Best Spotting scope under $350

[ctimgo]

I'm looking to move up from the $50 to $75 spotting scopes and need some advice on ones that are in the $350ish range. Looking for best I can get with that money. Pros and cons or any info welcome.

 

[Lapua40X]

In that price range, you might want to look at the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 15-45x60 Straight Spotting Scope.

 

[SS427]

I bought a Sightron spotter a few years ago for about that price. Not sure what the newer models sell for. I've used it deer hunting a few times and I've been satisfied. Obviously it is not a Zeiss quality spotter, but it wasn't over two grand in price either.

 

[CVH]

Midway has a Leupold on their Black Friday sale going on now. 15-45x60mm angled for $190

 

[MNFinn]

I really like my Konus 15-45 and it was way under $350

 

[letronshootit]

Bushnell spacemaster with 20x eyepiece. They are the old green scopes with straight eyepiece and Japanese lenses. I paid $125. off E-bay. Different lenses come up on their occasionally.

 

[NateHaler]

I'm looking to move up from the $50 to $75 spotting scopes and need some advice on ones that are in the $350ish range.

What are you going to use the scope for? If your riflescope is decent, you'll likely see as much through it as you would a spotter. If you're glassing for game, then a binocular is way more practical -- because you're using both eyes.

I use a spotter during competition when I'm not behind the rifle, and for stargazing (if I had a hot neighbor, I can almost hear myself saying to her "I saw Uran....") and for spotting my own targets when I'm using aperture sights.

As to value for dollar, it depends. You may as well post "best car for under $20k". It depends. Purpose, magnification desired, straight or angled, fixed or variable, objective size (bigger = heavier and more cumbersome), EYE RELIEF -- a very important and misunderstood and underappreciated consideration.