Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

If you wish to make a donation to this forum's operation , it would be greatly appreciated.
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/targettalk?yours=true

Moderators: pilkguns, m1963, David Levene, Spencer, Richard H

Forum rules
If you wish to make a donation to this forum's operation , it would be greatly appreciated.
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/targettalk?yours=true
Post Reply
User avatar
gimgim
Posts: 241
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:13 pm
Location: Bay Area, CA

Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by gimgim »

The one I have (Ncstar 20-60x60mm, probably this one https://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/re ... 6060g.html) needs to be replaced and I am looking for something (1) inexpensive (2) that can resolve .22 at 100 yards.
Any suggestions? I will buy online, so I won't have the possibility of trying it.
Thanks
brent375hh
Posts: 740
Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:04 am
Location: Minneapolis

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by brent375hh »

I have a Konus 20x60 -100. It wasn't overly expensive, and I thought it a good value in glass.
Rover
Posts: 7039
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:20 pm
Location: Idaho panhandle

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by Rover »

There are some good cheapies out there. Don't get all hot and sweaty over one with a zoom lens. At the lower end, they are nothing but blurry crap.
Gwhite
Posts: 3353
Joined: Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:04 pm
Location: Massachusetts

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by Gwhite »

The OP didn't say, but the biggest issue I've had is that many scopes won't focus down to 10 meters for air pistol. If you don't shoot air pistol on electronic targets, that might be a concern. I went through about 6 cheap Bushnells in a gun store many years ago to find one that would JUST focus down to 10 meters.
brent375hh
Posts: 740
Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:04 am
Location: Minneapolis

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by brent375hh »

Gwhite wrote: Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:07 am The OP didn't say, but the biggest issue I've had is that many scopes won't focus down to 10 meters for air pistol. If you don't shoot air pistol on electronic targets, that might be a concern. I went through about 6 cheap Bushnells in a gun store many years ago to find one that would JUST focus down to 10 meters.
Are spotting scopes allowed under 10m AP ISSF rules?
dulcmr-man
Posts: 288
Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:07 pm
Location: Prescott, AZ

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by dulcmr-man »

You didn't give a price range to define "inexpensive" and that might help. I use a Kowa TSN-611 for bullseye and it easily resolves .22 holes at 50 yards. I've never tried it at 100 yards. It will also focus down to 10 meters so when I practice air pistol in my garage I can check my shot calls with it. it's no longer made but available on the used market.

Having said that, I suspect that inexpensive and the ability to resolve small holes at 100 yards are two requirements that may be incompatible. It's been my experience that good glass doesn't come cheap. You get what you pay for.

Dennis, aka Dulcmrman
spektr
Posts: 887
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:53 pm

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by spektr »

Ok, I shoot indoors mostly in the PNW.
I tossed 35 bucks at a harbor freight scope with the angled zoom lens and
a focus knob. its perfectly adequate and focuses perfectly from 10 meters out to 25 yds indoors.
I can easily see and seperate all the holes, even inside a bit of a dim range.
I haven't shot at 100 outside with it, but so far I'm happy. Mind you I haven't looked thru many others yet,
but its doing ok considering its banging around the car in the pistol box 4 days a week.
Gwhite
Posts: 3353
Joined: Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:04 pm
Location: Massachusetts

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by Gwhite »

brent375hh wrote: Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:41 am
Gwhite wrote: Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:07 am The OP didn't say, but the biggest issue I've had is that many scopes won't focus down to 10 meters for air pistol. If you don't shoot air pistol on electronic targets, that might be a concern. I went through about 6 cheap Bushnells in a gun store many years ago to find one that would JUST focus down to 10 meters.
Are spotting scopes allowed under 10m AP ISSF rules?
The ISSF assumes everyone has electronic targets, so they don't allow them. A large number of local club matches still use paper, and with 5 shots per target, they allow scopes.
Xman
Posts: 326
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 1:53 pm
Location: Tyler, TX

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by Xman »

Go to optics planet. The Hawke line of spotting scopes have Excellent glass. I have the 9-27 x 56 and I can see .22 very easily in the black at 50yds at 17x. It is very compact and the Hawke line has a lot of sizes, magnification and styles. prices are surprisingly reasonable. I used to have a Bushnell Spacemaster zoom 20-45x60 and the Hawke is IMHO is superior and Optics Planet has free returns.
seamaster
Posts: 645
Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2011 6:24 pm

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by seamaster »

All depends on your lighting.

In bright light, all scopes look good.

In dim light, only scope with objective larger than 50mm standout.
Green_Canoe
Posts: 124
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2015 5:59 pm
Location: MI, USA

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by Green_Canoe »

I have the Konus mentioned above w/ the 80mm objective. I can see .22 holes at 100 yards as long as they are not in the black. If in the black, the black hole blends with the black ink.
Moy
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:50 am
Location: WA, USA

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by Moy »

I shoot 22 outdoors at 50 and 100 yards almost exclusively. I use a 20-60x80, I think Athlon Talos, should be under $150. It resolves 22 holes at about 30x, except under certain conditions, in which case you have to bump it up to 40x+. It works better if you're shooting at colored cardstock.

It occasionally can resolve 22 holes at 200 yards, but the glass isn't the clearest. So that's very hit or miss.
KDZ
Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2020 8:20 pm

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by KDZ »

I bought this one online a few months ago and it works fine down to 10yd

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DC ... =UTF8&th=1

It has an adapter for phone cam that isn't great but the optics are very good for the price point.
B Lafferty
Posts: 459
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2018 11:23 am

Re: Recommendations for inexpensive spotting scope

Post by B Lafferty »

I have a Barska 20-60x60 scope that is quite functional out to 100 meters. IIRC, it cost around $80 on Amazon. It's marginal, depending on lighting conditions, out to 200 meters.
"No mud; no Lotus."-- Thich Nhat Hanh
Post Reply