Cheap Spotting Scopes

Purchase 2 last week.
Needed a smaller scope with angled eye piece.
Found this one on Amazon and thought I’d give it a try.

Gosky 15-45X60 Spotting Scope - BAK4 45 Degree Angled Eyepiece Waterproof Scope for Target Shooting Bird Watching Animal Watching Hunting Archery Scenery with Tripod, Phone Adapter and Carrying Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GZ952SC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_R0EFWTM6ZX95PP1XZFFN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


Then found this one as a used item for $25 so I thought I’d try it also and return both or one depending on how they worked.

Roxant Authentic Blackbird High Definition Spotting Scope with Zoom - Rubber Armor, Fully Multi-Coated Optical Glass Lens + BAK4 Prism. Includes Tripod & Case + Lifetime Replacement https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9S6W5S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3W5ZBCX08BE8Y3X8XWS7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Went to the range today and can report, both are great for Bullseye.
Cloudy, rainy, super high humidity today and both were very clear and easy to see 22 holes at 50yds.
Could even see a wide double.

In all honesty, both are clearer than the Nikon that cost $200 I’m replacing.
The second one is the smallest of the two, but both fit easily in the small 2 gun pachmayr box.
The dimensions are way off in the descriptions

bmize1 wrote:...
Then found this one as a used item for $25 so I thought I’d try it also and return both or one depending on how they worked.

Roxant Authentic Blackbird High Definition Spotting Scope with Zoom - Rubber Armor, Fully Multi-Coated Optical Glass Lens + BAK4 Prism. Includes Tripod & Case + Lifetime Replacement https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9S6W5S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3W5ZBCX08BE8Y3X8XWS7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Went to the range today and can report, both are great for Bullseye.
Cloudy, rainy, super high humidity today and both were very clear and easy to see 22 holes at 50yds.
Could even see a wide double.

In all honesty, both are clearer than the Nikon that cost $200 I’m replacing.
The second one is the smallest of the two, but both fit easily in the small 2 gun pachmayr box.
The dimensions are way off in the descriptions

Thanks for sharing your experience on this. What are the actual dimensions of the Blackbird? I have been searching for a scope and that one looks almost perfect.

I have the blackbird, has worked well for my needs. Rough dimensions 11"x5"x3".

It is cheaply made, I remade the 1/4-20 plate as the plastic one that came with it stripped out.

I got the Roxant Blackbird. It IS cheaply made. Plastic threading stripped, so I drilled a hole wider and lightly hammered a nut into it. I figured if it works then great, if not then whatever, so I was not too careful. As I hammered something fell inside the scope. Unscrewed eyepiece and found prism broken from glue. There are series of prisms inside all crazy glued to holders by rather small holding areas. Whatever, cleaned prism and crazy glued it back. Cleaned all optics inside. Guess what? It works great! This scope works well, enough magnification, good clarity at a dimly lit range, operates smooth and survived a heart attack. I recommend only if you feel comfy with having to tinker with threading one of those days when they strip.

I've got a lot of spotters for various disciplines, hunting, etc.  For bullseye (indoor or outdoor), I really like the Champion's Choice CC-542 spotter for about $115.  It's a fantastic value and I have no trouble seeing .22 holes on the long line under bad light.  Anything works in good light but not everything does in poor lighting.  I've bought more expensive spotters and returned them.  They just don't work as well as this inexpensive CC-542.  I have 2 seasons of heavy use on it and have had no issues.

http://www.champchoice.com/store/main.aspx?p=ItemDetailOptions&item=CC542

My Roxant has a brass insert for the mounting screw.

Today we shot in the tropical depression coming through AL.

The Gosky is definitely better glass and brighter but about 2” longer.

With the Roxant, had to look hard to find the 22 holes in the wet black, could see them fine in the white.
During the few targets that were shot on dry paper, could see the 22’s fine.

I like my Blackbird also, mine is as clear as the newer Kowa 500 when I looked through both. That doesn't mean a whole lot, because maybe his glass might not have been as clean as mine or other factors. I like mine and the specs are really great for the price. I wouldn't hammer anywhere on a optics, they are very sensitive and like Tripscape said his prism came loose. Maybe a good cure for stripped out plastic threads would be to heat a hex nut and melt it in place or epoxy it in place. There are some valid reasons for buying more expensive equipment. Some say but once and cry once, sometimes I'll buy pricey and try someone's less expensive piece and wished I would have bought what they did. That is known as "buyers remorse." 
 Stan