Meopta Meopro 80 HD Review: 20-60x80 Angled Spotting Scope

Meopta Meopro 80 HD 20-60x80 Angled Spotting Scope — Image Credit - Meopta

Viewing Configuration: Angled
Magnification: 20-60X
Power Variability: Variable
Adjustable Eyepieces: No
Eyepiece included: Yes
Objective Diameter: 80 mm
Close Focus Distance: 19.69 feet
Length: 14.33 inches
Weight: 67.97 ounces
Field of View: 105-63 feet/1000 yards
Eye Relief/Exit Pupil: 18.5 mm/4.05-1.4 mm
Optics Coatings: Fully Multi-Coated
Glass: Schott
Focus System: Collar/Dual Focus
Waterproof/Fog-proof: Yes/Yes
Digiscope adaptable: Yes

Best Uses: Hunting, For the Range, Birdwatching, Wildlife Observation, Photography

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Meopta MeoPro 80 HD Spotting Scope Review

This MeoPro 80 HD has MeoBright, MeoShield, and ED glass technology for super optical strength. It's fully weatherproof, has multi-position eyecups, and CentricDrive focus.

I can't give you an online reviewer rating because it doesn't have one in any forum I looked at - yet. With that said, I believe it's only because Meopta isn't as well-known as it should be, and it doesn't reflect its excellent quality and performance.

Since there are only two Meopta spotting scope series available, we have reviewed a spotter from each. This MeoPro 80 HD is the more affordable of the two, the other being the MeoStar S2 82mm.

With all its feature-packed qualities, you're probably wondering exactly what all this "Meo" Technology is. Our in-depth Meopta scope reviews have all the answers in our Q&A's.

Pros:

Price
Digiscope adaptable
Long-ranging distance
High quality optics
High power

Cons:

No compact model
Heavy

MeoPro 80 HD Spotting Scope Q&A:

Has the MeoPro 80 HD spotting scope won any awards?

Yes! And, it was as recently as 2016! It was recognized by the prestigious and famed Outdoor Life magazine, and was used and abused in the hands of experts.

Specifically, it won the Editor's Choice award, and here's an excerpt on what they had to say about it.

"[It] wowed the test team with its edge clarity, brightness, and durability. In a competitive field of high-power units, the Meopta was the spotter that testers reached for most frequently..."

Reinhard Seipp, the general manager and COO of Meopta USA, was very proud in acknowledging the award and said, "it is very gratifying when experts like these recognize our efforts to produce exceptional optics at an attractive price point."

Editors Choice Outdoor Life — Image Credit - Meopta

What is MeoBright?

In order to astound the test team at one of the world's most renown sporting magazines, you know there has to be some awesome coatings on it to give it its super-clear powers. And, it would be thanks to MeoBright.

MeoBright is Meopta's proprietary multi-layer lens coatings that increases light transmission to allow for a brighter and clearer image.

All air-to-glass surfaces are treated with the special coatings multiple times, and it's purported that Meopta has the highest possible light transmission rate of 99.8 percent - per lens!

What is the actual light transmission of the MeoPro 80 HD?

While 99.8 percent sounds absolutely perfect, hunting conditions and availability of light can affect that rate dramatically.

So, for the sake of reality, you're not going get 99.8 percent of light transmission all the time. In fact, conditions have to be practically perfect to get that rate - think bright, sunny, and midday conditions. That's usually not the ideal time for a hunt.

So, for all real hunters that are stalking during real hunting hours, that's low light and early morning. The actual daylight light transmission of the MeoPro is 91 percent which is still excellent.

The twilight transmission is 87 percent, and that's astounding thanks to the TO2 (Twilight Optimized Optics) technology. No, wonder the team at Outdoor Life were so impressed when it actually performed as advertised!

What is MeoShield?

When it comes to the exterior face of exposed lenses, there's always the worry of branches and whatever else scratching up the perfect surface. Maybe when it's strung to your side and you have to hike through thick brush or when you may drop it on a pile of bedrock.

That means that there's two purposes for external coatings to cater to: hardness or durability and resistance to abrasions.

MeoShield fulfills both aspects. The external coating keeps it protected by resisting those nasty lens scratches and enhances the lens ruggedness by ensuring it doesn't shatter into pieces at an accidental drop.

Does the MeoPro 80 HD have ED glass?

In the product description for the MeoPro, Meopta describes it has having HD Fluoride Lens. When you see HD, fluoride, or lens elements, you can safely assume that the lenses are made with Extra-Low Dispersion glass.

What does that mean?

That means, it's been made, ground, and polished with elements that ensure a crystal clear, high-resolution, and high-contrast image.

When lightwaves move through the optical pathway, light loss is kept to the absolute minimum. Also, lightrays are split apart in the optical system and special prisms and coatings unite them to ensure that chromatic aberrations aren't trying to hitch a ride in your image.

Say goodbye to color fringing!

What is CentricDrive?

This refers to the focus system. If you're wondering why you don't see the focus knob that's an iconic spotting scope feature, it's because it has the collar or ring style focus.

The focus ring is located at the slimmest part of the scope, right there in the middle. It's heavily knurled for easy and convenient use, even with gloves on.

It's also a fast focus system. This means that it will take less revolutions or turns of the ring to be able to focus on a prairie dog 100 yards from you to bull elk two miles away.

It's also going to be of exceptional use at the range for 600 yard distance rifle shots - hint hint.

What type of eyecups does the MeoPro 80 HD 20-60x80 have?

These are no fold down eyecups, these are multi-position twist-up eyecups.

The eye relief of the MeoPro is 18.5 mm. As you twist up the eyecups, they will click into place. Very convenient.

Birder, hunters, and nature observers who wear spectacles or sun-glasses will appreciate the long eye relief and the multi-position feature.

Is the Meopta MeoPro 80 HD a good spotting scope for hunting?

With everything we've seen on the MeoPro so far, it's hard to deny that it wouldn't be an excellent hunting optic.

And, apart from the superior optics and the rugged build, it's also fully weatherproof. But, one of the most important things is its ability to allow you to see extreme details at such long distances.

According to Outdoor Life, the MeoPro is extremely capable of spotting in detail 600 yard distances for positive bullet strikes and for spotting bull elk from miles away.

The only downer is the 67.97 ounces, or the 4.24 pounds, of weight. That's quite a bit poundage you're taking with you on a hunt, especially while you're toting a tripod with you as well.

For the hunter who's got some six miles of hiking ahead of him, I couldn't recommend it. But, for the hunter who's using a blind or a stationary hide-out periodically, the MeoPro is definitely worth considering.

How much does the MeoPro cost against the MeoStar?

The MeoPro 80 HD costs about $1500 online. Full retail price is typically around $1700.

But, the MeoStar S2 is closer to $2000 online, just for the body and the objective end. You'll still have to purchase the eyepiece on top of this cost. And, it might put you up somewhere around $2600 elsewhere.

Although these prices are hefty, you should remember that the top spotting scopes are hardly ever bargains. Plus, Meopta delivers the same quality as other high-end spotters but for practically half the price.

How does the cost difference between the MeoPro and the MeoStar affect features?

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 (which you can read about in the Q&A here) that, obviously, the MeoPro doesn't have because the eyepiece can't be changed out.

Is there a straight MeoPro spotting scope?

No. The angled 80 HD spotter is the only option that's currently available in the MeoPro spotting scope series.

It's probably unlikely that a straight model will be in the MeoPro future because hunting can be done just fine with an angled model.

But, what I'd like to see is perhaps a smaller objective and lower power ranges for a more compact spotter. And, with the same excellent optical features, it would be a sell-out for Meopta and the perfect optic for hunters

Do the Meopro HD 80 spotters come with a warranty?

Meopta spotting scopes are all backed by a warranty. More specifically, it's called the North American Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

In order to obtain coverage with this warranty, you have to make sure that you register your new buy with Meopta within 30 days of your purchase.

The process online looks relatively easy. All you have to do is give them everything short of a blood sample - just kidding. You'll just need to provide product info, your details, and the seller's info - which is optional, by the way.

Noteworthy Features:

MeoBright and MeoShield coatings for optimal image quality
HD Fluoride-containing glass to reduce color fringing
CentricDrive focus system for fast focusing from close range to extended distances
Built-in retractable sunshade
Submersion tight to 6 feet and fully fog-proof
Backed by Meopta's Lifetime Warranty

Our Verdict On Meopta's MeoPro 80 HD

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 of 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!

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