Recommendation for Spotting Scope (range only) budget oriented

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GunnieArtz

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Looking for a decent spotting scope for a decent price.

My uses for it:
-Zeroing my 16 inch AR-15 with T-1 micro at 50 yards
-being able to see .223 rem bullet holes at 200 yards (or max at 300 yards) as local ranges only go that far and red dot really only good for that far without massive hold overs.

What I've looked into:
Celestron Ultima 80mm 20-60x - this is the cheapest one but I've read good reviews. 170USD online
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 20-60x 80mm ED - recommended by opticsplanet rep but costs 450-500USD

I would love to hear your experiences with the above or any other scopes in those price ranges. What would you recommend that would satisfy my uses?

What additional advice would you give to someone totally new to optics with regards to spotting scopes?

Thanks in advance for the help!
Art
 
I'm sorry but I am going to be pretty unpopular with my suggestion. Seriously, pleased don't buy a cheap/budget spotting scope as you will soon find that you wish you had a better one and the money initially spent will be wasted.

There is an adage with respect to riflescopes and spotters and that is 'buy once cry once" so with that in mind please save some money up and buy the best you can.

Cheers,

Bob
 
Tomochan said:
I'm sorry but I am going to be pretty unpopular with my suggestion. Seriously, pleased don't buy a cheap/budget spotting scope as you will soon find that you wish you had a better one and the money initially spent will be wasted.

There is an adage with respect to riflescopes and spotters and that is 'buy once cry once" so with that in mind please save some money up and buy the best you can.

Cheers,

Bob
Click to expand...

OK then what would u recommend? I mean a Swarovski is awesome I know but I don't need to use it in dim light or for hunting. Is there something that's suitable for my needs...... Spending 3000 dollars on a spotter is overkill for max 300 yard shots with a red dot no? I don't forsee me going hunting or shooting large caliber bolt guns beyond 300 yards

Thanks for the input
 
Look for a used one, I bought a bushnell spacemaster 15x45-50mm. Even though it's 40 years old and a little heavier than current models the glass is awesome and it only cost me $120 with an okay tripod. I compared it to my buddies vortex and I have to say the clarity of the glass is almost on par, don't get me wrong Id prefer the vortex but for now I'm quite happy and will eventually upgrade(maybe I'm loving this scope).
 
Tomochan is right…..however if you rarely use it, and only need to look through it for short periods of time, then a spotter that lets you see at 300 yards to keep you from running back and forth, is all you need, and the cheaper the better. With spotting scopes just remember, your money goes almost twice as far when buying used.
 
Thanks a lot for the input guys. I'm not currently on EE, are there any scopes that's available new that's pretty decently priced for my uses? What do you guys think of the 2 that I've listed? I also looked at the Leupold SX-1 Ventana 20-60x80mm which is in the middle of the two.

What do you guys have? What do you guys like about your set up and what do you use it for?

Thanks again for the input.
 
OK, I'll get flamed on the opposite side.

I bought a cheap Bushmaster at Canadian Tire. It was on sale for $50. Build quality is pretty crappy and the included tripod is made of old car parts :)

But once you fiddle the focus into place and get it lined up on target, you can see the holes in paper out to 300 yards. I used to have a pair of binoculars in my range bag to spot out past 100 but this is 1000x better and easier than trying to fiddle with binos all the time.

For short range work this is all I need. If I was spotting in the bush, doing 1000 yard precision, working in variable light, etc. then I would hate this and wish I spent more. But at my home range in stable conditions off a concrete bench, this does the job, even if it doesn't do it with style. Any now I have more money for ammo :)
 
Why spend big bucks on a spotting scope when you can spend $500 on a Bullseye camera system that will work out to 1,000 yards? Personally I'd prefer to spend on a better rifle scope than on a spotter. Haven't used my spotter in over 9 months and will be selling it.
 
Pr589 said:
Why spend big bucks on a spotting scope when you can spend $500 on a Bullseye camera system that will work out to 1,000 yards? Personally I'd prefer to spend on a better rifle scope than on a spotter. Haven't used my spotter in over 9 months and will be selling it.
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Probably because I don't have a rifle scope as I'm only using a red dot... and having a spotter can be used for stuff like camping and surveillance as well :). I'd definitely get a bullseye camera if I was doing some serious long range rifle shooting.
What spotter are you selling ?
 
Pr589 said:
Why spend big bucks on a spotting scope when you can spend $500 on a Bullseye camera system that will work out to 1,000 yards? Personally I'd prefer to spend on a better rifle scope than on a spotter. Haven't used my spotter in over 9 months and will be selling it.
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Got to agree with this - I got the 1000Y Bullseye system, it was closer to $750, but worth it for long range & sunny (mirage) days. But, I won't be selling my Celestron spotter either. Mine is the 100mm ED glass version, around $1000. Heavy and big but great for around the house (I have great views out in the country) & at the range.


You probably will be disappointed by a sub $200 scope. But you can always return it.
 
The advice given so far is all accurate, on both sides of the fence. I was hunting for a good rangefinder and spotting scope for about 9 months, almost bought new, then didn't and went to the EE. I got a redfield 550 rangefinder and a celestron 60x. Reason being...I got both on the EE for a total of $230 everything in. I was tired of reading reviews and looking at friends spotting scopes, I wanted something to try in the field for a year or so.

Get something you can use for a year and learn what you like and don't, what you need and don't, then you'll be in a better position to make a decision and it won't break the bank. If you're new to optics and buy super high end, then learn you don't like what you bought, you'll take a $ loss. Buy once cry once is an accurate statement but I'm confident I can make a package deal and sell my redfield and celestron on the EE for $220 and make my money back. Good luck.

FYI, there's a Celestron 20-60x on the EE right now for $60+shipping.
 
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Benwilliam is right, i found a bunch on craigslist as well i looked up birdwatching forums and found great info on vintage scopes...they go into more detail than most hunting gear reviewers.
i got mine off craigs but as luck would have it the guy was a fellow gunnuter from this site.

it's a little heavy but great for the range and i dont mind it that much for hikes as well. It came with a 20x & 15-45x lens, works really well in low light but can't really speak for foul weather conditions.
 
benwilliam said:
The advice given so far is all accurate, on both sides of the fence. I was hunting for a good rangefinder and spotting scope for about 9 months, almost bought new, then didn't and went to the EE. I got a redfield 550 rangefinder and a celestron 60x. Reason being...I got both on the EE for a total of $230 everything in. I was tired of reading reviews and looking at friends spotting scopes, I wanted something to try in the field for a year or so.

Get something you can use for a year and learn what you like and don't, what you need and don't, then you'll be in a better position to make a decision and it won't break the bank. If you're new to optics and buy super high end, then learn you don't like what you bought, you'll take a loss $. Buy once cry once is an accurate statement but I'm confident I can make a package deal and sell my redfield and celestron on the EE for $220 and make my money back. Good luck.
Click to expand...

How do you like the Celestron 60x?
 
Marcelm said:
OK, I'll get flamed on the opposite side.

I bought a cheap Bushmaster at Canadian Tire. It was on sale for $50. Build quality is pretty crappy and the included tripod is made of old car parts :)

But once you fiddle the focus into place and get it lined up on target, you can see the holes in paper out to 300 yards. I used to have a pair of binoculars in my range bag to spot out past 100 but this is 1000x better and easier than trying to fiddle with binos all the time.

For short range work this is all I need. If I was spotting in the bush, doing 1000 yard precision, working in variable light, etc. then I would hate this and wish I spent more. But at my home range in stable conditions off a concrete bench, this does the job, even if it doesn't do it with style. Any now I have more money for ammo :)
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Same here, including trying binos first ... bought a full-sized cheap tripod from a friend who is a photographer guru for $20 ... cheap but works just fine for my use at the range!

6Gun
 
To be honest, it's ok. But I have reasonable expectations of what it can and can't do. Chefhunter is right in that depending on what lower end spotter you buy, they can be a bit heavy, more of a range/stable location setup than a hiking/hunting setup (I go shooting near hope at a logging road/field spot, I bring my costco $30 table and the celestron works just fine set up on it). I would say thats a good use for it, anything you can get to with a car/quad.

I don't go shooting in the rain, and it's doesn't snow much around here except in the mountains, and then the logging roads are not easy to navigate with my car so I'm relegated to the range where its covered and warm, so can't speak to it's performance in bad weather with cold or water/dirt all over it. My buddy isn't on CGN and I'm picking one up for him, so I'm getting another...they're good value for the money.

GunnieArtz said:
How do you like the Celestron 60x?
Click to expand...
 
I was about to say "it can't be done". But those who answered: "depends on your expectations" are probably more accurate.

After researching this subject for a year and looking through almost every lower priced high mag. spotting scope in the market (and buying and returning two), I decided to wait until I am ready to buy a higher quality spotting scope for 300m shooting.
 
Marcelm said:
OK, I'll get flamed on the opposite side.

I bought a cheap Bushmaster at Canadian Tire. It was on sale for $50. Build quality is pretty crappy and the included tripod is made of old car parts :)

But once you fiddle the focus into place and get it lined up on target, you can see the holes in paper out to 300 yards. I used to have a pair of binoculars in my range bag to spot out past 100 but this is 1000x better and easier than trying to fiddle with binos all the time.

For short range work this is all I need. If I was spotting in the bush, doing 1000 yard precision, working in variable light, etc. then I would hate this and wish I spent more. But at my home range in stable conditions off a concrete bench, this does the job, even if it doesn't do it with style. Any now I have more money for ammo :)
Click to expand...

By old car parts, he means the tripod is made from 3 old windshield wipers.

But seriously, I also have one of these, bought it only a month or so ago for $40. For the price I paid, I have no complaints. I haven't tried it much past 100 yards, so I cant really say if it'll suffice at 300 though.

It seems build quality on these is all over the map - I got a good one first try, but others here have said they had to try a few before finding one that would focus and was clear. So if you do go this route (That is, if they go on sale again soon, because I wouldn't recommend these at the $100 regular price) try it out in the store if possible first.
 
Same.
I bought a cheap tasco 20-60 one (worth 200, 50% off, 100$ + tax)

It's a piece of #### and you cant even really see holes that well. You have to get your eye too close and you make it move. Even if you dont move, it's pretty much useless at anything other than min level, and even then, any decent scope or binos will work better at 10x than this crap at 20.

Dont buy cheap ####, it doesnt work. You will be better with no spotting scope than with one that isnt worth ship, because you will not be using it anyway, and it will cost you money.

I'm selling mine for 20$ + shipping if you want it, includes the ####ty tripod and lens covers. Mint condition, almost never used [...]


Tomochan said:
I'm sorry but I am going to be pretty unpopular with my suggestion. Seriously, pleased don't buy a cheap/budget spotting scope as you will soon find that you wish you had a better one and the money initially spent will be wasted.

There is an adage with respect to riflescopes and spotters and that is 'buy once cry once" so with that in mind please save some money up and buy the best you can.

Cheers,

Bob
Click to expand...
 
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