Upgrading a spotting scope

[bradaz11]

I currently have the classic smallbore target rifle spotting scope, the venerable Opticron 22x60


I have the 22X and 30X eyepieces, but I'm finding it is starting to show it's age (I've had it at least 13 years, and I bought it 2nd hand). So I'm looking to upgrade a bit. I think it's a bit of a shame that there don't seem to be eyepeices still about for them, as I probably only need to up it to a 40x... and give it a clean :P

Like most ppl, I really don't want to spend the earth, most being £200. Looking around, all modern spotting scopes seem to be variable zoom. plus an angled eyepiece might be nice, as mine is a straight tube.

I've spotted an Opticron Mighty Midget 52 V2 with 15-40x eyepiece for around £90 2nd hand, but not sure if that would do the job. as it would be at best a 40x52, wheras im using a 30x60 currently.

I've researched (procrastinated instead of doing my expenses) all morning, but seem to be as confused as when I started.

anyone got any advice?

[Kungfugerbil]

No advice I'm afraid, but also having the same dilemma. I keep pinching one of the club opticrons to go to outdoor shoots and they perform brilliantly and are very clear, but a bit knackered (eyepieces rattle around etc) and I don't think 20x is enough for me to see clearly when shooting 100m smallbore.

I need to buy my own but don't want to spend the Earth as every penny on other kit is taking me away from my new rifle fund :)

[bradaz11]

i bought the 30x eyepiece for that exact reason. at 100yrd it just wasn't quite sharp enough to pick out .22 holes. the 30 brought it up nicely, but then at 25yrd it means I couldn't quite fit in 1 and a half cards.

so I think its a case of I could do with the 40x now. but they just dont do them. and these as far as i know are jap lenses, so anything comparable is going to be chinese

[ukrifleman]

Depends what you want from a scope.

I bought a Praktica 25-75x90 spotting scope, new on e-bay for change out of £100 and I can read a car number plate at 1/2 a mile with it!

ukrifleman

[bradaz11]

i'd like something better than what i've got. i'm not expecting to see ticks at 500yrd, but would like to be able to see a .22 at say 200 yrd

[Sim G]

I've a Leupold 15-30 Gold Ring compact. I can comfortably see .223 at 200 and a wee further. You don't have to look at massive magnification when you go for quality lenses.

[bradaz11]

problem is, i'm not sure i can afford that quality of glass. theres too much else waiting to spend money on, and tbh, i'd rather have the money to spend on gun that on a spotting scope. I just want something that is better than a 20 odd year old opticron. I don't mind buying 2nd hand, but would need to see it, but also the 2nd hand prices seem pretty high themselves.

these are what i've been looking at
http://www.microglobe.co.uk/helios-fiel ... 12673.html

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/celestron-c ... -9631.html

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/barr-stroud ... -8289.html

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/barr-stroud ... -8354.html

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/celestron-u ... -9635.html

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/praktica-25 ... -9182.html - although field of view at full zoom seems huge??

[dromia]

Why don't you have it cleaned and serviced, most of my spotting scopes are mid twentieth century, just picked up a nice Opitcron off here in lovely condition that I needed for a 30x eyepiece that I had, good clear glass for spotting bullet holes out to 300 easy. As Simon says the glass quality is more important than the magnification a good service could just rejuvenate your optic.

[bradaz11]

hmmm, that might be worth a shot, as I don't remember it being that awful at 100 yrds previously

can you reccomend anyone in particular?

[dromia]

There is a guy in Glasgow I seem to recall that I have used in the past but can't find his card at present as we have the builders in.

I'm sure that he has been discussed on here before and his details may be on the forum.