Best budget spotting scope?

thegrandpoohbah

thegrandpoohbah

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
100   0   0
Location
Terrace, BC
I have about $400 saved up towards an AR-15 but it seems a spotting scope is going to have to come first. What is the best budget option out there? The less I have to spend on this the sooner I can afford an AR. Needs to be able to clearly see .22 holes at 100 yds. Lots of cheap ones on Amazon that somehow seem to have decent reviews but something seems fishy...
 
My opinion for what it's worth is, don't bother. When it comes to sporting scopes and cheap ya get what you pay for. A cheap scope will barely show 22 hits at 100 meters not to mention eye strain. I have a Pentax 60x80 and it was about a grand. The
Optics are only just ok and. Not that great.
 
just another option for you,

I use the scope that's on my .22 target rifle to spot at 100 yards... just a cheap Vortex Crossfire ll 6-18, I can see .22 holes @ 100.
 
I've got a Konus Konuspot 80 20X-60X that is good enough for me, I think it cost about $250 when I bought it years ago.... they also make a larger 100mm version.

I use a Manfrotto tripod that I already owned. A good tripod is nice but you can get buy with a cheap one if your careful.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Konus-Konuspot-20-60x80-Angled-Spotting-Scope-Blue-w-Objective-Lens-Case-7120-/311394910382?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item48809540ae

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/289759-REG/Konus_7120_Konuspot_80_3_1_80mm_Spotting_Scope.html
 
Last edited:
You can find a used Nikon Sky and Earth for your $200 and they are very good optically particularly with a fixed power eyepiece....But...ideally you should get a 45deg eyepiece for shooting AND also reasonably long eye relief so that you can leave you shooting glasses on....neither of which Nikon sky and earth have. .... this is a typically issue you will run into with the "compromise" options. Many will be sharp and contrasty BUT not designed to be optimal for shooting
 
I disliked my celestron 30-90x65mm. It was too light so it jumped around. The eye relief is poor you really almost feel you need to stick your eye in to get a picture . Friends has one and same opinion.

My Winchester was much better. Only grace on the celestron was it was clear picture. But other then that it was poor.

I upgraded to a Bushnell trophy xlt 20-60x65.
 
I ran a Bushnell space master 15-45 for 20yrs, replaced it with a Nikon Fieldscope III 20-60, now I have gone to a Kowa 774........ah optics, you get what you pay for. The Nikon is a nice step up on the bushy, but for an economy scope the old space masters are very good bang for the buck. Get a used one, they are around, way better value then new. Or save a while longer and buy once. As the old saying goes, buy once, cry once :) Unfortunately I couldn't afford a Kowa 25yrs ago, lol.
 
Last edited:
Can-down said:
I've got a Konus Konuspot 80 20X-60X that is good enough for me, I think it cost about $250 when I bought it years ago.... they also make a larger 100mm version.

I use a Manfrotto tripod that I already owned. A good tripod is nice but you can get buy with a cheap one if your careful.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Konus-Konusp...382?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item48809540ae

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/289759-REG/Konus_7120_Konuspot_80_3_1_80mm_Spotting_Scope.html
Click to expand...

I used one of these for a few years before I upgraded to a Razor HD, I would recommend it for a budget spotter. No problem seeing 22cal holes on white paper at 300yds.
 
Homesteader said:
I ran a Bushnell space master 15-45 for 20yrs, replaced it with a much more expensive Nikon. Too bad my eyes can't really see the difference, lol. The Nikon is nicer for sure, but for a budget scope I'd go straight back to the space master. Get a used one, they are around. No need to buy new, way better value on the used market b
Click to expand...
I agree with Spacemaster as well. I think the metal body versions with a fixed power ocular is a good option. The variable oculars weren't so hot except some times at a particular magnification
 
I have/had a few. I used one of those cheep scopes that Canadian Tire sells, glad to return it to its owner. I have a Celstron that they wont warranty because I haven't the receipt. It is a POS. I now use a Konus, I like it. It is very little if any better than my old (very old) Bushnell Space Master. The rifle scopes on my range guns now show 22 holes very well. It really depends on what power scope you plan to put on your rifle as to the need for a spotting scope. Less than 9x it is hard for me to get a good view of 22 holes in the black background of targets. I have not tried the Vortex but they look good in the stores. When looking at reviews at places like Optic Planet, look for reviews of guys that have used them for more than a couple trips. Good luck.
 
I am running 3-9x32 and 4-12x40 scopes, neither of which allow me to see .22 holes clearly out past 50 yards. There's a Bushnell XLT 20-60x65 for about $250. Or would the Celestron Ultima 80 be a better value for about the same price?

The other option is of course to not even bother and just walk up to check my target. This becomes an issue when I am not the only shooter on the range and have to wait for a ceasefire.
 
thegrandpoohbah said:
I am running 3-9x32 and 4-12x40 scopes, neither of which allow me to see .22 holes clearly out past 50 yards. There's a Bushnell XLT 20-60x65 for about $250. Or would the Celestron Ultima 80 be a better value for about the same price?

The other option is of course to not even bother and just walk up to check my target. This becomes an issue when I am not the only shooter on the range and have to wait for a ceasefire.
Click to expand...

My Celestron was soo bad because it was so light that it twitched/shaked and made it impossible to really hold it in 1 area, esp at 90X. That I had to walk up to check to see where I was hitting.

I was lucky and got my Bushnell XLT 20-60x65 for 190 shipped. Its heavier, the tripod is better, built in sunshade and decent Eye relief.
 
thegrandpoohbah said:
I am running 3-9x32 and 4-12x40 scopes, neither of which allow me to see .22 holes clearly out past 50 yards. There's a Bushnell XLT 20-60x65 for about $250. Or would the Celestron Ultima 80 be a better value for about the same price?

The other option is of course to not even bother and just walk up to check my target. This becomes an issue when I am not the only shooter on the range and have to wait for a ceasefire.
Click to expand...

$220US free shipping to Canada, spend the rest on a good tripod.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/289759-REG/Konus_7120_Konuspot_80_3_1_80mm_Spotting_Scope.html

It's also a light spotting scope but I've never noticed that being a problem using my basic manfrotto tripod.
I don't see the model I have, it's probably been replaced but they have a bunch and something like this would be pretty nice,

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1020684-REG/manfrotto_mk393_hm_photo_movie_kit_alum_4_sec.html

or,

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1059031-REG/manfrotto_mkcompactadv_bk_compact_advanced_tripod_black.html


This is pretty much the one I use, I don't think mine is a "fluid head" but it's pretty smooth for video and works well with the spotting scope.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1087196-REG/manfrotto_3_section_tripod_with.html
 
Last edited:
Looks like the Konuspot 80 is worth a try. I already have tripods as photography is my main hobby. I really should just sell a spare lens to fund the AR too while I'm at it. Thanks.
 
Well in that case you cans put the extra cash back into the AR fund...... :)

If you upgrade down the road the Konus should hold it's value fairly well.

Make sure you don't get dinged with some courier charges at the border..... not sure if BH ships US postal international but that's you best bet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom