The Takeaway:
1. Our Pick: BARSKA Blackhawk AD11114 Spotting Scope
2. Runner-Up: Leupold SX-1 Ventana 111356 Spotting Scope
3. Also Great: Minox MD 50 W 62225 Angled Spotting Scope
If you’re looking for the best spotting scope for 200 yards, something you can use down at the range or when trekking after elk amidst the ponderosas, we’ve got you covered.
This list focuses on short-range scopes that have the durability to lend themselves to a wide range of uses while featuring quality optics to help you see in your guns or pick out your shots while punching paper. While these are all great scopes, our number one pick came down to the Barska Blackhawk Spotting Scope, which we’ll explain in detail below.
Our Pick: BARSKA Blackhawk AD11114 Straight Spotting Scope
A very good spotting scope for the money.
This is a great scope for the money, with a magnification range of 18-36x and a 50mm objective lens. It has a close focus of 23 feet and a FOV at 1000 yards of 137 feet at 18x and 100 feet at 36x. It is a full-size scope, measuring 17.5 inches and weighing 3 pounds. It is fully waterproof and fog proof and comes with a pan head lever tripod that fits comfortably with the scope in the included soft carrying case.
Pros and Cons
This scope has quality optics that rival spotting scopes twice its price. The included tripod is fixed and measures 13 inches at the eyepiece. It has a built-in sunshade, which means one less piece to worry about losing.
While the included carrying case is soft, it has a divider that separates the tripod and scope and provides extra protection. There is a little distortion or blurring at higher magnification as this scope is designed for 300 yards or closer use.
What people are saying…
92% of buyers rated this spotting scope at five stars. The clear optics and lighter weight were stated as being this scope’s strong points, while the carrying case’s clever design (holding both scope and tripod, yet keeping them from bumping against each other) was a big plus for others. What few complaints there were focused on the fixed tripod, with one buyer saying the scope seemed cheaply made but gave no further detail on why they thought this. In general, this scope has great reviews with very happy customers.
Runner-Up: Leupold SX-1 Ventana 111356 Straight Spotting Scope
Note: This product has been upgraded and replaced by the Leupold SX-1 Ventana 2.
This scope can easily handle greater distances, but its lower magnification range of 15-45x and mid-sized 60mm objective lens make it a great choice for shorter distances. The precision ground fully multi-coated optics are made of BK-4 glass and provide excellent light transmission for clear images with high color contrast. This scope measures just 13 inches long and weighs one pound. It features a retractable lens shade, rubber-armored housing and is fully waterproof and dustproof. The FOV (field of view) at 1000 yards is 142 feet at 15x and 89 feet at 45x.
Pros and Cons
The top-mounted focus dial is easy to locate but is a bit difficult to turn at first. However, with use, the knob does turn more smoothly. This scope is a step up from entry-level scopes, so while the price tag is a bit higher (retail list price coming in just under $400, with discounts of over $100 normal,) the quality in optics is also considerably higher. Unlike many scopes, this does not come with a tripod but only a soft carrying case.
What people are saying…
Out of total buyer reviewers, 88% of buyers rated this scope four or five stars. Several buyers commented on the great optics and the good eye relief that allowed them to see comfortably with or without glasses. What few complaints there came down to the fact that this scope is manufactured in China and that the serial number is difficult to locate (it’s printed on the front lens barrel and not clearly visible.)
Also Great: Minox MD 50 W 62225 Angled Spotting Scope
This compact angled spotting scope is a great lightweight choice for the range or the field.
This compact angled spotting scope for 200 yards measures a mere 8.4 inches and weighs around 1.5 pounds, making it a great lightweight choice for the range or the field. It features a magnification range of 16-30x and a 50mm objective lens to give you clear images of your shot or the ability to track your prey through the underbrush easily. This scope has durable rubber-armored housing and is waterproof to a depth of 5 meters, providing excellent protection against moisture and dust. It is also nitrogen filled, making it fog proof and increasing its life expectancy.
Pros and Cons
This is a lightweight scope that won’t take up a lot of room in your range bag or weigh you down out in the field. The magnification range and quality optics provide more than enough power for clear images at a short range.
Due to its compact size, this scope can be handheld; however, a sturdy tripod (not included) will provide clearer images. It has MINOX’s proprietary lens coating, offering additional protection and providing exceptional clarity.
What people are saying…
This scope has great reviews, with 75% of buyers rating it 5 stars and the remaining 25% of votes all giving it 4 stars. Buyers love the compact size, sturdy design, light weight, and versatility, making it great for throwing in your backpack for an afternoon hike to spot birds. There were some complaints that the focus ring was a little stiff and difficult to turn.
Honorable Mention: Bushnell Sentry 783618 Straight Spotting Scope
Recommended For: Indoor or outdoor use. Great for shorter distances while still providing plenty of power and clarity at 200 yards.
This lightweight, full-sized scope with a rugged construction makes it perfect for indoor or outdoor use. It features an 18-36x magnification range and a 50mm objective lens. This power level is great for shorter distances while providing plenty of power and clarity at 200 yards.
The optics are multi-coated, and the rubber armored housing renders this scope waterproof, fog proof, dustproof, and shock resistant. It has a table-top tripod and a soft-sided hard-carrying case that is water resistant.
Pros and Cons
This scope has enough power to handle short or long-distance shooting though anything past 500 yards may be iffy. It comes with a hard and soft carrying case and is relatively small, measuring 18.2 inches and weighing about 1.5 pounds. It has a durable construction and streamlined design. However, the focus ring could be more clearly marked as there is only a white dot to indicate what power it is at.
What people are saying…
75% of all buyers gave this scope a rating of five stars, with the remaining 25% rating it four stars. The quality and value of the price (retail list price of about $200) were the most commonly cited strong points of this scope. Complaints focused upon optic quality after 200 yards, with one buyer stating she bought specifically for long distances and has had no problems using it for such at the shooting range, even under low light conditions.
What is the Best Spotting Scope for 200 Yards in 2024?
These are all good spotting scopes for 200 yards due to their durability and quality optics. In looking at total features and cost, we felt that the BARSKA Blackhawk Spotting Scope emerged as the winner.
While it is one of the heavier scopes on this list, it had impressive reviews with great optics that greatly surpassed other scopes within the same price range. Honorable mention goes to the Minox MD 50 W for the great compact design that lends itself well to casual use and is a standard fixture in your range bag.
Sources and Official Brand Websites:
Leupold | Minox | Bushnell | Barska | Optics Talk