I was asked this weekend for recommendations on "something to watch animals with at Yellowstone" They said they already had binoculars, but wondered if there may be something else. They are going to be travelling by both car and doing some hiking so easily portable is a plus. Also would like to keep it under $100. As one of them said it doesn't need to be fancy, just good enough that they could "tell the difference between a moose and an elk"

What would y'all recommend?

TIA

I went last year; and if you really want to see, grizzlies, mountain goats, wolves, etc. ; a " decent" spotting scope is a must. You can barely get a decent tripod for $100.
I took a Vortex Razor HD.

Crappy cell phone thru scope pics; the grizzly w/ cubs were close to a mile away.

I would recommend he buy a good spotter used and sell it when he returns

wew3006

Which Vortex Razor HD are those pictures from? It looks like they go from 11-33x50 to 27-60x85

It is my 16-48x65. I had purchased a 20-60x85; but ended up leaving it at home. Great scopes for the money.
You can observe elk, bison and black bear easily; but to watch for grizzlies, wolves, bighorns and goats a spotter is a must have.

To answer you question $100 is not possible.

For $200 you can get an Alpen. That's the only thing in that price range that will be remotely decent.

If you are interested in spotting scopes and other optics please read reviews by bird watchers not hunters. There are tons of good reviews online at various websites that are much more independent than a review by a hunting magazine where advertising dollars influence. Hunters on message boards are not good sources of info either IMO. They don't have experience looking through enough optics to have a real opinion other than "I picked up this Zeiss and it is the best I have ever looked through because the only other thing I have looked through is a Simmons 44 Mag on Paw Paws 30-06", Sincerely Bubba.

These bird watchers know their stuff around optics. That's where I go to get about all my info.

A little dated review but Click here for tavel spotting scopes

I agree GK; have used the birdwatcher sites in past for optics reviews. They like the Vortex Razor HD product.

Yes they do. I am going to get a smaller spotter for the pack right now I'm toting around an 80mm. I'm going to get the 50mm Razor HD. Can't be beat for the money in that class spotter.

Goatkiller,

Thank you for the advice about looking at a bird watchers forum. The review is also helpful.