As the hunting season is here with us, having the right gear in can significantly impact your success. Among the essential tools for avid hunters, a spotting scope stands out as a valuable asset and we are here to take you through the best budget spotting scopes for hunting.
As the optics industry evolves, spotting scopes have not been left behind. Today, the market is saturated with high-end models from different brands suitable for all hunting applications. However, not everyone has the luxury of spending a fortune on high-end optics, and finding a worthy spotting scope that doesn’t break the bank can be a challenge.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best budget spotting scopes for hunting and provide a detailed overview of options that offer excellent performance without costing a fortune. We’ll also cover key features to look for and ensure you make an informed choice based on your specific needs and preferences. But first, here are the benefits of getting a spotting scope for your next hunting expedition.
Why a Spotting Scope for Hunting?
Whether you’re a seasoned hunter seeking a cost-effective optic upgrade or a beginner in hunting, here are the benefits of investing in a reliable spotting scope.
- Long-Range Observation. Spotting scopes offer higher magnification than binoculars and rifle scopes, allowing you to see details at much greater distances. This is useful for spotting game from afar without getting too close and potentially spooking it.
- Detail and Clarity: Furthermore, spotting scopes provide a clearer and more detailed view of the landscape. This helps in identifying and evaluating game at varying ranges.
- Positive Target Identification: A spotting scope will help you identify a target positively no matter the environment and ensure that you are hunting legally and ethically.
- Reduced Eye Strain: With a spotting scope, you can observe for longer periods without straining your eyes. This is thanks to the larger eyepiece with flexible viewing positions.
- Scouting and Planning. The best budget spotting scopes for hunting are also useful for observing wildlife behavior and patterns, which can improve your hunting strategy over time.
Best Budget Spotting Scopes for Hunting
With all that said, let’s dive into the world of budget-friendly spotting scopes and discover how you can enhance your hunting skills and experience without stretching your budget.
1) Vortex Viper HD 20-60×85 Spotting Scope
Specifications
- Magnification: 20-60x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 85mm
- Field of View: 101-50 ft/1000 yds
- Eye Relief: 17.8-19.6 mm
- Weight: 76.6 oz
- Length: 17.5 inches
- Close Focus: 36 Feet
The Vortex Viper HD 20-60×85 Angled spotter is the best budget spotting scope for hunting. It is packed with cutting-edge features for incredible glassing and high-end optical performance in all hunting fields.
One of the stand-out features of this spotting scope is its robust construction. It is built with high-quality materials and rubber armored to enhance durability and grip for the user. Additionally, it is O-ring sealed and argon-purged for all-weather reliability.
The optical performance is also a force to reckon with. The spotting scope employs an HD optical system comprised of premium components that generate vivid high-definition images. Moreover, the anti-reflective coatings on exterior surfaces help obtain brighter views in low-light situations by boosting light transmission.
To complement the optical finesse, the spotting scope features a smooth helical focus that helps dial in your image for ultra-sharp viewing while maintaining a trim profile for ultimate packability. Over and above that, the built-in sunshade pulls out to help reduce glare and the multi-position eyecup provides proper eye relief in different viewing positions.
Pros
- High-definition, premium glass for clear, bright, and sharp images
- Versatile magnification range for both close and long-range hunting
- Angled eyepiece design that is easier for extended glassing sessions and more comfortable for different viewing angles
- Rugged, shock-resistant construction with a rubber armor coating
- Dual focus controls for fine and coarse adjustments, enabling precise focus
Cons
- Large and bulky, not the most compact option for carrying long distances
2) Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60×85 Spotting Scope
Specifications
- Magnification: 20-60x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 85mm
- Field of View: 102-48 ft/1000 yds
- Eye Relief: 0.77-0.70”
- Weight: 70 oz
- Length: 16.9 inches
- Close Focus: 39.4”
Athlon brings a well-made spotting scope to the market for a cost that is easy on the wallet. The Argos HD 20-60×85 Spotting Scope is designed with good optical quality and a ton of other advanced features to ensure that you get the most out of your hunting trips.
With fully multi-coated lenses and phase-coated Porro prisms, this spotting scope yields great brightness and clarity within the reach of all hunting enthusiasts. It also features a massive 85mm aperture to enhance performance in low light.
Furthermore, the spotting scope is built with portability in mind. It features a lightweight composite chassis that is rubber-armored to be shockproof and slip-resistant. Moreover, the optical tube is fully waterproof, dustproof, and fog-proof.
The other noteworthy features included are a rotating tripod mounting ring and a built-in extendable sunshade.
Pros
- Built for maximum comfort
- Great value for the price
- Bright and clear optics
- Robust and lightweight construction
Cons
- Narrow eye relief
3) Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD Spotting Scope
Specifications
- Magnification: 20-60x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 80mm
- Field of View: 102-48 ft/1000 yds
- Eye Relief: 18-19mm
- Weight: 67 oz
- Length: 16.7 inches
- Close Focus: 60ft
Leupold is renowned for its rugged and high-performance optics and the SX-2 Alpine HD Spotting Scope is not any different. It is designed and built with the avid hunter in mind to take their hunting a notch higher.
The highlight of this spotting scope is its solid construction. Its housing is made with premium materials and shrouded in an easy-grip rubber armor coating that provides a secure grasp in all conditions. Additionally, the spotting scope is 100% waterproof and fog-proof.
Optically, the spotting scope is impressive. It is built with high-definition calcium-fluoride lenses that yield incredible image brightness and clarity at all magnification levels. It also excels in low-light conditions thanks to the large 80mm objective lens.
Pros
- Provides sharp and clear images, thanks to HD optics
- Durable and rugged construction with waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof design
- Relatively lightweight for easy carrying in the field
- Twilight Max Light Management System that improves visibility in low light conditions
- Generous eye relief that is comfortable for extended use, even with glasses
- Smooth focusing system
Cons
- Fixed eyepiece: Limited versatility compared to models with interchangeable eyepieces
4) Gosky 20-60×80 Dual Focusing ED Spotting Scope
Specifications
- Magnification: 20-60x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 80mm
- Eyepiece Diameter: 24mm
- Type of Prism: Porro/BAK4
- Number of Lens: 9Pcs/5Groups
- Focus System: Centre/Double Speed Focusing
- Exit Pupil: 4.25-1.4mm
- Eye Relief: 19.5-18mm
- Field of View: 147-69ft/1000yards
As one of the best budget spotting scopes for hunting, the Gosky 20-60×80 Dual Focusing ED Spotting Scope provides the ultimate balance of value and versatility. It has a variable 20x to 60x zoom magnification that allows you to view a wide field of view at a lower power and zoom in on details at a higher power.
The broad zoom power is complemented by Ultra High Definition Optics that provide a clear, bright, and higher-contrast view even in the less-than-ideal light settings of dusk and dawn. Besides, the 80mm large objective lens ensures light-gathering power and high resolution, as well as a large field of view range.
With the new design of coaxial two-speed focusing wheels, the spotting scope allows for smooth and accurate focusing at any distance. On top of that, the 45-degree angled eyepiece provides more comfortable viewing while the rotatable eyepiece provides adjustable viewing angles.
Above all, this spotting scope is fully waterproof and fog-proof for all-weather use and is built with a durable magnalium framework and high-quality rubber armor which provides a non-slip grip, shock resistance, and durable external protection.
Pros
- Versatile
- Durable and reliable construction
- Exceptional image quality
- Ease of setup
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Short eye relief
5) Landove 20-60×80 Spotting Scope
Specifications
- Magnification: 20x-60x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 80mm
- Eyepiece Diameter: 53mm
- Eye Relief: 19.5-18mm
- Diameter of Exit Pupil: 3.25-1.1mm
- Field of View: 156-81ft/1000yard
- Focal Length: 7m
Landove 20-60×80 Spotting Scope is your ideal optic if you are a beginner in hunting. It is not only affordable but also built with an array of user-friendly features to kickstart your hunting journey.
With the variable 20x to 60x magnification, the spotting scope makes it easy to zoom in on your target to view a wide field. The HD 24mm 2inch big eyepiece and 45-degree angled eyepiece allow more comfortable viewing in different ranges. Besides, the eyepiece used laser engraving ensures long-term use as it hardly fades.
This spotting scope has a high-quality optical system design that includes an 80mm objective lens to get more light flux and clear images. Furthermore, the fully multi-coated optics with BAK4 Porro Prism and 9pcs/4groups lens increase light transmission and deliver bright, clear, crisp images even in low-light conditions.
Advanced detail design is another strong point of this spotting scope. It has a rotating rubber eyecup for comfortable viewing with or without glasses. Over and above that, the spotting scope is nitrogen-filled, waterproof, and dustproof to adapt to all kinds of harsh environments.
Pros
- Ease of use
- Unmatched versatility
- Value for money
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Less sharp images at the highest zoom settings
6) Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope
Specifications
- Zoom Magnification: 15-45x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 65mm
- Field of view: 144 ~ 68 ft/1000 yards
- View angle: 2.75 ~ 1.3 degrees
- Near focus: 14.8 ~ 18 feet
- Eye relief: 19 ~ 20 mm
- Weight: 51 ounces
If you want to experience hunting up close, get yourself a quality spotting scope like the Vanguard Endeavor HD. It has a outstanding field of view and long-range visibility that make it a perfect companion in the hunting fields.
The spotting scope offers premium ED Glass that enables hunters to see more detail than ever before. Besides, the advanced MultiGuard coatings offer higher light transmittance for accurate target identification in low light conditions.
Moreover, the spotting scope is designed and built with modern ergonomics for functional handling. The dual-focus controls make adjustments quick and straightforward which is vital while hunting.
What’s more, this optic features a built-in sun shield that eliminates glare in direct sunlight and a detachable angled eyepiece with soft, comfortable rubber eyecup and long eye relief.
Above all, the Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope has a rubber-armored magnesium body that is fully waterproof and fog-resistant to ensure unimpeded performance in all weather conditions.
Pros
- Modern ergonomics for comfortable handling
- Durable construction
- Exceptional image detail and brilliant brightness
- Coarse and fine adjustment knobs for fine focusing
Cons
- Comparatively heavy
7) Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60×85 Spotting Scope
Specifications
- Magnification: 20-60x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 85mm
- Field of View: 108-60 ft/1000 yds
- Eye Relief: 20.3-18.3 mm
- Weight: 76.6 oz
- Length: 61.3 oz
- Close Focus: 24.6 Feet
Hunting in large, open fields calls for a quality and high-powered HD optic like the Diamondback HD 20-60×85 Spotting Scope. It provides the clarity you need to see a tail twitch in low light and pick out a target in dense cover.
As one of the best budget spotting scopes for hunting, it is O-ring sealed and argon purged. This makes it fully waterproof and fog-proof for use even in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the spotting scope has Armortek coatings that protect the lenses from oil, scratches, and dirt, and a rugged rubber armor to enhance durability and grip during use.
As outstanding as the build quality is so is the optical system. This spotting scope employs an HD optical system to deliver exceptional resolution, cut chromatic aberration, and provide outstanding color fidelity with edge-to-edge sharpness. Additionally, multiple anti-reflective coatings are applied on all air-to-glass surfaces to increase light transmission and fight glare.
Well, that’s not all. The spotting scope is built with an adjustable eyecup that twists up and down for comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses. Also included is a built-in sunshade reduces glare and shields the objective lens from raindrops and snow.
Pros
- Solid construction
- Clear and high-quality optics
- Easy to use
- Exceptional value for money
- Versatile and reliable
Cons
- Weight
Criteria for Choosing the Best Budget Spotting Scopes for Hunting
When choosing a budget spotting scope for hunting, these are the key features to consider to ensure it meets your needs without breaking the bank.
Magnification Range
20-60x is the most effective spotting scope magnification for hunting. At the lower magnification of 20x, the spotting scope provides a wide field of view for scanning, while at the higher magnification of 60x, you get closer inspection of game at greater distances.
Objective Lens Size
The recommended objective lens size is 50mm to 65mm. A larger objective lens allows more light into the scope, improving image clarity and brightness in low-light conditions. This makes the spotting scope ideal for use in early morning or late evening hunts. However, larger lenses can make the scope bulkier so find the perfect balance of size and portability.
Optical Quality
While budget scopes may not have premium glass such as ED or HD glass, scopes with decent optics still offer clear and sharp images for hunting needs. Look for scopes with fully multi-coated lenses to reduce glare and improve light transmission.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Ensure the scope is sealed against moisture and fog, especially for hunting in varying weather conditions. The best budget spotting scopes for hunting should also have a rugged design that protects the optics against drops or bumps while out in the field.
Weight and Portability
Since you may need to carry the scope over long distances, a lightweight, compact design is essential for mobility. Many budget scopes are available in compact sizes that weigh between 1.5 and 3 pounds.
Eye Relief
Eye relief matters a lot for comfort, especially if you wear glasses. So, look for spotting scopes with long eye relief (around 15mm or more). The longer the eye relief, the more comfortable the spotting scope is to use without straining your eyes.
Field of View (FOV)
It is also important to look at the field of view: A spotting scope with a spacious field of view is essential for scanning large areas for game. This is particularly important at lower magnifications. Aim for at least 100–150 feet at 1,000 yards at the lower end of magnification.
Tripod Compatibility
A tripod can improve the stability of your view, especially at higher magnifications. Most of the best budget spotting scopes for hunting come with a basic tripod or are compatible with standard tripods.
Advantages of Budget Spotting Scopes for Hunting
- Multi-purpose use. Spotting scopes for hunting are also ideal for other outdoor activities such as birding, target shooting and wildlife observation not just hunting.
- Quality construction and excellent optical performance.
- Higher magnification which is ideal for long range hunting in any environment
- More steadiness and superior image clarity than binoculars and rifle scopes
Read Also
- 8 Best Spotting Scopes for Backcountry Hunting
- 6 Best Spotting Scopes with Reticle
- 7 Best Binoculars for Elk Hunting
FAQs
- What is the best magnification range for hunting?
A magnification range between 20x and 40x is generally ideal for hunting. It balances image clarity and field of view for rapid target finding. Higher magnifications like 60x, on the other hand, are useful for more detailed viewing but may be harder to stabilize without a tripod.
- Do I need a tripod with a spotting scope for hunting?
Yes. Mounting your spotting scope on a tripod is recommended, especially at higher magnifications. It minimizes shaking and provides a clearer view, making it easier to track animals or assess their behavior.
- How much should I expect to spend on a budget spotting scope?
Quality budget spotting scopes for hunting typically range from $150 to $500. In this range, you can find a well-made spotting scope with good optics, weatherproof design, and essential features for hunting.
- What do numbers in a spotting scope represent?
The magnification power and size of the objective lens respectively. So, in a 20-60x80mm spotting scope for example, 20-60x is the magnification power while 80mm is the diameter of the objective lens.
Final Words
Whether you are a beginner in hunting or a veteran, a successful hunting trip starts by having all the important tools and gear at your disposal. The spotting scopes mentioned above are well-suited for hunters looking for decent performance without breaking the bank. Look at the attributes that make each scope the right purchase and choose the model that will revolutionize your hunting this season.