Looking for the best spotting scope under $300? You have stumbled upon the right place. In our post today, we explore some of the best budget yet quality and top-performing spotting scopes available under 300 dollars.
If you like to spend time outdoors, a spotting scope is one of the best sighting tools to own. Whether you are a hunter or birder or you are into wildlife watching or astronomy, a spotting scope will help make your trip outdoors fun and more memorable.
These sighting tools are ideal for viewing targets at close to long distances where they offer spectacular views of targets and stunning details that are hard to see with other optics.
What Makes a Great Spotting Scope under $300
$300 is a good price point to start with when looking for a spotting scope. But not all scopes under this price category are great. For the scope to be great, it must have a housing that is built tough to last long and withstand rigorous use. The optical tube should be weatherproofed for all-weather reliability, and the body armor with a high-quality rubber coating for extra protection from impacts and shock.
Furthermore, the spotting scope has to have a variable zoom eyepiece and a magnification power that is broad enough to suit all your needs.
The other features that make a spotting scope great include:
- A focus system that is both smooth and simple to operate
- A large aperture that draws in more light in poor lighting conditions
- A lightweight design for ease of portability
- Long eye relief to ensure comfortable use with or without eyewear
- High-quality glass and several layers of lens coatings
6 Best Spotting Scopes under $300
Given the wide range of spotting scopes available on the market, it becomes a chore to find the best model for your needs especially when you are on a budget. If you are having a difficult time finding the best spotting scope under $300, here are the best products to pick from.
Let’s take a look.
1) Celestron – Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope
Celestron is a renowned brand in the optics industry. It makes quality, versatile and budget-friendly optics for all outdoor enthusiasts and the Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope is not an exception. This sighting tool has a multitude of great features that make it the best spotting scope under $300.
Firstly, the spotting scope is built with an angled eyepiece design that makes it ideal for glassing objects at different angles, both uphill and downhill. The variable 20-60x magnification contributes to its versatility and with the large 80mm aperture, you are guaranteed great image views even at the highest magnification power.
More importantly, the scope is built to last. It has a rugged armored exterior that offers additional protection against hard use while on the field. Additionally, it has a waterproof design that makes it safe to use in any weather condition without any fear that the optics will be damaged. The scope is also filled with dry nitrogen gas to drive out internal moisture and keep the lenses free of fog.
When it comes to optical features, the spotting scope has fully multi-coated lenses that ensure high levels of light transfer. The coatings also limit glare to provide brighter image views in virtually all lighting conditions.
Other noteworthy features included are a large focus dial for ease of focusing and a T-mount adapter for Digiscoping.
Features
- 20-60x magnification
- Angled eyepiece design
- Rubber armored body
- T-mount adapter for Digiscoping
- Waterproof and nitrogen filled
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Large focus dial
Pros
- Bright and clear optics
- Fairly lightweight and portable
- Easy to use
- Rubber armored housing
Cons
- The tripod mount is fixed
2) Celestron TrailSeeker 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope
The Celestron TrailSeeker 20-60x80mm is a high-quality spotting scope whose versatility is hard to beat. It has a compact form that makes it easy to carry around and a user-friendly design for ease of use.
This spotting scope has a variable 20-60x magnification power and a large 80mm objective lens that ensures stunning picture quality at every zoom setting. It is also outfitted with an angled eyepiece and a 360-degree rotating tripod mount that you use to position the optic in different viewing angles when you mount it on a tripod.
Furthermore, the scope features a dual-focus mechanism for focusing on targets and fine-tuning the picture for maximum clarity. Optically, it is built with high-quality glass and XLT fully multi-coated optics that enhance light transmission through the optical path to yield bright and crisp image views.
The spotting scope is also designed to work in a wide range of weather conditions and keep the lenses free of fog even when you move in areas that have a high temperature and humidity gradient.
Features
- Dual focus mechanism
- XLT fully multi-coated optics
- Angled eyepiece design
- 20-60x magnification power
- Tripod rotating mount
- 80mm objective lens
Pros
- Tripod and smartphone adapter included
- Good optics quality
- Value for money
Cons
- None
3) Gosky 20-60×80 Spotting Scope
Next up we have the Gosky Updated 20-60×80 Spotting Scope. This budget-friendly spotting scope is made with a multitude of incredible features that make a perfect glassing tool for a wide range of applications including bird watching and wildlife viewing.
Featuring a vast 20-60x magnification power, the scope is ideal for use at close to long ranges. At every zoom setting, the scope yields stunning sight pictures that are rich in clarity. This is thanks to the large 80mm objective lens that offers more light collection, even in dim lighting conditions.
Ease of adjustment is another outstanding thing about the spotting scope. The magnification and focus knobs are both designed with the right amount of resistance for easy adjustments even when you are wearing gloves.
For added convenience, the spotting scope comes with an extendable sunshade that not only blocks the glare from the sun but also guards the objective lens against rain and snow. Besides, the optical tube is waterproofed and fog proofed to provide reliable performance in all kinds of weather conditions.
To top it all off, the spotting scope has a durable framework that is rubber armored to be shockproof and slip-resistant.
Features
- Angled body design
- Rubber armored body
- Smartphone Digiscoping adapter
- 20-60x magnification range
- Quality BaK4 prism
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Fully multi-coated green film objective lens
- Multi-functional sunshade
Pros
- Smooth zoom and focus adjustments
- Incredible picture quality
- Simple to operate
Cons
- None
4) Bushnell Trophy Extreme 20-60×65 Spotting Scope
The Bushnell Trophy Extreme Spotting Scope is another great spotting scope suitable for hunting and other outdoor applications. The scope has an angled eyepiece design that makes it ideal for lengthy glassing sessions as it is more comfortable on both the neck and the eyes.
To add on glassing comfort, the scope features a twist-up eyecup that makes it eyeglass-friendly. Furthermore, you can set the eyepiece into different positions until you find a position that is most comfortable for your eyes. A sunshade is also built into the eyepiece to block glare and enhance your viewing comfort in direct sunlight.
When it comes to construction, this spotting scope has a sturdy chassis that enhances both durability and rigidity. On top of that is a black rubber armor that is shockproof and slip-resistant. The scope’s body is also sealed with O-rings and nitrogen purged to make it safe to use in all types of weather conditions.
The scope also brings to the table multiple layers of anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces to enhance the amount of light transmitted and deliver bright and clear images.
Features
- Angled eyepiece design
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Fully multi-coated optics
- 20-60x zoom eyepiece
- Built-in sunshade
- Rotating tripod collar
- Durable rubber armor
Pros
- Rugged and reliable construction
- High-quality optics
- Easy to focus and change the magnification power
Cons
- Image clarity declines at higher zoom levels
5) Celestron Hummingbird 9-27×56 Micro Spotting Scope
Last but not least, we have the Hummingbird 56mm Angled Spotting Scope from Celestron. This all-around spotting scope is your best option if you need a sighting tool that is powerful but compact, lightweight, and travels friendly.
The picture quality the spotting scope yields is outstanding. It has premium performance ED lenses that offer stunning resolution and color finesse. Besides, the optics are fully multi-coated to ensure excellent light transmission for bright, sharp, and true-to-life images.
Another highlight of the spotting scope is the versatile mounting options. Due to its compact design, it mounts easily on tripods, monopods, and car windows. Apart from that, it is built with a helical focus dial to help you reach precision focus quickly and easily no matter the platform you mount it on.
More importantly, the spotting scope is protected from water damage and humid conditions by the waterproof and fog proof construction. It also comes with durable rubber armor to keep the optics safe from bumps and jolts during transport and elements in the field.
Features
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Manual focus type
- 9-27x magnification power
- ED glass
- The waterproof and nitrogen-filled optical tube
- Angled eyepiece design
- Durable rubber armor
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Versatile mounting options
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Takes time to focus
- Image quality is good at low and mid-power only
Straight Vs Angled Spotting Scopes
When choosing a spotting scope, you have to either choose a model with an angled or straight eyepiece. Each eyepiece design has advantages and certain activities that its best suited for.
Spotting scopes with angled eyepiece designs are the most versatile. They are also more comfortable to use when you glass for lengthy sessions as they keep your neck and eyes more relaxed. Besides, they tend to be better when it comes to accommodating short and tall people.
For the straight spotting scopes, you use them just like binoculars. When it comes to activities, they are less versatile than their angled counterparts and best for hunting only.
Read Also
- 6 Best Spotting Scopes for Long-Range Shooting
- 6 Best Vortex Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor
- 7 Best Vortex Angled Spotting Scopes for Hunting Deer, Elk
Best Spotting Scope under $300 Buyers Guide
Other than price, here are the important things you need to consider when shopping for a spotting scope.
Magnification Power
In spotting scopes, magnification power is one of the most important features you need to consider keenly before making any purchase. If you want to have the best zoom, get a product whose magnification power is broad enough to let you glass targets across different ranges. In most cases, the best magnification power in spotting scopes is between 15x and 60x.
Objective Lens
The objective lens in a spotting scope, just like in other optics is responsible for drawing in light inside the optics. The larger the objective lens is, the more light it collects and the wide field of view it provides. When more light is collected inside the optics, brighter and detail-rich images are generated.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is the next thing to look at. If you are new in the optics industry, eye relief refers to the distance your eye has to be away from the scope’s eyepiece and still be able to get a full field of view. It is important in that it reduced eye strain during lengthy glassing periods and makes the observation sessions comfortable.
The best spotting scope under $300 has long eye relief that enhances comfort during use. Go for a product that has an eye relief of 15mm if you don’t wear eyeglasses and at least 18mm if you are an eyeglass wearer.
Build Quality
You will want to get a spotting scope that has a sturdy and durable construction. With quality make, the spotting scope will withstand rough handling and rigorous use. High-quality spotting scopes are also more reliable than their cheaply built counterparts.
Another thing to consider with respect to build quality is weatherproof construction. The best spotting scope under $300 will have a waterproof and fog-proof construction to be usable in any weather condition.
Lens Coating
Another thing to consider is the quality of lens coatings the spotting scope has. To get the most out of your outdoor adventure activities, go for a product that has either multi-coated lenses or fully multi-coated lenses. Such coatings maximize light transmission and yield the brightest and clearest image views even in poor lighting conditions. A good spotting scope under this price range will also have premium quality glass like ED or HD to enhance color accuracy.
Final Verdict
Getting a good quality spotting scope is one way to revolutionize your views when you are outside enjoying the great outdoors. It will get you close to your targets and provide you with better views across vast ranges. When making your selection, take your time and look at what each spotting scope packs under its hood the choose the one that blends best with your needs.