Is this Spotting Scope good?

[efeng9622]

I am going to buy a Spotting scope to see a target in 50-100 yards exactly ( use .22 rifle),but I can’t pay too much now . I am using two scopes, the one is a 7-9x-40 rifle scope, I installed it on my rifle , the other one is a 12x binoculars, I am using it to see the target but I am not satisfied it.
I saw one on Wal-Mart. “Remington 20x50mm Spotting Scope. $ 44.87 “. I think it is the cheapest one I can find now but don’t know it.I like to hear some comments about this product and any suggestion.

Thanks!

 

[Mal H]

To be honest, I haven't found a cheap spotting scope that was worth anything. Even though that one has "Remington" printed on it, you can bet it isn't up to general Remington quality.

Now, it might be possible that it's a good one. I would test the scope right there in the store for clarity and crispness at high magnification. Keep in mind that the lighting in the store will be vastly different from that where you will be using the scope. So look for any smokiness or dimming, it will be compounded at the range.

 

[johnmcl]

Mal and efang,

I'm not sure whether $200 is in your budget or not, but if so, please consider the Konus 80mm. I bought this somewhat at risk wondering if it would let me see AR holes at 200m.

I could not be happier.

John

 

[chestnut ridge]

Look on ebay; find a Bausch & Lomb senior with the 20x eyepiece.
I have bought several for around 150. Often they have a freeland
saddle and stand. This is USA quality, from the good old days.

 

[nbkky71]

For $45 I wouldn't expect crystal clear optics, but you should easily be able to see .22 bullet holes at 100 yards with a 20x spotting scope.

Whichever optics you choose, see if you can get a 45 degree eyepiece. It's much easier to look through the scope rather than crane your neck all the time.

Variable power can be nice, but high magnification can also magnify distortions and mirage.

Another inexpensive alternative are spotting scopes made by Celestron.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Achromatic and apochromatic refractor telescopes made by Celestron, Meade, and similar are good candidates as their glass quality is generally higher for astronomical work, but you won't have the waterproof/resistant ability of scopes sold for sport purposes.

20x should easily resolve .22 holes at 100 yards even with lower end optics, as long as you have a good, stable tripod. If you're going to go thrifty, don't be tempted by variables or huge magnification. On most all of the budget scopes, chromatic abberation and general distortion is so bad at the upper magnification ranges that it's not useable, or the light available becomes so small, you get very poor color and resolution.

I second the 45 degree eyepiece, and its a big plus if it has a rotatable body mount. I use mine so the spotting scope is on my left and the eyepiece points inwards towards me. As a right-handed shooter, I only have to turn my head left to spot my hits/misses.

I would also suggest researching what the birdwatchers use. Many of them use terrestrial refractor telescopes as well as sport optics for birdwatching. They're pickier than us when it comes to quality.

 

[partyharty]

It is not a bad spotting scope. I purchased it a while back for use in a cheap digiscoping setup. It does what I need it to do.

It is not even in the same boat as the several hundred dollar rigs but I doubt you will have much of a problem with 50/100 yard targets.

Remember to find out what the return policy is and you can return it if it doesn't do what you want it to do. Thats pretty much the only reason I purchased it at Walmart b/c if it didn't do what I wanted it was going back.

 

[partyharty]

Oh yeah Cesiumsponge reminded me,

The tripod really stinks (it would prob be ok if you were shooting at a range with a table). That was my main gripe point about that scope.

 

[Rembrandt]

....Is this Spotting Scope good?....I saw one on Wal-Mart. $ 44.87 “.

Need to be brutally honest here.....you don't really believe a $45 spotting scope from Walmart has the possibility of being of good quality? Granted, it's probably better than than looking through a discarded toilet paper tube with glass lenses glued in each end. If the question is will it work to see bullet holes at 100 yards?,.....the answer is probably yes.

 

[jpwilly]

I have a Barska that I purchased for $89 and ti has variable power from 20x-60x. I have no problem using it for 100yrs out to 500yrds. with my 223.

 

[Jubjub]

I have a 20X50 Burris scope for exactly the same task. Plenty good enough to see .17 holes at 100 yards; small and light enough to stuff in the bag with the ammo, magazines, staple gun, etc.

Not something for extended range, or to stare through all day, but fine for an average day's shooting.

 

[igpoobah]

+1 for the Konus. Love mine!

 

[efeng9622]

The only thing I don’t like this scope is that the tripod is looks like not good and stable. I will to search all products which you mentioned and maybe buy one around $100.00.

Thanks!

 

[24kshooter]

You are seeming to ask questions about 2 products - 1. a rifle scope and 2. a spoting scope. 12 X is too much power for a 22 cal rifle scope. I recommend you buy a Simmons 6 x 24 x 40 scope from Midway for just over $100 and put on your rifle. This will take the place of a spotting scope. You will be able to see any 22 cal bullet hole at 100 plus yards - if you want a dedicated spoting scope +1 on KONUS or the older B&L ( they are really nice quality).

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

I paid $130 for a Bushnell Spacemaster. I like it alot. No, it isn't high end, but you can see .223 holes at 200 yards. The advantage is, it has an eye piece that both swivels and tilts. A feature found only on much more expensive spotters. It has a built in retractable sunshade and the eye relief is longer than most - allowing you to keep your shooting glasses on while you peek through it. Adjustable eye piece, long eye relief makes this a great value.

Is this something you want to use out to 500 yards? No way. Then again, I've found that past 200 even $1,200 spotters become useless if the mirage kicks up enough. The higher dollar spotters are a value when conditions are perfect and you need to resolve tiny holes at great distance.

Most people are not shooting that far, myself included. Most of my range shooting is done at 100-200. Don't need superior glass for that. It definitely looks better, but it isn't a necessity. That is why I value the ability to tilt and swivel the eyepiece and the long eye relief much more.

Don't get me wrong, if I need to do serious spotting at extended ranges, I will upgrade to a spotter with better optics no doubt.

 

[efeng9622]

24Kshooter,

I am sorry for confusing you. I have one question not two.
I only want to buy one spotting scope ( with tripod ) to see bullet holes in 100 yards. I want to use this scope to replace my 12X binoculars because 12X can’t see those holes clearly.
I already installed a 7-9x-40 rifle scope ( or someone call it “target scope”) on my .22 rifle, I think it is ok for me now.

Thanks!

 

[MilsurpShooter]

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=339245

I have one for 100 yard target shooting, see the holes fine, sturdy tripod and it's very, very, clear. Hard case is nice, everything stores and the handgrip is a nice addition in case you don't want to deal with tripod setup