How do spotting scopes break?

[nemisis1400]

I just got a cheapo no-name spotting scope for about $40 and after reading some threads in here, I keep hearing stuff about how the cheap scopes break. What breaks them? I only plan to use this in the 100yards or less area when sighting in new rifles, and scopes.

[Fjold]

Unless you drop it or something it shouldn't break. Most issues with cheaper scope is that they won't focus well at higher powers, they don't have good clarity (detail) or the view gets fuzzy around the edges as power increases.

[Timberwolf]

Unmolested I've had them go fuzzy after awhile as the nitrogen escapes. But what really breaks 'em is when I put them at 100 yards and test the bullet through the scope trick.

[nemisis1400]

Unmolested I've had them go fuzzy after awhile as the nitrogen escapes. But what really breaks 'em is when I put them at 100 yards and test the bullet through the scope trick.

lol, i might try that when i want to upgrade to something better.

Ok so clarity and the view at a distance is what I won't have. This should be fine for my needs then. that and some cloth wrap or bubble wrap to help in case i drop it.

[Tacticalintervention]

What kills cheap sotting scopes?

Well vibration of being in go bag in vehicle will do it and frankly I usualy kill spotters stuffed down in heavy ruck with way too much gear on them.

For range use at 100 yards the cheap one may work for you but if you read mirage you need good glass. Mirage will tell you wind speed which is needed to hit past 400 yards.

[Marlin Hunter]

Cheapo scopes usually break because some internal part is poorly manufactured or wears out too fast. Most of the problems I have seen are with the threads used to adjust the magnification and focus breaking or wearing out. The pot metal and plastic is very low quality, and manufacturing quality control does not exist in China. A cheapo spotting scope can get damaged from bouncing around in your vehicle; even if it's in a case.

P.S. you can try Binoculars or one of those stubby astronomy telescopes.

I had something like this, but mine was a little better (made in Japan), and I could rotate the tube so the eye piece was on the side.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Celestron-FirstScope-150-x-76mm-Telescope-/290428668935?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item439ee5cc07

or something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Beginner-18-90-Power-Telescope-Tripod-Astronomy-New-/330391312652?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cecdb590c

[nemisis1400]

looking at my cheap scope and looking at the price of those telescopes, I think I should have gotten one of those. ah well nothing for it, i'm just gonna stick some of those packing airbaggies, and crumpled up newspaper in the box and hope it doesn't die on me.