Best Budget Spotting Scopes for Hunting
If you’re in the market for a new spotting scope, you might believe that a high-quality spotting scope costs hundreds of dollars. While this was once true, today you can get a good spotting scope for less. Spotting scopes are ideal for hunting game at a distance because of their high magnification. You’ll be able to easily locate the game, plan your shot, and improve your chances of hitting it correctly.
We’ve put together a list of reviews for some of the best budget spotting scopes. We also created a buyer’s guide to walk you through the ins and outs of spotting scopes so you can figure out which model is right for you, even if this is your first time looking.
Straight versus Angled Spotting Scopes
Straight viewing and angled viewing are the two most common spotting scope configurations. The erecting prism directs the light path straight in line with the body, or at an angle, typically 45 degrees, to the body, at the back of the scope. One of the first things a hunter must consider when purchasing a spotting scope is whether it is straight or angled.
In general, users, especially novice hunters, find that a straight scope makes it easier to acquire and track targets, but an angled scope provides more viewing comfort
Why Choose Best Budget Spotting Scopes For Hunting
- Excellent optical performance and a high-quality build.
- Magnification is increased, which is ideal for long-range hunting in any environment.
- Binoculars and rifle scopes have less stability and image clarity than scopes.
- Affordable
Best Budget Spotting Scopes for Hunting
Celestron – Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope
With a comfortable 45-degree viewing angle that’s ideal for glassing targets uphill or downhill, the Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope is one of the best budget spotting scopes for hunting. It’s small and light, making it simple to pack and transport in the field.
The scope has a tough, rubber armored exterior that provides reliable field protection. It’s also sealed to keep moisture and dirt out and filled with dry nitrogen to keep the lens from fogging up due to rapid temperature changes. A Digiscoping T-mount adapter and a removable eyecup are included for comfortable glassing.
This spotting scope has you covered whether you prefer to hunt early in the morning or late at night. For optimal light collection and transmission, it has a large 80mm objective lens with multiple anti-reflective coatings. It also has premium BaK-4 prisms, which produce bright, clear, and razor-sharp images in any lighting condition.
Features
- 80 mm Refractor Spotting Scope
- Multi-Coated optics
- 45° viewing angle
- 20-60x zoom eyepiece
- Sight tube for quick targeting
- Waterproof
- Soft carrying case
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes Straight
Look no further than the Viper HD 15-4565 Spotting Scope if you’re looking for a high-end Vortex spotting scope at a reasonable price. It has a long list of high-end optical features and exceptional performance that any hunter will appreciate.
The straight viewing angle of this Vortex spotting scope allows for comfortable long-range observation from any hunting position. It also includes HD premium glass lenses that are fully multi-coated to maximize light transmission for bright image production. The lenses have a scratch-resistant ArmorTek coating that produces high-resolution, color-accurate images.
The Viper HD spotting scope, like all Vortex optics, is completely waterproof and fog-proof for all-weather use. It’s made of high-strength composite material and has a non-slip rubber armor for added durability. It also has an integrated sunshade to reduce glare, a multi-position eyecup for comfortable wearing, and a smooth helical focus for quick precision focusing.
Features
- Straight-Through Viewing
- 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- Large 85mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism
- High-Density, Extra-Low Dispersion Glass
- XR and ArmorTek Multi-Coated Lenses
- Lightweight and Durable Magnesium Body
- Argon Filled, Water and Fogproof
- Rotating Tripod Collar, 1/4″-20 Mount
- Helical Single-Speed Focuser
Celestron Ultima 65 18 to 55×65 Straight Spotting Scope
The 18-55x65mm Spotting Scope is ideal for beginners who are interested in taking up hunting as a new hobby. It’s not only affordable, but it’s also simple to use. It has a portable design and a straight viewing angle that is ideal for beginners.
The spotting scope is designed to work in a variety of conditions. Thanks to the adjustable magnification range of 18x to 55x, you’ll be able to engage targets from a variety of distances. It also features multi-coated optics that provide bright, clear image views from dawn to dusk.
The Ultima spotting scope is designed to last a lifetime. It has a long-lasting, waterproof, and fog-proof housing. It’s also filled with dry nitrogen gas to prevent fogging on the internal lenses, and it’s sealed to keep dirt, dust, and moisture out. It also includes a large focus dial for precise focusing, a Digiscoping T-adapter, and an eyepiece lens cap.
Features
- Multi-Coated Optics
- Straight through viewing angle
- Sight Tube for Quick Targeting
- 65 mm Refractor Spotting Scope
- 18-55x zoom eyepiece
- Waterproof
- Soft carrying case
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Athlon Optics Talos 20-60×80 Spotter Scope
This is the spotting scope to get if you want the best value for your money when it comes to hunting. At a remarkably low price, the Talos spotting scope is designed with a wide range of user-friendly and high-quality features. It’s also extremely adaptable, making it suitable for a variety of outdoor uses.
This spotting scope is designed for the serious hunter. It has sufficient magnification for long-range viewing and a wide-angle field of view, which hunters require for easy game scanning. It also has high-quality optics and fully multi-coated lenses that deliver bright, vivid, and razor-sharp images in any lighting condition.
Furthermore, the spotting scope is fully waterproof to protect the optics from rain and fogging, and it is nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging. That is not the end of it; there is more. Because it’s as light as a feather, it’s easy to transport to and from hunting grounds. It also has an angled eyepiece for comfortable glassing during long hunting sessions, as well as an extendable sunshade built in to reduce glare. Above all, it is compatible with any standard camera tripod, allowing for stable and comfortable viewing.
Features
- Silver Coated K9 Prism
- Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
- Nitrogen Purged
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Angled eyepiece design
- Built-in extendable sunshade
- Tripod compatible
- High-grade optics
- Wide-angle field of view
- Rotating tripod mounting ring
Landove HD 20-60×80 Spotting Scope
A good spotting scope, such as the Landove HD 20-6080 Spotting Scope, is a good choice for taking your hunting skills to the next level. It has a 20-60x magnification range to meet your various hunting needs, as well as an angled eyepiece for comfortable uphill and downhill glassing.
O-rings keep dust, moisture, and debris at bay. It’s also nitrogen-filled, so you won’t get fogged up. It also includes a tabletop tripod for more stable viewing and an adjustable eyecup for comfortable viewing even while wearing glasses. You can also use the eyepiece to mount your smartphone or camera and capture photos and videos of your hunting trip.
The scope’s coaxial dual speed focusing dials enable quick precision focusing for rapid target acquisition. It also has a large 80mm objective lens for maximum light collection and a wide field of view. Additionally, the optics include a multi-coated green film that provides brighter, clearer, and more color-accurate images from sunrise to sunset.
Features
- Large 80mm objective lens
- Up to 60x magnification
- Premium BaK4 prism
- Dynamic focus
- Multi-coated glass
- Weather friendly
- Portability
- Tabletop tripod
- Adjustable eyecup
SVBONY SV13 Spotting Scope Telescope for Hunting
The SVBONY SV13 Spotting Scope Telescope is another best budget spotting scope for hunting on our list. It’s a multi-purpose spotting scope that’s great for birding, hunting, and target shooting, among other things. It has a light weight design that makes it easy to carry, as well as an angled eyepiece design that allows you to locate game more comfortably.
You don’t need to buy a tripod separately with this spotting scope. It includes a high-quality aluminum tripod that is both lightweight and long-lasting. It is also IPX7 waterproof and fog proof, allowing you to use it in any weather condition.
It has an 80mm objective lens that is fully multi-coated and provides excellent light transmission. The large objective also has a large field of view at 1000 yards, measuring 82.9-48ft, allowing for easy scanning of targets. The spotting scope also has high-quality BaK4 Porro prism optics that deliver crisp, clear, and high-contrast images in any lighting condition. Other notable features of the scope include an extendable sunshade that reduces glare in bright sunlight, a twist-up eyecup that allows all users, with or without eyeglasses, to observe comfortably, and a camera mount.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Budget Spotting Scopes for Hunting
Even if you’re on a tight budget, it’s critical to get a well-made spotting scope that doesn’t skimp on quality. The following are some of the most important factors to consider when selecting the best hunting spotting scopes.
- Aperture
The size of the objective lens is referred to as the aperture. It is best to get a scope with a large aperture for hunting, especially in low-light situations. It will maximize light collection and transmission to produce bright and clear images. A large aperture also provides a wide field of view, which is essential for fast target scanning.
- Eye Relief
A spotting scope with a long eye relief is essential for making the most of your hunting trip. It will allow you to see clearly even if you wear glasses. It will also help with quick target identification for simple and quick acquisition.
- Magnification
High magnification in spotting scopes allows you to quickly locate targets at long distances. It will also provide you with detailed image views, increasing your chances of making an accurate shot depending on how far away the target is. Budget scopes with high power, on the other hand, may have subpar optics, resulting in poor image quality. As a result, look for a scope with a moderate magnification range of up to 60x.
- Glass Quality
You’ll need a clear view of the game you’re hunting in order to make accurate target acquisitions. A scope with high-quality glass is required for this. Choose a scope with ED, HD, or better optics. A scope like this will produce high-quality, color-contrast images. Make sure the scope’s optics are coated with high-quality coatings for the best light transmission.
- Weight
The comfort of your hunting trip is determined by the weight of your spotting scope. Make sure you get a lightweight spotting scope if you plan to trek for miles looking for game or if you plan to use the spotting scope handheld. It will be more convenient to carry and to hold. If you plan on hunting from a stationary position, however, you won’t have to worry about the weight.
FAQs For Best Budget Spotting Scopes for Hunting
What size spotting scope do I need for hunting?
For hunting spotting scopes, look for an optics magnification of 15-45X and an objective lens of 60 to 80mm to see well at shorter distances in low light situations, such as dusk.
Is a spotting scope good for hunting?
When it comes to scouting and glassing hillsides, there is no natural substitute for a good spotting scope. When looking through a scope, the magnification and ability to see critters at a distance increases significantly, giving you an advantage over a pair of binoculars.
Do spotting scopes have rangefinders?
They exist, but in small numbers. The Spotter LRF PRO from Newcon Optik, for example, is the world’s first combined spotting scope/laser rangefinder system. It makes acquiring range, inclination, and azimuth data on long-range targets faster, easier, and more accurate than ever before.
Final thought
Remember that a good hunting spotting scope will make your hunt more enjoyable and successful. Make the best choice for your hunting needs and hunting style by using our buying guide above. We hope that this article has informed you about the best budget spotting scopes for hunting and that you are now able to make an informed purchasing decision.