Kowa 603 or something else?

I'm looking for a rugged spotting scope. I was looking at the Howa TSN-603 with the TE-9Z, but I'm worried about weight and size. I'll be using the scope for range visits and would like to see hits at 600yds. It will also be used for hunting/hiking which is what I'll be doing in Montana. I don't want to buy binos AND a spotting scope. Will this be good or are there things that are better suited for what I need?

Hi

No scope, even a $4000 leica can do that reliably due to the atmosphere and certainly no 60mm scope. The atmosphere eliminates any spotting scope for scoring at ranges beyond 400 yards and even at that distance, relatively few days will offer enough stability to use a spotting scope.

Spotting scopes are used at 500 yards and even 1000 yards, not for scoring, but to evaluate wind currents and mirage. Scoring at these distances is typically done with the aid of spotters in a pit or or surveillance cameras mounted over the target, not by spotting scopes.

For hunting and hiking, that is a great combo, however. Great optics and as light a scope as you can carry

So the 603 is gtg then? I'm really worried about weight and size. I'll be carrying this thing for miles.

Hi

Yup, GTG. The 603 is easily the lightest 60mm scope premium scope on the market and it is a premium scope with that eyepiece. I would not drop down to a 50mm scope to save on weight. You lose too much performance going that small.