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There are many reasons for purchasing a spotting scope. You may be a bird watcher, hunter, or target shooter and want a quality piece of glass that also offers ease of use. A spotting scope is an investment that cannot be made in haste, which is why we put together this list of the nine best spotting scopes.
The scopes featured are for a range of 200 to 300 yards, which is ideal for most hunters and target shooters. Read through the buyer’s guide at the end of the article to help cover all your bases before you buy a scope.
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Best Overall | Gosky Spotting Scope |
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Best Value | Emarth Angled Spotting Scope |
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Premium Choice | Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope |
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Huicocy Spotting Scope |
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BARSKA Straight Spotting Scope |
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The Gosky offers a scope that ranges in magnification from 20 to 60 and has an 80mm lens. This means that you can view your subject anywhere from 48 feet to 1,000 yards. The BAK 4 Porro prism optics does a great job making the images brighter and clearer. The angled eyepiece allows for a more comfortable position for viewing, and the retractable sunshade is ideal for reducing glare.
The scope is protected with a rubber coating to withstand the elements, as well as against shock if dropped. The O-ring seal makes it waterproof and prevents dust and debris from entering. You receive a whole range of accessories, which can be a good thing if you want to learn how to use them; otherwise, it can be overwhelming to some or a waste of resources to others.
The best spotting scope for 200-300 yards for the money is the Emarth because it offers many great features at an affordable price. The zoom magnification ranges from 20 to 60 with a 60mm lens. This allows for close-up images and views up to 1,000 yards away. The eyepiece is angled upward so you can view objects from a lower vantage point.
The scope is rubber coated for extra protection, and the barrel is filled with nitrogen to prevent internal fogging, making it an all-weather scope. The Emarth comes with a tripod to help stabilize the scope for optimal viewing. It also comes with a cleaning kit, covers, and a storage bag.
We found that the quality of the images is sharp and full of color at lower magnification, but when you zoom in, the quality decreases, which is why it sits at the number-two spot on the list. However, the images at full zoom are recognizable.
The Bushnell scope offers a high-quality scope with many great features, yet it is pricey, which is why it didn’t reach the first two spots on the reviews list. The magnification is from 12 to 36, and it has a 50mm objective lens. You can close focus at 12 feet and up to 200 yards for clear and sharp images that are full of color. It has 100% waterproof rubber armor for extra protection from the elements while remaining fog proof.
It comes with a tripod, soft carrying case, and hard-sided case that offers premium protection. This lens doesn’t zoom as far as others, but the images retain brightness and detail at any zoom. The company offers a limited lifetime warranty, which is a great feature for many when purchasing this pricier product.
This spotting scope is ideal for hunting and target shooting because it has a magnification range from 20 to 60 and a 60mm objective lens. The eyepiece is angled at 45 degrees to help with ease of viewing, and the eyepiece diameter is 16mm for a greater field of view. The outer portion of the scope has a protective coating, and it comes with a tabletop tripod and smartphone mount kit.
We found that the focus works better if you start at the lowest magnification and then increase the power after targeting your subject. This scope is smaller in size, which makes it an ideal option for those who hike while they hunt. On the downside, an image that is in a darker area isn’t as clear as one that is in the light.
The Barska spotting scope has a magnification range from 20 to 60 times and offers a 60mm lens with fully coated optics. You can close focus at 26 feet, and the objective lens help achieve a precise focus when using the greater magnification. The outer portion is protected with a rubber coating to make it waterproof, and it is nitrogen-filled to decrease fog from forming internally.
This works best at 200 yards or less; otherwise, you begin to lose image quality. The focus knob can be difficult to adjust because it is sensitive to touch. It is a lightweight scope, which is nice for those who do foot traveling with their scope. It comes with a tripod that you will want to use when viewing at full magnification.
CreativeXP offers a scope that has many great features. It has a 20- to 60-time magnification with an 80mm objective lens that helps you view wildlife from farther away. The scope is purged with nitrogen and includes a sealed O-ring to prevent damage from the elements. The Bak4 prisms make the images clearer and brighter even when zoomed in, and the angled eyepiece makes for a more comfortable experience.
There are two focus rings to obtain the perfect picture, and it works well at 500 yards or less. The included tripod and phone adapter are not high quality, and we found many are not satisfied with these accessories. However, this American company offers a lifetime warranty on the scope and a 100% money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the purchase.
The Landove has a fully coated 80mm green film objective lens that makes the images crisper and brighter when viewing. The magnification ranges from 20 to 60, with a dynamic focusing system that helps you zoom in on a target. It is filled with high-purity nitrogen, so it is antifogging and waterproof to be able to use on rainy days or in a humid environment.
It comes with many accessories, some of which aren’t that high quality. However, the tabletop tripod and carrying case are the most beneficial of the included items. The eyepiece is angled at 45 degrees for easier viewing. On the downside, this scope works the best at less than 300 yards, and as you zoom in, the field of view is smaller.
The Redfield Rampage spotting scope has a range of 20 to 60 magnification with a 60mm lens. The BAK4 prism brings in more light and clarity to your images, especially when viewing objects that are farther away. It has a 2.2-degree angle of view with a retractable lens shade and a twist-up rubber eyepiece that makes it easier to view, even if you have glasses.
The polycarbonate body has a rubber-armored to protect from shock and the elements, and it is nitrogen filled to make it fog proof and waterproof. We like the slip-resistant ridges that make it easier to focus, and it offers a 17mm to 14mm eye relief for more comfortable viewing.
On the downside, there is image blur at higher magnifications, and this is a pricier scope. However, included in the purchase is a tripod, storage case, and covers for the eyepiece and objective lens.
The final review is for the VisionKing spotting scope that is fully waterproof and is nitrogen purged with a sealed O-ring to make it 100% fog proof. It has a magnification range from 25 to 75 and a 70mm lens. The optics are fully coated to make the images clearer, and the BAK4 prisms assist with bringing in more light. The eyepiece is angled and offers a 29 to 15 field of view and 18 to 15 eye relief from greater comfort when looking at the subject.
On the downside, the depth of field is somewhat shallow, and the more you zoom past 50mm, the more that the image becomes less clear and bright. The body is compact, which some may find useful if using for hunting and hiking, and it comes with a tripod.
It can be difficult to find a scope that features great optics for viewing ranges of 200 to 300 yards. Some factors need to be considered when narrowing down your search so you can find the perfect spotting scope for you. This buyer’s guide offers a few tips that will help you out.
Spotting scopes will have a variety of magnification ranges, and bigger isn’t always better. As you increase the magnification, the field of view and brightness will decrease. It is hard to find a good scope that has optimal images at 60X or more without paying a huge amount.
This is an important consideration because when you are looking at an object that is far away, you want the clearest picture possible so you can identify what you are seeing. A larger objective lens will give you a better image as long as the glass is of high quality. Unfortunately, this will also make your scope heavier.
A prism turns your image so you aren’t viewing it upside down. The BAK4 prism is known to provide clear images but will usually cost more than other prisms. However, if the clarity is important, you may want to get a BAK4 or higher.
You will want at least 15mm for optimal eye relief, especially if you wear glasses. If you are using the scope for target shooting, the majority of ranges require you to wear safety glasses.
Higher quality will always produce better images because of the glass and the coating that it features. A scope that offers extra protection from the elements is a positive feature if you will be using it outside. Many scopes come with a tripod that is not always of the highest quality. When viewing long distances, it is important to have a steady base, or your images will be blurry.
If you aren’t careful, you can easily spend too much money on a scope, but if you need one for shorter distances, you can still find an affordable one. Keep in mind that the lower the price, the lower the quality of the glass and optics, which are what give you the best images. However, many spotting scopes can provide good images at lower magnification.
When you’re searching for an ideal spotting scope, make sure that you know what features you need to get the best images at the range you want to view. This will ease the frustration of purchasing a scope that is not ideal for long ranges. This reviews list features nine scopes that are ideal for ranges from 200 to 300 yards.
Our top pick is the Gosky with its high-quality features and an 80mm green film objective lens that offers clear and bright images. The best value is the Emarth that has a magnification range from 20 to 60 and a 60mm lens with a 45-degree angled eyepiece that makes it comfortable to view your subjects. If the price isn’t a concern, consider the Bushnell scope, which is made from durable, high-quality materials such as armor construction and premium multi-coated optics.
Hopefully, we have provided you with plenty of information to find a spotting scope that is within your budget and your expectations so you can enjoy your time spent using it.
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Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.
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