Cheap/good spotting scope?

[nrgetik]

I need a recommendation, looking to spend no more than $75 or so on something that I could use up to 100 yds, preferably on a pod

Simple, straightforward, first buy

Thanks guys

 

[browningguy]

The cheap Burris will work for 100 yards, I don't know of anything better for that amount. It's the one they give away with the purchase of a FFII scope on occasion.

 

[Stan_TheGunNut]

I have one of these:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/barska-20-60x60-blackhawk-spotting-scopes.html

I paid ~$80 for it, but I got it when it was on sale someplace online. I don't remember exactly where. It's inexpensive, but does provide a clear picture at 100 yards. I can see 22 caliber holes with it, which is what I wanted. It came with a hard case, a soft case, and a tripod.

 

[nrgetik]

That was a hell of a buy Stan. Those things are $110 everywhere you go. There is a Barska 20-60x60 for $82 but it seems bigger, and someone said the lens cap isn't a tight fit.

I found quite a few Burris scopes, not really sure which one you're referring to browningguy.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/24408

That one maybe?

 

[PC40]

The one at Bud's - "Scope not included" - it's just the tripod! I was gonna buy one til I saw that.

 

[nrgetik]

Haha, yes it seems they are having problems with their website, I have no plans to buy from them either

 

[railroader]

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=SN841208&src=tpCtgOp Maybe? Mark

 

[1858rem]

how about a spotting scope to see a .204 hole at 300yds....my 3-9X40mm rifle scope is good nuff for 100yds, but dont cut it much farther

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

no more than $75 or so

Ouch, don't do it, or your

first buy

will soon be a second when you replace it. And then what kind of a deal was the first one? But, if that's truly all you have to spend, add it to the price of the scope for your rifle (such as say, a 4.5-14x), and get a better scope than you otherwise had planned on - you should be able to see the target as well with a good 12-14x scope as a cheap spotter.

Up the budget to twice that ($150), and I can make a recommendation of something you can get by on at 100, or at 200 with good light or shoot-n-c's.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The Barska 20-60x60 was on-sale at sportsmanguide for $49.95 a while back. I don't care to do business with SG but at that price I held my nose.
The scope is nicer than I thought I would get for that $$. Great clarity out to about 300 yds, then starts to get a bit fuzzy, could be my old eyes???

They still have it on sale.

 

[heron]

Cheap optics are not a bargain, but if you must keep the price as low as possible, look for one with a fixed magnification instead of the zoom jobs; that will minimize the number of lenses and mechanical parts. 20x should be enough for 100 yds.

 

[nrgetik]

Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow:
I mean, I bought the rifle for $160 out the door. I'm not going to spend more on the scope than I bought the rifle for if I don't really need to. If it lasts 2 years, I'll have gotten my money's worth.

This is all very casual for me still, and I'm young and poor. I just need something that will do the job.

madcratebuilder:
I'm going to take a serious look at that scope, it seems like a pretty hot deal. What was shipping like for you? Their site does not seem to have a shipping calculator on it.

 

[SwampWolf]

I mean, I bought the rifle for $160 out the door. I'm not going to spend more on the scope than I bought the rifle for if I don't really need to. If it lasts 2 years, I'll have gotten my money's worth.

Well, I guess you gotta do what you gotta do but what I think Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow was getting at is cheap and good just don't go together when optics are involved. What you paid for the firearm has no bearing on the question at hand-if it had been a gift, would you expect a free scope? And you will not have gotten your "money's worth" no matter how much or how little you paid for the scope and no matter how long it lasts if the scope is optically inferior. Ask me how I know!

The Dr. (and I) are just trying to keep you from squandering your hard-earned money. Then again you are "young and poor"- been there done that.

 

[nrgetik]

I understand what you guys are saying for sure, but higher price does not always imply higher quality.

And yeah I said cheap and good, not cheap and great. You can get things for a cheap price that are also good, I do it all the time. They might not be great or exceptional, but I define good as satisfying the need I am trying to fulfill. Eventually I'll want something that I can spot at longer distances with (assuming I continue with the hobby), but at the moment I do not even know of a place where I can go, range or outdoors, where I can shoot farther than 100 yards. And I have to drive 1 hour for that as it is.

So what do you and the Dr. think about some of the other scopes people have been recommending? Specifically what madcratebuilder has linked for $50 + shipping (which might turn out to be free).

 

[Average Joe]

I have a Burris 20x60, I paid $49 off Ebay. I use it out to 100 yards, I can see .22LR holes at that distance, with pretty good clarity.

 

[jcwit]

Sportsmans Guide has the Barska back on sale for $49.97. It has up to 60 power. I don't have a Barska but do have a Winchester which was made in china (sorry to say) but it does the job out to 150 yards which is as far as our range goes.

I realize its not a Leupold but hey all I want to do is see .17 & .22 cal. holes in paper and that is what it does.

 

[nrgetik]

I went ahead and ordered the $50 Barska, I'll let you guys know how it is. Thanks!

 

[Coronach]

Konus makes a good bargain scope. I've been using a Bushnell that I bought off of a buddy for about $50. He got it as part of a package deal, and had no need for it. It is not a great scope, but it works for .223 holes at 100yds if the conditions are decent (mirage can make them hard to see) and .30 cal holes further out.

Eventually I'll upgrade, but this works well enough that it is low on the list of priorities.

Mike

 

[SwampWolf]

I went ahead and ordered the $50 Barska, I'll let you guys know how it is. Thanks

!

Please do. If it turns out to be good (it's already cheap), I'll get me one (or two) at that price!

 

[bonedust]

i picked up an NC Star to use at our range. makes it so i can see guys arrow placement on the 20yd archery range from behind the counter. its been a nice scope, i think i paid $99.

 

[carbine85]

I wouldn't recommend the Barska. I have one and it sucks out past 100 yards. If it's a hot day you can't make out anything. The optics are poor. The next thing I'm buying is a real nice spotting scope. Simmons has a decent one for under $100.00, but a good one will set you back $200-400.00. One real important thing is the stand. You need one that won't move or vibrate on windy days.

 

[Smokey Joe]

It's been said before...

Cheap, sturdy, hi-quality. Pick any 2. You don't get all 3.

I've been a starving student--it ain't pleasant but you survive. You do without stuff. If it's a gotta-have and you buy it cheap, you plan on its not working very well.

As a friend of mine says, "It's good to want things. It shows you're not dead."

And it gives you something to look forward to when you invent cold fusion and get rich.

 

[jcramin]

I got this one from Sam's

Natural Gear Spotting Scope
Magnification Power 15-45 Zoom
Objective Lens 60mm Diameter
Comes in a hard and a tripod

It was $69

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=400285

 

[nrgetik]

That Sam's Club one looks nice, too bad I'm not a member.

And I don't really care about out past 100 yds right now. Like I said, that's the farthest I can shoot right now anyways.

 

[sohcgt2]

Simmons makes a spotting scope in that price range available at wal-mart.