Daylight optics that double for the Moon · review
A compact straight-bodied 15–40x50 spotting scope with fully coated optics and BK-7 porro prisms, supplied with a folding mini tripod and a soft case.
The bottom line The small, honest, budget end of this shelf — and its prism glass is the specification that places it there.
Every other scope here has an 80 mm objective. This one has 50 mm, which is why it is smaller, lighter and cheaper — and why its exit pupil at the top of the zoom, 1.25 mm, is as small as any on this page.
BK-7 rather than BAK4. It is stated plainly, and the consequence is visible: a lower refractive index means a larger critical angle, so light arriving at steep angles escapes rather than reflecting. The exit pupil comes out with squared-off sides and the edge of the field is darker.
“Fully coated” means every air-to-glass surface has a single layer. That is the second of the four rungs — better than “coated”, and two steps below “fully multi-coated”, which is what the 80 mm scopes on this shelf claim.
A target range, a hide at close quarters, a rucksack where an 80 mm scope would never go. Its straight body is quick on anything at eye level and awkward on anything above forty-five degrees.
German and Spanish Amazon stores ran from 74 € to 76 € on the day of the survey.
American and British Amazon stores list it in local currency, which the euro range above sets aside.
French Amazon catalogue holds a record for it that nobody is selling.
Italian Amazon store gave no result whatever, so the buy button there opens a search rather than an empty page.
Figures as Keepa reported them on the day this page was last updated. Stock and pricing shift without warning.
Prices quoted in this text were read on 17 September 2026. The live price is at the top of the page.
| Aperture | 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Zoom range | 15x to 40x, variable |
| Exit pupil | 3.3 mm at 15x falling to 1.25 mm at 40x |
| True field of view | Not published by the maker. |
| Body shape | Straight, rubber-armoured |
| Glass type | BK-7 porro, as the maker states it |
| Coatings | Fully coated — one layer on every air-to-glass surface |
| Close focus | Not published by the maker. |
| Focusing | Not published by the maker. |
| Sealing | Not claimed anywhere in the listing |
| Weight | Not published by the maker. |
| Eyepiece fitting | Not published by the maker. |
| Supplied accessories | Folding mini tripod, soft carry case, rubber lens caps |
| Amazon reference | B000PD0O4E (same reference on 5 Amazon marketplaces) |
| EAN | 0790272978793 |
BK-7 is a borosilicate with a lower refractive index than the barium crown BAK4. Its critical angle is larger, so light arriving at the steeper angles is lost rather than reflected — which shows as a squared-off exit pupil and a dimmer field edge.
On the Moon, yes. A 3.3 mm exit pupil at 15x with a 50 mm objective is modest, and the straight body makes anything high in the sky uncomfortable to look at.
20–60x · 80 mm · 2.06° field · 1336 g
A waterproof 20–60x80 spotting scope with fully multi-coated optics, a 340° rotating body and a supplied tabletop tripod — published with its field of view, close focus, size and weight.
Best for: A buyer who wants to compare figures rather than adjectives before choosing
≈ £180 / €150
20–60x · 80 mm ED · 1.25 in eyepiece mount · magnesium body
An ED-glass 20–60x80 angled spotting scope in a magnesium alloy body, with XLT coatings, dual focus, a rotating tripod collar, a 1.25 in astronomical eyepiece mount and a T-adapter ring.
Best for: The observer who wants one instrument for birds by day and the Moon and planets by night
≈ $799 / £786 / €718
20–60x zoom · 80 mm objective · 4 mm to 1.3 mm exit pupil
A 20–60x80 spotting scope with BAK4 porro prisms and fully multi-coated optics, supplied with a full-metal tabletop tripod, a phone adapter and a carry case.
Best for: Birds, wildlife and daytime distance work, with the Moon as a bonus
≈ £160 / €170
