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Best Spotting Scopes under 200 USD in 2024

Sometimes, a binocular can’t get you close enough to your subject of interest for the details you need. So, Spotting Scopes with higher magnifications turn out to be essential instruments for bird watchers, hunters, target shooters, and stargazers alike. But, a lot of varieties are available on the market for different budgets. 

Naturally, the question arises: Which budget-friendly spotting scope should we buy?

It all depends upon the magnification power, glass type, eye relief, exit pupil, the field of view, close focus, lens coatings, etc., of the spotting scope you want to have in your store.

Don’t panic! I am here to guide you for the Best Three Budget Spotting Scopes under $200. Be assured! At first, we’ll have a fleeting glimpse of the best spotting scopes. In the end, you get all concepts clarified to take a well-informed and quick decision with no waste of time.

So, let’s begin.

TOP 3 Spotting Scopes Under 200

1. CELESTRON – ULTIMA 80 ANGLED SPOTTING SCOPE

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Engineered for the highest performance, durability, and quality in its class, the CELESTRON –ULTIMA 80 ANGLED SPOTTING SCOPE- 20-60X80 is a great all-around budget spotting scope that’s compact and portable, with a comfortable 45-degree viewing angle.

Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers for Bird Watching, Wildlife, Scenery, and Hunting, this spotting scope bears indispensable features such as an eyepiece lens cap, port cover and pouch, a lens cloth, a carrying case, and whatnot. Further, a soft padded case with zippers on both sides protects the spotting scope even while mounted on the tabletop tripod.

Most importantly, the more expensive BAK-4 prism glass, having a higher refractive index and lower critical angle, offers you higher image quality levels. To add more, a 105 ft Field of View @ 1000 yards means more details of the subject and less of its surroundings.

The Exit Pupil range of this spotting scope allows you to carry out your sporting activities both at dawn and dusk and during the daytime. Close Focus being as less as 27 ft., helps you see details of a bird landed up-close to your spotting scope and take photographs.

Moreover, as multi-layer anti-reflection coatings assure excellent light transmission, you get a brighter and sharper image even when the light is dim. Zoom- Eyepiece for the sharp, clear, and magnified image quality of the subject and taking photos from the farthest distance with the help of its ‘T-thread’ by attaching a camera are the other outstanding features you would love to have in your spotting scope.

Besides, as it is filled with dry nitrogen gas and sealed compact, it’s completely waterproof and fog proof. And, above all, you enjoy a Two Year Warranty with lifetime technical support from Celestron at an unbeatable viewing value.

Pros
45 Degree Angled Zoom Eyepiece
Multi-Layer Lens Coatings and Foldable Eyecup
BaK-4 Prism Glass
Eye Relief – 18 mm @ 20X
Exit Pupil – 4 – 1.33 mm
Field of View – 105-53 ft/1000 Yards
Close Focus – 27 ft
Focal Length – 480 mm; Eyepiece Zoom- 8-24 mm
Nitrogen Filled Waterproof and Fog proof
Two-Year Warranty with Lifetime Technical Support
Cons
Weight – 57 oz./1.61 kg

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2. BARSKA 30-90X90 Waterproof Colorado Spotter Scope and Tripod

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This lightweight aluminum straight budget spotting scope features the perfect magnification range for up-close spotting or general observation. The massive 90 mm ocular lens maximizes light transmission, thereby delivering vivid and brighter images even in low light conditions such as dusk and dawn or even night sky observations.

Further, at such high magnifications, the side-focusing knob allows quick fine adjustments for a clearer view for birding and sports. To add more, the lightweight Deluxe Tabletop Tripod with a carrying case can maximize its height from 26.6 inches to 63.4 inches, thereby providing constant visuals even at longer distances and higher magnifications.

To maintain a sharp, glare-free crystal clear view and to see extraordinary details, the built-in extendable and collapsible sunshade in the housing prevents sunlight from diminishing the quality of the view while maintaining excellent color transmission and contrast.

Moreover, fully-coated lenses also guarantee clarity and performance, even at greater distances than uncoated optics. BK-7 Porro Prism Glass (a borosilicate glass) used in the spotting scope transmits nearly all the incident light to have crystal clear images.

With a sophisticated Exit Pupil, the wide Eye Relief range allows you to have the perfect Field of View of your subject. Filled with Dry Nitrogen Gas, this spotting scope is completely waterproof and fog proof. Last but not least, this spotting scope comes with Protective Soft Case with Lens Cloth.

Pros
Aluminum Straight Spotting Scope
Full-Size Deluxe Tabletop Tripod with Soft Case
BK-7 Porro Prism Glass
Eye Relief – 1.78-14.8 mm
Exit Pupil – 3.6-1.2 mm
Waterproof and Fog Proof
Extendable Sunshade
Protective Soft Case with Lens Cloth
Weight – 47.97 oz./ 1.36 kg
Cons
Lacks Multi-Layer Lens Coatings
Field of View – 78-40.2 ft/1000 yards
Field of Close Focus – 32.8 ft.
Lifetime Warranty only for Original Defects in Materials

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3. SVBONY SV13 Spotting Scope – 20-60X80

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Perfect for Bird Watching, Target Shooting & Hunting, BK-7 Porro Prism Glass(a borosilicate glass) of this spotting scope increases light transmission, letting you have a vivid and crystal clear color view in the great distance. Also, silver reflective fully multi-coated lenses make more light reflect to the eyepiece and thereby delivers high-contrast images. Along with eyeglass-friendly twist-up eyecup, the high range of Eye Relief from 17.9 to 15 mm permits you to have a humanized observation experience for birding, hunting, shooting, outdoor sporting, astronomical observation, etc. Further, the low 2.2” resolution allows you to have a more substantial product resolution to see sharper and clearer image details. And, Close Focus, as short as 19.68 ft., helps you see details of a bird landed up-close in your backyard, whereas Built-in Zoom Lens produces sharp images from 20X up to 60X magnification.

Moreover, Extended Sunshade protects the objective lens from damage and suppresses stray light interferences. The smartphone digiscoping adapter permits you to take photos and make videos even from the farthest distance. The extraordinary feature of the rotate knob that can be adjusted to 90-degree on a horizontal and vertical axis makes it perfect for any adventure.

Last but not least, Nitrogen Filled IP7 waterproof and fog-proof budget spotting scope withstands harsh environments. It is indeed utterly impervious for 30 minutes underwater of one-meter depth.

Pros
Silver Reflective Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
BK 7 Prisms Glass with Phone Adapter
Eye Relief – 17.9 -15 mm
Exit Pupil – 3.3-1.22 mm
Field Of View – 82.9-48 ft/1000 Yards
Resolution – 2.2
Close Focus – 19.68 ft
Built-in Zoom
Nitrogen Filled IPX7 Waterproof and Fog proof
Eyepiece and Objective Lens Cover, Lens Cloth, and Soft Carrying Case
Cons
Weight – 61.72 oz./ 1.75 kg
Tripod Not Included
Only Two-Month Warranty on Accessories

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Happy Viewing

Whether you hold a casual or professional approach, color vibrance mustn’t be lost, especially while observing astronomical bodies or identifying colorful bird species. Further, getting a detailed view of a target at the range for easy zeroing in rifle and knowing the impact of shots to save time and ammunition are the two outstanding features of a spotting scope for hunters and target shooters.

Therefore, weigh the pros of spotting scope against its cons, and choose the best one. If you would like to have more advanced features without a tripod, have enough bucks in your pocket to buy a sturdy and robust tabletop tripod to support your spotting scope. Or else, it will be like putting a Mercedes on Golf Cart tires.

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