Whether you want to make a big splash on high-quality glass or need durable cheap optics, our scope test can meet your needs

Author: Andrew McKean | Published 4:01 PM, August 18, 2020

The observation range is a bit like a residential pipeline. When they work, you hardly notice their service. When something goes wrong-leaking pipes or grainy images-you start to question their usefulness.

The scopes collected this year are a major class available. There are no heartbreaking gee-whiz oscilloscopes in the mix, but with a few exceptions, there are almost no leaking pipes. In this year's test, we have 8 telescopes, and the field of view is evenly divided between the extra-large 80mm and larger telescopes (based on the size of the objective lens) and those with 65mm and smaller objective lenses for medium and compact observers.

The interesting thing about this year's observer products is that very affordable optics and good observers with a price of less than $600 occupy a niche market. Some of them, such as Athlon's Argos HD ($369) represent a very good deal, and any hunter with a budget should consider it. Others, such as Maven's new straight 65mm CS.1A, are reasonably priced due to its useful size and sufficient graphics.

Because the manufacturing cost of observation mirrors is very high, and the market is smaller than that of binoculars and rifle mirrors, we tend to see a large number of observers every other year. Interestingly, the leading European brands—Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss—have no new observers this year. This allowed my so-called secondary optical brands—Leupold, SIG, and Maven—to really shine in this year's test. This is our opinion on the submitted combinations, ranked according to their total score.

For our other optical test reviews, please click the link here:

SIG Sauer Oscar8: 27-55×80 • $1,499 SIG Sauer

SIG's new full-size viewer is compact, bright, and sturdy, just like a beer barrel, with excellent optical performance in a wear-resistant packaging, and can handle almost everything well. Oscar8 was runner-up in our low-light test and achieved a good resolution score, thanks to its combination of high light transmittance and ultra-low dispersion glass and excellent coating.

We like the compact and sensitive controls, from the detachable oblique eyepiece to the rubberized central tube focus, and the sun visor seems to slide as if mounted on a ball bearing track. The durable rubber armor on the aluminum body has a strong grip but is not tacky, and the coyote tan finish looks like what children call a "torch", especially the classic black accent.

We also like the elegant bend of the 45-degree body and the clever rotating chuck that locks into the detachable eyepiece. Our guess is that for Sig’s flagship scope platform, additional eyepieces, including an eyepiece with military markings used as a range observer, are not far away in the future. The tripod base is elegant and very sturdy, and the strap that allows the user to rotate the lens barrel is stronger than many other full-size observers. The magnification range from 27X to 55X is strange, but by keeping the power below 60X, the image remains relatively bright compared to its counterparts with higher magnification.

We recommend that SIG add an aiming slot to capture distant targets faster, and we noticed some smudges on the internal lens. But for other excellent full-size viewers, these are minor drawbacks, which can provide images comparable to higher-priced European optics. We expect the durability of Oscar8 to provide years of stable service. All in all, this is the outstanding optics in this year's observation range category and the well-deserved recipient of our Editors' Choice Award.

Athlon Argos HD: 20-60×85 • $369 Athlon Optics

Before this year’s optical test, if you tell me that I can buy an 85mm large-aperture scope for less than $400, it has good images and first-class controls, and it looks beautiful.

Well, I will wear dentures because I told you there are unicorns like this. It is Athlon's excellent 85mm Argos HD, with a non-detachable 20-60X eyepiece and tight magnifying ring, a 45-degree angle body, a center tube focusing, and a delicious three-position eyecup.

No member of the test team can figure out how Athlon sells such a fully equipped oscilloscope for such a small amount of money, but this is not what we want to solve. Instead, we noticed responsive control, good images, smoothly shrinking sun visors, and excellent low-light performance. Argos won our low-light test and ranked among the top three in the resolution test, even though it does not contain ED glass.

The quality of the glass is probably the most impressive part of this range, which helps explain its price. At higher magnifications, the image is darker and grainy, while at lower magnifications, the edges are significantly less clear than the center of the image. Although the lens is fully coated, we have noticed some scratches and damages inside the lens barrel, which will produce obvious optical glare. However, as long as you don't expect Argos to provide images comparable to high-end observers (most of which cost three to four times the price of Athlon), this range should provide you with performance for multiple purposes.

What is truly remarkable is that Athlon is able to bring such a fully equipped binoculars to the market at the price of an intermediate binoculars. With such an amazing value, Argos HD won this year's big buy award.

Leupold SX-4 ProGuide HD: 15-45×65 • US$799

With its keen control and well-proportioned design, it can be placed in the side pocket of a mountain hunter backpack. This medium-sized observer is a valuable field optical device that can double as a durable shooting range companion. In fact, ProGuide’s durability is one of its highest-scoring attributes, thanks to its tight focus, frontal eye mask, and wear-resistant “shadow gray” armor covering the magnesium body (it also offers 85 mm configuration, And has straight and angled eyepieces).

We noticed the positive energy of the non-detachable eyepieces with the glossy lenses and the power ring, as well as the silky smooth sunshade. Now it is an element that does not meet the standard. The image is good, but a bit dim and blurry at higher magnifications. This is evidence of standard glass, not the higher ultra-low dispersion glass used in advanced optics. ProGuide scores in the middle of resolution and low-light evaluation. The tripod foot is also a little forward than the observer's balance point, which is a minor problem.

All in all, the new Leupold Observer is a durable and practical player that should be able to provide you with many years of service. If something goes wrong, Leupold provides an excellent warranty service. This combination earned it a very high price/value consideration and earned it the runner-up status of our Great Buy honor.

Read the next article: 3 important reasons to own a scope

I rarely want to fall in love with optics as much as I use Maven's new compact scope. First of all, CS.1A fills the almost vacant position between the super-large 15×56 binoculars and the full-size observer. The full-size observer usually starts magnification at 20 times and is equipped with an 80 mm lens. Secondly, it comes from Maven, which is a direct-to-consumer company that has identified cool factors through styling and brand atmosphere.

There are many things to return my love. The center barrel focus is tight and precise. The straight eyepiece is very easy to carry, the armor has grip, and the stylish tones of black, gray and orange give it a sharp and distinctive appearance.

If only the image is on par with the acquisition style. For the 65mm scope, the image is not bad, and the CS.1A beat the Bushnell of the same size in our low-light test. But this picture is surprising because it is provided by higher-end ED glass, which is a bit dark at high magnification and shows a slight halo at the periphery at low magnification. However, if you adjust the image to a medium magnification, Maven will show its signature combination of brightness and sharpness.

If you are looking for cast iron (magnesium/polymer) optics specifically designed for hunters in the wild, with or without a tripod, this is a great choice. Its price is also suitable for the portability and acceptable optical power it provides.

Hawke Endurance ED: 25-75×85 • $699 Hawke Optics

This is an 85 mm observation mirror in the lower right corner, which can provide you with excellent practicality for several years, and at the same time you can save money to buy a top-level observation instrument. If this sounds pessimistic, it is not intentional. Even if it is not from one of the famous European brands, this very good oblique eyepiece telescope can do all the work well.

First of all, Endurance ED is in the middle of the resolution and low light test. It provides a fully adequate image and excellent lens coating for sports. Its size, configuration and versatility make it an ideal choice for deck scopes, shooting range observers or as a tripod mounted scope for reconnaissance.

If we have a complaint, it is the dual-speed fingertip focusing, which seems to take a week to get from close to infinity. The lock ring on the detachable eyepiece was also hung several times, and when we zoomed in the magnification range, we almost had to unscrew the eyepiece.

The focus takes time to reach the destination, but it is a good journey. The textured coarse focus is compact and precise, and the fine focus slides smoothly. However, the enlargement ring does not have the same tight tolerances. The locking ring rotates freely at the lowest power.

Nevertheless, Endurance HD is a very practical full-size observer, which can be considered a sufficient and affordable step on the ladder to optical nirvana.

We didn't expect to like this little "mini" observer. Compared with a scope, its configuration is more similar to a rifle scope, weighing only 20 ounces, and we expect its performance to be proportional to its impressive size. We were wrong. This small engine can produce good images and surpasses its weight in low light and resolution tests.

This is not to say that it will return images that can be returned by 65mm or 85mm telescopes, but if you think it is a good intermediate between binoculars and full-size observers, then you will be satisfied with hummingbirds.

We question the durability of Celestron, but it is undeniable that it is practical on and off the tripod. If you are looking for an observer who can fit in a backpack or pickup console to provide a greater range than binoculars, then a 45-degree optical element is a good choice.

There are some disadvantages. The center tube focusing is difficult to use with a close-fitting tripod, because your fingers cannot reach under the low-hanging tube of the telescope. The glass is fair. But for small observers who are lightweight, extremely portable, very compact and responsive, Celestron's "miniature" submission is a good choice.

Read next step: Top sights tested

First of all, we like the advantages of this medium-sized observer: its trim size and compact straight design make it very suitable for backpack hunters or use on shooting platforms; its control is tight and precise; we like its stylish gray and dark red armor. We also like its excellent eye mask.

Now, for what we didn't do: its image is blurry, and we noticed some flares, which may be caused by obvious internal damage and grease in the gears.

Nitro's low-resolution score confirms our subjective assessment of the image, and the 65mm telescope was the first to blink in our low-light test. However, the scope of observation is not just pure observation. Bushnell weighs less than 3 pounds and is very light. The 12-inch length is very portable. The magnesium chassis and viscous rubber armor are durable. The straight, non-removable eyepiece makes target capture a breeze.

We also like the responsive 2-speed fingertip focus and the positive 3-position eyecup. We just hope that the image will be better, especially considering that Nitro comes with Bushnell's excellent ED Prime glass.

Before I describe the images produced by this huge observer, I should tell you that almost every time I take it from the tripod, I almost drop the 100mm lens. The surface is smooth as grease.

Most of the blame is due to my clumsy hands, but part is due to Konus for making such heavy optics because of its huge objective lens. We haven't tested many 100mm observers in the past, but this large lens provides a very valuable attribute-it collects a lot of light. Although the quality of the glass is not very good, Konuspot ranks third in our low light test. It is too much, it can let a lot of light reach the eyes. Evidence of poor glass quality was found at the edge of the image, the image was blurry and slightly distorted.

Konus's other work exhibits similar process defects, which may limit its applicability in this field. During our low light test, the rubber ring that prevents the sharp edge of the eyepiece from biting the eyebrows fell off somewhere. The focus of the fingertips is blurred and spongy. The magnification dial is gritty. We found that the model was discontinued when this issue went live.

Although these are all damn prosecutions, there are some bright spots. Konus provides a very good smartphone adapter for this viewer, which allows the viewer to play a dual role as a telephoto lens. Konuspot's low-light characteristics and large size make it a very suitable telescope for use on the cabin deck or on a tripod mounted behind a flat glass window.

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