Are you looking for the best spotting scope under $500. You have stumbled upon the right place. We have created a list of the best spotting scopes under $500 to give you a number of options from which to choose from.
There are so many spotting scopes available in the market. The price varies from on product to the other based on the brand and the quality of construction. With the right spotting scope, you will be able to have a better glassing experience whether you are hunting, bird watching, viewing wildlife or doing any other activity.
What Makes a Great Spotting Scope
A great spotting scope is made of a plethora of features that work together to give you a reliable glassing tool. Firstly, a spotting scope must have a versatile zoom range and a large objective lens to help you glass objects across vast distances.
Furthermore, the scope has to have quality glass and proper lens coatings. Quality glass like ED or HD maximize resolution while lens coatings ensure high levels of light transmission for bright and clear image views.
The other Essential Features a Great Spotting Scope Should have Include:
- A long eye relief that allows for comfortable glassing with or without glasses
- Good performance in low lighting settings
- A robust housing that is rubber armored for added protection in the field
- Waterproof, dustproof and fog proof construction
- A focus system that is not just smooth to operate, but also quick to bring the image into focus
Best Spotting Scope under $500
With market flooded with spotting scopes from different brands, finding the right model for your needs can be a chore especially when you are on a budget. We have done the leg work for you and created a list of the top-performing models available under $500. Let’s take a look.
1) Vanguard Endeavor 20-60x82mm HD 82A Spotting Scope
First up, we have the Vanguard Endeavor 20-60x82mm HD 82A Spotting Scope. This spotting scope comes with an array of impressive and reliable features that make it the best spotting scope under $500.
The optical finesse of this spotting scope is what makes it shine when compared with similarly priced scopes from other brands. It boasts fully multi-coated optics, extra-low dispersion glass and phase-corrected prisms that work together to produce bright and clear image views that are rich in color.
To complement the quality optical features is a rugged housing that protects the delicate optics from damage. The spotting scope is crafted from magnesium alloy which is not just rugged, but also lightweight. The scope also has its optical tube sealed and filled with inert gas to be fully waterproof and fog proof.
This versatile spotting scope also features coarse and fine focus controls, built-in sunshield to block stray light and an angled eyepiece that is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees from the objective lens.
Features
- Fully waterproof and fog proof
- Built-in sunshield
- Rugged magnesium housing
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Angled eyepiece design
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- Rubber armored body
Pros
- Interchangeable eyepiece mount
- Durable and reliable construction
- Clear and bright optics
Cons
- Image quality declines at higher zoom levels
2) Athlon Optics Argos 20-60x85mm HD Spotting Scope
Athlon continues to make quality and valuable optics and the Argos 20-60x85mm HD Spotting Scope is not any different. The scope is designed with good optical quality and a ton of other features to enhance your views when outdoors.
The spotting scope features an oversized 85mm objective lens to draw in more light in low light settings. It also features phase-coated Porro prisms and fully multi-coated lenses to deliver great image brightness and clarity with in the reach of every outdoor enthusiast out there.
When it comes to construction, the spotting scope features a lightweight yet rugged composite chassis that is rubber armored. The optical tube is waterproofed for usability in all kinds of environments. It is also filled with nitrogen gas to promote thermal stability and prevent internal fogging.
The scope also comes with a rotating rung that you use to rotate it around into different glassing angles during use.
Features
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Waterproof and nitrogen filled
- 20-60x magnification power
- Phase coated Porro prism
- 6061 aircraft quality aluminum housing
- 4ft close focus
- Rubber armored body
Pros
- Large, barrel mounted focus wheel
- Excellent resolution
- Simple to use
- Excellent craftmanship
Cons
- Narrow depth of field at 60x
3) Barska 25-75×100 Blackhawk Spotter
When it comes to versatility, the Barska 25-75×100 Blackhawk Spotter is hard to beat. It has a vast 25-75x zoom range and a large 100mm aperture that provide for a closer and more detailed look of you are bird watching, hunting and star gazing.
The spotting scope is built ready for any environment. It has a waterproof and fog proof construction that makes it ideal for use even in harsh weather conditions. It also boasts a robust housing to weather whatever Mother Nature has in store for your outdoor expedition.
Built with a variable zoom magnification, the scope will let you lock on to your subject then zoom it in for greater detail. Optically, the spotting scope has BAK-4 prism glass and multi-coated optics that maximize light transfer for bright and clear sight pictures from dawn till dusk.
Features
- 25-75x magnification
- Multi-coated optics
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Angled eyepiece design
- BAK-4 Porro prism
- 32ft close focus
Pros
- Quality construction
- Easy to use
- Comfortable eye relief
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- No ED glass
4) Celestron -Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope
Next on our list of the best spotting scope under $500 is the Celestron -Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope. This is a great value all-round angled viewing spotting scope that is compact, lightweight and travel-friendly.
The spotting scope is a perfect companion for nature observation and long-range viewing. It has a large 80mm aperture that draws in more light than the smaller counterparts. It also boasts fully multi-coated lenses yield bright and clear image views by optimizing light transmission.
Another highlight of the spotting scope is that it is designed for use in all environments. It is waterproofed to keep the optics free of moisture, dirt and dust. raining. The optical tube is also filled with dry nitrogen gas to drive out moisture and internal lens fogging.
For added convenience, the spotting scope is designed with ease of use in mind. It has a large focus dial that makes focusing quick and smooth. It also comes with a T-mount adapter that makes it Digiscoping-ready.
Features
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Sharp zoom eyepiece function
- Waterproof and fog proof construction
- Angled eyepiece design
- Built-in T-adapter for Digiscoping
- Large focus dial
Pros
- Versatile
- Decent price
- Fast and easy to use
- Good quality optics
Cons
- Image quality declines with increase in magnification
5) Hawke Sports Endurance ED 13-39x50mm Spotting Scope
If you are looking for a spotting scope that offers detailed and high-definition views of everything nature has to offer, then look no further than the Hawke Sports Endurance ED 13-39x50mm Spotting Scope. It offers the perfect way to get closer to nature and soak up on high-quality views of the subjects you are glassing.
The selling point of this spotting scopes is the compact form that makes it a perfect tool for travel. It is light as feather for easy maneuverability and Simple to use as well. Besides, it comes with twist up/down eyecup that gives you the ability to customize the eye relief based on your glassing needs.
Optically, the spotting scope features extra-low dispersion glass that yields crisp clear views by eliminating chromatic aberrations. The dielectric coatings minimize light loss through internal reflection and with the fully multi-coated optics you are guaranteed of bright, crisp and sharp images.
To achieve ultra-fine focusing, this device features a dual focus knob. It is also purged with nitrogen and waterproofed to provide a lifetime of all-weather performance.
Features
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Dual focus knob
- Twist-up eyecup
- Waterproof and fog free
- Angled eyepiece design
- Pull out sunshade for blocking stray light
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Great eye relief
- Easy to use
- Built to last
Cons
- Smaller zoom range
6) Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scope
Vortex 20-60×60 Diamondback Spotting Scope is the best spotting scope under $500 for hunting. It offers outstanding performance in the hunting field and comes with nearly every feature a hunter needs to have a more successful hunting trip.
The rugged construction makes the spotting scope ideal for use even in rough terrains that you are less familiar with. It will take in the beating and be at your service when you need it the most. Besides, it is waterproof and fog proof for use in any weather condition.
Outstanding optical performance is another thing you get from this spotting scope. It employs XR fully multi-coated lenses that yield clear and brilliant images from sunrise till sunset. Even better, the optic comes with a built-in sunshade that maximizes your glassing comfort by blocking excessive sunlight.
Furthermore, the scope has a twist-and-lock collar that you use to move it into different glassing positions during use. Other convenience features included are an adjustable eyecup, easy to use focus wheel and a powerful zoom eyepiece.
Features
- 20ft close focus
- Powerful zoom eyepiece
- XR fully multi-coated lenses
- Rubber armored body
- Twist-and-lock collar
- Adjustable eyecup
- Built-in sunshade
Pros
- Smooth focusing mechanism
- Good glass quality
- Good magnification range
Cons
- Stiff zooming ring on the eyepiece
7) Gosky Updated 20-60×80 Spotting Scope
The Gosky Updated 20-60×80 Spotting Scope is another high-quality spotting scope built for the outdoor enthusiasts. It is ideal for a wide range of activities including birding, hunting and hiking, in addition to archery, target shooting and astronomical observation.
If you like to capture the views of the subjects that you view, this spotting scope comes with a phone adapter as well as an SLR mount that is compatible with most Canon cameras. It has a powerful 20-60x magnification for use at close to long ranges, and a large objective lens to complement the versatile zoom.
More importantly, this spotting scope has a 45-degree angled eyepiece that provides a more comfortable viewing. It also features fully multi-coated lenses to enhance image brightness and color, and a retractable sunshade to reduce glare.
In terms of construction, the spotting scope features a durable framework with a high-quality rubber armor that shields it from shock and provides a non-slip grip. It is also waterproof, fog proof and dust proof to be operable in all weather conditions.
Features
- Fully multi-coated green film eyepiece lens
- Variable 20-60x magnification
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Rubber armored body
- Retractable sun shade
- 45 degrees angled eyepiece
- Smartphone Digiscoping adapter
Pros
- Versatile
- Bright and crisp views
- Lots of accessories included
- Lightweight and easy to use
Cons
- Color and clarity issues at high magnification powers
- The tripod included is short
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Spotting Scope under $500
Usage
There are several factors you need to consider when shopping for the best spotting scope under $500 and the first one is usage. The kind of outdoor activity you plan to use the spotting scope for determines which model you get.
Is it for hunting, astronomical use, birding, Digiscoping or target shooting? When you are activity-specific, it will be much easier for you to make the right purchase.
Weight
The weight in spotting scope varies from one product to the other. Generally, the high-powered modes are quite heavy and bulky compared with the moderate-powered models. Factor in your needs and the environments you will be using the scope for and find the right balance between good optical performance and weight.
Magnification
The next thing to consider is the magnification power the scope has. For most applications, a model with magnification power that ranges between 15x and 60x is sufficient. So, look for a scope that either has 15-45x or 20-60x zoom configuration if you want to get the best in terms of magnification.
Glass and Coating Types
For a spotting scope to be useful, it must yield clear image views in virtually all lighting conditions. To achieve this, it needs to have high-quality glass and good lens coatings. A scope with ED or HD glass will maximize resolution and enhance color accuracy. A good spotting scope will also have proper lens coating to maximize light transmission.
Durability
Durability is very important in spotting scopes. Without quality construction, the scope will end up being destroyed after a few times of use. Look for a spotting scope that is well-made using premium quality materials. With quality construction, it will not just last long, but be more reliable. The best spotting scope under $500 should also be waterproofed and fog proofed for use in all types of weather conditions.
Also Read
FAQs
- What is a spotting scope good for?
A spotting scope is basically a miniature telescope that is more versatile, portable and simpler to use. The vast zoom power and larger objective lens found in spotting scopes makes them a perfect glassing tool for a wide range of activities. This includes bird watching, hunting, archery, target shooting and astronomical observation among others.
- What do numbers in a spotting scope represent?
The two set of numbers in a spotting scope configuration represent the magnification power and the objective lens size. So, in a 20-60x80mm model, 20-60x is the variable magnification power and 80 is the diameter of the objective lens in mm.
Conclusion
Spotting scopes come with fantastic features that make them ideal for a ton of outdoor applications. All the models we have mentioned above come with impressive features that every outdoor enthusiast will appreciate. Look at the features that each spotting scope has, then use the information from this guide to find the best product for your needs.