing more magnification than that for my ranges, right? If I can see .30 cal bullet holes at 3-400 yards that is just gravy. I would like to be able to use the scope in the field as well, so portability is an issue too.

Any suggestions? Am I missing an alternative?

 

[Bill Maylor]

sewwat89, What kind of rifle are you looking to scope? I have made the mistake of not getting the best glass I could afford. Iknow that is a tuff apple to swallow! It's not easy telling the Mrs. you need another scope for that realy nice rifle you just put togather a few years ago. I just had to do that! You can always turn the power down. It's not worth going broke over though. Their is a lot of good glass out their today. Look for brands of lots of re-condictioned scopes, and stay away from that brand! Their is a few out their. 400yrds is a long way if your not sure what your looking at. Bill Maylor.

 

[sewwhat89]

I am looking for a spotting scope. I have Zeiss glass on my rifles. I have no problem seeing with them, but I do want more magnification for glassing and watching.

 

[ScottBerish]

I painted a 0.25 hole with a sharpie marker on a white sign and it was visible at 450 yards with the ED50.

Pentax is a decent product, but I'd go with Nikon.