Best cheap spotting scope

[warrington]

What is the best spotting scope for the money.

[Lubbock hunter]

buy cheap, get cheap.

[Bill]

Best? Swarovsky

Cheap? I have a Winchester branded spotting scope I bought for $65 on sale and that's what it's worth. Works 'OK' and is small enough to put in a fanny pack and not worry about if I broke it, but not something I'd want to sit and scan the sides of mountains for game for hours with.

I have not invested in good glass either in binoculars or the scope, and when I pick up my buddy's good optics there is a world of difference.

[Cuz]

Makes me wonder how and why someone would spend 1-2 thousand dollars on a spotting scope?!?! More money than they know what to do with...

[mulie_mike]

Bushnell works well for the money. We can spot aoudad 1 mile away on a hill side with it. Red head also works well. Depends on your eyes and what they like. Just because it says leica, swarvoski, or similar doesnt mean its clearer than cheaper brands as everyone has there own opinion. Go have someone lay a few out and not tell you the brand. Try em out and you will be surprised, at least I was.

[Texpppr]

What is cheap? Doug usually has some good deals at Camerland on Vortex's... (Not trying to drum him up any business but a good place to look)

[skeeter]

I like my bushnell. Came with a tri pod. I dont don much spottin with it. Mainly use it at the rifle range. Usually no more than 300yds. I have set it up a few time for the kids to look at the moon. (I guess thats a little farther than 300 yds! )

[Bill]

The guys I know who have the expensive Swarovsky scopes use them for mule deer, antelope and elk in the mountains. They'll set up in a low chair, put a towel over their head and the scope and glass the hills/ mountains for an hour or more at a time looking for distant animals. The great optics do not result in eye strain. Not much use for whitetail hunting I'd think.

[Black Dog]

Vortex has good reviews.

[bowhuntermac]

Since as an outfitter I depend on my ability to find game to pay the bills, I have used several of the big name brands looking for the perfect compromise between weight, glass, and $.

Here are some thoughts:

Nikon Pro-Staff 80mm: Great glass for the $ (you can get the kit for around $700-800 with a cheesey tri-pod and a nice cover) but HEAVY as hell if you are going to be packing all day

Swarovski 80mm (I had the straight eyepiece on mine): AWESOME clarity, but big and bulky. They are NOT cheap,but great glass isnt, so if bang for the buck is a consideration, they are not what you are looking for.

Brunton 80mm: NOT a household name, but their higher end glass is crazy clear and has a good weight/clarity/$ ratio. You can get the 20-60x80 for a grand or so.

Leupold Gold Ring HD: I now carry the 12-40 x60 HD spotter. For the $ (retails is around $1100 -$1200), it is crazy clear and has incredible light gathering for a 60mm. It is compact and lightweight as well, which was a big factor for me when looking for a new scope. I spend hours camping behind this thing every week during and before season and have never had any eyestrain. I cannot say hoow much I like them and their warranty (Lifetime) is second to none. If you can swing them, go for these and you will never wish you had something else.

This is my two cents on the four scopes I have used outfitting and hunting all over the world the last 4 years. Obviously I am VERY happpy with the Leupold Gold Ring HD scope and willl NOT be making a switch in year 5...

[Mike D]

Sit on the side of a hill with that scope to your eye for hours and you WILL see the difference between cheap glass and good glass.