Best Spotting Scopes with Reticles
A spotting scope with a reticle is a valuable tool to have for extreme long-range shooting. Whether you are a range shooter or an avid hunter, you’ll want to shoot long-range one day. You’ll need a better equipment that the standard scopes and this is where the spotting scopes with built-in reticles come in handy. They help you estimate the distance when shooting long-range and make you a better shooter.
Today, there are hundreds of spotting scope with built-reticles you can choose from. As a result, the selection process becomes difficult especially for the uniformed buyers. In this post, we have a selection of best spotting scopes with reticles suitable for different shooting applications. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Best Spotting Scopes with Reticles-Our Top Picks
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Leupold GR 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope
The Leupold GR 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope offers the perfect blend of performance and durability. It provides excellent clarity even at the highest magnification to make you a better shooter. It has a built-in impact reticle that’s greatly visible and easy to aim.
Made with long-range hunters and tactical shooters in mind, the spotting scope offers superior low light performance. It boasts professional-grade optical system which provides unparalleled light transmission even in challenging light conditions. Even better, it presents industry-leading glare reduction for easy shooting in direct light.
The scope is designed, machined and assembled in the USA for the ultimate durability. It features a durable yet light magnesium housing which is covered with a rugged rubber armor. Its external lenses are scratch-proof and it has a folded light path design which makes it more compact in size than the traditional spotting scopes. Above all, this spotting scope is fully waterproof, fog free and designed to give you a lifetime of performance.
Features
- Professional-grade optical system
- Durable magnesium housing
- Impact reticle
- Folded light path design
- 100% waterproof and fog proof
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Twilight Max Light Management System
- Scratch-resistant lens
- 30mm eye relief
- Wide 20-60x magnification
- 80mm objective lens
- Compact and lightweight design
- Shock-absorbing rubber armor
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Bushnell Legend T-Series 15-45x60mm Spotting Scope 781545ED
Bushnell makes high-quality optics and the Legend T-Series 15-45x60mm Spotting Scope is no different. It’s designed to bring out the most distinct target details at any distance. It’s simple to operate and greatly versatile as well.
This spotting scope comes with a MIL-hash reticle that’s housed on the first focal plane. It helps you range your targets and make the right wind and drop calls. It also boasts several Picatinny rails where you can mount your accessories of choice.
The fully multi-coated optics facilitate maximum light transmission and minimize reflection that causes light loss. The result is brilliant, vivid and razor-sharp images even in low light conditions. Also, the lenses have a Rain Guard HD water-repellent coating for brighter images.
Weighing just 2.31 pounds, the scope has a manageable weight so you’ll be able to carry it around comfortably. It’s toughly built to provide unbeatable durability and is 100% waterproof and fog proof for all-weather reliability. Overall, it makes an excellent optic for everyday outdoor pursuit.
Features
- Folded light path
- Compact and lightweight
- Fully multi-coated lens
- FFP MIL-harsh reticle
- 15x to 45x magnification
- Rain Guard HD coatings
- 100% waterproof and fog proof
- Multiple Picatinny rails
- ED prime glass and BaK-4 prisms
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Minox 20-60×80 MD 80 Z Waterproof Spotting Scope 62231
If you prefer spotting scopes with a straight eyepiece, the Minox 20-60×80 MD 80 Z spotting scope suits you. It has an adjustable 20x to 60x zoom eyepiece and a folded light path design that’s gives it the compact size.
With the high-quality multi-coated optics, this spotter provides bright and high-quality images even in low light situations. The 80mm objective provides a wide field of view for easy target spotting, while the long 30mm eye relief makes extended glassing more comfortable. For added convenience, the scope is tripod mountable for hands-free viewing and has a retractable sunshade that reduces glare from the sun and protects the objective lens from rain.
When it comes to construction, this lightweight spotter is built to handle the tough field conditions. It has durable metal-alloy body and a nine-piece eyepiece construction. Also, its nitrogen filled to prevent internal fogging and water damage. To top it all, it comes with a neoprene cover for safe storage and transportation.
Features
- Durable metal-alloy body
- 80mm objective lens
- Multi-coated optics
- Lightweight and compact
- Folded light path design
- Straight eyepiece design
- 1/4″-20 tripod mount
- 30mm eye relief
- Twist-up eyecup
- Waterproof and fog free
- Neoprene cover for safe storage and transportation
- -5 to +50 diopter adjustment range
- Nine-lens eyepiece construction
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Newcon Optik Spotter M Spotting Scope
This is a handheld spotting scope with a 42mm objective lens and 8x magnification. It has a compact and ultra-lightweight design that makes it easy to carry from place to place. It’s versatile and suitable for a wide range of outdoor excursions.
The Newcon Optik Spotter M has a straight viewing angle which makes it ideal for both beginners and professional users. It provides a wide field of view for easy target identification and comes with a MRAD crosshair reticle that’s not only easy to read, but also easy to aim.
It boasts high-quality optics that provide clear images from dawn to dusk and a minimum focus distance of 0.9m/3’ for easy identification of up-close subjects. Above all, the spotter is fully waterproof and fog proof so you can use it in any weather condition.
Features
- MRAD crosshair reticle
- Compact and lightweight design
- high-quality optics
- waterproof and fog proof
- 8x magnification
- 42mm objective lens
- 18mm eye relief
- 9m/3’ minimum focus distance
- Straight viewing angle
- Limited 1 year warranty
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Sightmark Latitude Spotting Scope
If you are looking for the best spotting scope with reticle for the money, you can never go wrong with the Sightmark Latitude Spotting Scope. It boasts a versatile and adjustable 15-45x magnification and a 60mm objective lens that provides a spacious field of view.
With this spotting scope, you get a mil-radian reticle that’s located in the first focal plane. The advanced fully multi-coated glass enhances light transmission for bright and quality images from dawn to dusk. Besides, it has a straight eyepiece design and a twist-up eyecup that allows for comfortable viewing for all users, with or without eyeglasses.
The central focus system provides stunning and distortion-free image clarity. In terms of construction, this spotting scope has a rubber armored coating that enhances durability and provides a secure, non-slip grip. It’s also fully waterproof, dust proof and fog proof so you can use it even in bad weather conditions. In addition to everything else, the scope comes with a versatile tripod and a quality carry case for convenient transportation.
Features
- Aluminum prism coating
- adjustable 15-45x magnification
- Mil-radian FFP reticle
- Straight eyepiece design
- Fully waterproof, dust proof and fog proof
- Central focus system
- Versatile tripod
- Rubber armored coating
- Fully multi-coated glass
- Carrying case included
- Twist-up eyecup
- Extra-low dispersion glass
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Barska AD11430 Compact Targeting 11-33×50 Waterproof Spotting Scope
As one of the best spotting scopes with reticle, the Barska AD11430 Compact Targeting spotting scope brings to the table high-end features at a not so high-end price. It’s a multi-purpose spotting scope perfect for hunting and target shooting.
With a variable 11-33x magnification, the scope allows for easy targeting of subjects at different ranges. You can use the Mil-Cross reticle for rangefinding and the side focus knob for targeting. Besides, the scope features fully multi-coated BK-7 optics which generate bright, crips images even in inadequate light conditions.
With this spotting scope, you don’t have to incur extra costs of buying a tripod as it comes with a mini-tripod. That aside, it has an angled eyepiece design and a rubber armor that cushions it from shock and impacts. Lastly, it’s fully waterproof and fog proof to provide you with a lifetime of all-weather performance.
Features
- Variable 11-33x magnification
- Rubber armor
- 100% waterproof and fog proof
- Mini-tripod included
- Mil-cross rangefinding reticle
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Side focus knob
- Compact, lightweight and portable design
- 4 close feet
- 50mm objective lens
- Angled eyepiece
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Leupold Guide Spotting Scope TMR Reticle (60040)
The Leupold Guide Spotting Scope gives you the clarity and brightness that you need to shoot in any lighting condition. It has a straight eyepiece style and a lightweight design that makes it easy to carry in the field.
The scope is built to survive harsh impacts, drops and blows. It has a durable magnesium housing shrouded in a durable rubber armor for greater durability. Its external lenses are scratchproof for extra durability and the whole unit is waterproof and fog proof for all-weather reliability.
With the folded light path design, the scope is more compact than traditional spotting scope. This enhances its pack-ability and portability. The lens is fully multi-coated to increase light transmission and ensure maximum clarity and color fidelity. To top it all, the USA-made scope boasts Twilight Max Light Management System which provides 20 minutes of additional glassing light in twilight conditions.
Features
- Made in USA
- TMR reticle
- Twilight Max Light Management System
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Durable rubber armor
- Fully multi-coated lens system
- Folded light path design
- Straight eyepiece style
- Compact and lightweight
- Scratchproof lenses
- 30mm eye relief
- Sturdy and durable magnesium housing
See Also:
- Best Spotting Scope for Backcountry Hunting
- Top Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting
- What To Look For When Buying A Spotting Scope
How to Make a Spotting Scope with Reticle Better
If you are looking to make your spotting scope better, you should consider adding these reticle eyepieces.
Burris 30x WA Spotting Scope Eyepiece
This eyepiece has a fixed 30x magnification and a FFP RFP reticle. It’s compact and lightweight so it won’t add unnecessary weight on your spotting scope. It’s a great addition to Burris spotting scope and it provides a wide field of view and clear images as well. More importantly, it has a durable construction to endure the harsh outdoor environments.
Vortex Optics Viper HD 85mm Spotting Scope Reticle Eyepieces
Turn your Viper HD 85mm spotting scope into the ideal optical measuring stick for range work and spotter-to-shooter communication with this MOA eyepiece.
The eyepiece has a diopter ring and the ability to rotate the reticle to level it with the horizon line, allowing you to dial the eyepiece to your eye and shooting scenario. It also has a fixed magnification of 33.5x.
The HD optical system’s XR and ArmorTek lens coatings keep your view crystal clear.
Only Viper HD 85mm models are compatible.
Vortex Razor HD 22x Reticle Spotting Scope Eyepiece
This eyepiece has a fixed 22x magnification power and is suitable for 27-60x85mm Razor HD spotting scope. It has a modified cross-hair ranging reticle to help you estimate how far the objects you are shooting are. This reticle is MRAD-based to match the turrets and reticles in your scope. It also boasts a HD optical system as well as XR and Armortek lens coatings to maintain high image quality and brightness.
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Spotting Scope with Reticles
Type of Reticle
There are different types of reticles found in spotting scopes. Each reticle has an advantage over the other different users prefer a specific type of reticle in various circumstances.
Crosshair reticle is the most basic reticle type. It has a single horizontal and vertical hair with an aim point at the center. This type of reticle is simple to use and easy to aim.
Duplex reticles are an improved version of the basic crosshair reticle. In this reticle-type, the crosshair is thicker towards the edges so your eye stays focused in the aiming point. They are good for all-round shooting.
Mil-Dot reticle is the most popular reticle type. It’s best for long-distance shooting and a favorite amongst snipers. Instead of having a crosshair, this reticle has dots placed 1mm across. This makes it easy for you to calculate the distance between you and the target.
MRAD reticle is also ideal for long-range shooting. It depends on milliradians which is the arc based on a radian.
Weatherproof
The spotting scope you buy should be waterproof, fog proof and shockproof. The last thing you would want is to have your scope ruined when the rains catch up with you in the field. So, make sure that the unit you get is O-ring sealed and filled/purged with nitrogen or argon.
Eye Relief
If you put on eyeglasses, you know how hard it is to use a scope with your glasses on. To avoid the frustrations of having to remove your glasses each time you want to use the spotting scope, make sure that you get a unit with long eye relief. You can also look for a model that offers an adjustment for eyeglass wearers.
Cost
With optics, you mostly get what you pay for. The best quality spotting scopes with reticles carry a hefty price tag. Though expensive, these scopes are worth every penny. So be prepared to part more if you want the best of the best spotting scope with reticle.
Reticle Focus Control
A reticle focus control is a must-have feature for a spotting scope with reticle. Before you settle on a specific product, look whether you need special tools to bring the target into focus or you need something simple such as diopter wheel on the eyepiece.
Best Spotting Scopes with Reticles FAQs
Do I need a spotting scope with reticle?
It depends. This type of spotting scope is suitable for spotting holes and reading mirage. If you are a spotter or you are spotting your own shots, a spotting scope with reticle is handy tool to have. It offers significantly better performance than a rifle scope.
What is a TMR reticle?
TMR is a reticle-type that employs a system based on sub tensions of one milliradian from the middle of one dot/full harsh mark to the middle of the next dot/full harsh mark
Is MOA better than Mil?
It depends on the distance you intend to shoot in. MOA reticle is better for short-range shooting while MIL offers greater accuracy at long distances. It’s easier to shoot with MIL since the linear measurements are simpler to calculate. But all in all, the reticle you choose will trickle down to your preference and what you are comfortable with.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post has given you some insight into the best spotting scopes with reticle. If you shoot at extreme long ranges, you will highly benefit from a spotting scope with reticle. Use our guide above and get yourself the spotting scope that works best for your needs and shooting style.