sightron spotting scope 18-36x50

[hunter]

Has anyone tried the sightron Sl 18-36x50 spotting scope. I mostly shoot 100 and 200 yard targets and was wondering if this would work for me, and are they worth the money?

[Harley]

Hunter, I've only recently gotten interested in spotting scopes and know relatively little. I think, though, that ANY spotting scope will be okay at 100 yards, but so would most 9X and up scopes on rifles. Beyond that distance you will be concerned with brightness and resolution; generally the more you pay the better the results. Again, though, at a maximum distance of 200 yards I'd guess you were okay with the 50mm objective and the zoom range of your eyepiece. Quality becomes much more important from 300 yards on.

I hope KerryB will comment; he knows this stuff.

Harley

[hunter]

I have read some people like the sightron scopes and was wondering about their spotting scopes. Also I have never used a spotting scope, so do I need more magnification or bigger lens size, or both. A brief explanation would help me make the decision.

Thanks

[Harley]

Hunter, there's not much I'm competent to answer; I can tell you that a 70-80mm objective with a 40X eyepiece would show bullet holes at 500 yards IF it's in a good quality spotting scope. I don't know anything about the different brands and models.

A good source for you would be to go to Optics Planet, www.opticsplanet.com, and log on to one of their forums. An employee who knows all about it will answer all your questions over the internet in a live chat and will even recommend specific models and/or wiill comment on the Sightron.

Harley

[KerryB]

Hunter,
I have never looked through one of these scopes or seen a review for them so it is difficult to judge them. There are a few points to keep in mind about spotting scopes. The larger diameter objectives (60-80mm) will give brighter images as well as higher resolution when using higher powers. An objective lens of 50mm diameter is relatively small, but notice that the power range of this scope is kept low, relative to the objective (18-36 power) versus 20-60 power of many other scopes with larger objectives. Sightron has a proven track record of manufacturing superior optics, so i would expect this scope to have good optics as well. At the ranges your are discussing using this scope, i would think this scope would work fine for calibers as small as .22 assuming the optics are decent. I have a couple of older Herter's spotting scopes that are 60mm objective and they can see .22 holes at 200yds with 40X being optimum. I would think that this Sightron should be able to equal or surpass these old scopes in optical quality and make up the difference for the 10mm smaller objective lens with more modern optical design and coatings. If i were you, i would try to buy from a retailer that accepts returns if you aren't satisfied with the quality of the view you get. One thing that bothers me is the price. Usually the quality of the optics and the price are in direct relation to each other. This scope is cheap...........and that worries me! I will be very interested to hear how the optics are if you end up buying one of these, but being a Sightron, i won't be too surpised if it turns out to be acceptable.........good luck! KerryB

[hunter]

I went with a 20-50x65 sightron ll. I should have it by next weekend. After I try it out I will let you know what I think.

[Harley]

Hunter, both the power range and the objective size indicate good choices for your situation. If the quality is there, you should be home free.

Harley

[mshm99]

The quality of a scope is determined by it's abiltity to resolve an image at a given distance. That said, the only way to compare one versus another is with the use of an optical chart. By viewing the target ,even in the store, you can compare one scope against another. Here is a limk to the chart.

www.qsl.net/hg5acx/USAF1951.pdf

Print it and take it with you,when you check out the scope and compare it against the high dollar units.

mshm