Best sub $150 spotting scope

[tquizzle]

I was looking for a decent cheap spotting scope for range days and was looking at a Simmons one at Walmart that I'm not too fond of.

Any suggestions?

[elsolo]

I don't think there is such a thing as a "good $150 spotting scope"

magnification with poor resolution is what you'll be buying

[bombadillo]

Vortex Nomad from cameralandny.com

[tquizzle]

Best sub $150 spotting scope

I was recommended the Burris landmark 20x50, does anyone have experience with it. My use will be up to 200 yards, maybe 300 yards max.

$70 Burris? Umm, maybe good.

[Steve_In_29]

Not in your stated price range but I have been VERY happy with my Redfield 20-60 scope.

[klewan]

I bought a 20x60x60 Simmons 20 years ago. It was $100 back then at Big 5. I was on the 100 yard range and a guy had a $400 Leopold on the next bench. I axed if I could take a look thru it, took a good gander at his target and then over to the Simmons and see what I could see.

No difference. All the details I could see with both scopes.

I've had good service from all the budget scopes I've bought. Once the Chinese got into lens grinding and coating and assembly, the price came way down. When I read my 30+ year old Gun Digests, I can see where most of the bad opinions about anything less than the cost of a nice car is junk. They were still stumbling around trying make them airtight and durable back then. They've learned.

Try the Simmons, you can always take it back and get a refund. If I ever replace this one, I'll get one with a 45 degree eyepiece so I can use it standing up.

The glass snobs are just repeating what they read/heard, I doubt if they have back to back experience like I had.

[Divernhunter]

^ Really??
I have had the experience and there is a real difference between good and cheap glass.

You are just kidding yourself to think and say otherwise. I am not a "glass snob" but after many years and many different binos/spotting scopes I finally spent the money for the good stuff and it really does tell.

I have a Simmons and a Bushnell spotting scopeand can see the target bullet holes better with a nightforce scope wich is not as high powered. My Zeiss binos are 10X better than my other brands I have used for many years. I am glad I bought them before going to Africa and they have proven so much better here deer hunting also.

There is NO good spotting scope for $150 Period.

If I can find my Simmons I would be happy to sell it for $100 to anyone.

[Steve_In_29]

While there have been improvements made in the cheaper end of the optic spectrum there is still a VERY REAL difference between the low end and good glass.

This can be a subjective thing though as, just like a tone deaf person hears no improvement with high end speakers over his cheapies as both sound just fine to him, some people's eyes can make out less detail then others and thus see no improvement when looking through good glass.

As an example, my friend states his 60Hz LED TV is every bit as good as my much more expensive 240Hz one and he sees no improvement in his viewing experience on mine. While my eyes can actually see flicker in his 60Hz set. When I first noticed and mentioned it to him he couldn't see what I meant no matter how hard he looked.

For many years I had an older Simmons 20-60x50 scope($100ish) that would barely allow viewing of .223 holes at 200yds unless a shoot-n-see type target or a white background was used, holes in the cardboard were pretty much invisible. When I upgraded to the Redfield 20-60x60 ($300) I can clearly make out the holes even with my now much older eyes at 300yrds.

Another IMPORTANT consideration is what distances is the OP looking to use the scope at? What works just fine on the pistol line and out to 100yrds on the rifle side with a 30cal hole WON'T cut it out at 300yrds and beyond with a .223 hole.

[Kensei]

The Ultimate 80 has great reviews. Fortunately my range has free loaners.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/celestron-ultima-80-angled-45-degree-spotting-scope-package-52250-op-ultima-80-spotti.html