Recommend me a spotting scope

[Zeneffect]

I've since added a 13" screen to the spotter setup as well as a battery pack so I can run 10+ hours continuous.

Considering gopro hero 10 for 4k 120fps and reduced footprint. Has hdmi out for viewport which I can still utilize. Using a screen eliminates the need for a long eye relief eyepiece. Screen =infinite eye relief. I'm hoping 2k 13" is enough for squadmates to see well. They were having problems with a 6" due to ability to see in general.



Video quality from a note 9 though the meopta @ 200M chicken stage, during a match (I am shooter) I've since upgraded the camera to a note 20 ultra but haven't field tested yet (I'm using old phones because it's free, I have them, they are pretty darn good for doing exactly this)

https://youtu.be/DSnaD6UtUtU


General glassing at the range after getting burned out (unable to shoot because fire department)

https://youtu.be/gS5TrpnBjbc

Full setup currently is
Meopta meopro 80 hd
Benro s6 pro pan tilt head
Slik pro 700dx tripod
Pole clamp vesa mount from Amazon
Portable 2k usb-c powered 13" hdr monitor from amazon (uperfect brand, matte)
Romoss 40000maH power bank
Velcro straps for cable management and battery attachment to bottom of center pole (acts as stabilizing weight)

At this point, the objective is to eliminate Human error due to perception. If I can give a better picture of the world to see, the easier it will be for my spotter to make a correct call, and build both our confidences.

[LRRPF52]

For many years now, I’ve been wanting a set of spotting scope sized binos like they use for astronomy.

I want spotting scope magnification with binocular FOV.

That would help out a lot for spotting so I can see wind flags and the targets within the same frame, and not have to pan back and forth.

[Stugotz]

You would be had pressed to beat top end Kowa. That said, I had the opportunity to directly compare top end glass from Meopta, Swaro, Vortex & Zeiss. In he end, for me it boiled down to Swaro and Meopta. I saw very little (if any) differences between the two and ultimately went with the Meopro's. (And ended up saving myself a nice chunk of change in the process). YMMV.

[Klem]

For many years now, I’ve been wanting a set of spotting scope sized binos like they use for astronomy.

I want spotting scope magnification with binocular FOV.

That would help out a lot for spotting so I can see wind flags and the targets within the same frame, and not have to pan back and forth.

Our unit had a couple of Steiner M80's (20x80mm) for use on tripods. They are serious surveillance binos and bulky.

[Zeneffect]

You would be had pressed to beat top end Kowa. That said, I had the opportunity to directly compare top end glass from Meopta, Swaro, Vortex & Zeiss. In he end, for me it boiled down to Swaro and Meopta. I saw very little (if any) differences between the two and ultimately went with the Meopro's. (And ended up saving myself a nice chunk of change in the process). YMMV.

Got the meopta at a significant enough discount I could afford to upgrade the tripod, mount, and digitize it. If they would let me bring a recliner to the range, I would. I'll be testing the full setup Tuesday with the note 20 and its superior optics (vs note 9.) Load development at the 100 tomorrow and i can see the holes through the scope so no need

[Zeneffect]

Screen works fantastic. Battery life is beyond excellent, I could drop at least 1lb in weight by getting a better vesa mount however. Upgrading the phone side has resulted in slightly better picture quality, however this may be due to the screen and newfound ability to really fine tune the focus effectively.

[LRRPF52]

Our unit had a couple of Steiner M80's (20x80mm) for use on tripods. They are serious surveillance binos and bulky.

How was the Field of View on them? Specs say 195ft at 1000yds, which I’m assuming is on 20x and not 80x.

I love Steiner binos for the optical clarity and durability. The standard issue rubberized OD green versions we had have been put through extreme abuse-the worst of which was when Assistant Gunners would strap them into their rucks next to the tripod on jumps. I don’t know how they survived that, but they did. Things were built like tanks. Very heavy though.

[Klem]

52,

To be honest I never worked with them, just saw them in the Q Store. They were sourced for UNOSOM Peacekeeping, no doubt in a static role or from vehicles. The M80 is a fixed 20x magnification for day work. The exit pupil, 4mm, doesn't lend itself for night use. All that bulk comes from taking a pair of normal binos from 7x to 20x while keeping a decent field-of-view and exit pupil.

What we also had which always impressed was the Steiner 7x50. Great for night work for two reasons, (1) the wider exit pupil 7mm, and (2) the Porro prism design. As you know there's no central focus and it's individual focus on each barrel instead. Focus during daylight and at nightime this turns them into a proxy night vision device. With Porro, whatever you are trying to figure out is always in focus.

The preferred spotting scope at the time was the Swift Zoom 15-60x60. That, and the Bausch and Lomb Discoverer (same 15-60x60). Neither are made anymore but they were much more compact and portable than the giant Steiner 20x80 binoculars. Zoom them up to 60x however and the image was dark and they were prone to tiring your eyes out if it was windy and the thing wobbled. So we often used them dialled down. With a wider field-of-view there'd be less need to keep them still which is where the Steiner M80's would shine.

I don't use a spotting scope in civilian shooting. The high magnification range of modern rifle's scopes are enough, or a pair of 10x40 Leica Geovid's. The colours in the Leica pop and the laser is helpful. I see spotting scopes being used less on the firing lines. With the advent of electronic targets and the TV screens at the firing point there are no markers in the butts (Kongsberg is popular here), and for shorter ranges like 500M Fly everyone seems to use their rifle scope. You might see only one in 10 shooters using a spotting scope in Fly.