Winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2016 from Outdoor Life Magazine!

Upshot: Crystal-clear schott glass, high-speed center-barrel focus, very appealing price

Most high-end spotting scopes ship with a variable-power eyepiece that can be swapped out for a fixed-power unit (usually 30X) that’s sold separately. The fixed-power eyepiece generally has better light transmission and field-of-view than the zoom. The problem is, few hunters actually buy the second eyepiece, so the versatility of the system is offset by the additional cost and dust-introducing components of the detachment mechanism.

Meopta has addressed this problem with the MeoPro 80, a lovely 80mm spotter that has an integrated, non-removable 20X–60X eyepiece. The simplicity of the scope allows Meopta to bring the MeoPro to market at about two-thirds of the cost of its flagship spotting scope, the 82mm MeoStar S2. But we found the MeoPro has nearly identical optical performance to its big brother.

It was runner-up in the 12-scope field for low-light performance. The MeoPro, assembled in the U.S. with Czech components, wowed the test team with its edge clarity, brightness, and durablity. In a competitive field of high-power units, the Meopta was the spotter that testers reached for most frequently when they wanted to glass bull elk on a mountainside miles away, or to assess hits on our 600-yard rifle target.

Product Highlights

• Angled Viewing
• 20-60x Magnification
• Extra-Low Dispersion HD Glass
• MeoBright Ion & MeoShield Multi-Coating
• Waterproof/Fogproof/Shock-Resistant
• Magnesium and Aluminum Chassis
• Rotating Tripod Collar w/ Mounting Foot
• Sculpted Rubber Armored Housing
• Built-In Anodized Aluminum Sunshade

The angled view MeoPro 20-60x80 HD Spotting Scope from Meopta combines a 20-60x wide angle eyepiece, extra-low dispersion HD glass lenses, and a nitrogen-filled housing to create a high-magnification zoom optic designed for low-light and weatherproof performance. An 80mm fluorite objective lens is engineered for maximum light gathering ability and color fidelity. Lens elements are fully multicoated with Meopta's proprietary MeoBright anti-reflective coating, which maximizes the light transmitted throughout the optical path and enhances image contrast. Exposed lens surfaces are also finished with MeoShield scratch-resistant coatings.

Durable construction and user-friendly design match the optical performance of the MeoPro 80 spotting scope. The CentricDrive focus wheel is oversized and textured for non-slip focusing in the rain or when wearing gloves. The objective housing is nitrogen-purged and gasket-sealed to deliver waterproof and fogproof imaging in freezing temperatures and high humidity. For added protection, a magnesium and aluminum chassis provides a shock-resistant foundation for the optical system. The retractable aluminum sunshade, long 18.5mm eye relief, and rotating/locking tripod collar make the MeoPro 80 a full-featured spotting scope for a wide range of outdoor observing tasks.

Construction Details

• Nitrogen-filled fogproof/waterproof housing
• Magnesium and aluminum chassis
• Rubber armored body

Use and Handling

• Angled viewing configuration
• Multi-position twist-up eyecup
• Retractable anodized aluminum sunshade
• 360° rotating and locking tripod collar with mounting foot
• Mounting foot has 1/4"x20 thread and is specially designed to engage Manfrotto RC2 tripod heads
• CentricDrive mid-body focusing wheel with textured rubber grip

Specifications

In the Box

Meopta MeoPro 20-60x80 HD Spotting Scope (Angled View)

Optically, the MeoPro and the MeoStar are practically identical. But, there are a couple differences that keeps the MeoPro in the more affordable price range.

The first is the fixed eyepiece of the MeoPro. While the MeoStar S2 can use different variable eyepieces, the 20-60X can’t be removed. And, for most hunters, this is completely acceptable.

The other difference is in the eyepieces of the MeoStar itself. There’s a nifty little system that, obviously, the MeoPro doesn’t have because the eyepiece can’t be changed out.

Expert Verdict

The scoop on the scope is, the Meopta MeoPro 20-60X80 spotter is a great deal for the quality. We’re rooting for the underdog, and the only reason they’re the underdog is because hardly anyone knows about them. But, when you recognize the high quality and superior optics of this spotter, you’ll know the price is more than fair. However, it doesn’t get much smaller than this. This is about as slim and lightweight as it gets for Meopta.

Knowing that you’re going big with Meopta scopes, you might like the MeoStar S2 82 HD. It comes in both straight and angled bodies, and it even includes for interchangeable eyepieces. You can check it out here – https://www.targettamers.com/spotting-scopes/meostar-s2-82-hd-review/.

If you want to stick with a brand you know a lot more, the NightForce TS-80 20-60x80mm Hi-Def spotting scope is right up your alley . It has everything the Meopta has, but it’s got the NightForce (NF) brand behind its build. When it’s NF and practically indestructible, “the force is with you!”

But, if you don’t need the power of Star Wars in the hunt or taking long-distance photos of rare birds, Meopta will be force enough. In fact, we liked this optic so much we have it a spot on our list ot the best high-end spotting scopes,  If the underdog has been nationally recognized by renown hunting media sources, it’s dang-well good enough for us!