Inexpensive Spotting Scope

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Hello,
I am looking for a spotting scope my father. I'm not looking for anything super duper or even near the top. The only goal is to be able to see a 22 caliber hole at 50 yards - he is digging shooting his AR. Ideally it will be fairly self contained with a small bench top stand. My budget is under $200 if possible.

Thoughts?

Anthony
 
That looks perfect for form and price. What are you shooting at 100 yards?

I,know you don't want to spend a lot but consider who your buying it for.
If your going to be shooting at 50 yards 90% of the time many scopes will be o.k. important to remember is eye relief. Many who need glasses or even shooting glasses make spotting scopes a pita to use. Constantly lifting glasses to get close enough to the eye piece.
The kowa ts 501 20x50 the cmp sells is a very good scope.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/12/bargain-kowa-spotting-scopes-from-the-cmp-280-00/

Also if he is going to shoot from the bench often a bench tripod sucks. Maybe one of these
https://www.amazon.com/Opticron-Uni...94&sr=8-1&keywords=spotting+scope+bench+mount

I,know it's beyond your price range but consider some options.
These pole style stands are the balls. I wonder why I waited so long to get something like this.
http://www.creedmoorsports.com/product/1357/Creedmoor-Stands

Now for the big advice. Personally if your going to go cheap just stop buy job lot , best buy , BJs and buy a 49$ set up. They are ok and should do well at 50 yards.
I have a 59$ mead 20x40x50 that's been doing just fine although the tripod crapped out after year.

One more thing.... do not get fooled by Maginification you want resolution and clarity which most cheap scopes don't have past 25x.
 
I was checking out someone to qualify on my club's 200 yard range. I have a cheap (~$100) Barska 25-250 spotting scope and it is fine for 50-100 yards, but seeing those .223 hits at 200 is pretty tough.

In a word, you get what you pay for when it comes to glass. (Rifle or spotting scopes)
 
I understand the point about you get what you pay for. My high power spotting scope is an older (15 y/o) Kowa 821 and I think its great. With that said - my dad set a budget, he doesn't want anything that nice - just enough to see the hole at 50 yards... He also wants a bench top tripod. He also doesn't care for my scope - thinks it is a PIA to lug around. He especially hates my polecat scope stand. He also has zero desire to push past 100 yards and at 100 yards he will be at my range with my scope.

Honestly - if that makes him happy, I'm happy to help. I would rather he use the scope than have it sitting in a closet.
 
I understand the point about you get what you pay for. My high power spotting scope is an older (15 y/o) Kowa 821 and I think its great. With that said - my dad set a budget, he doesn't want anything that nice - just enough to see the hole at 50 yards... He also wants a bench top tripod. He also doesn't care for my scope - thinks it is a PIA to lug around. He especially hates my polecat scope stand. He also has zero desire to push past 100 yards and at 100 yards he will be at my range with my scope.

Honestly - if that makes him happy, I'm happy to help. I would rather he use the scope than have it sitting in a closet.

I called my friend to see what his son uses. Shoots 50yard small bore prone
He says his son likes this one th best as it compact and light.
https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Na...53610&sr=1-79&keywords=Compact+spotting+scope
He has a few otjets in the cheap category but the longer ones tend to tip over.
 
Ive had decent luck with the Celestron c70.
Comes with a carry bag, lens covers and table top tripod. Tripod is not great but gets the job done to 100yds a little wobbly. I got a full size tripod cheap on Craigs list and can easily see .22 on splatter target to 200 yds.
Happy with the purchase. Compact and easy to carry in a bag really helps me.
BH photo has some good prices at times.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sear...Search=yes&sts=ma&typedValue=&Top+Nav-Search=
 
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