Best Spotting Scope Under 500 Dollars – Budget Friendly Scopes

Most people think the quality of a budget scope will not be as good as an expensive one, and finding a great spotting scope under 500$ is not an easy task.

Here is our best spotting scope under 500 dollars reviews and we have picked these top five spotting scopes that will blow your mind with some fantastic features.

Top-Rated Spotting Scopes Under $500

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What is A Spotting Scope?

A spotting scope is another type of telescope. The spotting scope is smaller than the telescope as well as being portable.

While the telescope is for use at night, a spotting scope is for daytime use. People often get confused with the spotting scope, binocular, and telescopes.

The spotting scope is ideal for traveling and perfect for wildlife observation, surveillance, searching for a distant object, landscape viewing, and bird watching.

 

Top 5 Best Spotting Scopes under $500- Our Recommendation

If you are a bird watcher or an outdoor scenery lover, you will realize the importance of a great spotting scope. Every year, manufacturers come up with different features and benefits.

Our recommended top 5 under $500 spotting scopes reviews some top spotting scopes on the market.

1. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scope

– Best spotting scope for hunting under $500

Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scope is one of the finest optic scopes of the well-reputed Vortex brand. Rather than using a regular spotting scope with other extra stuff, it is easier to buy the complete compact package of the Vortex Diamondback spotting scope.

It is incredibly angled in viewing and well worth the investment.

Key Specifications of the Vortex Spotting Scope at a Glance

• Item Weight: 2 pounds.
• The product Length is 14 inches.
• Focus Distance: About 20 feet.
• Focus method: single.
• Magnification: 20 – 60x
• Exit Pupil: 3-1 mm.
• Waterproof: yes.
• Variability: Variable.
• Fog-proof: Yes.
• Focus: close.
• Objective Lens: 60 mm.

Spotting Scopes Features and Benefits

Let’s see some of the essential features and benefits of the Vortex Diamondback spotting scope.

Prism Coatings

Vortex Diamondback spotting scope is so far one of the best spotting scopes out there with the distinctive feature of Dielectric Prism. The prism is made of two different prism glasses that are optically cemented together to form a V-shaped assembly. So it will be suitable if you want to reflect it from the roof at a 30° slope.

Angled viewing

Vortex Diamondback spotting scope comes with a comfortable angled viewing. While you are using the scope, you don’t have to worry about adjusting the tripod range on so high. It is also flexible for viewing the birds as well as for any prolonged observation. Rather than straight scope, it has more stability and flexibility in 45 to 90 degrees.

Straight Body

It would help if you kept in mind buying a spotting scope is not a matter of brand, but it is a matter of the different features that will bring the benefits.  Sometimes it is essential to look for a spotting scope with lots of stability in a straight body. This feature of a square shape is perfect for all fine details as well as long-distance viewing.

Compact package

The Vortex Diamondback spotting scope has earned the reputation for selling a first-rate spotting scope at a highly competitive price. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about other related stuff to work smoothly without extra costs. It offers a compact package with an Eyepiece Cap, a carry case, and covers for the objective lens.

 VIP warranty

The Vortex Diamondback spotting scope offers an endless lifetime warranty. The word VIP means Very Important Promise that  Vortex gives to its customers. It is also fully transferable. The company never compromises on quality, so you can easily rely on the Vortex optics spotting scope without any hesitation.

 

 

Read Also: Best Binoculars Under 500 Dollars

2. Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 20-60 x80 (45 degrees) Spotting Scope

– A Good Spotting Scope for Under $500

Worried about spending less than 500 means you have to pick a scope without superb features? Well, don’t worry.  Bushnell has paved the way for those of you who want an excellent spotting scope on a tight budget.

In a word, you will get everything you want from an ideal scope.

Key Specification of Bushnell Spotting Scope at a Glance

• Product Dimensions: 16.5 H x 4.5 W x 8.9 D inches
• Weight: 5.07 pounds.
• The product Length is 16.5 inches.
• Focus Distance: About 35 feet.
• Focus method: dual focus
• Magnification: 20 – 60x.
• Exit Pupil: 4-1.3 mm.
• Waterproof: yes.
• Variability: Variable.
• Glass: BaK-4
• Objective Lens: 80 mm.
• Field of view: 1000 yard

Some Noteworthy Features and Benefits

Let’s see some of Bushnell Legend Ultra HD (45 degrees) Spotting Scope’s essential features and benefits.

Fully Waterproof/Fog proof

Though this feature is not mandatory, it is a significant added advantage in securing the spotting scope.  On the other hand, it is also fog proof. As you will use the scope outdoors, you may have to face the fog and water in different geographical areas. So it will be suitable for any environment.

End Prime LD glass

The next feature we like to mention is its excellent magnification through prime low dispersion glass. It is also known as ED. The functionality is similar to prism coating, but it captures a single point. So you will able to take a clear, crisp image by the scope.

Angled 45 degree

Being 45 degree angled viewing, it is convenient, and don’t worry about adjusting the tripod range to high as it is suitable for people of different heights. So as the capability of adjusting, you can use it on looking up the sky or hill or maybe a cliff.

Dual focus

More than anything, Bushnell Legend Spotting Scope comes with dual focus and 2-speed that can capture every detail of the image and high-quality picture. On the other hand, you can capture any bird watching, hunting, and campaign through a dual focus scope.

 

 

3. Celestron Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope

Celestron Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope comes with some features that are far from mediocre. Even though you are investing in this affordable range, you still receive some fantastic benefits from this scope.

Key Specification of Celestron Spotting Scope at a Glance

• Product Dimensions: 13.2 H x 4.6 W x 3.8 D inches
• Weight: 4.5 pounds.
• The product Length is 16.5 inches.
• Focus Distance: About 5 m.
• Focus method: dual focus
• Magnification: 20 – 60x.
• Exit Pupil: 4-1.3 mm.
• Variability: Variable.
• Glass: BaK-4
• Objective Lens: 65 mm.
• Field of view: 1000 yard

Some Noteworthy Features and Benefits

Let’s see some of the critical features and benefits of the Celestron Regal M2 Spotting Scope.

XLT Coatings

Having multi-coated optics with multiple layers of lens surface makes it both harder and more durable. Meanwhile, it gives protection against the reflection from the outer shell.

Standard Magnification

We want to mention the next noticeable feature is refractor 80mm, which is very light and gives 77% finest viewing than any 60 mm scope. Moreover, you will get a standard image on a tight budget through this scope.

Limited Warranty

More than anything, Celestron gives a limited lifetime warranty on the scope in case it doesn’t meet up your expectations.

The company never compromises on quality.

ED Objective Glass

An advanced achromatic objective lens makes it better than the other spotting scopes in the market. An excellent magnification through prime low dispersion glass is also known as ED.

 

4. Vanguard Endeavor HD 65A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope

Are you looking for a long-range spotting scope on a tight budget?

Vanguard Endeavor HD Spotting Scope is perhaps one of the finest picks for the hunter or beginner looking for a top-class scope at an affordable price point.

The Vanguard is remarkable for manufacturing top-class Spotting scopes.

Key Specifications of the Vanguard Endeavor Spotting Scope at a Glance

• Product Dimensions: 14.7 H x 6.2 W x 4.5 D inches
• Weight: 1.8 kg
• The product Length is 16.5 inches.
• Focus Distance: About 5 m.
• Focus method: the central focus
• Magnification: 15-45x
• Exit Pupil: 2.7-1.3 mm.
• Waterproof: Yes.
• Glass: BaK-4 Prism
• Objective Lens: 65 mm.
• Field of view: 1000 yard

Some Noteworthy Features and Benefits

Let’s see some of the critical features and benefits of Vanguard Endeavor Spotting Scope.

Premium ED

The detachable angled body has a 45-degree angle that makes it comfortable for upward viewing, and the Ed (Extra-low Dispersion glass) is perfect for minimal fringing and color rendition.

Lifetime warranty-Premium

What could be better than a premium warranty? Especially if it is for a lifetime, Thanks to its Premium Lifetime Warranty! The Vanguard is extremely confident about its quality. If ever it gets damaged or broken, they will replace or repair the scope.

MultiGuard Coating

Being Bak4 phase-coated prism gives a quality crisp and fine image. Furthermore, it is fully multi-coated. It’s one of the unique features of this model from the Vanguard scope series. It has a wide range of magnification from 15 to 45x and an 82 mm objective lens, covering over 1000 yards.

 O-Ring Seal

The next noticeable feature we would like to mention about this Vanguard spotting scope is it’s waterproof. In the meantime, the gas purging wipes out all the chances of fogging and intact the moisture. Moreover, this model is perfect for all rush weather and environment and ensures superb quality performance.

 

 

5. Redfield Rampage 20-60x80mm Angled Spotting Scope

500$ under budget, but still such a tremendous scope that will meet your entire requirement as an ideal scope. One of the few spotting scopes that work fantastic, and with some fantastic benefits on a tight budget.

Key Specification of Redfield Rampage Spotting Scope at a Glance

• Product Dimensions: 16.8 H x 5.6 W x 8.5 D inches
• Weight: 6.5 pound
• The product Length is 16.6 inches.
• Focus Distance: About 14 foot
• Focus method: the central focus
• Magnification: 20-60x
• Exit Pupil: 4-1.3 mm.
• Waterproof: Yes.
• Glass: BaK-4 Prism
• Objective Lens: 80 mm.
• Field of view: 1000 yard

Some Noteworthy Features and Benefits

Let’s see some of the essential features and benefits of the Redfield Rampage Spotting Scope.

Powerful optics

Being BaK-4 Prism, it is suitable for all outdoor activities like watching wildlife and hunting. The Rampage scope is of superb quality functionality as well as reliable. On the other hand, an 80 mm objective lens and a 1000 yard of Field of view provide a wonderfully clear image.

Rubber Armored shape

Rubber Armored shape features make it perfect for a mounting shoot. At the same time, a nitrogen-filled makes this scope ready to endure as well as incredibly lightweight. As a result, this feature makes it easy to carry items.

Durable

More than anything, Redfield comes with a durable scope at a reasonable range. It’s a very travel-friendly scope with twist-up eyecup and Retractable lens shade. Moreover, this one is perfect for watching wildlife and hunting.

 

 

Read Related Article: Best Spotting Scope Under 250

Best Spotting Scope under 500 dollars- Buying Guide

This part will discuss how to choose an excellent spotting scope, even if it is under 500$.

Features to look for

• Magnification: The first feature you should consider is its magnification power when buying a spotting scope. Make sure you pick the right spotting scope, either with a fixed-length or maybe a single zoom eyepiece.

• Objective lens: keep in mind while buying a spotting scope, it’s not a matter of the brand, but the different features that will bring the benefits.  Great spotting scopes have lenses that have ED glass, HD (high density) with a fluorite-coated.
• Focusing: The right focusing mechanism is one the most needed features on a spotting scope so ensure your spotting scope has got an excellent focusing mechanism.
• Eyepiece: Another consideration in selecting the spotting scope is its eyepiece placement.  For bird watching, a 45-degree angled eyepiece is needed. So choose the right eyepiece placement and eye relief, an eye relief of 12-15 mm is accurate for a quality image.
• Warranty: The fact that these spotting scopes are expensive, so put your money into something worthy and get a good warranty period.

Other Spotting Scope Features  to Consider

Though we have covered some core features that you should have on your scope, there are still some other features to pay attention to.

• Is it straight or angled?
• Is it easy to handle?
• What about the warranty?
• Does it require extra accessories like a carrying case or tripod?

Our Recommendation

Every spotting scope on our top5 Spotting scope list is there because of their excellent benefits and value they offer.

We highly recommended the Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scope for its excellent optics and its classic elegant design.

On the other hand, the Vortex is so far one of the finest spotting scope manufacturers on the market today.

Read Related Article: Best Spotting Scope for the Money

Final Verdict

Hopefully, these best spotting scopes under $500 reviews will help you for your next buy. To wrap up this article, we could say there are various high-quality scopes out there for a low budget, and we have selected our top 5 spotting scopes for you according to their awesome benefits, features, and specifications.

They all have great functionality and superb quality in an affordable price range, so you don’t have to worry about the quality.

Top 5 Spotting Scope Under $500

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