I bought this spotting scope for archery. From 50 meters, I can see the 80cm target face and the arrows clearly at 30X. In fact, I don’t know if you ever need 60x even from 90 meters, so maybe a 45x scope would be sufficient.

I have no use for the small tripod since it is too short for me when I’m standing. I think the hardcase is a gimmick. The material used is just okay. I can’t compare it to others on the market, namely the Barska brand, since this is my first scope.

My friend does like the angled eyepiece which allows you to adjust with any tripod so you don’t have to move behind the scope to see through the eyepiece. It’s a pretty good deal for the money, but I would not have pulled the trigger so quickly if I didn’t have a gift certificate to burn.

In the short time I’ve had this product, I’ve noted the following:

Pros:
-Value-Overall a reasonable price for the product as delivered…by no means the best spotting scope available but neither does this kit cost hundreds of dollars.

-Focus-Easy/fast to focus at minimum magnification.

-Picture-Clear/good at minimum magnification.

-Usability-Placement of focus adjustment took me a little getting used to. It was obviously designed for ease of use when holding the scope not when mounted to the included tripod. That said, it took almost no time at all to become used to the focus knob position, and once used to it, it was a very natural feel and is easy to use either in hand or on the tripod.

-Construction-seamingly sturdy (though the focus knobs seems a bit ‘delicate’) with a nice weather resistant coating. Dont be fooled-the rubberized body is for weather protection—-not shock or drop armoring/resistance as the advertising would lead you to believe. It will protect from scuffs/rubs, but not drops ors hits.

-Case. By no means the best case available, but overall nice addition to the package given to cost.

Cons:
-Light gathering. At full zoom (60x) there is a notable decrease in light gatherering, even in full daylight. Not nearly as bad as my previous scope, but still enough to make this scope difficult to use at full magnification at dusk/dawn.

-Focus. As noted in pros section easy/good at minimum magnification but as to be expected, very sensitive when the scope is at full magnification. With perseverance, a clear picture is achievable at full mag, but it takes a gentle touch and some patience…not ideal for viewing wildlife clearly at full mag.

Tripod- A common design with some nice features, but fragile and the quality of manufacture (materials/tolerances) is only fair to poor, the result of which is that the tripod is not sturdy, difficult to position precisely and easily disturbed.

Conclusion. A nice low budget spotting scope….overall a fair value for viewing stationary objects, but less than ideal for distant objects in motion. I would recommend for scenery, shooting range, architecture, etc but not long rang bird watching…short range birding (50 yards or less at 20~30x mag) is OK. In terms of quality/clarity/usability a 3 to 3.5 but factoring in cost/value, a 3.8 to 4.

I am going to be as specific and as simple for this review. Everything should be rated “for the money” as in what you are getting for what you paid. I knew I wouldn’t get the quality of a $200 spotting scope for $60, but I was trying for a $100 or more for the $60 I paid.

With this scope I can read small street parking signs as 180 yards easily. The farther you zoom in the harder it is to focus as with any spotting scope that isn’t TONS of money. I bought this to use with my rifle as a spotting scope at 200 yards, possible 300.

Looking at my neighbors which are probably 250 yards away I can see all details on their balcony, and focus is good, just not perfect. I am sure that I could fine tune that a little better but haven’t spent much time yet with it, and the tripod makes things a little more difficult.

Accessories:
Case is fine, actually great. Tripod does a great job as a tripod, but when people say “tripod is garbage”, what they mean is that when you are super zoomed in ANY sort of slight movement registers HUGE on what you are seeing.

The tripod is not good if your table is shaking in ANY fashion. The tripod WONT hold the scope in place as you touch the scope. And adjusting the scope when on the tripod isn’t the best. So the tripod is great as a camera tripod (which it actually is) but not the quality you need for such a huge zoom scope. BUT it can and does work, just not the best, but I didn’t pay for the best.

Overall for the money I got more than I paid for. Great for casual use, 200 yd range scoping, not for professional use.

I purchased this spotting scope after returning two of the same model NC Star scopes that had annoying image shift during focus. I took the Meade to the shooting range on a sunny day and had no problems spotting shots from 100 yds.

I made with my .223 AR15 on to an 8″ splatter target. At 100yds the focus @ 60 power is very small, in other words, once focused just a slight turn more of the dial and your field of you becomes extremly blurry so anything past 120 to 125 yds. will most likely drop off in clarity unlike the NC Star (in the same price range) which had very good clarity up to 150 yds. during an overcast day but once again the image shift was too annoying.

The Meade is not equipped with a glare reducing sun shade either however it caused no problem for me.

For as little as I use it, the Meade serves it’s purpose. The hard case is a very, very nice touch but the tripod is garbage so you will most likely want to purchase a much sturdier one. Hope this helps.

The scope itself is advertised as being fog, shock,and water proof. I haven’t dropped it yet but I have used it in light rain and humid conditions. After one year of use I don’t see any adverse affects from being exposed to wet weather. Comes with lens covers and sunshade.

Turning the (45 degree angle) eyepiece adjusts the magnification from 20-60X. The focus is situated down and to the right of the eye piece. In overcast (lower light) conditions using full magnification, objects are not inconveniently dark but there is a noticeable difference in brightness.

Tripod height(collapsed): 16 inches
Tripod height (fully extended): 48 inches.

With the scope attached and tripod fully extended one has to bend over to use the scope from a standing position. To use the scope while laying down (tripod fully collapsed) the user needs to bunch on the elbows to peer through eyepiece.

The most convenient feature about this tripod is that one can adjust the scope over the right so it is situated at a 90 degree angle. In other words the scope is “kicked” over so the eye piece sits on a horizontal plane rather than vertical.

The scope and tripod come in a low quality padded traveler case that “gets the job done” adequately. The entire unit itself is light and portable.

Bottom line: If you have high expectations, namely clarity and brightness at full magnification in low light conditions, you will be disappointed. In my very limited experience with spotting, to achieve the latter you simply need buy a more expensive scope.

My application of this spotter: First off, I’m very impressed. I purchased it for everyday target spotting from 25 to 200 yards. I can easily see .22 caliber holes at 100 yards. I have not tested this yet, but I imagine thirty caliber would be visible at 200 yards depending on the type of target used.

I don’t recommend this unit for competition however if this was all that was available it would be fine. It wouldn’t be the most convenient or comfortable but it could be made to work. I’m very glad I purchased it and if I had to do it all over again I would make the same choice. If you’re a regular “plinker” at the range and want to save yourself a lot of time and effort from checking targets this scope is for you!

Summary: For the given price this scope can’t be beat. This is an EXCELLENT spotting unit and I highly recommend it if you have a limited budget. This is a great tool to have for common everyday usage.