I'm looking to purchase a spotting scope for under $200.00. Can anyone recommend a spotting scope, if any exists for around that price that I will be able to see the target around 150-200 yards?
Wanting to purchase a resonable priced spotting scope
- Thread starter Bryan Chappell
- Start date
The only spotting scope in that price range that I've tried and thought was pretty good was a Celestron Ultima 80. It was not as good as my Kowa 884 but the price on the Celestron was less than the sales tax on the Kowa.
They're around $170 on Amazon for an 80mm 20-60X.
They're around $170 on Amazon for an 80mm 20-60X.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
I've heard good things about the Celestron from folks who buy the cheaper optics. I'm sure it will handle what you want it to do with ease.
Other option would be to buy an old vintage Bushnell or Tasco spotting scope made in JAPAN. It must be made in Japan. Key word is Japan. Ok, now that that is clear
I owned an old Japanese Bushnell 10-30 Stalker spotting scope years ago. The glass was very good. I think it would have easily rivaled or even bested any of todays mid price glass ($500-$1000). I owned a Leupold Kenai HD a long time ago as well, and that little Bushnell blew that junker Chinese made Leupold away when both were sitting on 30X. That Kenai cost $900. I got the Bushnell from a friend for honing a trigger on his rifle. You can usually find them floating around for well under $200. Really are good stuff for the price.
Other option would be to buy an old vintage Bushnell or Tasco spotting scope made in JAPAN. It must be made in Japan. Key word is Japan. Ok, now that that is clear
I owned an old Japanese Bushnell 10-30 Stalker spotting scope years ago. The glass was very good. I think it would have easily rivaled or even bested any of todays mid price glass ($500-$1000). I owned a Leupold Kenai HD a long time ago as well, and that little Bushnell blew that junker Chinese made Leupold away when both were sitting on 30X. That Kenai cost $900. I got the Bushnell from a friend for honing a trigger on his rifle. You can usually find them floating around for well under $200. Really are good stuff for the price.
If your goal is to see targets at 150 - 200 yards, you'll be very happy with the Celestron Ultima 80. I have one and have used it to see targets much further out than 200 yards successfully. Just keep in mind, at distance, all scoped have trouble seeing bullet holes on normal paper targets, and mirage equally distorts scopes as well. For the money, the Celestron Ultima 80 is pretty awesome.
I have a Leopoldo 25x I will ship for $175.00
FWIW, recently acquired a Celestron C90 spotting scope from Optics Planet for $180....free shipping. A number of fellow range members with very decent brand and much more costly spotting scopes have viewed thru my C90 and were all favorably impressed with it's clarity. President of our 600 member private range's board of directors uses a Celestron, but his is a larger diameter version sold for star glazing. Our power lens should interchange. Shot with another member this morning who shoots in a fair amount of AR competitions. He uses a Celestron C90 for a spotting scope....works well for him. The tripod that comes with the C90 is on the flimsy side. A windy day may cause it to jiggle. C90 Reviews at Optics Planet and Amazon mention problem with tripod. AR guy just rests his C90 on what is basically a shooting bag/rest. The board of director uses what I think may be a heavy duty surveyor tripod to mount his Celestron. Regardless, the tripod has been decent enough for my use.
The C90 comes with a 39X and 100X lens.....yea, its description reads being a variable 39X-100X. Nothing variable about the power other than it takes another eyepiece lens in a different mm size to change the power. The 39X is a 32mm eyepiece and the 100X is a 12.5mm. I've bought an additional eyepiece lens that is a 20mm/62X power. Its price was around $30.
My basic thoughts on the Celestron C90 as a spotting scope. Pretty decent for its price. You should be happy with its clarity for target shooting.....I am. Most of my viewing thru it has been on our 200 yd range with the 39X lens. Works great. Have tried the 100X lens at 200 yds, difficult to use at this range. Why I purchased the 62X. Used the 62X today at 200 yds while shooting at a 18" target. It worked well. No problems seeing my holes in target. I was shooting a 223 and a couple of 6mm rifles. Tried my 100X lens on our 400 yd range. Unfortunately, it was very late in the morning and the mirage was a problem. So, can't comment on clarity of the 100X lens at 400 yds.
The C90 comes with a 39X and 100X lens.....yea, its description reads being a variable 39X-100X. Nothing variable about the power other than it takes another eyepiece lens in a different mm size to change the power. The 39X is a 32mm eyepiece and the 100X is a 12.5mm. I've bought an additional eyepiece lens that is a 20mm/62X power. Its price was around $30.
My basic thoughts on the Celestron C90 as a spotting scope. Pretty decent for its price. You should be happy with its clarity for target shooting.....I am. Most of my viewing thru it has been on our 200 yd range with the 39X lens. Works great. Have tried the 100X lens at 200 yds, difficult to use at this range. Why I purchased the 62X. Used the 62X today at 200 yds while shooting at a 18" target. It worked well. No problems seeing my holes in target. I was shooting a 223 and a couple of 6mm rifles. Tried my 100X lens on our 400 yd range. Unfortunately, it was very late in the morning and the mirage was a problem. So, can't comment on clarity of the 100X lens at 400 yds.
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