10 Best 22 Scopes 2026 in the United States

The Celestron Travel Scope 80 is a beginner-friendly refractor telescope that stands out for its portability and ease of use. With an 80mm aperture and fully coated glass optics, it delivers bright and clear views of the Moon, planets, and even daytime scenes. It comes with two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) offering different magnification levels, which gives users both wide and detailed views. The field of view is about 1.7 degrees, which is decent for spotting larger celestial objects or landscapes.

The telescope uses a simple altazimuth mount, making it easy to point and adjust manually, though it relies on manual focus and does not have advanced parallax adjustment features. As a basic model, it suits casual viewing rather than extended sessions requiring comfort optics. Its build is lightweight at 4.5 pounds, with a sturdy tripod and weather-resistant design suitable for travel and outdoor use. The included smartphone adapter and backpack make it a convenient choice for those who want to capture images or take the telescope on the go.

Not designed for professional astronomy or high magnification, this telescope is a solid pick for families, beginners, and travelers who want an accessible and enjoyable introduction to stargazing and nature observation.

The Celestron Travel Scope 70DX is a solid choice for beginners and casual stargazers who want a portable and easy-to-use telescope. Its 70mm objective lens is decent for a travel scope, allowing bright and sharp views of the Moon, planets, and some daytime objects. The fully coated glass optics help deliver clear images, while the included 20mm and 10mm eyepieces provide versatile magnification options for both wide and close-up views. Setup is quick and tool-free, and the lightweight design with a backpack makes it great for taking outdoors or on trips.

It includes handy extras like a smartphone adapter and Bluetooth remote for capturing images, which is a nice bonus for beginners exploring astrophotography. Since it uses a simple altazimuth mount and manual focus, it may not offer the smoothest tracking or most precise adjustments that more experienced users seek. The telescope lacks specific features such as eye relief or parallax adjustment, which can contribute to comfortable and accurate viewing.

Durability-wise, it’s designed for travel but it is not specified as weather-resistant, so care is needed in rough conditions. This scope meets the needs of families and newcomers looking for an affordable, user-friendly introduction to astronomy without complicated setup or heavy gear.

The Nightforce NX8 4-32x50mm F1 riflescope offers an impressive zoom range from 4x to 32x magnification, making it versatile for both close encounters and long-distance precision shooting. Its 50mm objective lens helps gather ample light, providing clear and bright images even in lower light conditions. The MOAR first focal plane reticle is designed for accuracy, with detailed markings that assist in precise aiming and range estimation, which is great for hunters and target shooters alike. Eye relief is about 3.5 inches, which is comfortable for most users, allowing safe and steady viewing without getting too close to the scope. Parallax adjustment from 11 yards to infinity ensures sharp focus on targets at various distances, which is especially useful for long-range shooting. The scope also features the helpful ZeroStop function, letting you quickly return to your zero setting after making adjustments, saving time in the field.

Constructed from durable aluminum, it’s built to withstand harsh weather and rough handling, making it reliable for outdoor use. On the downside, the scope weighs nearly 1.8 pounds and is on the longer side at 13.4 inches, which might add noticeable weight and size to your rifle. Also, the exit pupil shrinks at higher magnifications, meaning the image can get dimmer and harder to see in very low light or when used by those with less-than-perfect eyesight.

Though it represents a bit of an investment, this scope is a solid choice for hunters and precision shooters seeking a rugged, versatile optic that performs well across a wide range of distances.