7 Best Spotting Scopes Under 300 Dollars in 2024

By Robin Owens 7 days ago, Binoculars

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Durable spotting scopes for 300 dollars.

best spotting scope for 300 dollars

Today, you can see many great spotting scopes for 300 dollars. Finding the best one can be rather difficult, so to make your choice easier, I have reviewed popular spotting scopes for this money.

Top 7 Spotting Scopes Under $300

  1. Vortex Optics Diamondback - Our choice
  2. BARSKA AD12162 Blackhawk - Spotting scope with 80mm lens
  3. Celestron 52332 TrailSeeker - Reliable
  4. Bushnell Trophy XLT - Spotting scope for nature lovers
  5. SVBONY SV46 - With a dual focus
  6. Argos HD - Spotting scope with 85mm lens
  7. Vanguard Endeavor XF - Professional spotting scope

Using good spotting scopes you will enjoy watching nature or animals to the fullest. Multi-coated optics will provide you with the amazing quality of the image and a tripod will make the image steady without vibration.

1. Vortex Optics Diamondback

Our choice
best spotting scope

Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 60 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 34.7 m | Closest focusing distance: 6.1 m | Eye relief: 14-17 mm | Weight: 958 g

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⊕ Eyepiece with 20-60x zoom
⊕ Dielectric-coated Porro prism
⊕ An impact-resistant body
⊕ Attach to a tripod or car window
⊖ Not enough eye-relief adjustment
⊖ Not suitable for use in low light

The Vortex Optics Diamondback is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it has 20x-60x magnification and a 60mm lens diameter. It also has ArmorTek technology that prevents the body from scratches. Lenses of this spotting scope are very qualitative and lose less than 1% of the light coming through them.

The Vortex Optics Diamondback guarantees a bright, sharp image within the entire zoom range, and its solid design handles even the worst conditions. This spotting scope is impact-resistant and has a fiberglass-reinforced polymer body, which is O-ring sealed and nitrogen-filled to make it fog-resistant and waterproof.

2. BARSKA AD12162 Blackhawk

Spotting scope with 80mm lens
spotting scope for 300 dollars

Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 80 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 34 m | Closest focusing distance: 10 m | Eye relief: 16.5-17.5 mm | Weight: 1600 g

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⊕ Eyepiece with 20-60x zoom
⊕ Great optics
⊕ Long 17.5-16.5mm eye relief
⊕ Small size, portable
⊖ Bulky

The BARSKA AD12162 Blackhawk is one of the best long range spotting scopes under 300 dollars that has an 80mm diameter objective lens and is suitable for observing in low-light conditions, such as sunrise or sunset and watching the night sky. It boasts multilayer optics, due to which you can get a sharper image. It also has a waterproof and fog-proof case.

With the BARSKA AD12162 Blackhawk, you will enjoy watching everything. You will see the smallest details due to robust 20-60x magnification.

3. Celestron 52332 TrailSeeker

Reliable spotting scopes under $300
reliable spotting scopes

Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 80 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 34.9 m | Closest focusing distance: 7.5 m | Eye relief: 15-18 mm | Weight: 1500 g

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⊕ Great quality of the image
⊕ Celestron Multilayer XLT coating
⊕ 360-degree rotatable tripod mount
⊕ Solid waterproof case
⊖ Bulky

The Celestron 52332 TrailSeeker is the best spotting scope for 300 dollars as it boasts a 20-60x zoom eyepiece that provides observing from spacious views to detailed images. Its 80mm objective lens gathers light much better than scopes with smaller lenses, which creates a brighter image. The eyepiece of this spotting scope is angled at convenient 45 degrees. Its case is waterproof and fog-proof, due to which you will be able to use it for a long time.

This spotting scope is perfect for those who love watching birds and scenery.

4. Bushnell Trophy XLT

Spotting scope for nature lovers
spotting scopes under 300

Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 65 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 33.5 m | Closest focusing distance: 10 m | Eye relief: 18.3 mm | Weight: 1200 g

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⊕ Amazing HD clarity
⊕ Rubber-armored body
⊕ Boasts multi-coated optics
⊕ Waterproof and fog-proof
⊖ Bulky
⊖ Weak construction

The Bushnell Trophy XLT is the best spotting scope under 300 dollars, which boasts 20-60x magnification, 65mm lens, has qualitative fully multi-coated optics and provides wide-range viewing. All air-to-glass surfaces of this spotting scope are covered with multiple layers of anti-reflective coating. This spotting scope guarantees very bright images with minimum eye strain because a very small amount of light is lost before the viewer’s eye sees it.

This model is ideal for those who enjoy watching birds and like to observe from far distances without losing the quality of the image. Its body is rubber-armored and fully waterproof.

5. VBONY SV46

Spotting scope with a dual focus
spotting scope with fast focusing

Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 80 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 32 m | Closest focusing distance: 5.5 m | Eye relief: 18-19.2 mm | Weight: 1695 g

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⊕ 80mm objective lens
⊕ Fully multi-coated lens
⊕ You can adjust eyecups
⊕ Quick focusing
⊖ No tripod stand in the set
⊖ Bulky

The SVBONY SV46 has 20-60x magnification, an 80mm lens and ergonomic design. BAK4 prisms create a bright and sharp image even if you are viewing in low light conditions. This spotting scope is waterproof, which means you can use it all year round. Besides, it offers some other features, due to which, this spotting scope is simple to use and can give you the desired result.

You can use this spotting scope for multiple purposes. It allows changing the focus very fast and adjusting it for the best clarity.

6. Argos HD

Spotting scope with a 85mm lens
spotting scope with a large lens

Magnification: 20-60x | Objective diameter: 85 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 34 m | Closest focusing distance: 12 m | Eye relief: 17.8-19.6 mm | Weight: 2200 g

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⊕ 85mm objective lens
⊕ HD Glass
⊕ ArmorTek exterior lens coatings
⊕ Fully waterproof
⊖ Bulky

The Argos HD is one of the best spotting scopes under 300 dollars that has a robust 20-60x magnification, 85mm objective, and is perfect for extreme long-range use. Due to its large objective, you can view objects in low light and get bright images when watching something from far distances at high magnification.

The Argos HD provides bright, sharp and contrast images with realistic colors and perfect clarity at all magnifications, even if you are viewing in poor light conditions. The lightweight composite chassis is covered with rubber armor and filled with nitrogen gas, which makes this spotting scope fog-proof, waterproof, and guarantees good thermal stability.

7. Vanguard Endeavor XF

Professional spotting scope for 300 dollars
professional spotting scope

Magnification: 15-45x | Objective diameter: 60 mm | Field of view at 1000m: 43.8 m | Closest focusing distance: 6 m | Eye relief: 19-20 mm | Weight: 1300 g

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⊕ Fully multi-coated optics
⊕ Angled-viewing eyepiece is tilted 45° from the objective lens
⊕ Top-quality image, great design
⊕ Magnesium body covered with rubber armoring
⊖ Images are less sharp at the edges

The Vanguard Endeavor XF is another best spotting scope for 300 dollars. It has a 15-45x zoom eyepiece that boasts a convenient 19mm eye relief and folding rubber eyecup. This spotting scope has a big comfortable corner eyepiece with long eye relief and fast adjustment of the focusing wheel. It’s also waterproof and fog-proof.

The tripod mounting foot has a regular 1/4""-20 socket and is compatible with Vanguard tripods with a universal mounting shoe. This spotting scope provides a good quality of the image and is durable.

Image Name Features  
best spotting scope
Vortex Optics Diamondback
Our choice
  • 20-60x magnification
  • 60 mm objective diameter
  • Field of view at 1000m: 34.7 m
  • Closest focusing distance: 6.1 m
  • Eye relief: 14-17 mm
  • Weight: 958 g
CHECK PRICE
spotting scope for 300 dollars
BARSKA AD12162 Blackhawk
80mm Lens
  • 20-60x magnification
  • 80 mm objective diameter
  • Field of view at 1000m: 34 m
  • Closest focusing distance: 10 m
  • Eye relief: 16.5-17.5 mm
  • Weight: 1600 g
CHECK PRICE
reliable spotting scopes
Celestron 52332 TrailSeeker
Reliable
  • 20-60x magnification
  • 80 mm objective diameter
  • Field of view at 1000m: 34.9 m
  • Closest focusing distance: 7.5 m
  • Eye relief: 15-18 mm
  • Weight: 1500 g
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Spotting Scope for 300 Dollars?

best spotting scope for 300 dollars

Before purchasing, learn about the features of spotting scopes to select the right model.

Lens

You can use objective lenses of different diameters depending on your purpose. Bigger lenses collect more light than small ones. This option is perfect when you need to observe subjects from far distances or in low-light conditions.

Optics

Select only top-quality optics, because, with them, you will enjoy a good image and won’t have any regrets about the money spent.

Eye Relief

best spotting scope for 300 dollars

Get a spotting scope that provides comfortable eye relief. If it offers an extended range of eye relief, it will reduce tension in the eyes. It’s very important for those who wear glasses, too.

Also, check if this model has a tripod. It will provide stability and eliminate vibration during viewing. Besides, pay attention if the case is waterproof, as it will allow you to use spotting scopes in various weather conditions. If you want to find out about other important characteristics, you can check them for each model separately.

FAQ

  • • What is the best spotting scope for such a price?

All spotting scopes presented on this list are worth their prices. However, the best spotting scopes are Vortex Optics Diamondback, BARSKA AD12162 Blackhawk and Celestron 52332 TrailSeeker.

  • • How much magnification should a good spotting scope have?

In this article, you can find spotting scopes with magnification from 15x to 60x. The higher the magnification is, the more details you will see. Don’t forget that you can zoom out whenever you need it.

  • • Are spotting scopes worth the money?

Having a spotting scope is not essential. Based on the type of activity you prefer, a good spotting scope can be better than a binocular. However, a cheap spotting scope is not worth the money paid.

  • • Which spotting scope shall I choose for hunting?

All 7 reviewed models are good for hunting.

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