Spotting (tele)scope

D

deepcore

New member
I was at the range a while back and couple of benches over were some guys set-up with paper targets at 300 yds and they whipped out a telescope.
The kind you see Saturn's rings thru.
This thing was a Hubble jr. (almost blocked the walking area behind the benches).
During a break a I heard them tell someone else who was curious too that 1,000 yds was just like being in front of the target.

I know they're not the best for field use being non-waterproof and delicate...
But at the range at long distance...has anyone else tried using a Meade or Celestron? They make compact but high power (to put it mildly) telescopes.
 
120x (or more) magnification was designed for looking at things thousands of miles away not 1000 yards. I would think the image quality would be sub-par and it would require one hell of a sturdy mount so as not to wiggle when you try to look through it.
 
http://unertl.alexweb.net/100team.htm
The Unertl Team Scope was a standard for Highpower shooting teams for many years. It is a big piece of equipment. The power was not overwhelming but the clarity of the image was impressive. Though it could see the target the main use for the scope was to read mirage conditions. This was the biggest scope I ever had the opportunity to use.
 
One of the problems with astronomical telescopes is image inversion.

From the Meade site -

http://www.meade.com/support/telewrk.html

Erecting Prisms: Astronomical telescopes image objects in an upside-down and reversed-left-for-right orientation. This orientation is of no consequence in astronomical observing, but for terrestrial observing a normal right-side-up image orientation is highly desirable. Meade 45° erecting prisms enable this correct image orientation and also result in a comfortable 45° observing angle.

So, if you are going to set up an astronomical telescope for terrestrial use, you plan ahead and get the correct eyepiece. But if you borrow one from an amateur astronomer, don't be surprised if things are inverted... :)
 
Notice the team scope does not have a magnification over 32X?

When you get much over that you simply can't see your bullet holes

The majority of high dollar spotting scopes in the line at a highpower or smallbore match are about 25 power or if they are variable they are set on or about that power.

Even on your best scopes that go up to 60 power you can't see your bullet holes on that setting unless conditions are perfect.
 
scopes

I used an M-49 spotting scope for years. Then went to the Kowa with a 25x eyepiece that I currently use.
Those Unertl team scopes were freakin awesome. Great for watching bullet flight and coaching during team matches
 
Celestron

When I started target shooting, I used a Celestron C-90 - a Maksutov - for spotting. Yes, you really need an erecting prism. As was noted, the normal reversed upside down left to right image is highly disorienting.
With a 90mm objective, though, the image was quite clear. I used the lowest power eyepiece that I had - I forget now but it was something in the 20mms. Still quite a lot of magnification. Very crisp image.
The top shelf of spotting scopes nowadays is the Kowa line. Pricey.
Pete
 
Kowa 77mm scopes were what everyone used on the line in my day. Not cheap but best for the money. AMAZING resolution. I even splurged for 45-degree and variable-power ocular lens.
 
Today the Konus is the "poor man's Kowa". The Konus spotting scopes are the best cheaper scopes made.

Out to about 600 yards on a clear day a good Konus is so close to being as clear as a Kowa it is amazing.
 
I use a Swarovski 65mm with a 25-50x zoom eyepiece at both the range and hunting. Very clear with good light transmission.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top