By Robin Owens 14 days ago, Binoculars
Compact and affordable spotting scopes under 200 dollars.
Looking for a spotting scope for 200 dollars that will provide a clear image? It could have been a hard task a while ago but now the technologies have improved enough to make good optics affordable. Below, you can find some great devices and none of them will go beyond this price limit.
Not always quality can come at a high price. Every model below is affordable and yet provides a clear view of faraway objects. Check out the comparisons and find a $200 spotting scope for your particular needs.
Magnification: 20x-60x | Objective diameter: 80 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 53/105 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 8/26 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 18 mm | Weight: 1616 g
⊕ Inexpensive
⊕ Well-built
⊕ A true value for money
⊕ Ocular lens swapping out
⊖ Lack of sunshade
⊖ Cumbersome
This brand produces the best spotting scope for 200 dollars, favored by many outdoor enthusiasts. It has an 80mm objective that can focus between the 20x and 60x magnitudes with a 45° viewing angle. The body has an extended mounting plate and a T-adapter for digiscoping.
There is also a lens cover and cloth in the box, a soft carrier bag and a manual. Its optics are multi-coated and the body is rugged, thus eliminating a whole range of little nuisances. The most frequently purchased model of the line is great for outdoor use and can provide interesting experiences of nature observation.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 80 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 18-60 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 6/20 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 17.9-15 mm | Weight: 1996 g
⊕ Dynamic focus system
⊕ Compatible with smartphone cameras
⊕ Reinforced build
⊕ Good-sized objective
⊖ Excessive weight
This is one of the recently improved spotting scopes under 200 and it now provides impressive quality just like the other entries in this list do. It has a universal 20-60x range and a more travel-friendly 80mm diameter lens. It is durable and highly protected from damage, which makes it safe to be taken around but somewhat heavy for carrying on your shoulder.
However, it is a great option for any outdoor activity from simple observing of wildlife to actually shooting targets or hunting and even watching the stars at night.
Magnification: 20x-60x | Objective diameter: 60 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 51/114 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 6/19.8 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 14-17 mm | Weight: 2300 g
⊕ Retractable shade
⊕ Robust shell
⊕ Tripod included
⊕ Professional prism
⊖ Heavy
If you need a solution that will equip you with everything necessary for hunting in the field, this is the absolute best. The bundle includes covers and cases for the device and its optics, plus a low tripod.
If you’re worried that getting so many additional items for the same price could be an indicator of poor quality, just know that the company provides full lifetime warranty for their device. The spotting scope itself is sturdy and reliable, with a 60mm lens and a 20-60x zooming range.
Magnification: 15-45x | Objective diameter: 60 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 68/141 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 6.3/16.4 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 19-20 mm | Weight: 1281 g
⊕ Multi-coated lenses
⊕ Sealed body
⊕ No fogging of optics
⊕ Lightweight
⊖ Not so sharp
The best spotting scope under $200 has a Bak4 phase-coated prism inside to give you great image quality. The objective also has enhancing coatings that help the optics gather and transfer more light and maintain good visibility even in darkened environments.
A few nice touches, like an angled eyepiece with extended relief, a flip-down cover and sunshade for the lens, and a comfortable focus wheel make it a great purchase. It is, additionally, rubberized and sealed to resist wetness. For more comfortable transportation, it comes with a custom-fit case.
Magnification: 18-48x | Objective diameter: 50 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 46/140 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 8/25 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 14 mm | Weight: 600 g
⊕ Watertight
⊕ Compact tripod
⊕ Good magnification
⊕ Can take rough handling
⊖ Insufficient eye relief
The best spotting scope under 200 is similar to the manufacturer’s popular binocular model in build and quality. It consists of multi-coated optics for any lighting conditions and a sealed rubber-armored body for withstanding any whims of the weather or hardships of travel.
The image is bright and clear, and reflections will not bother you with the adjustable sun-shade in place. This is a great working tool that will not require extra care in handling.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 100 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 26-79 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 9.8/32 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 21-18 mm | Weight: 1400 g
⊕ Waterproof
⊕ Precise lenses
⊕ Big objective
⊕ Commendable quality
⊖ Heavy
Another great device for a reasonable price, this scope has a large 100mm precision-ground lens and a great BAK-4 prism. With a decent 20-60x range and several layers of special enhancing coatings on the optics, the capabilities for observing are pretty impressive.
With a special adapter that is included, you can do digiscoping, and your camera’s T-mount will almost certainly be compatible. The shell of the device is made of aluminum which helps to keep the weight down while protecting the vulnerable internals. For the latter, some rubberized parts were additionally introduced to decrease the impact of hitting or just transporting the scope.
Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 80 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 30/90 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 10/32.8 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 20 to 18 mm | Weight: 2000 g
⊕ Waterproof
⊕ Not too big
⊕ Two-speed focusing
⊕ Impressive magnification range
⊖ Heavy
If you’re searching for an entry-level astronomic device or an excellent hunting assistant, this model is what you need. Its 100mm objective captures an astonishing amount of light so that the 25-75x range is uniformly bright and detailed.
The lenses have a special coating that additionally eliminates glare or aberrations so that in bright sunlight or thickening twilight you will still see your objects of interest well. It is perfect for any outdoor conditions, being sealed and filled with nitrogen to avoid fogging or penetration of water and dust into the device.
Magnification: 20-60 x | Objective diameter: 70 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 32/93 metres /ft | Closest focusing distance: 10/32.8 metres/ ft | Eye relief: 14.4-11.2 mm | Weight: 1134 g
⊕ Commendable quality
⊕ Multi-coated optics
⊕ Transportable
⊕ Comfortable to hold
⊖ Somewhat underwhelming optics
If you want something smaller to carry on hiking trips but still see the faraway objects clearly, pay attention to this model. It has a slightly smaller objective, 70mm, and this makes it less cumbersome but slightly reduces your capabilities. It still has powerful 20-60x zoom magnification so you can see far and clear, but earlier entries showed more detail.
However, this model is supplied with a miniature tripod and a pair of cases, a soft and a hard one. The convenient extendable sunshade, combined with the special coating, eliminates all glare. For the price, it is a great option to carry on your hunting trips or to the shooting range.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Celestron Ultima 80
Our choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
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Redfield Rampage
Tough |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Gosky Go20x60
Angled |
CHECK PRICE → |
You don’t have to compromise on the quality to get the best spotting scope for 200 dollars. Above, you have a whole list of great devices for a variety of activities with a super-affordable price tag. Below, you will find recommendations on how to choose the right one for what you’re planning to do.
This device can have one or another body type and there are some differences in use. Some have a straight body where the objective lens and the eyepiece form a single line, remaining in one optical plane. You just direct it at whatever you want to see and that’s it.
Others have an angled eyepiece directed 45 degrees away from the body. These are indispensable for observing things while flattened on the ground. You can avoid contorting your neck when sitting, and aiming is not much different once you get used to the construction.
The markings of these optical devices give you the information on the range of magnification and their front lens diameter. When you see 14-45x60 written on a device, you can decipher it as a 60 mm lens that can increase the size of objects from 14 to 45 times.
This device is normally manufactured to allow mounting on a standard tripod so there will be no extra fuss on that side. However, keep in mind that in some cases the optics can amount to quite a weight. If you have a regular camera tripod, it could work in theory, but only if the weight of your particular device falls within its supporting range which should be marked in the papers. When you mount, always check whether the construction is stable because any wobbling can potentially result in tipping over. A hit could be fatal for the delicate optics of a spotting scope.
Those who find themselves in need of an appropriate tripod can consider the Saxon HVT11 or 10 models. The two are targeted at supporting heavy objects and can be relied on fully. The astronomy scopes normally come with their own mounts. While for spotting scopes this is rather an exception to come with a tripod, some might. It will, however, be a miniature tripod fit for being positioned on a table or ground in case of hunting from an ambush. For instance, the Yukon Spotter 20-50x50 model comes with one, if you’re interested.
This is something any inexperienced person wants to know but the question in itself is as incorrect as asking how far can your eyes see. The general visibility and clarity of the air in a region can easily influence that. It is more important to know the field of view of the long range spotting scopes under 200, and that is always indicated.
The main criteria here is the lens diameter, and it is advisable to start from 60 mm. This way, the image will be bright and clear enough to enjoy but if the goal is to engage in digiscoping, the limit should be higher. Search for an 85 mm objective to deliver the highest amount of light to the camera sensor.
These devices typically have a range, indicated like 15-45x or 20-60x. This means that you can choose an amount of magnification you want within these values, kind of like you would with a camera. The commonly provided range of a spotting scope is from 15x to 60x.
If you look at the model from Vivitar, you will see a great device that combines performance with affordability. Not only it has impressive 20-60x magnification provided by an outstanding Porro prism, but there is also a zoom eyepiece and special coating on the lenses. This compiles a great optical device suitable for a range of activities.
The markings typically consist of three numbers giving you information about two different things. A 20-60×80 marking would mean that the device has an 80mm objective lens that can vary its zoom between 20 and 60 times of magnification.
