Inexpensive way to see down range - Advice sought

[MHoncho]

The outdoor ranges near me (that i am a member of) stretch out to 200 and 300 yards. I found it quite difficult to see where i was hitting at even 100 yards with a 3x magnifier.

Looking for advice on a budget way to see downrange without taking the walk every few shots/mags. They will not let us put steel up and they do not have steel.

I am open to monocular, range scope, or binoculars. I do not need to spend $500 or $1000 (at least i do not think). I contemplated harbor freight but felt before i make a mistake adding junk to a range bag i would ask for input from those who may have experience.

I do not long range hunt and if i ever got into true long range shooting i would buy a proper spotting scope. I know OC has some for around $100 as well.

So, finally cutting to the chase, any recco's on inexpensive options? any advice on what specs to stick with (65 vs 80 or 40x vs 60x, etc). If you tell me it is better to save up and buy once cry once, i am fine with that too. I just do not want to overspend and never use it or underspend and be replacing it after 2 range sessions.

 

[Robin]

good inexpensive spotting scope for sale
There are a shit ton of them out there. I have a Redding, though I don't think they make them anymore.
Robin

 

[spat]

Cheap Wifi camera in a box with a USB battery bank and some AR500 on the uprange side.

$100 all in and you can see a clear as day on your phone.

Even cheaper if you have a spare phone to use.

 

[MHoncho]

Genius!!!! This is why you ask before you buy.

now, let’s hope the person in the position next to me doesn’t have a stray lol. Don’t wanna test the ar 500.

I’m going to see if my range will allow this.

a lot to carry vs something small in a bag but it eliminates a lot of issues

 

[MHoncho]

good inexpensive spotting scope for sale
There are a shit ton of them out there. I have a Redding, though I don't think they make them anymore.
Robin

There are a ton of cheap options but I don’t wanna buy something that doesn’t work. I’m trying to avoid the experiment phase and skip to the “a person I know said it works phase”

Admittedly still a crap shoot but this is a generally good group of people so I’ll trust the advice (Hahahha)

 

[mullerjd]

I got a really cheap (maybe $35) Yuanzimoo 25-75x60 spotting scope from Temu and it's really not bad. I only have 200 yards at my range and it works fine.

 

[dsdmmat]

Cameras are probably tge best solution. If you get a spotting scope above 20 power you will need a good steady mount to use it without the breeze shaking the crap out of the picture.

 

[FP1201]

good inexpensive spotting scope for sale
There are a shit ton of them out there. I have a Redding, though I don't think they make them anymore.
Robin

I was thinking the same thing: one can often fond a pretty good, not necessarily "Great" or "Excellent" Spotting scope for a Hundred bucks used...Vintage Scopes from Bushnell, Japanese Glass, and some of the other Asian optics are good enough for what the OP is describing.
Right now I have a Konus Spotting Scope that I bought used from the Estate of a long Range Shooter...30~60X and before that I had a Bushnell from the 60's that used interchangeable eye pieces to vary the magnification. (I gave that one away to a Friend who used it at the Nationals in Port Clinton)
I had one of the Harbor Freight specials made from repurposed Coke Bottles, I was happy it got "lost" it was ~$75. of it was that.
There's a Camera System advertised that'll let you place multiple cameras at the Target then transmit to a receiver you keep on the Bench.

5 Best Long Range Shooting Camera Systems - Outdoor Moran

The best long range shooting camera systems offer high-resolution video, long-range transmission,long battery life, and app integration

outdoormoran.com

I don't think that qualifies as "inexpensive" though.
Down side to the Spotting scopes is the Tri-Pod and keeping them from moving a lot with every shot or each time you want to look...Friend made a "base" from a square of 5/8" Plate that was heavy enough to stay put and was repeatable. ALL Camera's, Scopes, etc. use a 1/4" threaded base, so if you have access or can find someone they can easily make something of your own design. other thing is sometimes you spend as much time setting up as actually shooting, but it sure is easier on us old, fat, and out of shape amateurs to futz around looking through the glass than walking down and back, just to get back and think SHIT, I forgot to mark those holes.

 

[spat]

I was thinking the same thing: one can often fond a pretty good, not necessarily "Great" or "Excellent" Spotting scope for a Hundred bucks used...Vintage Scopes from Bushnell, Japanese Glass, and some of the other Asian optics are good enough for what the OP is describing.
Right now I have a Konus Spotting Scope that I bought used from the Estate of a long Range Shooter...30~60X and before that I had a Bushnell from the 60's that used interchangeable eye pieces to vary the magnification. (I gave that one away to a Friend who used it at the Nationals in Port Clinton)
I had one of the Harbor Freight specials made from repurposed Coke Bottles, I was happy it got "lost" it was ~$75. of it was that.
There's a Camera System advertised that'll let you place multiple cameras at the Target then transmit to a receiver you keep on the Bench.

5 Best Long Range Shooting Camera Systems - Outdoor Moran

The best long range shooting camera systems offer high-resolution video, long-range transmission,long battery life, and app integration

outdoormoran.com

I don't think that qualifies as "inexpensive" though.
Down side to the Spotting scopes is the Tri-Pod and keeping them from moving a lot with every shot or each time you want to look...Friend made a "base" from a square of 5/8" Plate that was heavy enough to stay put and was repeatable. ALL Camera's, Scopes, etc. use a 1/4" threaded base, so if you have access or can find someone they can easily make something of your own design. other thing is sometimes you spend as much time setting up as actually shooting, but it sure is easier on us old, fat, and out of shape amateurs to futz around looking through the glass than walking down and back, just to get back and think SHIT, I forgot to mark those holes.

The cool trick with the camera is you don't *have* to mark the holes.

Take a screen shot. Take the real shot, second screen shot and then flip quickly between the 2 pictures. The new hole will "blink".

 

[FP1201]

The cool trick with the camera is you don't *have* to mark the holes.

Take a screen shot. Take the real shot, second screen shot and then flip quickly between the 2 pictures. The new hole will "blink".

I like the idea of a Camera(s) down Range, especially the shot marking one....often enough I shoot/zero multiple Rifles and keeping track of which right now involves multiple Targets and a notepad...switching back and forth between the Rifle and the spotting scope is not exactly a smooth operation off the Bench.

 

[Vantrepes]

I might give one of these a try:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0GJ65MWW3

If it gets shot, oh well.

 

[technicalgadget]

Just thinking out aloud.

I am not all that adept at spotting scopes, however, there is a product like this;

Amazon.com: Denash WiFi Telescope Camera Eyepiece,WiFi Electronic Eyepiece Support 5MP 4K Video/Camera Recording Via App,Telescope Microscope Accessories for Astrophotography,Birds Watching : Electronics

Buy Denash WiFi Telescope Camera Eyepiece,WiFi Electronic Eyepiece Support 5MP 4K Video/Camera Recording Via App,Telescope Microscope Accessories for Astrophotography,Birds Watching: Eyepieces - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Which allows you to use a wifi eyepiece with a 1.25 inch eyepiece spotting scope.

So a spotting scope with a removable 1.25 inch eyepiece like this;

Mak Spotting Scope SV41 Pro 28-84x80 | Svbony

The SV41 Pro mak spotting scope features a compact and lightweight body. Ideal for birdwatching, wildlife observation, delivering clear, high-contrast images.

www.svbony.com

In theory should allow you to zoom in on a target with the spotting scope and use an ipad or iphone conveniently on the same bench or prone position setup without having to constantly move your head to check the spotting scope. You should be able to simply look down or look to the side at your iphone or ipad to see the target.

Spotting Scope is $300 plus the wifi eyepiece is $80 so for $380, you've got a convenient way to view your targets downrange with up to 84X magnification which should be plenty. A little pricey? Yes, but you save your neck and back potentially but you need to decide whether its worth some level of convenience at this older age.

CAVEAT: Need to verify whether zoom will still work with a different eyepiece than the one included with spotting scope. A spotting scope specialist should be able to identify 1.25 inch eyepiece models that have their zoom lenses not attached to eyepiece.

 

[MHoncho]

I appreciate all the ideas and links. Going to grab the baby monitor for this coming weekend as it is super inexpensive. Waiting on a response from my range's board on if it will get me in any trouble putting an object downrange that is not a target attached to their target stands.

If other shooters complain it is distracting that could be the nail in the coffin but $30 is an easy throw away.

If it is an issue, i will shift to a spotting scope setup of some sort and have a few solid options you all provided. If they allow, i can upgrade to a more robust setup as recommended.

 

[Vantrepes]

I appreciate all the ideas and links. Going to grab the baby monitor for this coming weekend as it is super inexpensive. Waiting on a response from my range's board on if it will get me in any trouble putting an object downrange that is not a target attached to their target stands.

If other shooters complain it is distracting that could be the nail in the coffin but $30 is an easy throw away.

If it is an issue, i will shift to a spotting scope setup of some sort and have a few solid options you all provided. If they allow, i can upgrade to a more robust setup as recommended.

Let me know how it works out..... I'm happy to volunteer someone else to be the guinea pig

 

[MHoncho]

dry tested the baby monitor. the only caveat is the camera does not have a battery on board so requires a powersource down stream adding a cost in the form of a small battery pack. Did not get to test range on it as the weather did not cooperate. perhaps this week after woork i can get out there. will keep this group posted.

essentially mixing @Vantrepes recco and taking @spat recco on the camera and battery pack to make the baby monitor work but spat's reccommendation of the screen shot is a plut. this will be my next test (the camera and screen shot)

the best reature, the panning of the camera!

 

[MHoncho]

once you start hitting the $200 range they have "budget" camera systems marketed for range use but so far, all in, i am about $50