Being able to see into the far distance with a spotting scope is one of the true joys of being outdoors. With a long-range spotting scope, you can observe nature, watch birds and admire some of the many wonderful things that nature has to offer. Apart from being the perfect gift for nature lovers and enthusiasts, a long-range spotting scope for 1,000 yards is also useful for law enforcement, for hunting, for astronomy and several other such activities. It is also not necessary that a long-range spotting scope needs to be expensive, as the products reviewed below will demonstrate.
The following are five of the best spotting scopes for 1,000 yards. The reviews are followed by a buying guide of how to find the right spotting scope for 1,000 yards.
Best Spotting Scope for 1,000 Yards
Here are our 1,000 yard spotting scope reviews.
1. Roxant Authentic Blackbird High Definition Spotting Scope
Best Overall
The Roxant Authentic Blackbird High-Definition Spotting Scope is a great spotting scope for long ranges. This is the best scope overall because it has military-grade optics that can be used in all kinds of weather. The scope also comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee.
- The spotting scope has a weatherproof rubber armor that provides it a non-slip grip and protects it from falling and getting damaged, among other things.
- It has an optical glass that comes with a BAK4 Prism. The lens is also fully multi-coated and is trusted even by law enforcement troops.
- The scope comes with a metal mounting screw that allows it to be attached to a standard tripod without the fear of it falling off.
2. Gosky 20-60 X 80 Porro Prism Spotting Scope
Editor’s Choice
The Gosky Porro Prism Spotting Scope, obviously, has a Porro prism attached which lets in more light and produces a clearer, brighter and sharper image. It has a waterproof design that allows you to use it in different weather. It also comes with a carrying case, protective covers for the eyepiece and lens, straps for handling the scope and more.
- The scope comes with an 80 mm, fully multi-coated green film objective lens with a Porro Prism inside.
- It has a variable magnification from 20x to 60x and also boasts of a dynamic lens focusing system that allows you to lock the target and then zoom in further for details.
- It has a protective rubber armor and a magnalium framework that allows you to use the scope even in tough conditions.
3. Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting Scope (Black)
Best Value
The Celestron Mak Spotting Scope is a long-range scope that provides great value for money. It is great for using for long-range spotting and has a compact design that allows you to carry it on a hunt or on an outdoor camp. This is also the ideal scope to use for terrestrial and astronomical purposes.
- The scope comes with a nylon backpack that makes it perfectly portable and easy to carry around.
- It has a 32 mm eyepiece which is angled at 45 degrees, providing an erect image.
- It also comes with built-in T-adapter threads so that the scope can easily adapt to SLR cameras and you can capture the long-distance image produced by the scope.
4. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes
The Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scope is a great choice of scope that is lightweight but does the job of a sturdy and heavy scope. It has a focus wheel that can be used very easily and is great for getting a clearer picture of something in the far distance. It also comes with a built-in sunshade that can be extended and retracted whenever required.
- The scope comes with a twist-and-lock collar which makes the scope adjustable, enabling several glassing positions. The eyecup is also adjustable.
- The scope is nitrogen purged and has an O-ring sealing that prevents moisture, dirt and dust from damaging the lens.
- It offers a close focus of 22 feet which is an incredibly wide range given that this scope can look up to 1,000 feet.
5. Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 20-60 x80 (45 Degree) Spotting Scope
The Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Spotting Scope has an 80 mm objective lens and an eyepiece that is angled at 45 degrees. The scope has a BAK4 Prism that lets in more light even in low-light settings, giving you a clear, bright and sharp image. It also has an end-prime low-dispersion glass which prevents haziness and glare in the image.
- The scope has a waterproof design and has a rain guard in the form of a water-repellent coating on its body.
- It has a variable zoom magnification from 20x to 60x giving you the option of a wide-field view as well as a closeup.
- It has a dual focus control that operates on two speeds and is extremely easy to use.
Finding the Right Spotting Scope for 1,000 Yards
A long-range spotting scope for 1,000 yards does not always come by so easily. A long-distance spotting scope requires several things to align in order to provide the perfect image. It can often be difficult to get the right kind of focus and zoom quality for viewing long distances or in a wide field of view. But while it is difficult to get right, there are several good options on the market. The following are some of the factors you need to consider while buying a long-range spotting scope for 1,000 yards.
Magnification
The magnification of a spotting scope that offers a clear image of an object that is 1,000 yards away is extremely important. The magnification of a scope refers to how large or small it will make an object that is located far away look. To look at and observe an object that is 1,000 yards away you need to have a scope that has a zoom power which goes at least upwards of 30x. If the zoom magnification starts at 30x and goes up, that is a scope with a powerful magnification and is good for looking at things 1,000 yards away.
Field of View
The field of view of a spotting scope is how wide you can see with the scope. For a distance of 1,000 yards, if you have a field of view anywhere between 130 feet and 170 feet, you should be sorted. This is important if you are going to be using the scope for activities like hunting or when the object/target is moving.
Glass Quality
The quality of the glass is of utmost importance in a long-range spotting scope. The glass should ideally be high definition and should have low dispersion so that the image is clear, not hazy. The glass should also be BAK4 or made of fluoride for the best results. At high magnification, the quality of the glass can make or break how good and how clear the image is. A superior glass quality, of course, means the scope might be more expensive.
Weight
The weight of a scope will also determine its portability. If you are going to use the scope for activities like hunting, hiking, target shooting, etc., it would help immensely if the scope is lightweight. However, if the scope is larger in size there is also a greater chance that it will be a more powerful scope as the lens is likely to be larger. The balance between the size, weight and power of the scope is a precarious one and it is up to you to decide which one you would like to compromise on, though if you do luck out you can get all three in the same scope. This, however, is slightly rare.
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