Reviews & Ratings for Alpen 20x50 Waterproof Mini Spotting Scope w/ Sunshade, Tripod, Carrying Case — 28 reviews — Page 1

Tried the Alpen 20x50 at 25 yards to sight in an Axis 223. I was able to accomplish the 25 yard task,but with considerable difficulty. The optics was adequate up to 50 yards, possibly even a 100, but the tripod is another story all together.
The tripod was very flimsy, difficult to adjust, and therefore time consuming. This rig is so light weight that the percussion from every shot moved it necessitating continual re-adjustments.
In summary, you get what you pay for. For $66, it was worth a try, but was not adequate for me.

My experience with spotting scopes has been minimal, but this is my second purchase and I am very pleased with it. My first purchase (different brand) left me unimpressed and I actually returned the item because I didn't find it to be useful. However after further study on spotting scopes and how they could be applied, I found this Alpen unit to be more suited to what I wanted it for. I use this unit for checking my shots on 50 and 100 yard ranges, usually for zeroing. I also use it as a handheld monocular for glassing areas. It's small, light and easy to carry. Larger units are more cumbersome for how I use this scope. Focus is clear for the ranges I need. I had to get used to the minimal eye relief, but I found that to be common in spotting scopes. The cost is very inexpensive compared to others. You can surely get a much more expensive unit that will do more and better, but this unit fits the bill perfectly for my need.

This spotting scope is useful for many tasks that a binocular would be used for because of it's relatively low magnification, but it has suffienct magnification to be used at a 100 yard (max) range.. One can hold it in hand and make out things. I actually use it to monitor cows in a pasture. I can identify each one by their features, but I can't read tags when they are far out. It is sufficient to just see 22 caliber bullet holes in cheap NRA-style target paper or in printer paper, but barely, at 100 yards. It is extremely compact and is as easy to hold as a binoculars. The focus on it is stiff but does work. Overall, it seems to be decently well made. So far, the waterproof claim is true. I've used it in the rain, and while it is next to useless with actual rain on the lenses, it didn't fog or seem to suffer any ill effects once it dried.

The bad things about this scope: the brightness (or % light transmission) just doesn't impress. While it does what I want it to do, it is somewhat difficult to see things because everything through it is somewhat dim.

And the tripod is a joke. It DOES actually work if you are delicate with it. It holds it well enough at the range, but it could be much better. The threads on the scope work with better tripods, so it isn't the end of the world. The nice thing about the tripod is that it does fit in the provided case with the scope.

In the end, if this scope was a bit brighter and came with a strudy yet as compact tripod, I would pay a whol...
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I bought this Alpen just over two years ago in 2014 as a temporary sighting scope as I planned on replacing it with a better quality scope in the future. I have gotten more use out of it than I have anticipated and have yet to replace it. Using a quality free standing tripod seeing .22 caliber holes up to 120 yards is no problem. I am impressed with the clarity and have had no problems getting the scope in focus. The lens caps are a bit flimsy so I leave then at home so not to loose them, but store the scope with the lens caps on to keep the dust out. The bench style tripod that came with the scope was not much good and distracts from the scopes ability to focus because it needs to be stable and perfectly still. My recommendation is to use this scope with a decent tripod for best results.

The size is right on small. Easy to hold one hand and focus. Issues with that is bracing it. I put the tripod on to use as a pistol grip, probably do something better. The tripod is "soft". It will work. But. Very toy like. The scope on the other hand is where the meat is. It does the job, The glass does have limitations. Good to hold with it's rubber coating. Simple construction for the price. The case was nice and functional. Good Luck.

This scope is just as compact as it appears in the write-up. It's perfect for carrying out to the range, not taking up too much space in the gear bag. While not a top end piece of equipment, it is a reasonable value for the money. The tripod worked all right without any issues. I'd suggest being gently with it though. I doubt that I'd like to use it beyond about 150 yards.

great scope for bulls eye shooting. clear view of target. compact design, fits my range box well without any issues. tripod and protective case are nice to have. would like to recommend this product to bulls eye shooting guys.

From another online vendor I purchased this product as my first spotter to take into the field. I did so after reding many user reviews.

The quality is extremely poor with this device. And there is virtually NO eye-relief to speak of. If you are considering this spotter... I HIGHLY recommend you instead look at the Bushnell Ultra Legend HD 10x42 Monocular which also has built-in threaded Tripod mount on underside. Using this Monocular I was able to see things I simply could NOT see using this crappy Alpen.

Obviously the other product is much expensive. But I mean... I wouldn't even want to use this spotter here at an Archery Range. It's super annoying how much you have to push up on the eyepiece just to see your image. When you blink your eyelashes will brush up against the glass that's how close you have to get!

You won't realize how cheesy the glass is at first until you take it into the field and try to look at things at actual real-world distances. Is it then you will realize what a pile of junk this really is.

It's a shame too... I liked the lightweight aspect of it and wanted it to work. Oh well.

I use this scope constantly for bullseye pistol shooting. It is light and mounted easily into my gun box. it has good clarity and light collection for indoor ranges. It is simple and it works!

I have been looking for a more compact spotting scope to take hunting, the Alpen Mini fit the bill. It is small and light weight, great to be packed in the backpack while hunting. It is half the size of my Bushnell and Barska. The optics are good and does just what I need it to do.