Spotting Scope Suggestions

[JimTX]

I'll wager that you can find something good, and in your price range in the Vortex line of 'scopes.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/s/vortex+spotting/

(forgive me not HTTPing the URL. I tried the button, but it's not opening up the dialog box to allow it?)

Actually, I've put my money where my text is, and three weeks ago, I ordered my Vortex Viper, 4x16x50 PST riflescope (I went with the MOA option.)
http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-vipe ... copes.html

It just begain it's shipping journey to me today. Ought to have it either Saturday or Monday, and Certainly, I hope to have it mounted and zeroed by Shooting Fiesta.

Thier glass is phenomenal. You'd have to see it to believe just how damn good it is. Prices range from very reasonable, to OMG. My riflescope was $699 shipped, which puts in on par price wise with Leupold MK IIIs, Zeiss Conquest and Nikon Monarch.

Vortex's "Razor" series, in both riflescopes and spotting scopes, is their top of the line. Their Razor riflescopes MSRP at $2,499, with street/gunshow pricing holding common at $1,999. That glass is actually frighteningly good. I'm talking about jaw-dropping, astoundingly, "how the hell did they DO that, good."

They don't have the proven toughness of Nightforce. Yet. But, they claim to build the Razor to that standard, or better. Having handled 'em, I can certainly vouch for the fact that they're stout, and give off the same "vibe" of uber-quality that you'd get from a Nightforce, or an Ed Brown 1911. Turrets, focus, everything..... reeks of quality.

Obviously, only time will tell how well Vortex's stuff will hold up in the demanding world of ops. But for a non-operator, 53 y/o range meatloaf like me, I expect it'll do just fine.

Happy hunting!


Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

[HTRN]

Jim, stay away from Optics Planet - they have a horrible reputation for taking months to fulfill orders, shipping the wrong thing, etc.

[Combat Controller]

Contrarily, I have had great success with them and gotten some great deals too. I guess it depends on what you are ordering.

Denis has had great success with NY Camera... Or something like that. Denis?

[Denis]

My own experience with OpticsPlanet was not positive. My brother had similar trouble.

As CC says, I can wholeheartedly recommend http://www.cameralandny.com - our own SeekHer put me onto them. They carry all the leading brands, and have particularly good deals on Vortex and Minox stuff. I am very happy with the Minox binoculars and scopes I got from them.

I would suggest calling them, asking to speak to Doug (the boss) or Neil (the riflescope guy), and telling them that Denis at the GunCounter sent you. If you want camera gear, ask for Joel.

If you're interested in buying optics, it's worth signing up for their advertising e-mails, and entering their monthly giveaway draw on the website. They occasionally have very good deals on ex-demo goods from SHOT and elsewhere, which they offer by e-mail only. For example, they had a sale last week for presidents day:

It's that time of the year again when my kids get Presidents week off from school and we take a family vacation. With this in mind I always like to leave town with a great sale so Neil and Joel do not get lonely, so..........

Camera Land's "Doug's on Vacation" Sale

This sale will run from now thru the end of February. I'll post some highlights here. I will also put a link to each mfg's demo page on our site as there are some great deals to be had in demos.



Zeiss is phasing out their #524508 Zeiss Conquest 8x40 T* ABK & their #524510 Zeiss Conquest 10x40 T* ABK binoculars.
We jumped on the opportunity to buy a bunch of these in order to offer them to you @ only $699.99, your choice of either model. This is a great deal on a new Conquest.

Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50 AO Demo Riflescopes These scopes have never been mounted and are in as new condition.
Demo Unit Price: $789.99
#20 & #4 Reticles Available
Matte Black Finish
Hunting Turret & Target Turret Available
Includes a Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Demo Unit Price: $829.99
#43 Mildot, Target Knobs
Matte Black Finish
Includes a Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Demo Unit Price: $849.99
Rapid Z-Varmint & Rapid Z-1000 Reticles Available
Matte Black
Includes a Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44 AO Demo Riflescopes These scopes have never been mounted and are in as new condition.
Demo Unit Price: $679.99
#4 & #20 Z-Plex Available
Matte Black
Includes a Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Demo Unit Price: $739.99
Rapid Z-800 or Z 1000 Matte Black
Includes a Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Demo Unit Price: $719.99
#43 Matte Black w/ Hunting Turrets
Includes a Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Demo Unit Price: $799.99
Target w/#43 Matte Black
Includes a Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Full Zeiss Demo List



We have some close outs on new Steiner binoculars. These are excellent optics, Made in Germany, that at these prices are worth a serious look.

#234 Steiner 8x22 Predator Pro Compact Binocular reduced from $154.99 to only $124.99

#236 Steiner 10x26 Predator Pro reduced from $174.99 to only $129.99

#438 Steiner 8x32 Merlin Binocular reduced from $439.99 to only $219.99

#448 Steiner 8x42 Merlin Binocular reduced from $499.99 to only $349.99

#250 Steiner 10x42 Predator C5 Binocular reduced from $699.99 to only $469.99

#252 Steiner 12x42 Predator C5 Binocular reduced from $749.99 to only $519.99

#256 Steiner 10x56 Predator C5 Binocular reduced from $839.99 to only $599.99

#353 Steiner 7x30 Navigator Pro Binocular w/ Compass reduced from $449.99 to only $309.99

These prices are NOT on our web site so you can do one of a couple of things:
1) Place the order on our site and in the note area type "Doug's Vacation Sale" and we will issue a refund back to your payment method down to these special prices.
2) Call in your order to us at the store @ 212-753-5128 and mention Doug's Vacation Sale.


We have been asked to get a sharp open box price on the Minox BL Comfort Bridge Binoculars. Thru the end of the month, if you mention this sale:
#62197 Minox BL 8x33 BR Binocular which new sells for $469.00 is only $299.99

#62195 Minox BL 8x44 BR Binocular which new sells for $489.00 is only $349.99

#62196 Minox BL 10x44 BR Binocular which new sells for $499.00 is only $349.99

For adventurers and discoverers, travelers and nature enthusiasts – MINOX now presents an essential companion for all outdoor activities: The #62208 Minox MD 8x42 CWP Monocular with integrated compass reduced from $109.99 to only $89.99


If you're looking for a great "Big Eye Binocular" then take a look at the #62036 Minox BL 15x56 BR

These prices are NOT on our web site so you can do one of a couple of things:
1) Place the order on our site and in the note area type "Doug's Vacation Sale" and we will issue a refund back to your payment method down to these special prices.
2) Call in your order to us at the store @ 212-753-5128 and mention Doug's Vacation Sale.

If a higher end Made in Germany optic is what you are after
We are now accepting orders for the:
BL 8x42 German @ $489.99 & the BL 10x42 German @ $499.99
These binoculars will be in and ready to ship by the end of the month. These are a limited run by Minox that are hand made in Germany.

Here is a link to our Minox Demo Page


We announced last week that we purchased all the display goods from Leica at the recent SHOT Show. You can see the full list of Leica demo goods but to highlight a few:

#40037 8x42 Geovid HD @ $1879.99

#40294 10x42 Ultravid HD @ $1699.99

40390 8x20 Monovid @ $399.99


Swarovski came thru with a few great demos recently. All of the demos we have from them can be seen by clicking here but as a taste:

#59316 (Demo Unit)Swarovski Z6 Series 2-12x50 - BR Reticle @ only $1699.99

#59617 (Demo Unit) Swarovski Z6 Series 3-18x50 - BR Reticle @ only $1749.99

#59017 (Demo Unit) Z3 Series 3-10x42 - BRX Reticle Riflescope @ only $789.99


We still have a few of the Vortex Crossfire Riflescopes available. We literally purchased over a ton of these scopes in order to offer them to you at these crazy reduced prices. You should have seen the look on Joel's face when they delivered them.
Vortex Crossfire 4x32 Rimfire V-Plex (Part# CRF-432) Riflescope was $114.99, now only $59.99

Vortex Crossfire 3-9x40 V-Brite Matte Black (Part# CRF-01-ILLD) was $114.99, now only $79.99

Vortex Crossfire 4-12x40 V-Brite Matte Black (Part# CRF-04-ILLD) was originally $149.99 now only $79.99

Vortex Crossfire 4-12x40 AO Fine Crosshair Matte Black (Part# CRF-AO04-P) was originally $149.99 now only $89.99

Vortex Crossfire 1.5-4x32 V-Plex Matte Black (Part# CRF-09-PLEX) Riflescope was $99.99, now only $54.99

Vortex Crossfire 6x40 V-Plex (Part# CRF-640) Riflescope nice for .22 rifles and short range deer rifles & slug guns was $114.99, now only $49.99

Vortex Crossfire 2x20 EER V-Plex Matte Black (Part# CRF-13-P) Pistol Scope was $99.99, now only $29.99

Vortex Crossfire 8-32x50 AO Fine V-Plex Wide Matte Black (Part# CRF-250-AOHT) was originally $219.99 now only $129.99

Vortex Crossfire 6-24x50 AO Mil Dot Illuminated Matte Black (Part# CRF-624-AOHT) was originally $219.99 now only $119.99

Vortex Crossfire 4-16x50 AO Mil-Dot Illuminated Matte Black (Part# CRF-650-AOHT) was originally $219.99 now only $119.99

Great news...Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 Plex' Riflescopes are Back @ $279.99

We have confirmation on our deliver of the:
Vortex Viper 2-7x32 V-Plex Riflescopes @ $199.99 &
Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 V-Plex Riflescopes @ $279.99 We also stocked up on the dedicated Vortex Viper 44mm Scope Shade @ $29.99

Last year we had Vortex build some of these scopes for us after they stopped producing them and we sold out in a VERY short time. We commissioned Vortex to make more of these two great scopes and we just got word that they are in route to us. We should have them in stock and ready to ship the beginning of March.
We are now accepting Pre-Orders, so if you'd like to get one, or more, of these scopes we're now selling them again (while the supply lasts).

The other item we will include in this promotion is a repeat of a Christmas favorite....10% off all in stock Tactical Riflescopes. Through the end of February we'll give an extra 10% off on all in stock Tactical Riflescopes (except Trijicon, as they do not permit these types of promotions).
Again, you can do one of two things in order to get this 10% off:
1) Place the order on our site and in the note area type "Doug's Vacation Sale" and we will issue a refund back to your payment method down to these special prices.
2) Call in your order to us at the store @ 212-753-5128 and mention Doug's Vacation Sale.

I think these sale items should keep Neil and Joel busy while I am gone.
You can call them @ 212-753-5128, or e-mail them:

Neil - cameralandneil@aol.com
Joel - cameraland@aol.com

Have a great Presidents week

[Denis]

Serendipity. While I was typing that post, this arrived in my mailbox. I have a pair of German Minox binos, and they're the bee's knees:

We just received the first delivery of the Made in Germany Minox BL Series binoculars.
BL 8x42 German @ $489.99 & the BL 10x42 German @ $499.99

If you want a GREAT deal on a quality binocular then this is the binocular to look at.
Minox built a limited quantity of these BL Series Binoculars and we now are prepared to ship them out.

Brief Minox Detail:
With the MINOX BL Made in Germany Edition, a classic has been reborn. The MINOX BL 8x42 and BL 10x42 now in the fascinating new edtition - Optically brilliant, mechanically robust, handmade and ergonomically functional.
Made in Germany for the dedicated nature observer. Designed for your visual experience.

L for light construction
The BL Made in Germany Edition is especially noted for its light polycarbonate housing. The low weight and high-tech special glass are just two of the many advantages that make the BL 8x42 and BL 10x42 so outstanding.

All advantages at a glance:
Precision quality Made in Germany
Optical brilliance at the highest level
High-tech specialized glass
M* multi-coating
Outstandingly light and compact construction
Solid and reliable fine mechanics
Light and robust polycarbonate body
Ideal for eyeglass wearers
Antifogging thanks to nitrogen filling
Watertight down to 16 feet
Volkswagen Design

Please feel free to give Doug or Neil a call at 212-753-5128 to discuss these great optics.

Doug @ Camera Land
1-866-9optics
gr8fuldoug@aol.com
http://www.cameralandny.com

CAMERA LAND
575 LEXINGTON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10022
866-9-OPTICS
(866-906-8668)

[HTRN]

Contrarily, I have had great success with them and gotten some great deals too.

They have the nasty habit of taking money for things they don't have. Go google "Opticsplanet sucks" and see. On resellerratings.com, they got 1.4/10.

About the Konus Konospot 80 - it's become the darling of the budget highpower shooter - you can buy one from Amazon for 200 bucks these days.

Jarheadtop
Ocabj.net

I would add that if the OP will up [strike]his[/strike] her budget a bit, she can buy a brand new Kowa TSN 661 for 550ish.

[Edited by Mod]

[Combat Controller]

Good to know HTRN.

As far as binocs I picked up a pair of 20-100x70 for a song from camera land.

[blackeagle603]

In December I took a Camofire deal on a
NIKON PROSTAFF 20-60x82 SPOTTING SCOPE
Color: Black ,Pattern: Angled, (with shipping was $396).

Liking it so far. A bit big for much lugging in the field but workable for the range. My tripod is marginal for it.

A similar grade Nikon shows with 60mm objective shows up on Camofire periodically.

[JimTX]

Got my Vortex PST from Optics Planet, exactly the right scope, no problems or issues with 'em.

But, UPS scroood' the pooch.... misrouted. I had to drive 60 miles out of the way to get the damn thing from the wrong depot, or wait for delivery the next day, when I wouldn't be home to sign for it.

On CC's advice, I got the Daniel Defense, double-locking QD forward cantilever mount, locally.

Mounting, boresighting, zeroing and etc., to follow.

The scope though, is gorgeous. A work of art. If it performs as good as it presents out of the box, it oughta be a winnah!

Range reports, of course, to follow.



Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

[Denis]

Just a heads-up:

www.CameraLandNY.com has a special offer on Vortex spotting scopes at the moment.

If you call Doug or Neil, tell them Denis from TheGunCounter.com forum sent you. I don't get a cut, but I am a satisfied customer...