Choosing a Cheap Spotting Scope

canadian hunter312

canadian hunter312

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Looking for some advice in choosing a low cost spotting scope as I have very limited experience. It'll be used for 200 yard maximum target shooting and viewing wildlife behind the house up to 400 yards while sitting indoors so there is basically no need for a tough and rugged unit as I will never use it for hunting.

What power should I be looking for?
Straight or angled eyepiece?
Do I need to stick with lower magnification on cheaper scopes to still have a clear picture?
 
I didn't think cheap and spotting scope went together. I know the value of a dollar, but don't think I would shop spotting optics buy low price.
 
StoneHorse said:
Have you checked out this thread?

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1502696-Spotting-scope-that-doesnt-break-bank!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. The Redfield does have good reviews and I am looking at them now.

emerson said:
I didn't think cheap and spotting scope went together. I know the value of a dollar, but don't think I would shop spotting optics buy low price.
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Seeing as it's something I don't really need (I've managed to shoot for 15 years without one), it's not going to be used for long range and it will be used indoors 90% of the time, there is no point in spending money. Heck, it doesn't even matter if it's water/fog proof.

I just want to see bullet holes at 200 yards and get a good view of the bucks and toms behind the house, not see the ticks on a deer's ass at 1000 yards;)
 
My wife got me a spotting scope a few years ago for Christmas. It was about $70 on sale I think. From Canadian Tire. For what I need, which is exactly what you described, it works great. Same as above post, Bushmaster 20-60x60. I'm sure if you shop around you will find a good deal on something that will suit your needs.

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I bought that Firefield scope from Amazon a while back and returned it immediately as the optical quality was terrible. I ended up with a relatively cheap Konus 20-60x80 which I believe was about $220 USD at the time. While not a great scope it is at least usable and didn't break the bank.
 
Unless I missed it, you didn't define "cheap"

I recently purchased an angled Celestron Ultima 80 (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0002CTZ70/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) from Amazon.ca for $230. I wanted a "do all" scope and this is the best I cold come up with under $300.

I live 24 km away from the ski hill here and I can see the lift and the skiers going downhill with the scope. Gives great views of celestial objects and doesn't invert them like a telescope does. I cannot tell you if it will show you the bullet holes at 200 yds as I have not had it to the range, but I think it would.

I would also go with the angled model unless you are going to be using it in the prone position or on the bench beside you. It is much easier on the neck to look at a slightly downward angle than to always try to flatten yourself enough to look straight through the scope.
 
I bought this one from amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00B73JXKC

Got it for 52$ on warehouse deals (that's amazon used stuff). That's less than it cost me for a full these days.

Tripod is really flimsy, but it's ok for indoor. I use it indoor at the range to see my 22lr on a paper target at 25m. I keep it at the lowest magnification for that (10X).

If you want more magnification, there's this noname: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01I96P7FE
20-60X, 90$ taxes and shipping included.

From what I understand you can keep it under 100$. You won't be able to watch a little colibri at 400 yards but a deer or a moose, no problem. Even something like a dog or a coyote I'd say 40-60X is enough.

Angle eyepiece is more comfortable if you're sitting or at a benchrest and the scope is on a tripod. Straight eyepiece is better if you're standing up or are holding the scope in your hands. If in doubt I'd choose straight eyepiece I think.
 
MolonLabe said:
I must be doing something wrong... sorry.

Let me know if it works.

https://m.canadiantire.ca/#/products/productDetail/0761086P/false/false/false?selectedSku=0761086

Its a Bushmaster not Bushnell...
Click to expand...

McHoss said:
My wife got me a spotting scope a few years ago for Christmas. It was about $70 on sale I think. From Canadian Tire. For what I need, which is exactly what you described, it works great. Same as above post, Bushmaster 20-60x60. I'm sure if you shop around you will find a good deal on something that will suit your needs.

bqWb4Ca.jpg


J1OmwoD.jpg
Click to expand...

I've got the same one. Bought it on sale at CT about two years ago. Its okay. Not great, but serviceable. I can see 243 cal holes at 100yds with it. I haven't tried it at 200yds yet, but thats on the to-do list sometime in the coming weeks.

On mine, when you change the magnification, the picture moves. Its also basically useless above about 40x, I can't get it to focus well on the top end of the magnification. Its good for what I use it for though, which is mostly 22lr at 50yds and centerfire rifles at 100. For what I paid ($40) it was a good buy, I would be pretty unimpressed with it at full retail of $99 though.
 
Was browsing Al Flaherty's yesterday morning and decided to go for the Bushnell Trophy and it arrived today. Talk about fast shipping.

It's a real pain using it at 60x as the eye needs to be in the perfect spot or I can only see a tiny picture through the scope, but at 45x or less it's much easier to use and should work good for my needs. I can't really complain at $150 shipped and hopefully it'll last more than a few years. My only regret is buying one with a straight eyepiece instead of the angled ones which seem like they'd be easier to use.
 
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