Best Spotting Scope Under 200 Reviews 2020

Our reviews of the best spotting scope under 200 dollars found scopes than were not remarkable in performance but great when it comes to toughness.

Affordability and quality both combine in this price range, which is great for any hunter, photographer, and bird watcher.

You can get a branded spotting scope with a solid foundation and well-functioning for under 200 bucks. Brands like Celestron, Bushnell, and Redfield, etc. offer many cool optics, especially for people on a limited budget.

5 Top-rated Spotting Scopes Under $200

#	Preview	Product	Rating
1		BARSKA AB12356 Level 20-60x65 Waterproof Spotting...	33 Reviews	CHECK PRICE
2		Celestron – Ultima 80 Straight Spotting Scope...	177 Reviews	CHECK PRICE
3		Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting scope (Black)	231 Reviews	CHECK PRICE
4		Redfield Rampage 20-60x60mm Straight Eyepiece...	120 Reviews	CHECK PRICE
5		Meade Instruments 126001 Wilderness Spotting Scope...	49 Reviews	CHECK PRICE

Review of Best Spotting Scopes under 200 Dollars

Spotting scopes are indeed expensive, but you can find some different scopes in this budget if you know what features you want most.

Sorted by features, quality, and size, there are spotting scopes that can give you the performance you want.

Here are some cool spotting scopes for under $200 for all-purpose usage.

1. Barska WP Level Angled Spotting Scope

Color: Matt Black.

Field of view: 72.45/22 at 20X & 30.45/9.28 at 60X at 1000 yard.

Eye relief: 17 mm at 20X & 15 mm at 60X.

Exit pupil: 3.1mm@20x, 1.1mm@60x.

Included: Soft and hard carrying case, lens cover, pan head level tripod, etc.

Here is our first pick for best spotting scope under 200 dollars, the Barska WP Level Angled Spotting Scope, which is unbeatable in this optics price range.

This is an angled spotting scope made for both indoor and outdoor situations. The entirely multicoated optics has a large (65mm) objective lens and 20-60x magnification adjustments. It displays a crisp, clear view in different locations and different light conditions.

The scope is specially designed to deliver better performance for spotting a target downrange to get that close-up view.

Barska WP has a nitrogen field fog-proof housing, thick rubber armor, and built-in tripod mounting socket. It’s suitable to use underwater as well, so you can use it for marine observation as well as hunting, tracking, etc.

But it’s not fit for use with DSLR cameras because it’s a spotting scope, so you need a telephoto/zoom lens to use it with other optic devices.

Best uses: Hunting, wildlife watching, picture shooting, astronomy, and marine life watching.

Highlighted Spotting Scope Features

• This spotting scope can give low to highly stable and clear magnification from 20-60x.
• It comes with a 65mm multi-coated objective lens, which good for seeing through low or high lights quite well.
• The scope has got a textured body of rubber, which protects it from normal scratchers or pressure, but it’s not a 100% shockproof.
• Its built-in tripod mounting socket and glare-reducing sunshade allow ease to move around and let you focus more closely.

• Completely waterproof and fog proof so you can use it for marine-life wildlife watching or in any weather.

2. Celestron Ultima 80 20 to 60×80 Straight Spotting Scope

Color: Black & Army green (armor).

Magnification: 20-60x.

Eye relief: 18-15 mm.

Close focus distance: 26.2 mm.

Field of view: 105-52 at 1000 yards.

Included: objective cover, eyepiece cover, t-mount ring, carrying bag, pouch, cleaning cloth, etc.

Here is our second-best spotting scope under 200 bucks, the Celestron Ultima 80 20 to 60×80. An excellent value spotting scope to get you close to nature and undoubtedly one of the best entry-level spotting scopes around.

This one is not so heavy, almost 5 pounds, with the addition of the carrying case so that it can be easily carried to your hunting or shooting spots. The good news is it’s also suitable for use with DSLR Cameras and tripods.

It comes with high-quality multi-coated optics in a refractor design and rubber housing and has straight eyepieces, just like the usual spotting scopes. Some people prefer the angled eyepiece as they are easier to focus, but don’t worry, the straight eyepiece is not bad for focusing.

The Celestron Ultima 80 spotting scope is waterproof and suitable for use in the wild. It has the sight tube and focus-dial so one can focus on an object in no time

Highlighted Features

• The scope has multicoated lenses which ensure a bright, sharp view even in poor lighting condition.
• Consists of a T-mount adapter to connect DSLR cameras to your spotting scope to capture unforgettable shots.
• For smooth, sharp, and quick focusing, it has large dials which also good to use in low light conditions.
• Rugged with a thick rubber exterior, which provides protection against hard use in the field.
• Waterproof and suitable to use in bad weather, on boating or kayaking.

3. Celestron C90 Mak Spotting Scope

Color: Black

Magnification 39x.

Close Focus Distance: 15 ft.

Included: Backpack case, objective cover, cleaning cloth, etc.

So here is another great model of spotting scope that is ideal for almost all kinds of viewing situations. You can use the Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting scope for indoor photography or  wildlife observations  birding, astronomy, and photography

It comes with a multi-coated lens and 39x magnification that provides razor-sharp images over a wide area, and it manages to deliver in pretty much all conditions.

This best spotting scope combines mirrors and lens and has a folded optical system that has a 1250mm focal length in the 1ft long body. This design allows for a high power view without chromatic aberration. It uses a 1.25-inch eye-piece that is also found in astronomical telescopes.

The Celestron model 52268 seems very strong and well built and is visually quite appealing. It has got a smooth and sleek black exterior which looks very nice, but the main bonus for this spotting scope is the viewing quality it offers

Highlighted Features

The scope comes with 90mm multicoated optics, 1250 mm focal length, 13.9/f focal ration, and 15 ft near focus.

Includes 32 mm eyepiece, 8×21 Erect Image Find scope, and 45-degree erect image diagonal. These features work for quick, clear, and bright spotting and view.

The scope has got a highly versatile optical design that is sleek, smart, good for multiple applications, and easy to use.

Designed with dovetail rail and threaded mounting pot (1/4-20), which easily fits your camera and astronomical tripods.

Built-in T-adapter threads for ease of adapting SLR cameras.

4. Redfield Rampage 20-60x60mm Spotting Scope Kit

Color: Matt Black.

Magnification: 20-60x.

Main Focus: 19.8 ft.

Eye relief: 17~14 mm.

Field of view: 114~51 at 100 yards.

Included: Tripod soft storage case, lenses cover

When you need more magnification and clarity, then the Redfield Rampage 20-60x60mm Spotting Scope Kit is the best option to consider. This kit is portable and compact and suitable to carry anywhere and weighs around 5.5 lbs. It comes with a soft carrying case and covers for its optics to keep them safe and sound

This best spotting scope offers 20-60x magnifications with its multi-coated optics that provide high functionality. It also offers a retractable lens shade to focus in bright light conditions or at twilight.

Many people use it in the fields for shooting practice. However, although it offers decent performance, it’s tough to see 7mm bullet holes at 100 yards most of the time.

This issue occurred on seeing small objects like bullets. But if you try it spotting a bull or bird, it will be much easier to see through it.

Overall, it’s a good buy for all-purpose use; it’s a durable, and waterproof spotting scope

Highlighted Features

• The BAK4 Prism system delivers crisp and clear image resolution in all kinds of light conditions.
• The generous field of view (114 ft at 20x and 51 ft at 60x)
• Light but sturdy polycarbonate body, which is similar to bulletproof glass. So you can rely on it standing up in even the most trying conditions.
• The features like the 6m min focus, 34.6~60 twilight factors, etc. allows a great view point for watching wildlife or in shooting training.

5. Meade Instruments Wilderness Spotting Scope- 20-60×80-mm

Last but not least, our final best spotting scope under 200 dollars is the Meade Instruments 126001 Wilderness Spotting Scope. This scope has a 20-60x magnification with multi-coated lenses. Surprisingly on higher magnifications this scope, it is very clear and sharp.

Most of the cheap scopes with this magnification get hazy after 50x or over magnification. This spotting scope is up there with quality ED glass, which makes the performance better with minimal aberration than usual scopes.

The spotting scope has been designed especially for watching birds, and it’s not so good for astronomy. You can try rifle or pistol practicing and it’s useful for spotting small objects in decent light conditions.

This best spotting scope features a high index BAK 4 prism, ultimate precision-ground lenses. The lenses are fully multicoated and covered with an anti-reflection coating. So you can work on the spot when the sun is fully up and bright in front of you.

It has 80 mm objective lenses, waterproof, fog-proof, and nitrogen purged housing. This high powered lens works to gather as much light as possible, and as a result, this one is perfect for work at dusk and dawn.

It’s an angled spotting scope, which makes focusing a lot easier. Unfortunately, it does not come with a tripod that others in this range of scopes offer

Highlighted Features

• Made of top quality, zoom Porro 20-60 power prism, which gives you a better clear view all the time.
• For a detailed image, it has a large 80 mm objective lens that gathers plenty of light and shows bright, detailed images.
• The scope features high index Bak-4 Prism and precision ground multi-layered lenses with anti-reflection coatings.
• It has nitrogen purged housing which assures fog protection for many years of performance. Plus its moisture protected as well.

Read Related Article: Best Spotting Scope Under 500 Dollars

Factors To Consider While Purchase

When you are determining to buy a spotting scope, the first thing you need to do is make a list of your “must-have” and “special” requirements, like the magnification and eyepiece, etc. The special requirements could be the size range, durability, weight, control features, etc.

Here are some essential features that you should consider while selecting the best spotting scope under 200.

Magnification

Usually, spotting scopes power is between a minimum of 12x and a maximum of 250x. It’s better to find a scope with a 60mm focal lens. High magnification devices are more reasonable in weight in this case. For more visibility in bad weather or low light, then medium magnification is best.

Adaptable magnification is useful for focusing small to medium and large magnification. Once you find an object to focus properly you have the option to see it at mid or higher power.  There are some optics with single or fixed-length eyepieces that can be interchangeable.

Eyepiece

No spotting scope can do better than its eyepiece, so the building of the eyepiece is vital, interchangeable eyepieces in particular. Detachable eyepieces that allow you to modify the magnification range can be valuable, but such an attribute is likely to impair waterproofing, and it is expensive.

A well-constructed eyepiece is crucial to give you the best performance.  If it’s interchangeable, you will enjoy the facility that most spotting scopes with this interchangeable option offer to modify the magnification range. The features like the weather and water shields will increase the versatility, but it will also make it more expensive as well.

You can choose a straight eyepiece or an angled one. Both are great, but the angled one is good when you’re trying to spot anything while sitting. The straight eyepiece is excellent for a fast target, though.  Also, pick an exit pupil of 3-5 mm for a considerable amount of light gathering. For eye-relief, the 13-18 mm is an ideal choice.

Other things

Go for glass with higher quality. Many of the best spotting scopes under 200 offer better quality glass, which is fog-proof and shatter-proof. Also, see if your scope has prism-coatings. It might hard to find this feature in this budget, but still, there are some out there

• Size &Weight:  You don’t want anything that causes trouble while tracking because it’s hard to transport bulky scopes outdoors. So a compact size scope is better for outside shooting.
• Durability: For extreme durability, a rubber-armored body is a viable option.  Also, look for waterproofness, and fog-proof, etc. features too.

Read Related Article: Best Spotting Scope for the Money

Final Verdict

There are a lot of options available on the market, and maximum magnification is very appealing, but don’t be fooled without looking at the descriptions.

However, along with our other best spotting scopes reviews, the Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting scope is a top pick for anyone. This best spotting scope under 200 offers excellent features and facilities.

Top 5 Spotting Scope Under $200

#	Preview	Product	Rating
1		BARSKA AB12356 Level 20-60x65 Waterproof Spotting...	33 Reviews	CHECK PRICE
2		Celestron – Ultima 80 Straight Spotting Scope...	177 Reviews	CHECK PRICE
3		Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting scope (Black)	231 Reviews	CHECK PRICE
4		Redfield Rampage 20-60x60mm Straight Eyepiece...	120 Reviews	CHECK PRICE
5		Meade Instruments 126001 Wilderness Spotting Scope...	49 Reviews	CHECK PRICE