If you are looking for the best spotting scope under $1500, you are in the right place. In this post, we will help you find the best spotting scope for your needs by taking you through the top-performing models available under $1500.
Spotting scopes are not only a hunter’s best companion in the field but also an essential tool for birders, shooters, astronomers, and wildlife enthusiasts.
These glassing tools work great for close to long-range applications where they yield stunning picture quality even in poor light conditions. Spotting scopes are also used for Digiscoping by photography enthusiasts.
What Makes a Great Spotting Scope under $1500?
If it is your first time buying a spotting scope, you are probably wondering what attributes make one a great purchase. There are several things that make a spotting scope great and one of them is quality construction.
Using the spotting scope outdoors predisposes it to a lot of things including rough use, bumps, and falls. It is therefore important for the spotting scope to have a housing that is tough enough to withstand all that.
Furthermore, a great spotting scope must be waterproof and fog proof for use in all kinds of environments. It also needs to have rubber armor wrapped on its body for added protection from the elements.
The other important attributes that make a great spotting scope are:
- Long eye relief to ensure snug observations
- A focusing system that is simple to operate
- A large objective lens that draws in more light inside the optics
- An intuitive and user-friendly design
Best Spotting Scopes under $1500
There is a plethora of spotting scopes from different brands available on the market. This makes it a tough task to find the best model for your needs. If you are having a challenge finding the best spotting scope under $1500, here are the best models to choose from.
Let’s take a look.
1) Vortex Viper HD 20-60x85mm Spotting Scope
First up, we have the Viper HD Spotting Scope from Vortex. This high-end spotting scope is packed with a ton of high-quality and functional features that make it arguably the best spotting scope under $1500.
This spotting scope is built with a variable 20-60x magnification power that brings far-away subjects in for a closer look. The 85mm objective lens draws in as much light as possible so the images generated are crisp and clear even at the highest zoom levels. It also yields a wide field of view that is essential for the quick location of targets.
Furthermore, the spotting scope has an ultra-smooth, fluid, and sleek helical-style focus dial for ultra-sharp viewing. The built-in sunshade reduces glare and with the tripod mounting collar included, the scope allows for flexible viewing angles when mounted on a tripod.
Durability is the other feature that makes the scope shine. It has a high-quality chassis that is rubber armored to enhance both durability and grip. The scope features an Armortek coating that protects the lenses from scratches and is fully waterproof and fog proof for use in light showers, mist, and any other weather conditions.
Features
- HD optical system
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Armortek lens coatings
- Angled eyepiece design
- XR anti-reflective lens coatings
- Sleek helical-style focus dial
- 20-60x magnification
- Built-in sunshade
Pros
- Clear and sharp images
- Built to last
- Easy to zoom and use
- Versatility
Cons
- Not clear at extremely long ranges
2) Leupold 12-40×60 mm Golden Ring Spotting Scope
Carrying the well-respected Leupold name, the Golden Ring Spotting Scope represents the very best in a compact form. It is simple to use and light enough to be easy to carry wherever you want.
The optical performance of this spotting scope is incredible. It is made with powerful, bright optics that yield stunning image brightness and clarity even in low-light settings. Furthermore, the scope maintains a long eye relief of 30mm through the whole zoom for comfortable glassing.
Construction-wise, the spotting scope is made with the legendary Leupold ruggedness to stand up to anything you subject it to. It is rubber armored for added protection and weatherproofed to be safe to use in adverse weather conditions.
With all these handy features plus the folded optical path, the Golden Ring Spotting Scope guarantees a great performance in the field and many years of field use.
Features
- Straight eyepiece design
- Folded light path
- Waterproof and fog proof construction
- Powerful 12-40x zoom
- Rubber armored housing
- 36ft close focus
- 30mm eye relief
Pros
- Long eye relief
- Compact and lightweight
- Super clear optics
- DiamondCoat2 optical coating
Cons
- None
3) Vortex Razor HD 22-48×65 Spotting Scope
The Razor HD 22-48×65 Spotting Scope is the best spotting scope under $1500 for hunting. It is optimized for hunting and comes with nearly all the features a hunter needs to make their hunting trips more successful.
Built with a 65mm objective lens and a variable 22-48x magnification power, the scope is ideal for hunting game at different ranges and in different lighting conditions. The fully multi-coated lenses ensure efficient light transmission to help you find game in low-light settings without breaking a sweat.
Moreover, the spotting scope is built and ready for use in any environment. It has a rubber armored body that is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to be fully waterproof and fog proof.
For added protection, the scope has Armortek lens coatings that are scratch-proof. It also comes with a built-in sunshade that blocks the sun and protects the objective lens from snow and rain.
The other essential features the scope comes with are a smooth helical wheel, a multi-position eyecup, and a locking collar that you use to rotate the spotting scope into different viewing angles.
Features
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Armortek lens coatings
- HD optical system
- XR anti-reflective lens coatings
- Sleek helical-style focus dial
- Built-in sunshade
- 22-48x magnification range
Pros
- Excellent picture quality and clarity with Triplet Apochromatic lens
- Ultra-sleek functionality
- Easy to use
- Solid construction
- Lightweight design
- Precision craftsmanship
- O-ring sealed and argon purged for a weatherproof performance
Cons
- None
4) Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope
If you want a spotting scope that will take your glassing experience to the next high level, you have found it in the Signature HD Spotting Scope. This optic has high-end features and a variable 20-60x magnification range for close to extremely long-range applications.
To complement the broad zoom range, the scope utilizes HD lenses and an apochromatic lens system. Together, these optical features give you the added advantage in the field by eliminating color fringing and delivering edge-to-edge image clarity at every zoom level.
When it comes to construction, the spotting scope features an armored die-cast magnesium body that is more rugged than its counterparts made of aluminum and lightweight as well for easy portability. It is also fully waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof to offer total reliability in any environment.
Furthermore, the scope features dual coarse and fine-focusing adjustments for bringing images into sharp focus. It also brings to the table an adjustable eyecup to accommodate eyeglass wearers and a built-in sunshade to enhance glassing comfort by reducing glare.
Features
- Waterproof and fog proof construction
- Die-cast magnesium body
- Adjustable eyecup
- Premium HD glass
- Built-in sunshade
- Weighs 67.2 oz
- Index-matched lenses
- Angled eyepiece design
- Coarse and fine focusing
Pros
- Excellent picture quality
- Easy to set up and use
- Outstanding durability
- Lightweight
- With an adjustable eyecup, the scope accommodates eyeglasses
- Rotating tripod mount for ease of use
Cons
- No ED Glass
5) Kowa Prominar Pure Fluorite Spotting Scope
The Kowa Prominar Pure Fluorite Spotting Scope is another great and versatile spotting scope ideal for hunting and target shooting. It is simple to use for all hunters and target shooters irrespective of whether they are beginners, professionals, or anyone in between.
The most outstanding feature of this spotting scope is the picture quality it yields. Made with pure fluorite glass, it offers unmatched resolution through the whole zoom range.
Besides, it has a multi-coated lens system that eliminates virtually all chromatic aberrations and maximizes image brightness and clarity by offering excellent light transmission.
Furthermore, this optic is waterproof and filled with nitrogen to ensure thermal stability and prevent the clouding of the lens.
Additionally, it features a robust polycarbonate housing that is rigid enough to take in any abuse. It also comes with a twist-up eyecup to enhance glassing comfort and a dual-focus system for rapid focusing.
Features
- 15-45x magnification
- Fluorite crystal glass
- Polycarbonate housing
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Dual focus system
Pros
- Crystal clear optics
- Lightweight design
- Durable construction
Cons
- None
6) Celestron Regal M2 100ED Spotting Scope
The Celestron Regal M2 100ED is the best spotting scope under $1500 for use in low-light settings. It boasts an oversized 100mm aperture that maximizes light collection in low-light settings and XLT lens coatings that ensure high levels of light transfer.
This spotting scope is built to offer outstanding durability. It features a magnesium alloy housing that is not just strong and durable, but also lighter in weight than other models made from aluminum alloy. Furthermore, the optic features dual coarse and fine focus for detailed and quick adjustments.
The spotting scope is built with user convenience in mind. It is tripod mountable and comes with a tripod mount that rotates at different angles. It also comes with a twist-up eyecup that makes it eyeglass friendly and a T-adapter ring for easy Digiscoping.
Celestron also designed the spotting scope to accommodate all standard 1.25” eyepieces which provide more magnification when the need arises.
Features
- 22-67x zoom eyepiece
- Magnesium alloy body
- Dual fine and coarse focusing
- Sliding sunshade
- Twist-up eyecup
- XLT fully multi-coated lenses
- ED objective lens
Pros
- Smooth focusing
- Excellent optics quality
- Stunning low-light visibility
- Rotating tripod mount with detents
- Sliding sunshade
Cons
- Heavy (73.5 oz)
7) Nikon Fieldscope 13-30x50mm ED Spotting Scope
Nikon prides itself in making quality and reliable optics and this is clear in the Fieldscope 13-30x50mm ED Spotting Scope. The scope has a compact design for portability and convenience and is Digiscoping-compatible to meet your field-scoping needs.
Weighing a mere 19.6oz, the spotting scope is very easy to carry wherever you want. This and the straight eyepiece design make it comfortable to use with or without a tripod.
Furthermore, the spotting scope has ED glass that delivers outstanding image quality even at the highest zoom settings. For all-weather use and maximum visibility, this optic is O-ring sealed and purged with dry nitrogen gas. It also comes with a built-in sunshade to block stray light when you are using it in broad sunlight.
Features
- 13-30x zoom eyepiece lens
- Waterproof and fog-resistant
- Premium ED glass
- Built-in sunshade
- 8ft close focus
Pros
- Compact form
- Lightweight and travel friendly
- Quality glass
- Solid construction
Cons
- None
Read Also
- 6 Best Spotting Scopes for Long-Range Shooting
- 6 Best Marine Binoculars with Image Stabilization
- 6 Best 20×80 Binoculars for Astronomy and Stargazing
How to Choose a Spotting Scope under $1500
Magnification
The first thing to consider is magnification. Typically, spotting scopes have a higher magnification power than rifle scopes and binoculars. The zoom power ranges from 15x up to 60x for most models. Consider how far you will want the scope to cover and find the right magnification for the distance in mind.
Objective Lens
The objective lens is very important in spotting scopes as it determines how bright and clear the images generated will be. As a rule, the bigger the diameter is, the more light the scope collects and the better your sight views will be. For the best spotting scope under $1500, try and look for a model that comes with a large objective lens of 60mm or more
Durability
When spending more than $1000 for a spotting scope, you will want it to be of the best quality so it lasts long. Look at the type of materials used to make the scope and go for one that is either made of magnesium or aluminum alloy. Magnesium alloy scopes are more rugged than their aluminum counterparts, but both offer great durability without being bulky.
Eye Relief
Just like in binoculars and rifle scopes, eye relief is very important in spotting scopes. It determines how snug you will be when using the scope. Look for a unit that has 15mm or more eye relief. Such eye relief is long enough to ensure comfortable observation even with your eyewear on.
FAQs
- How far can a 60x spotting scope see?
This depends on a number of factors including the environmental condition and the quality of the scope. A high-quality spotting scope with 60x magnification is guaranteed to get you clear views of targets out to 600 yards if the weather condition is favorable.
- What do numbers in a spotting scope represent?
The numbers in a spotting scope configuration show its zoom power and how big the objective lens is. So, in a 20-60×60 unit, for example, 20-60x is the magnification range that is adjustable, and 60 is the diameter of the objective lens/aperture in millimeters.
Final Thoughts
Buying a good quality spotting scope from a reputable brand will not only ensure that you have great value for your money but also give you the best views of your subjects in all environments. All the spotting scopes we have listed above are quality, versatile, and built to offer outstanding durability.
Choosing the best spotting scope under $1500 is not often a simple task, but whatever your needs are, there is a product out there for you.