Best Spotting Scopes for 500 Yards (Quality Choices)

Best Spotting Scopes for 500 Yards

Spotting scopes are ideal if you need an optic device that is not only portable but also has a high magnification capability. These devices exist in a variety of sizes, but to get the greatest visual results, they virtually always require to be used with a tripod on a steady platform.

Long-range viewing and a variety of activities such as hunting, birding, camping, spying, stargazing, and landscape viewing all use spotting scopes.

The best spotting scope for long range shooting has the best coatings, glass, huge objectives, and magnification that is quite high. We’re looking at more money for high – end brands with these kinds of specs. The ideal spotting scope for 500 yards or even further is one that caters to your unique demands while also being versatile enough to provide you with some added value.

High magnification power and excellent visual results might come with a hefty price tag. Many outdoor experts, on the other hand, are more than prepared to pay a little more for better results.

Best Spotting Scopes for 500 Yards ( Our best picks)

Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes

Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes

 

 

The Razor HD 27-60×85 Angled Spotting Scope combines high-end optical technology, beautiful craftsmanship, and ultra-sleek functionality to create one of the greatest spotting scopes on the market.

The lenses include XR Plus anti-reflective coatings to provide maximum brightness for critical low-light glassing, the scope is thin for simple packing, and the multi-position eyecup twists up to provide proper eye relief with or without glasses.

It also has a locking collar that allows you to rotate the scope to get the best viewing angle, a built-in sunshade that pulls out to reduce glare, a waterproof and fog proof O-ring sealed and argon purged design, Armortek coatings that protect the lenses from oil, scratches, and dirt, and rubber armor for extreme durability.

Features

  • Eye Relief: 16.7 – 17 mm
  • Field of view of 1.3 – 2.2 degrees
  • Close Focus: 16.4 ft.
  • Magnification: 27 – 60 x
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 85 mm
  • Twilight Factor: 47.9 – 71.4
  • Sunshade built-in
  • Exceptional light transmission under all lighting conditions
  • Customized eye relief is provided through a multi-position eyecup.
  • Waterproof and fog-proof
  • Rubber armor provides a comfortable, non-slip grip.

Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes

Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes

 

 

 

Because it has a lot of glassing choices and is highly steady, the Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scopes is a superb spotting scope for hunting. The optical clarity, light transmission, and image stability of this scope are all superb.

The flexible magnification zoom provides a wide field of view, and the adjustable eyecups twist up and down to allow a tight view with or without eyeglasses. In the HD optical system, XR anti-reflective coatings are employed to help provide bright and clear target views regardless of lighting conditions.

Armortek protects the lens from scratches while also removing debris, oil, and fingerprints, allowing you to see the target clearly. Furthermore, because it is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to guarantee waterproof and fog-proof performance, you can use this scope in any weather.

During daylight shooting, a built-in sunshade swings out to assist decrease glare, and robust rubber armor provides a comfortable, non-slip grip.

Features

  • Magnification: 20 – 60 x
  • Eye Relief: 19.6 – 17.8 mm
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 85 mm
  • Field of View, Linear: 101 – 50 ft. at 1000 yards
  • Close Focus: 36 ft.
  • There is a built-in sunshade.
  • The locking collar provides for a variety of viewing angles.
  • Construction is strong and long-lasting.
  • It’s completely waterproof and fog-proof.
  • Eye comfort that can be customized.
  • Rubber armor gives you a comfortable, non-slip grip.
  • It’s small and portable.
  • Anti-reflective XR coatings improve visibility in low light.
  • Image clarity is exceptional.

Kowa TSN-883 Prominar spotting scope

Kowa TSN-883 Prominar spotting scope

 

 

The Kowa TSN-880 Series has a legendary reputation among birdwatchers, hunters, target shooters, and famous observers all over the world. Many consider it to be the most expensive of all the spotting scopes accessible today, despite not being the most expensive of all the spotting scopes available.

An 88 mm Prominar objective lens made entirely of fluorite crystal totally eliminates chromatic aberration in this setup.

You’ll be able to use the Kowa TSN-880 Series in virtually any light condition other than complete darkness thanks to its extremely wide aperture that appears to suction light into the body of the spotting scope.

The Kowa TSN-880 Series spotting scope also comes with a soft-sided case, a heart-sided case, an eyepiece locking mechanism, and a tripod mounting system. One of the most user-friendly mounting systems on the market.

Features

  • Body: Angled
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 88mm
  • Lens Type: Fluorite Crystal
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 16.4 feet
  • Length: 13.5 inches
  • Weight: 53.6 ounces
  • Filter Diameter: 96mm
  • Waterproof and Filled with Nitrogen gas to prevent the lens from fogging
  • Magnesium alloy body providing a rugged structure
  • Eyepiece Locking Mechanism prevents it from falling off and getting lost
  • Tripod mount

Meopta MeoPro HD80

Meopta MeoPro HD80

 

 

The Meopta MeoPro 80 HD is a well-made, high-quality spotting scope with excellent optical performance that is suited for use in the great outdoors. Its elegant lines hide its size, but it’s impossible to hide its weight. The large 80mm objective makes this a weighty spotting scope with a high price tag.

The fluorite objective lens is 80mm in diameter and is designed for optimal light gathering and color fidelity. Meopta’s patented MeoBright anti-reflective coating is fully multi-coated on all lens elements, maximizing light transmission along the optical path and improving image contrast.

The MeoPro 80 spotting scope’s optical brilliance is matched by its rugged build and user-friendly design. The MeoPro 80 is a full-featured spotting scope for a wide range of outdoor observation duties, thanks to its retractable aluminum sunshade, long 18.5mm eye relief, and rotating/locking tripod collar.

Features

  • Magnification: 20-60 x
  • Objective lens: 80mm
  • Eye relief: 18.5mm
  • Close focus distance: 19.69 feet
  • Length: 14.33 “
  • Weight: 67.97 ounces
  • Field of view: 105-63 /1000 yards
  • Optics coating: fully multi-coated
  • Focus system: collar/dual focus
  • Viewing configuration: angled
  • Waterproof and fog proof

Vortex Razor HD 11-33×50 Spotting Scope

Vortex Razor HD 11-33×50 Spotting Scope

 

 

With high-end optical advances, outstanding construction, and ultra-sleek functionality, the Razor HD is one of the best spotting scopes on the market.

Advanced optical components decrease aberrations, yielding distortion-free, flat-field images with unmatched edge-to-edge sharpness, as well as excellent clarity, resolution, and color accuracy.

The Razor HD is ideal for hunters, shooters, and observers that demand a high-quality spotter that performs at the highest level. You’ll be able to know with just one glimpse.

Features

  • Magnification: 11-33
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
  • Linear Field of View: 191-96 Ft. /1000 yards
  • Angular Field of View: 3.6-1.8 degrees
  • Close Focus: 6.6 feet
  • Eye Relief: 16-19 mm
  • Exit Pupil: 4.6-1.5 mm
  • Length: 10.3”
  • Weight: 25.0 ounces
  • Water proof and fog proof.
  • Its ultra-light and packable.

Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm

Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD 20-60x60mm

 

 

 

The Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD is a must-have for every serious hunter or shooter. It’s built to withstand the roughest circumstances. It has a lifetime warranty and a Guard-ion lens coating that repels dirt and water for clear, crisp images.

Leupold sx-2 Alpine also has an integrated sunshade for quick glare reduction, scratch resistant lenses for added protection, is waterproof and fog proof, and a light management system that adds up to 20 minutes of shooting time while removing 85 percent more glare-producing stray light than competitors.

Features

  • Weight: 65 oz.
  • Length: 16.77″
  • Magnification: 20-60x
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 60 mm
  • Eye Relief: 18-19.5 mm
  • Field of View at 100 yds.: 48-102 ft.
  • Tripod Compatible: Yes
  • Waterproof and fog proof

Vortex optics viper HD 20 60×85 straight

Vortex optics viper HD 20 60x85 straight

 

 

 

The Vortex Optics Viper HD 20-60×85 Spotting Scope, with its straight-through viewing, is an excellent companion for long-range shooters and hunters, delivering bright and sharp high-contrast images with authentic color and crisp clarity at all magnifications, even in low or challenging light conditions.

This one is a more advanced scope with a 20-60X eyepiece that allows for a considerably wider zoom range. Furthermore, the 85mm objective lens provides full clarity to crisp, sharp photos, enhancing your experience to new heights.

The new helical focusing system is adaptable and useful for a variety of activities since it allows the user to rapidly establish the correct focus with a more comfortable grip. It is the most effective method for dealing with fast-moving targets.

Viper HD scopes are completely wrapped in rubber armoring, which provides excellent shock resistance. These scopes are also O-ring sealed and argon purged, making them completely water and fog proof.

Features

  • Magnification: 20-60x.
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 85 mm.
  • Linear Field of View: 101-50 ft./1000 yds.
  • Angular Field of View: 1.9-1 degrees.
  • Close Focus: 36 feet.
  • Eye Relief: 17.8-19.6 mm.
  • Length: 18 inches.
  • Weight: 76.4 ounces
  • Water and fog proof

Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope

Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope

 

 

Bushnell’s Trophy Xtreme 20-60×65 Spotting Scope has multi-coated optics that prevent internal ghosting and reflections, resulting in clear and bright images. These highly reflective coatings reduce light loss while increasing contrast and color fidelity.

BAK4 Porro prisms are used in this spotting scope to enhance light transmission and ensure sharpness. The highly refractive BAK4 Porro prisms reduce spherical aberrations and improve depth of vision by reducing spherical aberrations. A spotting scope with this mix of coatings and optics delivers bright, clear, strongly contrasted images with accurate color transmission.

The lightweight rubber-armored body of the Trophy Xtreme 20-60×65 Spotting Scope is impact resistant and nitrogen-filled to make it water and fog proof. Its tripod mounting shoe accepts a 1/4″-20 mounting bolt, and a retractable lens cover with a built-in cap shields the objective lens from the sun or rain.

Features

  • Magnification x Objective Lens: 20-60x65mm
  • Eyepiece: Angled
  • Eye Cup: Twist-Up
  • Close Focus (ft. /m):19.7 ft. / 6.00 m
  • Exit Pupil (in. /mm):0.129 in. / 3.3 mm
  • Eye Relief (in. /m):0.67 in. / 17 mm
  • Water and fog proof

See Also

Choosing the Best Spotting Scopes for 500 Yards 

  1. Lens glass quality

High definition (HD) and extra-low dispersion (ED) capabilities are found in the best spotting scopes for the money, resulting in an image that is exceptionally sharp and shows clear, true-to-life colors.

  1. Magnification power

Medium-range telescopes with magnification powers ranging from 15 to 60 times are known as spotting scopes. To adjust magnification power, they have either interchangeable fixed-length eyepieces or a single zoom eyepiece.

To get a brilliant image, look for an objective lens with a diameter of at least 60 mm.

  1. Rugged construction

When you’re out in the field for many days and hauling a spotting scope through miles of territory, it’s inevitable that it’ll get bumped or dropped. A rugged spotting scope that can withstand damage without losing performance is required. Because you don’t want to break it in the middle of nowhere, the best spotting scope for hunting should be extremely sturdy.

  1. Coating on the lens

The quantity of coatings on the glass lenses helps it function better. Lens coatings on spotting scopes essentially increase light transmission by minimizing glare and reflection. This curiously aids it in transmitting the most light into the lens, allowing you to see your target clearly.

  1. Comfort

Because you’ll be staring through a spotting scope at fields or mountainsides for the majority of your time, the best spotting scope for the money should be comfortable to use for extended periods of time.

A straight spotting scope or an angled spotting scope must be chosen. Straight scopes have a higher profile because they must be seated at eye level, whereas angled scopes are easier on the neck because you may softly look down into the eyepiece.

  1. Warranty

A solid guarantee is really beneficial. It could be able to assist you in getting the most out of your goods and ensuring that your money is properly spent.

Best Spotting Scopes for 500 Yards FAQS

What magnification do I need for 500 yards?

When it comes to reaching high levels of accuracy and precision, having the correct magnification is critical. For 500-yard shots, a magnification of at least 5x is recommended, with a maximum magnification of at least 18x.

Which is better: a straight or an angled spotting scope?

Straight spotting scopes are faster at acquiring sights, while angled spotting scopes are more pleasant to use and have a lower tripod height for better stability.

Conclusion

Cost-cutting techniques taken by the manufacturer can only lead to poor field performance and an agonizing headache for you. A few hundred bucks will get you an excellent quality scope now, and a thousand or more will get you an exceptional optical instrument that will last a lifetime if properly looked for.

We hope our review has aided you in your hunt for a spotting scope!