Top 10 Crossbow Scopes – Review & Buyer’s Guide

When you don’t want to miss a shot, a crossbow scope becomes an utterly essential accessory. Interestingly, it matters much, even if you are very much experienced in this field. We know most of the crossbows are built-in with a factory scope, but you cannot attain accuracy through them.

Being said that, you can see how an effective scope can help to become a fully-fledged shooter. 

Therefore, choosing a well-qualified scope is a vital aspect of an archer. Spend some time and money to choose the best crossbow scope in the market.

To help you choose the best one, we have outlined reviews of the ten best crossbow scopes. Along with it, there is a buying guide to assist you to consider many other factors aiding you to reach your target shot. So let’s get started.

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Top 10 Best Crossbow Scopes

10 Best Crossbow Scopes Reviews

SaleBestseller No. 1
HINISO Spotting Scope 20-60x80 HD with Phone Holder, Tripod Stand & Carry Bag | BAK4 Prism, Fog & Waterproof | High Power Telescope for Long Distance, Bird Watching, Stargazing, Target Shooting
  • 【High Magnification】This spotting scope features a powerful zoom magnification range that adjustable 20x to 60x magnification,45 degree angled eyepiece ergonomic design allows more comfortable viewing. Brings nature closer to you than ever. Perfect for target shooting, bird watching wildlife, spotting moon, traveling, hiking, camping, archery, astronomy, mountain watching etc
  • 【Fully Multi-coated Lens】The lens are all fully multi-coated and features BAK4 roof prism to increases light transmission and delivers bright, clear, high-contrast images even in low-light conditions. For long range viewing, a dual focus wheel system enables fast and fine-tuning focus adjustment,allows you to lock onto your target and zoom in for more detail clearly
  • 【Durable Construction】High-quality rubber armor provides non-slip grip, shock-proof grip and durable external protection. Built-in retractable sunshade reduces glare, come with tripod allows rotation of the eyepiece to a sideways position, providing adjustable viewing angles
  • 【Waterproof Fogproof 】The waterproof spotting scope provides exceptional performance in the most rugged conditions. the spotter scope optics are sealed with O-rings to prevent moisture, dust, and debris from getting inside the spotting scope, fogproof barrel is filled with nitrogen gas to inhibit internal fogging, completely protection for all weather conditions
  • 【 Phone Adapter 】A smartphone digiscoping adapter included enables you to take photos and videos of what you have observed. Bring the nature closer to you and you can explore the distant world easily through the phone screen. A tripod provides you a more stable observation from any angles. A carry case, eyepiece and lens protection covers, cleaning cloth make you more convenient to carry and maintain
SaleBestseller No. 2
SVBONY Spotting Scope Telescope 25-75x70mm Bird Scopes for Shooting Birdwatching Scope in Shooting Range Bak4 Prism with Tabletop Tripod and Phone Adapter
  • 25-75x zoom: SV28 spotting scope is easy to focus and change magnification; easily set up when looking at birds and scenery; a great spotting scope for beginner to novice
  • 70mm large object lens: more powerful light gathering ability; 70mm tube allows plenty of light and decent view of the target once set; extendable sunshade built onto the main barrel to reduce glare
  • IP65 waterproof; can avoid sudden environmental changes to damage the SV28 spotting scope; the finish is made of a seamless Non-Slip material so it doesn't feel like it would slip out of your hands if wet
  • Includes phone adapter and portable desktop tripod: the desktop tripod is perfect for range spotting; phone adapter makes it easier to share videos and photos
  • Lightweight and portable weight: very suitable for carrying when going out for observation; can also be easily put into the car for use in family camping
  • FMC and BAK4 optical design: effectively reduce light loss; provide clear and bright image details
SaleBestseller No. 3
Pie Matrix Sight Master Spotting Scope 20-60X80 HD with Phone Adapter, Tripod Stand & Carry Bag | BAK4 Prism,Fog proof, Waterproof | Bird Watching,Astronomy,Scenery,Wildlife,Stargazing,Target Shooting
  • Powerful Magnification: Boasting an impressive zoom range of 20X to 60X, this spotting scope allows you to experience incredible detail whether you’re observing distant wildlife in their natural habitat or celestial objects in the night sky. The versatile magnification range ensures that you can adjust your view to capture both broad scenes and intricate details with ease
  • Waterproof and Fog proof: Engineered for all-weather performance, the Sight Master is 100% nitrogen-filled, making it both waterproof and fog proof. This ensures reliable operation in any weather condition, whether you’re in the rain, snow, or humid environments, protecting your scope and maintaining clear views
  • Large Objective Lens: Equipped with an 80mm objective lens, the Sight Master maximizes light gathering to provide bright, clear images even in challenging low-light conditions. This large lens size ensures superior image brightness and quality, making it perfect for dawn or dusk observations when wildlife is most active
  • Fully Multi-Coated (FMC) Green Optical Coating: The advanced Fully Multi-Coated (FMC) green optical coating significantly enhances light transmission, reduces glare, and improves image sharpness and color fidelity. This coating ensures that the images you see are not only brighter but also have accurate and vibrant colors, providing a more detailed and true-to-life viewing experience
  • Twist-Up Rubber Eyecup: Featuring a twist-up rubber eyecup, the Sight Master provides comfortable viewing with or without glasses. The eyecup design accommodates various users and helps to block out peripheral light, allowing for a more focused and immersive viewing experience
  • Phone Holder and Tripod: Included accessories such as the phone adapter holder and tripod enhance your observational experience. The phone adapter holder allows you to capture and share your observations with ease, while the tripod ensures stable, comfortable viewing, providing a complete and versatile setup for your outdoor explorations
SaleBestseller No. 4
ZOTIMO Monoculars for Long Distance 25-75x60 | Monocular Telescope with Tripod | Spotting Scope for Camping, Wildlife, Bird Watching, Hunting, Travelling | Extra-Wide View
  • High Magnification: Experience the power of a telescope for long distance with 25-75x zoom, perfect for bird-watching and wildlife spotting. The 60mm objective lens ensures crisp, clear images even at high magnification.
  • Comfortable Viewing: Designed with adjustable eye relief of 14.5-16.8mm, this spotting scope offers a comfortable viewing experience. Ideal for monocular telescope enthusiasts for long distance adventures.
  • Enhanced Light Transmission: The fully multi-coated optical system and green film increase light transmission, delivering bright, clear images. Perfect for a wildlife monocular telescope for long distance extra-wide field view.
  • Durable Construction: Built with rubber-armored magnesium housing, this spotting scope is lightweight and durable. The nitrogen-filled body enhances waterproofing, ideal for camping mini coated monocular telescope use.
  • Versatile Accessories: Includes an extensible tripod, smartphone adapter, and carry case. Perfect for spotting scope for long distance and wildlife monocular telescope for adults under 1000. Explore nature easily through your phone.
SaleBestseller No. 5
Cezo UpClose Standard 20-60 X 60 Zoom Spotting Scope with Tripod Stand for Bird Watching, Wildlife, Scenery and Hunting – Waterproof and Fog Proof Spotting Telescope– Includes Shoulder Carrying Green
  • Cezo Spotting scope with tripod is Splash-proof and antifogging
  • Lightweight and magnifies to 20x and 60x without losing definition and clarity. Has extendable sunshade on main sighting scope barrel to reduces glare
  • This 60 mm waterproof zoom spotting scope is a good choice for bird watching, nature or wildlife observation, hunting and enjoying scenic views.
SaleBestseller No. 6
Celestron 52238 C70 Mini Mak Spotting Scope
  • Includes tabletop tripod w built-in slow motion controls, built-in 90x magnification zoom eyepiece and soft carrying case
  • Brings portability and versatility to a new level
  • Maksutov-cassegrain optical design with multi-coated optics
  • Recognized for being compact and easy to use
  • Applicable for both terrestrial (land) and astronomical use
SaleBestseller No. 7
Cezo UpClose Standard 20-60 X 60 Zoom Spotting Scope with Tripod Stand for Bird Watching, Wildlife and Scenery – Waterproof and Fog Proof Spotting Telescope– Includes Shoulder Carrying Case
  • Cezo Spotting scope with tripod is Splash-proof and antifogging
  • Lightweight and magnifies to 20x and 60x without losing definition and clarity. Has extendable sunshade on main sighting scope barrel to reduces glare
  • This 60 mm waterproof zoom spotting scope is a good choice for bird watching, nature or wildlife observation, hunting and enjoying scenic views.
SaleBestseller No. 8
Celestron LandScout 12-36X60mm Spotting Scope with Basic Smartphone Adapter
  • spotting scope is now available in a bundle with the Celestron Smartphone Adapter, making it the perfect beginner’s digiscoping kit
  • Rotating tripod mount places the orientation of the eyepiece in the best viewing position for application
  • Fully coated optics increased light transmission for bright, sharp images
  • Model: LANDSCOUT
SaleBestseller No. 9
Celestron Ultima 80-45 Degree Spotting Scope with Smartphone Adapter
  • The tried-and-true Ultima 80mm angled spotting scope is now available bundled with the Celestron Smartphone Adapter. It’s an all-in-one digiscoping solution, perfect for outdoor lovers of all stripes
  • 20-60x magnification range
  • 45° viewing angle to observe comfortably for extended periods
  • ULTIMA 80 - 45 DEGREE SPOTTING SCOPE
SaleBestseller No. 10
Celestron Ultima 100 Angled Spotting Scope – 22 to 66x100mm Zoom Eyepiece – Multi-Coated Optics for Bird Watching, Wildlife, Scenery and Hunting – Waterproof and Fogproof – Includes Soft Carrying Case
  • ULTIMA ANGLED SPOTTING SCOPE: The outdoor enthusiast’s choice is our great all-around spotting scope with an 100mm objective lens and a 45° viewing angle. Perfect for observing nature and long-distance viewing.
  • MULTI-COATED OPTICS: Every lens surface is coated multiple times with anti-reflective coatings to improve color and contrast while maximizing brightness, so you can enjoy brighter and sharper images, even when ambient lighting conditions are dim.
  • SHARP ZOOM EYEPIECE FUNCTION: Ultima's large focus dial allows you to bring your subject into razor-sharp focus before it moves away. The included zoom eyepiece helps you zero in for detailed views of distant subjects in seconds.
  • UNBEATABLE WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from the world’s #1 telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a two-year warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.
  • INCLUDES ESSENTIALS FOR BETTER VIEWING: Includes an extended tripod mounting plate, zoom eyepiece with integrated T-adapter for digiscoping, carrying case, eyepiece lens cap, eyepiece port cover, eyepiece pouch, lens cloth, and instruction manual.

Types of Crossbow Scopes

Red Dot Scope

Red dot scope is the most basic type of scope. It doesn’t have any magnification and is just a slight step up from open sight. It has a clean, clear red dot ready to point the way to where your arrow will hit. The red dot lighted reticle is easier to see and provides an upgrade to regular open sights.

When Selecting Red Dot Scope, look for multiple brightness setting. Some red dot sights have various dots that allow you to sight in your scope at various ranges and use different dots for those ranges. Red Dot gives a large field of view since there is no magnification to obstruct the field of vision.

Optic Scopes

The optic scope is similar to the scopes on rifles and offers some form of magnification. This magnification scope can have a single crosshair reticle, however most common in the crossbow scope is a multi-reticle option.

There are also illuminated types of optic scope, that allow you to use the scope more efficiently in low-lighting conditions.

Night Vision

A scope with night vision capabilities enables you to see in the woods after dark. Generally, it features an Infrared or illuminator and function by emitting infrared light.

How to Choose the Best Crossbow Scope?

When you’re looking for a new optic, there are few aspects to consider that will help you narrow down your choices.

As a general rule, the quality of a crossbow scope scales with the price. However, that doesn’t mean that the most expensive will be perfect for everybody. There are features that not all archers or hunters need, so get ones that do what you need, without paying for additional features that you’ll never use.

Size

Scopes can vary in size, choose one that is similar enough to carry with the rest of your gear. It should also weigh less than one pound, so it does not throw off the balance of the crossbow.

Heavier scopes make the bow difficult to hold and make it almost impossible to aim your shots accurately. It is also recommended that select a scope with a wide lens so you can easily see any targets, yet still comes in a lightweight and compact design.

Magnification

Magnification is often essential when shooting a crossbow since it helps to bring the view of the target closer to you. The amount of magnification you get from a scope affects how accurately you can shoot your bow from longer ranges.

The most common magnification on the scopes is 3X, that will allow an excellent shot to maintain accuracy out to 50-60 yards. If your crossbow is proficient of a shoot at longer-ranges without too much drop-off, then you might look for a scope that’ll offer magnification in the 4X or 5X range.

Optics Quality

If the objective lens of the scope isn’t capable of producing crisp images, it will be useless. The crossbow ranges with fully multi-coated lenses are designed to allow plenty of luminous to flow through so you’ll be able to see the target regardless of the distance. The distance measured in yards or meters.

When buying a scope, make sure that it is nitrogen filled as this will stop early morning fog and dew from clouding the lens.

Parallax

It is the apparent movement of objects within the field of vision concerning the reticle. If the parallax isn’t aligned correctly, it can result in too many sighting errors.

Avoid high magnification scopes with parallax set that is only for rifle shooting, as this parallax will often not be compatible with the type of shooting a crossbow hunter tends to do.

Field of View

Field of View is the amount of the terrain that’ll be visible from a particular range. It expressed in terms of the number of feet or meters at 50 or 100 yards for instance 32 feet at 50 yards. It is a crucial factor to keep in mind as it determines how easy it’ll be to locate your target in the scope. For deer hunting, choose a scope with a field of view at least 28 feet at 100 yards.

Avoid scopes that have extremely limited fields of view, generally caused by the barrel being too thin.

Light Gathering Capability

Look for a scope that has excellent light-gathering ability. As animals are often provided with natural camo, contrast is essential in picking out the target and determining where the target’s vital organs should be located.

For illuminated scopes, make sure that the brightness settings are adjustable. This is generally accomplished with a rheostat and be sure that the illuminated-reticle or dot is going just clear enough to see in the lowest lighting conditions, without causing haloes around the reticle or dot.

Durable and Easy To Use

Once you’ve examined the quality of the scope itself, you should look at how easy it is going to be to use it with your crossbow. Scopes that enable you to calibrate for elevation and wind speed without the use of a tool are usually preferred over other models.

Legality

Read the rules of archery hunters and the laws for crossbow hunters before buying an optic for your crossbow since there is a lot of overlapping laws in states that allow crossbows through archery season.

If electronic sights on the vertical bows are banned during archery period, then a red dot or illuminated-reticle sight on your bow will get you a nice fat ticket.

Some Important Terms Related To The Best Crossbow Scope

Stray Light

When light penetrates the scope and reflects off the metal, it reduces the image quality of the target. Therefore look for a scope that has an interior coating, to prevent reflection off of the metal.

Eye Relief

It is the distance between the shooting eye and your eye-piece lens. If your eye relief is extremely small, there is a risk of hitting your eye with eye-piece when crossbow releases an arrow.

Exit Pupil

It is a measure of the amount of light that reaches your shooting eye.

Length

It measures crossbow scope from the leading edge of the objective lens to the back edge of the eyepiece. Longer models lead to having higher magnification.

Center Tube Diameter

The scope’s center tube diameter affects its durability. It defines what size ring and base you need for mounting as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Are The Benefits of Using Crossbow Scope?

Crossbow Scope significantly affects accuracy and precision. Hunting skills and high performance aren’t enough to excel in the crossbow game.

  • Accuracy: It is essential when you are hunting live targets. Having poor accuracy due to low-end scopes can cause bad shots.
  • Arrow Placement: Training with the best crossbow scope can assist you with the right grouping.
  • Shooting range: The scope will enhance your peripheral vision and your target shooting range.

2. How to Properly Use The Crossbow Scope?

Step1: Find the adjustment levers on the crossbow scope.
Step2: Start at 10 yards from the target object to check if the crossbow scope is correctly installed.
Step3: Then, move 20 yards away from the target. Select a specific distance for your dot/top reticle.
Step4: Proceed into shooting the target and change the elevation and the windage configuration to raise the distance between the target and you.

About the author

Mark Cook

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