Aim at something 1000 yards away and put a scope on it? Piece of cake.
This is why most shooters that are serious about hunting and shooting have considered getting a spotting scope one day. Spotting scopes are larger lenses that are made to help you spot your targets from far distances.
So you can take them if you want to spot targets 1000 yards away.
It comes with super optics that are 120x better than the human eye. So if you aim the scope at something 1000 yards away you can see it clearly from that distance.
But picking the right spotting scope can be a tough decision if you never bought one before. So below I have included reviews of the best spotting scopes I found to help answer all your questions on how to pick the right spotting scope.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes | Best Overall |  |
| Celestron – Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope | Budget Pick |  |
| Swarovski Optik ATS-65 HD Spotting Scope | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes
Pros:
- The best quality-to-performance ratio
- Innovative engineering and top quality construction
(XR, HD, HD-Gen II)
Vortex Optics HD spotting scope is the best quality-to-performance ratio in the market.
HD spotting scopes are entirely hand-assembled, nitrogen purged and waterproofed. Plus, each scope is covered with a Lifetime warranty.
2. Celestron – Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope
Pros:
- Well-made with great optics and rugged construction
- 20-60x – perfect for 1000 yards
- Includes tripod, carrying case, and carrying strap
- Can be used as a spotting scope or mounted on a tripod for digiscoping
- Waterproof and fogproof…
- Serial number etched into the surface of the prism glass for permanent reference
- Includes a calibration certificate
- Great range and magnification for reasonable price
Cons:
- Focusing dial doesn’t turn smoothly, but what can you do for this price?
Carrying Strap and Adjustable Tripod.
Rain or fog can ruin your good time. The fog-proof and waterproof lens will let you see a 1000 yards anytime, no matter the weather.
Celestron has been in the business for use in the astronomy field. They focused on ultra precision and optical quality. The result was amazing and this scope was created. The lens is multi-coated with glare-reducing coatings.
3. Nikon Prostaff 5 Proscope 82mm Angled Body
Pros:
- Available sizes ranging from 35-82mm
- Great for long-range hunting, target shooting, and plinking
- 82mm is the optimal size for extreme long-distance applications
Cons:
- Can be a bit heavy. Fairly typical for spotting scopes this size though
- No case or strap for carrying. The scope comes with a plastic tripod
This is a stylish, mid-priced spotting scope that’s great for long-range applications thanks to its long range optics. The 82mm objective lens offers bright, outstanding clarity in a lightweight package.
This spotting scope is best suited for distant targets. You will need a tripod to take advantage of its high magnification. The low power also offers a great wide-angle view for long-distance observation.
This scope is great for outdoor use as you are able to easily adjust it to the proper height while on the move. This spotting scope offers you quite a bit of flexibility with the zoom feature giving it a versatile scope that you can use in the field for various applications.
4. Swarovski Optik ATS-65 HD Spotting Scope
Pros:
- Crisp and clear image at high magnifications
- LED illumination with 9 levels of brightness and continuous zoom
- Very lightweight and compact
Swarovski Optik has a reputation for being the gold standard in spotting scopes, and with its ATS-65, it continues that tradition and sets a new standard in this category. If you are looking for the best spotting scope for the money, don’t be fooled by the price tag. This scope is so much more than meets the eye.
This scope features all the latest features in a package that is compact, lightweight, has a comfortable hand grip and a design that makes it easy to carry around. Swarovski Optik took all its knowledge about how to build a spotting scope that would work for the most discerning of hunters and incorporated that knowledge into this new ATS-65.
The angled eyepiece is comfortable, ultra lightweight, and it fits perfectly on the spotting scope’s aluminum tripod. Its special coating allows for a crystal clear, crisp image at high magnifications.
5. Celestron Regal M2 80ED Spotting Scope
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy to adjust and transport
- Durable
This is an excellent spotting scope and I recommend it to anyone looking to purchase an affordable device that performs at super-human levels. It comes with a compass, and it’s rated to be waterproof so you can use it in snow and rain.
The magnification range is 20-60x, and the magnification range is great for what it is.
I recommend this very highly.
6. Pentax PF-80ED Spotting Scope
Pros:
- 1000 yard visibility
- Built-in tripod
- Multi-coated lenses
- Comes with carrying case
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Lifetime limited warranty
- Detects bloodmeal (for those into hunting)
- Great customer service
- Heavy duty design
(Misc.)
The Pentax PF-80ED Spotting Scope is a prime example of a high tech spotting scope that will give you an explosive experience of your favorite long-range recreation activities. When you cant spot your game from a distance and when you can’t see the big game because of the long distance, this spotting scope will give you the additional power to have a perfect view at a distance of about 1000 yards.
It allows to see the Longe Range View with this device as long as 1000 yards and can magnify up to 50 times. It has a rubberized body cover to shield it from dust and moisture. It is a lightweight spotting scope that can be brought with you to any hunting destination, as you can conveniently slip it into your backpack or field case.
7. Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope
Pros:
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Comes with scope bag and two 5x eyepieces
- Heavy duty aluminum body
- Rubber armored for an ergonomic grip when holding
- Eye relief is increased by a 30mm tube for comfortable viewing
- Fully Multi-coated optics
- Captures vibrant and sharp pics
- Moderate price
Cons:
- The plastic is a little fragile and could break easily
- It could be a bit bigger
If you want to get a professional quality spotting scope at an affordable price, check out Vanguards latest offering.
The Vanguards Endeavor HD 82A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope has a maximum magnification of 45x that reveals even subtle textures and patterns. It comes with powerful 5x magnification so you can check out your environment while still maintaining an eye on your preferred target.
It has two eyepieces. One with a 20mm field of view at 1x power and another with a 10x field of view. Bino-viewers will have no trouble using this spotting scope.
8. Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes
Pros:
- Flip-up lens caps
- Waterproof
- Dual use for hunting, bird watching, nature viewing, and law enforcement
- Heavy duty construction
Vortex Optics was the first place I looked when I wanted to purchase a high quality spotting scope.
The company believes that spotting scopes shouldn’t only be used to view distant objects, but they should also be used as a way to your own personal connection with wildlife.
This zoom spotting scope is great for hunters or bird watchers. The Sport HD can view subjects at a 1000 yards and the FLIR2 option gives you the ability to take pictures and gather information on animals.
9. BARSKA AD12164 Blackhawk 25-75×100 Waterproof Spotting Scope
Pros:
- Can be handheld or mounted to a tripod
- Handy vernier windage and elevation adjustments
- Multiple eye-relief positions for different eye lengths
- Comes with a carrying case for easy storage
- Extra lens covers for additional safety precautions
- Rugged and light weight
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Provides a great value for the money
Cons:
- Only provides 26mm of eye relief … if you wear glasses.
You may be looking at this incredible value by BARSKA, having trouble understanding why it’s so inexpensive. The quality of the optics, as well as the build of this scope, is just as good as any scope twice the price.
So regardless of whether you’re an experienced hunter or simply want to get into long-range target shooting, this scope has you covered …yet it’s easy on your wallet.
10. Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting scope
Pros:
- Great for long-range hunting
- Clear images
If you’re in the market for a spotting scope there’s a fair chance you need it for long-range hunting. Here’s where the Celestron C90 shines.
This small, compact spotting scope holds its own against much larger models. The rugged aluminum alloy body is waterproof and fogproof. Fully coated optics and anti-reflective coatings on the glass give you the clearest images possible.
Images are sharp and clear with no color fringing. It also comes with a hard carrying case and lens cover. Truly a great spotting scope.
11. Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 20-60 x80
Pros:
- Waterproof and fogproof; Completely submersible
- Comes with a ballistic reticle
- Compact design allows for easy carrying
- Lifetime Guarantee
The Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 20-60 x80 is a great scope for 1000 yards as it has a very big field of view.
This Ultra HD spotting scope, with fully multi-coated optics, delivers bright and vibrant images as it captures 20-60x magnification, and 80mm diameter objective lens.
The spotting scope is perfect for getting shots at long distances, and for finding and identifying targets. The multi-coated lenses reduce glare while the field of view provides a nice wide image so you can get a good look at your target.
12. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes
Pros:
- High quality construction
- Water and fogproof
- Weighs 3.5lbs
- Can be handheld or mounted
- Magnification range from 20-60X
- 12 months limited manufacturer’s warranty
The Diamondback series spotting scopes from Vortex Optics are geared toward hunters and tactical use. It boasts an impressive field of view for a spotting scope, as well as high-powered zoom without compromising on image quality.
The scope has an impressive 60x zoom, with the illuminated crosshair reticle allowing for more accurate shots over longer ranges. It is able to magnify objects from 20 to 60 times its original size.
Vortex Optics manufacturers their spotting scopes in the USA. They are extremely popular with hunters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a good spotting scope for 1000 yards?
A spotting scope is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will ever buy if you want the best accuracy in your shooting. Without one, it is very difficult to be consistently very accurate. A decent spotting scope can improve your accuracy by a lot.
But what makes a good spotting scope for 1000 yards?
First, a 1000 yard spotting scope is basically a telescope with an eyepiece designed to be used with a gun. Like every telescope, it will have an objective lens and an eyepiece lens. Ideally, the magnification should be at least 25x and the highest objective lens should be at least 50mm or even more.
For other features, it’s a good idea to look for a spotting scope which offers clear optics, a mount which can be adjusted for height, and a tripod. A tripod is the most important part of the spotting scope since it gives the best stability for consistent accuracy.
What is the best scope magnification for 1000 yards?
A spotting scope is used by marksmen to get a better view of their target and to determine the best distance for their shot. Eventually, the user will see that bigger number on the scope tag that promises a sighting range of 1000 yards. That’s a long-range spotting scope.
This is where things get interesting. If a scope can reach 1000 yards, why would you want to spot things that close? After all, most targets are far away, so you are looking to see things that are far away. A limited range gives you better image quality, and more means worse image quality.
Who makes the best long range spotting scope?
It is difficult to compare spotting scopes to other optical instruments because of how different their purpose is. Comparing spotting scope optics to optics for hunting rifles, for example, is a bit of a silly comparison. Because of this, in our opinion there are really no best long range spotting scopes. In fact, many long range hunting scopes aren’t even dedicated spotting scopes. Then again there are some dedicated spotting scopes that cost as much as a small car.
What is more important than brand for the most part is quality. And we mean overall quality. If you get a spotting scope that costs 2000 bucks but optics are terrible, then you got a very expensive peephole for you to look through. The same goes for a spotting scope that costs 1000 bucks if the image quality is good but durability sucks (the weird lens cap for example).
How far can a 60x spotting scope See?
The most powerful spotting scopes on the market have a magnification power of up to 60x. This is what sets them apart from other spotting scopes and makes them ideal for viewing distances over 1000 meters.
For most users, even the most powerful spotting scopes will provide little to no noticeable benefit for viewing distances shorter than 500 yards. A 30x or 40x spotting scope will suit most needs for around 500-1000 yards. On average, a moderately powerful spotting scope will have a maximum useful magnification power of around 50x.
The most powerful spotting scopes are most useful for hunters as you’ll be able to track your prey for longer at greater distances. A tall stand or tripod is also recommended for these types of spotting scopes as you’ll need to hold them steady, which can be challenging without one.
Conclusion
Aside from our list, we also have a detailed guide on what to consider when buying a long range spotting scope. We've also included the best long range spotting scopes on the market so that you can quickly compare and choose the right model for your needs.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes | Best Overall | |
| Celestron – Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope | Budget Pick | |
| Swarovski Optik ATS-65 HD Spotting Scope | Upgrade Pick | |