Nikon Spotter

[betelgeuse]

Ordered the 20-60x82mm Nikon Prostaff spotter from Cabela's. Found out it is on backorder. I am hoping the larger objective will be better in low light. I like the idea of the peepsight to get on target quicker.

Anyone have any experience with 82mm model ?

 

[WhatTheBuck]

I also ordered the Prostaff Spotter from Cabela's, they were backordered for a month and then back ordered for another month,So while I was waiting came across the Bushnell Elite 20x60x80 spotter with Ed glass, Made in Japan, not In China like the Nikon! So I canceled my order and Waiting for the Bushnells to arrive.I did the research and talked to the Experts all said the Bushnells were a whole lot better opticly and constructed better, Better prizms and better glass for just a few Bucks More,
Got them from opticsplanet.com, as soon as I get them I give My review.

 

[betelgeuse]

I just got rid of a Bushnell Elite 15-45 x 60. It was clear until you got past about 35 power and then it got funky.

The ED glass sounds interesting. I would like to hear your report once you get it. I have had good luck using Optics Planet.

If I don't like the Nikon I will send it back to Cabelas.

 

[WhatTheBuck]

Just recieved My new Elite 20x60x80 spotting scope, this scope is awsome!. I cant believe the smallest details I can see on trees and leaves at about two hundred yards, It is real hazy out now so the details on the mountains two miles away are alittle difficult to see, but I put this scope side by side with my old 10x30x50 Stalker Scope and there is no comparison.The optics on this scope are GREAT! even at 60xs.

The only drawback to this scope that I can say is that the scope is the size of a CANNON, going to be alittle hard to squeeze into a backpack!. Also going to need a sturdier Tripod.

 

[bowhuntr]

I have the STS80 and it is like night vision.

 

[betelgeuse]

I guess I will never find out how the Nikon is. It is still on backorder from Cabela's

It said one week when I ordered it and it's been 5.


bowhuntr.. when you say STS80 is that the Swaro you are referring to ?

 

[betelgeuse]

Finally, 5 months later, the 20-60x82mm Nikon Prostaff spotter I ordered from Cabela's arrived.

I will un-pack it and post a mini review sometime this week.

 

[WhatTheBuck]

Betel, I gave up on waiting for the nikons and I am more than happy with the Elite's. but I am still curious, and would like to read your review. Was it worth the wait?

 

[betelgeuse]

I dropped the ball on this one. Here is a short review.

The Good first:

The Optics seem very sharp. Even when I turned up the power. ( dropoff in light after 45 X)
The focus knob is easy to use without shaking the whole setup. It's not on the eyepiece.
It has a little attachment scope that clips to the side that helps you find your target quickly.
It also has something similar to a gunsight on top ( notch and pin ) that can be used to pick up your target
Sliding sunshade is a cool feature
Has a neat notch to fasten the lens cover to when open, to keep it from flapping in the wind.
( can't be used with the soft cover on )
It has an eyecup that turns to open and provide the proper eye relief; this is heplful on high power.

The Bad:

The light drop-off after 50X is very noticeable. That being said it is way better at 45x than the Bushnell Elite 15-45 x 60 that I had. Even with the light drop-off it seems to stay sharp at the higher magnification. The only thing I have to compare it to is my Kahles binos and it seems as sharp as them in bright daylight.

The little attachment sight seems like it will break easily. The gun sight type sight it has on top is probably better, but can't be used with the view thru soft cover on.

It's big.

The tripod it comes with isn't worth a darn for anything. It was only $30 extra. It might be ok if you didn't extend the legs. I have a Bogen Manfrotto that I will use with it. I gave the one it came with away.

The soft cover it came with is a pain the you know what. Not very functional. You have to remove the front and back completely to use it while the cover is on( snaps ). You also have to unsnap a little cover to use the focus knob. I am sure I will end up losing these. It also has almost no padding so it's almost not worth using, toss up.

Overall:

It's probably worth the $600 I paid. I am more satisfied with it than the Bushnell Elite 15-45x60 I had before. It's sharper and brighter at 45x than the Bushnell. It's also an 80MM objective.
I was trying to get a buddy's Swaro to put it side by side with but haven't met up with him yet. I will probably end up with a Swaro sooner or later, but this fit my budget now.


Sorry I can't give a better review of the optics but I don't have a lot to compare it to other than the Bushnell and the Kahles. I don't want to mislead anyone so with out comparing it side by side with the Top rated glass that’s about as good as I can do. I have looked through cheap $100-200 spotters and it is definitely a step up from those.

please excuse the run on sentences and bad spelling I was in a hurry, Hope this was helpful.

 

[WhatTheBuck]

betel, Thanks for the review.

 

[Capt. Nixon]

Betelgeuse: i just came across this post since i am thinking about getting the NIkon Prostaff 20-60x82 scope....if you still have yours...what is your opinion now? Thanks!

 

[betelgeuse]

Capt.
I haven't used it much since I got it, but I will begin very soon for deer season.

I will post up a little more info after I get it out in the field. I still think it is better than the 15-45 x60
Bushnell Elite that I had.

If you order it from Cabela's you could always send it back.

Sorry I can't be of more help now.

betel

 

[jlostrander]

Do you have more input on your new Nikon. Comparison Vs. your buddies Swaro?
Thanks,
Logan

 

[betelgeuse]

Logan,
No we didn't get to hunt together this year. I did use it some during the year and it was plenty good to judge bucks at a distance. Like I mentioned before, the light dropoff is bad after 50X. That being said, another friend I did hunt with had the 60MM Nikon and the light dropoff was way worse on it when cranked up to 45X.

 

[betelgeuse]

I finally looked through a Swaro and my Nikon on the same day.

Was the Swaro better ? A little, but not $1400 better.

The light dropoff in the Swaro was almost as bad at 60X but I think it was a little sharper.

The Nikon is not crystal clear at 60X. I don't like to use it past 45X-50X

The Swaro seemed a little better on edge to edge sharpness at the higher power which is nice when looking for deer, you dont have to move it much.