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14 Best Spotting Scope for Birding in 2024

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The best spotting scope is an essential piece of kit for bird photographers. They help you spot your feathered subjects at great distances or through thick vegetation. But which spotting scope is best for you?

Do you need a spotting scope with extensive magnification? Are you looking for something lightweight and portable? Is smartphone integration something you need? Or do you need a budget-friendly scope for backyard bird photography?

The Celestron Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope is our top choice. It gives you 18-55x magnification with a 65mm objective diameter. The optical quality is excellent. And the price is very reasonable for such a great piece of equipment.

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What Is the Best Spotting Scope for Bird Photography?

The best spotting scope allows you to see faraway birds from your shooting location. The magnification they provide helps you identify and locate your winged targets, allowing you to get the best photo possible.

Thanks to the compact size, spotting scopes are more convenient when searching for birds in the wild. Bird photography lenses are large and heavy due to the big local length required. That makes them cumbersome to use when scanning the foliage, unlike a spotting scope.

Magnification is one of the key features to look for when buying a bird spotting scope. You need to think about how much magnification you need. If you’re shooting in your garden or a public park, you can work with a modest magnification level. But if you’re a bird photographer working in the jungle, the more magnification, the better.

You also need to look at the specification for objective lens diameter and field of view. Minimum focusing distance is also important. And you need to check the eye relief level. Check out the buyer’s guide at the end of the article if you need more information on spotting scope specifications.

Here’s a rundown of all the best spotting scopes for bird photography. But we take an in-depth look at each spotting scope in the following section.

• Wide 18-55x magnification range
• Multilayer coating reduces lens flare and glare
• Completely waterproof and fog-resistant
• Comes with T-mount adapter so you can use with camera
• Nine available eyepieces for straight or angled model
• Multilayered glass coating improves optical quality
• ED glass elements eliminate chromatic aberrations
• Completely waterproof and nitrogen-filled to eliminate risk of fogging up
• Vivid, high-definition images with premium components
• Bright views in low light with XR anti-reflective coatings
• Ultra-sharp viewing with smooth helical focus
• Waterproof, fogproof, and durable Armortek coatings

• 100mm objective lens diameter
• Anti-reflective coating for increased light transmission
• Waterproof with anti-fog protection
• Includes carry case and T-adapter for digiscoping

• Wide 80mm objective lens gives you plenty of light
• Powerful maximum magnification of 80x
• Incredible optical quality enhanced with specialist glass coatings
• Completely waterproof down to 13 ft / 4 m

• Powerful 20-60x zoom for detailed observation
• High-quality BAK4 prism optics for bright, clear images
• Durable, waterproof design for all-weather use
• Includes smartphone adapter for easy photo and video capturing

• Exceptional clarity with 82mm aperture
• Ideal for bird photography
• Straight body design for easy use
• Renowned Leica optical quality

• Extra power offers extended range
• High-contrast, bright images with multi-coated surfaces
• IPX7 waterproof construction for all-weather use
• Rubber armor for added durability and protection

• Offers exceptional clarity and brightness
• Lightweight, waterproof, and fogproof design
• Includes tabletop tripod and soft case

9 Best Spotting Scopes for Bird Photography

Now we’ll look at each spotting scope in more detail. We’ve included a wide range of scopes in our list. We have spotting scopes with long magnification ranges. We have high-end and budget-friendly scopes. And we have traditional and more modern options.

1. Celestron Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope

The Celestron Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope deserves its place at the top of our list. It’s a fantastic piece of optical glassware. It has a fantastic build quality. And the price is more than reasonable. It’s perfect for spotting birds in the wild.

With a max magnification of 55x, you can spot birds from a great distance. You’ll be able to see birds in perfect detail, helping you identify species and align your shots. And thanks to the wide zoom range of 18-55x, you have excellent flexibility. You can see birds near and far.

You get edge-to-edge sharpness, so you can see your subject clearly through the scope. The multilayer glass coatings reduce lens flare and glare, so you get a clear view in all conditions.

The majority of bird photography is done outdoors, so it’s good to know this bird spotting scope is fully waterproof. Thanks to the rubber seals, you can use it rain or shine. The sealing is so thorough it’s even fog- and condensation-proof.

The Ultima 65 includes a T-mount adapter. This allows you to attach the spotting scope to your camera so you can take pictures through the scope. The results won’t have the quality of a true camera lens. But it allows you to get high-magnification shots with the spotting scope.

You can’t go wrong with the Celestron Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope . Celestron is a master of optical devices, making fantastic telescopes too. It’s a great place to start if it’s your first spotting scope. But the quality is so high that even seasoned bird photographers can also use it.

2. Nikon ED50 Fieldscope

Nikon is one of the most trusted camera and lens manufacturers. And that quality carries over into this Nikon ED50 Fieldscope .

The actual level of magnification depends on the eyepiece that comes with it, which can vary depending on the seller. But the ED50 can give you up to 50x magnification, which is incredible reach. 

There are a total of nine different eyepieces available for the ED50, so it’s a matter of finding the best one to suit your needs.

You can also rely on the superb optical quality. The scope contains extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements, which reduce chromatic aberration and other imperfections.

Optical performance is also improved by the multilayer coating on the glass. These reduce flare, glare, and ghosting, so you can see your birds clearly through the scope.

The Nikon ED50 Fieldscope is a robust piece of equipment that is music to the ears of wildlife and bird photographers. It’s completely waterproof down to 1 m, so a few drops of rain are no problem. And the nitrogen-filled interior ensures the scope remains fog-free.

3. Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scope

The Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scope is the best option if you like bird spotting at dawn or dust. Thanks to the large 85mm objective lens diameter, the scope has a large aperture. That means the scope takes in more light, allowing you to view birds in low-light situations.

The glass also has an XR anti-reflection coating, helping more light into the barrel. That improves light transmission even more, giving you better low-light results.

You get excellent magnification. And there’s a wide zoom range of 20-60x, which gives you plenty of room to maneuver. The minimum focus distance is 36 ft / 11 m, so you can’t get too close. But the optical quality is sharp throughout the zoom range.

It’s fully waterproof, so you can use it outside in any weather. The inside is also fog-resistant, so the barrel remains clear. You also have the rubberized AmorTek protective coating on the outside of the scope. This also makes it easier to hold, making it even less likely for you to drop it.

Birds are often at their most active during dawn and dust. That means they are the best times to see many species in the wild. Light is at a premium during those hours, and the Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scope is perfect for low-light situations.

4. Celestron Ultima 100 Straight Spotting Scope

The Celestron Ultima 100 Straight Spotting Scope is the best scope for low-light viewing. Thanks to the 100mm objective lens diameter, it has excellent light transmission. This is also helped by the anti-reflective lens coating that maximizes low-light performance.

It also gives you fantastic magnification, allowing you to zoom up to 66x. The large focus dial makes it easy to focus at any point in the zoom range. And the image quality is razor-sharp from corner to corner.

Digiscoping is also possible thanks to the integrated T-adapter. This allows you to hook up your digital camera to the Ultima 100 scope for long-distance image captures. You don’t have the same functionality as a proper bird photography lens. But the results can be impressive.

It’s a fully waterproof piece of kit, so you can use it in any weather. And it has an anti-fog design, so internal fog is never a problem.

The Celestron Ultima 100 Straight Spotting Scope is a brilliant piece of kit for amateurs and pros alike. It’s fairly priced, especially when you consider it comes with a carry case, T-adapter, eyepiece pouch, and lens cloth. It’s the perfect spotting scope for low-light birdwatchers.

5. Swarovski Optik HD-STS-80 Spotting Scope

The Swarovski Optik HD-STS-80 Spotting Scope is an example of some of the finest optical glass. With exceptional build quality and supreme optics, you won’t find many scopes better than this. But the incredible quality comes at a cost, so you’ll need a big budget for this one.

The large 80mm objective lens diameter gives you excellent light transmission. The Swarodur and Swarotop coatings help with light transmission while also improving quality. They eliminate aberrations of all kinds.

The Swaroclean coating on the outer elements also protects the glass. They are protected against scratches and smudges, maintaining the highest image quality.

With rubber armoring throughout, the Optik HD-STS-80 is well protected. It’s shockproof and can withstand bumps and knocks. It’s dust-proof. And it’s fully waterproof down to 13 ft / 4 m, so raindrops pose no threat at all.

The superb eyepiece gives you a 60-80x magnification range. You can spot small songbirds from miles away with that kind of magnification. You do have to refocus when zooming in or out. But the helical focusing system gives you stunning sharpness.

There’s no denying the Swarovski Optik HD-STS-80 Spotting Scope is a beautiful piece of equipment. Even the most demanding bird photographers will love it. But the price will be a problem for most people. It’s worth it if you have the budget for it.

6. Gosky HD Spotting Scope

If you want to connect your spotting scope with your smartphone, the Gosky HD Spotting Scope is your best option.

The Gosky HD spotting scope comes with a smartphone adapter, which allows you to see the magnified image on your phone screen.

It not only makes it easier to view, but you can also take photos with your phone. The results won’t be as good as those from a mirrorless or DSLR camera . But you still get great bird images you can share on social media.

The 60x magnification is really strong. And the 60mm objective diameter gives you plenty of light for daylight bird spotting. You won’t have many complaints about the glass quality. And the multilayer coatings help improve light transmission and visual quality.

Coated with rubber armor, the scope is well protected against knocks and scrapes. The rubber also gives you more grip, making it less likely to fall from your hands. And the O-ring seals make it completely waterproof.

The built-in sunshade at the front of the scope is a lifesaver in bright sunlight. You can even extend it to provide more shade if the sun is directly in front of you.

The Gosky HD Spotting Scope comes as a complete set. As well as the phone adapter, you also get a basic tripod with a control arm and a handy carrying case. It’s good value when you consider what you get for the price.

7. Leica APO-Televid 82mm Spotting Scope

Leica has spent generations building its reputation as a luxury optics brand. And the Leica APO-Televid 82mm Spotting Scope fits perfectly in their catalog. 

You immediately notice the beautiful build quality. It feels sturdy and robust without being overly heavy. And the optics are incredibly sharp at all points in the 25-50x magnification range.

Unfortunately, the Leica 25-50x Aspheric Eyepiece is sold separately. But it’s another terrific piece of engineering from the Leica team.

The main scope barrel contains elements made of apochromatic glass, which reduces chromatic and spherical aberrations. The result is a sharp, clear image even in direct sunlight.

Filled with nitrogen, there’s no risk of the interior fogging up. The outer glass is also protected against scratches and smudges thanks to the AquaDura coating. And the main body is weather-sealed for use in all kinds of weather.

The quality of the Leica APO-Televid 82mm Spotting Scope is no surprise. And unfortunately, neither is the price. You do get your money’s worth in terms of quality. But considering you have to buy the eyepiece too, your budget will take a beating.

8. Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope

If you’re looking for a rugged scope that doesn’t weigh a ton, then the Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope is ideal. It’s strong and durable, suitable for the wildest of lifestyles. But it weighs just over 2 lbs. 

Starting with the optics, it’s an excellent all-rounder. It gives you a magnification range of 20-60x, which is plenty for most bird watchers. And the 65mm objective lens gives you a bright view even as dusk falls.

The high-quality glass is treated with a multilayer coating. It reduces aberrations and lens flare. And it helps with light transmission, giving you a brighter viewing image. It also has a built-in sunshade, so direct sunlight is less of a problem.

Durability is increased thanks to the rubber armor on the outside of the barrel. There’s a semi-detached cover for the objective lens. And it has full IPX7 waterproof protection. It can be fully submerged in water and come out working just fine.

The Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope is ideal for true outdoorsmen. Ruggedness is paired with usability. It’s equipped with an eye-to-focus eyepiece and a rotating tripod collar. And it’s protected for outdoor use.

9. Athlon Optics Talos Spotter Scope

The Athlon Optics Talos Spotter Scope gives you the best blend of brightness and affordability. Scopes with large objective lenses usually got a pretty penny. But this bird spotting scope has an 80mm objective lens yet remains budget-friendly.

The optics might not compare with the Swarovski Optik HD-STS-80 or Celestron Ultima 100. But the view is still sharp throughout the 20-60x magnification range.

Optical performance is improved by the multilayer coating on the glass. It reduces imperfections like chromatic aberration and lens flare. And it helps more light pass through the objective lens, giving you even better low-light performance.

The rotating eyepiece is a lifesaver if you need to sit down while bird watching. And the telescopic eyecup also helps you find a comfortable viewing position. It’s also equipped with a built-in sunshade for better viewing in bright sunlight.

Focusing is quick and easy, thanks to the smooth focus ring. And it’s fairly lightweight, so it isn’t a burden when you’re traveling to your favorite birding locations. 

It’s a fully waterproof scope, so you can use it rain or shine. And it has been nitrogen purged to prevent fog buildup in the barrel.

The Athlon Optics Talos Spotter Scope comes with a protective carrying bag and a bench-height tripod. That’s a welcome surprise when you see the price. These extras add even more to the affordability of this bird-spotting scope.

Buyer’s Guide—Spotting Scopes for Bird Photography

Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best spotting scope.

Main Spotting Scope Specifications

• Magnification range —20-40x probably provides the best field of view and brightness for bird watching. But 20-60x spotting scopes are typical. Make sure the optical quality doesn’t degrade too much at higher magnifications.
• Minimum focusing distance —This is the closest you can get to your subject while still having it in focus. It can be just as crucial for spotting scopes as for camera lenses . For instance, you might want to get a close-up view of a bird’s feathers to identify the species. However, there is a trade-off with magnification. So be sure to check both.
• Glass and coatings —Spotting scopes with ED (extra-low dispersion), FL (fluorite), HD (high density), and APO (apochromatic) glass produce clearer, sharper images. These high-quality coatings also reduce eyestrain.
• Field of view —This shows the visible width at 1,000 yards (or meters). A wide field of view is better for scanning the scene or for fast-moving birds , but you won’t get the same level of magnification.
• Focus mechanism —Most scopes have a single focus knob. But Leicas have one for coarse focus and one for more precise tuning. Nikon and Swarovski scopes have a helical focusing system with a rubberized band on the actual barrel or eyepiece. The latter’s reduced “travel” is less accurate. But that makes it faster to switch from close to distant subjects or keep the focus on fast-moving birds.
• Straight or angled spotting scope —Straight scopes have a more familiar feel. But an angled scope is better for looking at the stars or sitting down and sharing!
• Eyepieces —Some spotting scopes come with multiple eyepieces. The idea is you can use the lower-magnification ones with a broader field of view to scan the scene. Then you can switch to a higher-magnification eyepiece to examine your subject in detail. Alternatively, you could just zoom in using the same eyepiece.
• Objective lens size —This is usually between 50 and 80mm. A bigger front lens (or “aperture”) gathers more light, which produces more clarity and detail and a brighter image.
• Exit pupil size —This measures the image’s brightness and should be at least 1.3mm (or the diameter of your pupil). It’s the objective lens diameter divided by the magnification. So a 20-60x scope with an 80mm objective lens would have an exit pupil of 1.33mm at 60x.
• Eye relief —The ideal distance between your eye and the eyepiece. It should be at least 16mm if you wear glasses.
• Weather sealing —Fog, rain, snow, dust, heat, and cold can all be problematic. So look for waterproof and anti-fog (nitrogen- or dry-gas-filled) models with rubber coatings.
• Weight —Higher-magnification scopes are generally heavier. But they may save you hours of hiking, so it’s a trade-off!
• Price —As with all photography equipment, the price is a major consideration. There is a spotting scope for every budget on this list.

Spotting Scope Accessories

All these scopes are powerful, so you might want a tripod to hold them steady. That is unless you spend a lot of time in a jeep on safari ! It doesn’t have to be that sophisticated or expensive, though.

If you want to take pictures or videos of what you see (called “digiscoping”), you could also invest in a Tactacam Spotter LR . It is a camera attachment that fits onto the eyepiece. It boasts one-touch 4K recording capability (plus live streaming), slow-motion features, and durable rubber housing.

What Is Digiscoping?

Digiscoping is where you attach your camera to your spotting scope. You mount the scope to your camera via the lens mount using a T-mount adapter . This allows you to view the magnified image through your camera and take images. 

Using a 500 or 600mm lens is great for bird photography. But sometimes, even a super telephoto lens doesn’t get you close enough. By using a spotting scope and T-mount adapter, you can get magnification equivalent to an 800mm lens. 

However, digiscoping does have its problems. Firstly, the image quality from a spotting scope is rarely as good as a proper telephoto lens. 

You also lose the functionality of a proper lens. You lose autofocus and tracking features. And spotting scopes don’t have an adjustable aperture.

The objective lens is the aperture of a spotting scope, so the light transmission depends on the diameter. This is usually equivalent to something like f/8 or f/16, which is quite slow and restrictive. 

What Is the Best Camera Lens for Bird Photography?

When it comes to bird photography, you need the biggest focal length you can get your hands on. Distance will always be a problem when photographing birds, even in your back garden. That’s why you need a long focal length to compensate.

A lens like the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM is ideal for bird photography. The 600mm max focal length will be enough for many bird snappers. And it has built-in optical stabilization to compensate for the slow max aperture when fully zoomed in.

It’s also available for several different lens systems, including Canon EF and Nikon F .

The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM is an affordable super-telephoto prime lens for mirrorless cameras. It has optical image stabilization that gives you five stops of exposure compensation.

The Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR is the perfect bird photography lens if you have a Nikon DSLR. Or if you’re using a Nikon mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR .

Sony users can also try bird photography with the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS .

If you want to see more options, check out our full list of the best lenses for bird photography .

Conclusion: The Best Spotting Scopes

The best spotting scope for bird photography allows you to see birds clearly from great distances. Of course, the very best optics come at a high price. But we’ve included plenty of excellent bird spotting scopes at more affordable price points.

The Celestron Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope is our top choice. The optical quality is excellent and you get a high level of magnification. It’s robust enough for a life outdoors and the price is more than reasonable.

Popular Content

The best spotting scopes in 2024: get a closer look at sports, nature, and wildlife

The best spotting scopes offer higher magnification than a monocular but much more portability than a telescope

• Our quick list
• Best all-round
• Best for image quality
• Best for beginners
• Best for astronomy
• Best for travel
• Best on a budget
• Best for photography
• How to choose
• How we test

Our quick list Best all-round Best for image quality Best for beginners Best for astronomy Best for travel Best on a budget Best for photography How to choose How we test

The best spotting scopes are perfect for wildlife watchers, sports fans, and even star-gazers. Also known as field scopes or digiscopes, they are like a halfway house between a monocular and a telescope, offering high magnifications while still being compact and portable.

The chief advantage of a spotting scope over a monocular is magnification. Monoculars don't generally exceed a magnification of about 10x, and if they do, they will be extremely heavy. Spotting scopes, in contrast, offer powerful magnification but are typically slimmer and more portable. Some of the best spotting scopes have zoom for changing the magnification. 

Many spotting scopes can even be used for photography by hooking up a camera, a practice known as 'digiscoping'. But whether you're viewing with the naked eye or a camera, the magnification means it's worth checking out the best spotting scope tripods to get a properly steady image.

Spotting scopes are available at all different price points, and in this guide, we've included models for all budgets, from cheap entry-level scopes to high-end optical marvels like the Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 . If you are in the market for a premium scope, you may also want to check out the Leica APO-Televid 82 . 

Best spotting scopes: our top picks

It’s no surprise that camera and optical manufacturer Nikon produces scopes with the ability to attach a camera and enjoy the art of digiscoping . Unlike with some other scopes, the eyepiece is sold separately.

Any photographer will recognize the name Zeiss as being the bee’s knees for optical quality, so selecting a Zeiss scope for wildlife and nature photography has got to be a sensible decision.

This is a great mid-priced model for wildlife watchers. It comes kitted up with its own travel tripod, and a mount for using the scope from your car. 

The best spotting scopes in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Best all-round spotting scope

1. Nikon Fieldscope ED50

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

It’s no surprise that camera and optical manufacturer Nikon produces scopes with the ability to attach a camera and enjoy the art of digiscoping . Indeed, Nikon has its own digiscoping system. 

There’s a lot of choice in this field, but the Nikon Fieldscope ED50 offers a 50mm objective lens (to which a 55mm filter can be attached if desired) and is both relatively compact and lightweight with it. 

It also ticks the boxes for the regular must-haves, such as a fog-banishing nitrogen-filled construction and built-in waterproofing (it can even be submerged up to a meter for five minutes) for all those times when the weather doesn't play ball, along with a multilayered lens coating to ensure superb light transmission and, ultimately, high-resolution images. Read our full Nikon Fieldscope ED50 review for more details

Best spotting scope for image quality

2. Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85

Any photographer will recognize the name Zeiss as being the bee’s knees for optical quality, so selecting a Zeiss scope for wildlife and nature photography has got to be a sensible decision. 

Of course, Zeiss doesn’t come cheap, but the Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 is versatile due to a rapid focus mechanism and a close near-focus setting, so even observing smaller objects or wildlife is claimed to be easier than ever. 

Of course, you only have to look at the name of the product to see one great advantage – namely a whopping 85mm-diameter objective lens, useful for low-light observation. Couple this with a zoom-magnification range of up to 60x and a fog-proof, nitrogen-filled construction, and you’ve really got something.

Read our full Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 review for more details

Best spotting scope for beginners

3. Bushnell 20-60x65 Prime

This is a great mid-priced model for wildlife watchers. It comes kitted up with its own travel tripod, and a mount for using the scope from your car. The 20-60x range gives it versatility for use with different animal and bird species, with a decent 65mm aperture that is more than satisfactory for daylight viewing. 

This spotting scope offers IPX7-level waterproof construction with O-ring sealed optics, ensuring everything stays reassuringly dry in all weather conditions.

Read our full Bushnell 20-60x65 Prime review for more details

Best spotting scope for astronomy

4. Celestron Ultima 100

Weighing 2kg and sporting a 100mm diameter, this is one of the biggest and bulkiest scopes on our list, so it wouldn't be great for, say, action photography. But for more stationary pursuits like stargazing and watching wildlife from a distance, it's a great option.

The largest aperture scope in the Ultima line, the 100mm Ultima offers more than 50 percent brighter images than the 80mm version, so it's a better option for low-light shooting. 

The 100mm refractor features a 45° viewing angle and offers excellent multi-coated optics packed into a portable and durable refractor design and comes standard with an angled, 22-66x zoom eyepiece. A soft carrying case is also included.

Read our full Celestron Ultima 100 review .

Best spotting scope for hiking & travel

5. Celestron Hummingbird 9-27x56 ED

Like the Hummingbird it takes its name from, the Celestron Hummingbird 9-27x56 ED spotting scope is small and mobile, with a very manageable weight of 590g. That means it’s also ideally suited to taking on your travels. It will fit into a roomy jacket pocket, a rucksack , or a shoulder bag, and can be stashed in carry-on luggage. 

At its lowest 9x magnification level, it can even substitute for a monocular, giving you, in effect, two products in one, though the angled viewfinder may not be ideal for handheld spotting. 

This device is waterproof and nitrogen filled to prevent fogging, and is a tripod, monopod, and window-mount adaptable, giving it an extra degree of versatility. In summary, if you’re looking for a more portable alternative to a full-sized spotting scope, this ‘bird is hard to beat. What’s more, it’s also camera-adaptable for those into digiscoping.

Best budget spotting scope

6. Bushnell Sentry 18-36x50

This sleek-looking spotting scope solution comes with a straight eyepiece and won’t break the bank. Despite the budget price, the Bushnell Sentry 18-36x50 is also impressively waterproof, with proper O-ring sealed optics so the internal workings stay fully dry, even when the Bushnell is submerged in water. 

In terms of optical performance, multi-coatings help ensure reflections are avoided and all ‘air to glass’ surfaces deliver bright, high-contrast images. The Porro prism system also features twist-up eyecups and a comfortable 16mm eye relief. Weighing 877g despite the moisture-sealed build, this is still a relatively manageable and portable spotting scope.

Best spotting scope for DSLR photography

7. Celestron Regal M2 65ED

The Celestron Regal M2 65ED is a premium spotting scope that is nevertheless fair value in its price range, offering suitability for everything from bird watching in the day to watching the heavens at night. Celestron claims that this second-generation unit has reduced the overall weight of the spotting scope by more than 14 percent, while still providing a rugged magnesium alloy body. 

Further advantages include the fact that it has an upgraded dual-focus mechanism, which enables users to bring their subject into focus two times faster. You can factor in premium features such as Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass found in the best camera lenses, and a camera can be attached to the Regal using an included T-adapter for use with DSLRs and mirrorless cameras (although you will still need to buy a compatible T-mount for your camera body).

Read our full Celestron Regal M2 65ED review .

How to choose spotting scopes

Straight or angled body.

When you pick a spotting scope, you can choose from either a straight or an angled body. With straight scopes, the body and eyepiece lie on the same optical plane, which allows you to look straight through the eyepiece at your intended subject. Angled-body spotting scopes are more comfortable to use when lying down or sitting and can save having to crane your neck.

What magnification do I need?

The magnification for a spotting scope is provided by the viewfinder - and on some scopes this eyepiece is interchangeable, so that you can change the magnification of the subject. Many scopes are supplied with a zoom allowing you to crop into the image closer when you spot something interesting to observe. A higher magnification range will enable you to use the scope for a broader range of subjects.

A higher magnification is useful in many situations - but is also more difficult to use. The higher the magnification, the darker the image - and the harder it is to keep the scope steady, so requiring a heavier tripod.

What size objective lens do I need?

It is the main body of the scope that dictates the brightness of the image. A larger lens will provide a better, clearer image, especially in low light, though this will also make the spotting scope bigger, heavier, and more expensive.

For a portable, all-purpose scope look for a lens diameter of between 50-65mm. The brightest scopes have diameters of 100mm or more - and are great for use viewing distant galaxies, or for viewing distant wildlife with high magnification eyepieces. 

How we test spotting scopes

We test spotting scopes within the field on moving subjects and landmarks for our buying guides and look for a scope that combines magnification, good construction, and image clarity, which can be used and withstand a day's bird watching or wildlife spotting. Budget is also an indicator and within this guide, you will find spotting scopes to suit everyone's budget. 

The best binoculars 10 best monoculars Best night vision goggles and binoculars The best lenses for bird photography The best telescopes for astrophotography  

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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.

He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing.  He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association. 

He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.

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8 Best Spotting Scopes for Birding in 2024 (Budget to Pro)

Written by Garrett Hayes

The sight of birds in the wild is always a joy to a bird watcher or even a random Joe.

It even gets better when you can capture these mostly shy creatures without them scurrying off.

What if you want a better look at these birds without scaring them away?

Keep calm and use a spotting scope.

Spotting scopes give better image quality than binoculars and are bound to take your birding experience to another level with their long range.

In this article, I’ll save you a lot of stress and headache of going through tons of birding scope reviews without finding the right for you.

That said, I’ll review the best spotting scopes for birding across various price categories with their functions and how to pick the one that suits your needs best.

Before we get into the business of the day, I’d like to drop a hint for you when choosing the right spotting scope for birding.

Just like with binoculars, what you pay for is what you get.

In this regard, NEVER settle for cheap spotting scopes below $100 or even $200 if possible. They aren’t just worth it and is better you save up, if you have to, for a better one.

Quick Picks:

• Best Overall:   Swarovski ATX 25-60x
• Best Under $1,500:   Vortex Razor HD 27-60x
• Best Under $750:   Vanguard Endeavour HD 20-60X
• Best Under $500:   Vortex Diamondback 20-60X

Page Contents

Best Birding Scopes Reviewed For 2024

1. swarovski atx 25-60x (85mm) - best overall, 2. zeiss victory harpia 23-70x (95mm), 1. vortex razor hd 27-60x (85mm), 2. nikon monarch ed (82mm), 1. vanguard endeavour hd 20-60x 65mm, 1. vortex diamondback 20-60x 80mm - best for beginners, 2. celestron trailseeker 80mm, 1. price range, 2. magnification power, 3. zoom lens, 4. glass quality, 5. light gathering capacity, 6. eyepiece, 7. angled or straight spotting scope, 8. weather protection, 9. focusing mechanism, 10. eye relief, 11. tripods, which one should i get, top-class spotting scopes for birding: $2,500+.

The Swarovski ATX  is arguably the best bird watching scope money can buy on the market.

The ATX spotting scope costs between $3000 to $5000, and it varies because the angled zoom eyepiece and the objective lens are sold separately by the same company.

The high cost of this birding scope is due to the fact its lenses are made out of tough glass and are designed using cutting-edge technology to give the best possible image quality.

The ATX is made for use in the unpredictable outdoors such as safari trips, birding, and hunting trips. To this end, it has a sturdy frame that is finished with magnesium coatings to make it weather and fog-proof.

Though all the instruments together might seem like a lot of work to move around, it has a special case you can buy to do the trick.

In the end, you are most likely going to get remarks from your friends on your next birding adventure at the sight of this spotting scope alone. For its whopping price, I wouldn’t have expected anything less.

It gives you a clear and bright image that remains almost the same in low lighting due to its state-of-the-art optics. Plus, it is suitable for eyeglass wearers.

More so, you can transform it into the best spotting scope for digiscoping by purchasing the  Swarovski TLS APO digiscoping adaptor  if it’s your fancy. As expected from optic giants like Swarovski, it comes at a hefty price but with a range of quality features.

It is easy to mount and unmount, fits most DSLRs and phones, and has a lens that prevents chromatic aberration.

Technical Specs:

• Magnification - 25-60x
• Angled body design
• Objective lens diameter - 85mm
• Field of View - 124-68 ft
• Close Focus: Close focus -11.8ft
• Weight - 67.4 oz

Shop the best spotting scope for birding made by optic giants Zeiss  and you can be assured of a picturesque performance.

The  Zeiss Victory Harpia 's 95mm objective lens diameter ensures that it gathers enough light even in the dimmest of environments. In simple terms, you will get a frame-worthy picture if you bird watch or digiscope with this spotting scope.

The objective lens has a 3x angle zoom which allows it to retain the same image quality at all zoom ranges.

With a near-distance capacity of 4.5 meters, the scope does a good job of capturing epic up-close moments with small creatures like butterflies and dragonflies.

In newer versions, the zoom is placed close to the focus wheel for faster and easier focusing on moving birds. Even better, the focus wheel clicks at each turn.

In one of the spotting scope reviews I went through, an ornithologist was ecstatic about the new modifications because he was able to focus on moving birds using just one hand.

It costs between $3000 to $4500 which is one of the most expensive spotting scopes available. But if you are a professional photographer or birder, its quality makes up well for its price.

• Magnification: 23-70x
• Objective lens diameter: 95mm
• Field of View: 176-58.5ft
• Close Focus: 14.8ft
• Weight: 73.3oz

Affordable Higher-Class Spotting Scopes For Birding: $750-$1500

The Vortex Razor HD  doesn’t come cheap, but it also doesn’t break the bank and packs a punch of features that makes its price well worth it.

It has a remarkable range ability with a 68ft field of view which is not quite common at this price range.

The Razor’s lenses are crafted with cutting-edge optics technology that gives a razor-sharp image even at distances as far as 500 yards.

Its armor is all sorts of rugged with a tough Armor Tek exterior, O-ring sealed to keep out water and dust and fog proof. It also comes with a carry case and protective caps for its lenses.

The Razor is a great spotting scope for a birder to digiscope and watch birds from a distance with a clear image even in low light conditions. It’s no surprise since it has ED glass, apochromatic lenses, and anti-reflective coatings.

Also, it comes with a lifetime warranty for any damage done to it.

On the other hand, it might be a little hard to focus on max magnification (60x) as the focus knob is a little loose.

Still, its features are just as good as those of spotting scopes costing two times its money’s worth especially if you can get a tripod stand for better focus.

• Magnification - 27-60x
• Objective Lens Diameter - 85 mm
• Linear Field of View - 117-68 ft/1000 yds
• Angular Field of View - 2.2-1.3 degrees
• Close Focus - 16.4 feet
• Eye Relief - 16.7-17 mm

Another handy spotting scope with a great mix of price and performance.

The  Nikon Monarch   spotting scope also comes with ED glass that gives bright, aberration-free images you will find in $4000+ products. With only obvious differences in low light conditions.

As you’d expect from optic giants like Nikon, it also comes with a trademark apochromatic optical system, and multi-layer coating on the lens and prism surfaces. This ensures better light transmission and color fringing.

Unsurprisingly, it offers the elementary features for standard spotting scopes like weather and fog-proof capabilities as well as long eye relief for eyeglass wearers.

On the flip side, its zooming and focus mechanism isn’t all that stable and can be a thorn in the flesh when viewing restless birds.

In all, the Nikon Monarch is well worth its price and is a good spotting scope for birding.

• Magnification: 20-60x
• Objective Lens Diameter: 82mm
• Field of View: 111-51ft
• Close Focus: 16.4ft
• Weight: 57.8oz

Middle-Class Spotting Scopes For Birding: From $500 - $750

The Vanguard Endeavour HD  is a great economy choice spotting scope that is not only affordable but also effective.

At such a low price, it features ED GLASS which is typically only found in way more expensive spotting scopes for enhanced image quality.

I picked the 65 mm objective lens because it is perfect for most birders, especially if you won’t be using it in low light environments. But you can opt for the 85mm instead if you are more into digiscoping than just viewing birds.

The Endeavour HD features all the basic features you are looking for in a decent spotting scope. Think sturdy design, anti-reflective coating for better light transmission, weather and fog proof, and a built-in sun shield.

In all, the Endeavour HD is a great pick at its price and features for the average birder.

• Magnification: 20-60X
• Extra-Low Dispersion glass for good image quality in low light conditions
• Waterproof and fog proof

Top Budget-Friendly Spotting Scope For Birding: Under $500

The Vortex Diamondback  is one of a kind among spotting scopes in its price range.

It is Vortex’s cheapest spotting scope, and as you’d expect from an industry giant, they didn’t spare quality for that reason. 

The Diamondback model offers birders a choice of angled or straight design in both its 60mm and 80mm objective lenses. Several birding reviews of this spotting scope suggest that the 80mm objective lens is the go-to choice.

Unlike the 60mm lens, it has a sturdy yet lightweight design even compared to other spotting scopes above its price range. And of course, has better image quality and range.

It even comes with a lifetime warranty regardless of the cause of damage.

However, if you intend to see minute details, like bird markings at distances farther than 150 yards, you have to use a tripod stand for improved focusing or get a better spotting scope altogether.

It comes with all other basic features you can find in more expensive birding scopes, like weatherproof, scratch resistant Armor Tek as well as multi-coated optics.

But, the drawback I found is that it lacks in field of view and close focus which requires much more expensive optics to get higher standards.

In the end, it isn’t hard to see why several spotting scope reviews for birding pick it as their economy choice.

• Magnification - 20-60x
• Objective Lens Diameter - 80mm
• Angled or Straight body design
• Field of View - 105-51 feet/1000 yards
• Close Focus - 22ft
• Weight - 47.1oz

The Celestron Trailseeker   spotting scope is a decent spotting scope that is affordable for almost any bird watcher.

For birders who are just using a spotting scope, the Ultima is a good choice to start with.

First, its image quality is amazing at its price, and you hardly get any color fringing. This high image quality is all thanks to Celestron’s XLT coatings.

It also has a durable design, which features weather and fog proof capabilities and nice ergonomic focusing knobs. It comes with several accessories, like eyepiece and objective lens cover, cleaning cloth and T-mount adapter.

Not to mention it’s not a stress to carry about thanks to its relatively lightweight and see-through carry on case.

Plus, you can get it with a universal smartphone adapter at a little added cost compared to other products if you want to do some digiscoping.

In reality, though, focusing becomes really hard when you go past 30x magnification.

Lastly, the Celestron Trailseeker is a steal for its price and is great for newbies who haven’t tried expensive spotting scopes.

• Objective lens diameter: 80mm
• Angular design model
• Field of view - 105-52ft
• Close focus: 24.6ft (8m)
• Eye Relief – 18-15
• Weight – 54.6oz

Choosing the Best Spotting Scopes For Birding

If you want to buy a good spotting scope for birding with your money, you might as well get good value for it. These tips would come in handy to help you make the right pick when shopping online or at your local store. Many of the same criteria apply whether you're searching for spotting scope vs binoculars as well.

And before I forget, let me remind you to capture those picture-perfect moments you'll have while birdwatching - so, one of the best wildlife cameras should very well be handy when the time is right.

Spotting scopes are medium-range telescopes with a magnification power of up to 100x. For birding, you only need one within 20x-60x. Anything below or above and you are better off with a bird-watching binocular or telescope.

As you should already know by now, the higher the price of the spotting scope the better the quality of performance. So, you need to find the best spotting scope in that fits not just your budget but also your kind of birding.

If you have the cash to splurge, the most expensive spotting scopes are sure to give you the kind of birding experience you can think of.

A zoom lens allows you to move through the magnification power (20-60x) with a simple adjustment mechanism while maintaining image clarity.

Most high and mid-priced spotting scopes will maintain image quality as sharp as at low magnification, but not with the cheap ones.

So, make sure you are a scope at the highest price you can afford if you want to pay attention to finer details like a bird’s pupil shape or eye color.

The best spotting scopes are made with high density (fluorite coated) or extra-low dispersion (ED) glass.

The need for high glass quality is most noticeable when using cheaper binoculars in low light condition, like a sunset or at a powerful range. A spotting scope with HD or ED glass will stay considerably clear in these conditions.

The ability of a spotting scope to gather more light makes it suitable for use in dim environments. It is determined by the size of the objective lens which is usually between 50mm to 100m.

A larger objective lens will give you better light gathering but also more money and luggage. So, if it isn’t completely necessary, opt for a smaller lens.

The making and design of an eyepiece of a spotting scope are important when it comes to the effectiveness of the scope.

Some spotting scopes come with different detachable eyepieces while some have an adjustable all-in-one eyepiece. It really comes down to which one suits you best.

Most spotting scopes for birding comes in two basic design options: either angled or straight design options.

The angled design option requires you to peer down into the eyepiece from an upright position while the straight spotting scope you will look straight ahead into the eyepiece.

The angled spotting scope allows you to look upwards whether towards a bird on a tree or a bird soaring through the sky while the straight spotting scope is appropriate for watching birds on the ground or birds in a pond.

Birding in the great outdoors can be unpredictable at times, and you don’t know when the rain will come pouring down in the space of a minute.

With this in mind, getting a spotting scope that is both weatherproof and fog proof is a necessity.

The good thing is, all spotting scopes, except maybe the ridiculously cheap ones are equipped with these features.

There are two types of focusing mechanism used in spotting scopes. Some designs have a focusing knob that would be twisted fully to get an improved focus. Others use an adjustment button placed on top of the spotting scope.

There is nothing like choosing a better focusing mechanism that suits your needs. As insignificant as it seems, it can make or mar your birding experience.

This is simply the distance between the eye and the spotting scope while the space in between is called “field of view.”

It is very important that you maintain a 14mm field of view if you use eyeglasses, anything less will give an unclear image. Individuals using darker eyeglasses would need a larger field of view.

A tripod stand is essential for stabilization if you will be using a birding scope at a high magnification range.

Unless you are using the spotting scope at the lowest magnification, you will also need to buy a tripod stand for your spotting scope.

If you are still looking for the best spotting scope for your next birding trip, then you are probably just a click away from it.

With the  Swarovski ATX 25-60X (85MM)  you can see the smallest of details in the most challenging environments if you are willing to pay its price. Its close focus makes it so close you feel you can touch a bird that’s 12ft away.

It is not only good for the casual bird watcher but also professionals like ornithologists, researchers and photographers.

And if you have under $500 to spare , you’ll enjoy the  Vortex Diamondback 20-60X 80MM Spotting Scope  on your next birding adventure!

About The Author

Garrett Hayes

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Best Spotting Scopes of 2023

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.

Top 10 Best Spotting Scopes

Celestron ultima 22-66×100 (editor’s choice), celestron 52305 regal m2 80ed 20-60×80 (luxury choice), gosky 20-60×80 (best value), gosky 20-60×60 (best with accessories), praktica 20-60×77 (best for birding), svbony sv28 25-75×70 (best for beginners), landove 20-60×80 (best waterproof), esslnb 20-60×80, celestron c90 15-39×90, uscamel 20-60×80.

If you enjoy bird watching, target shooting, viewing wildlife and scenery, or simply viewing objects at far distances, a spotting scope could be just the tool you need. Spotting scopes are highly portable and are a great piece of equipment for hiking or camping trips. Some of the more powerful spotting scopes can even be used to view the night sky with surprising clarity and sharpness. Many spotting scopes also allow you to connect a camera, phone or more advanced to improve the zoom further and take digital photos.

However, finding the best spotting scope in the UK can be confusing considering all the available options today, especially if you don’t exactly know what to look for in a device. That’s why we researched the possibilities and compiled this list of the top 10 best spotting scopes to help you find the perfect tool for your particular viewing preferences and expectations.

Regardless of what objects you plan to view with your spotting scope, there is a fantastic spotting scope on our list for you. Keep reading to learn all about them!

How We Compared Spotting Scopes

To find the right Spotting Scopes we considered multiple factors, including:

• Design style
• Build quality

Magnification

• Objective lens
• Image quality

Weatherproof

• Ease of use

Our experienced team created the following list after spending countless hours researching products and fact-checking customer reviews. We carefully chose a range of products suitable for every nature lover out there, analysing and assessing the comparison points above.

To know more about our review process, have a look here .

Spotting Scope Reviews

Providing you with advanced features and outstanding image quality, the Celestron Ultima 22-60×100 angled spotting scope makes an excellent all-around choice. You can use it for all kinds of viewing activities, including bird watching, hunting, target shooting, and viewing wildlife and scenery.

This refractor spotting scope is built with multi-coated optics for sharper images. It contains an extra-large 100mm objective lens that facilitates bright, crisp images, even in low light conditions. You can achieve crystal clear images quickly using the large focus dial that is smooth and easy to turn. Thanks to the soft eyepiece, you can also count on effective eye relief and comfort.

We love this spotting scope’s armoured exterior and waterproof features , which are designed to make the spotting scope durable and suitable for wetter outdoor conditions. It also has an inbuilt T-mount adapter for connecting your DSLR camera to take photos.

Included with the purchase of this spotting scope, you get a soft carry case, objective and eyepiece covers, an off-set balance rail, an eyepiece case, an eyepiece pouch, a cleaning cloth, and a limited lifetime warranty. With all of these accessories, you should be all set to start viewing the moment it arrives.

Like most gear, the Celestron Ultima 22-60×100 is not perfect for everyone. It might produce less clear images at the highest magnification, and it is a bit heavier than other top options on our list. The carrying case may not be as durable as expected, but don’t let these minor inconveniences discourage you; it can still compete against other high-end scopes.

• Excellent image quality 
• Easy to focus dial 
• Comfortable eyepiece 
• Durable armoured exterior 
• Variety of included accessories 
• A bit heavier than other options
• Higher magnifications could be less sharp 
• The included carrying case may be less durable 

Our top luxury choice is the Celestron 52305 Regal M2 80ED 20-60×80 high-quality spotting scope. It contains advanced optics and premium features that make it perfect for all kinds of viewing activities.

Whether you will be bird watching, target shooting, or simply viewing scenery, the angled zoom eyepiece on this spotting scope has got you covered. It contains an objective lens made from extra-low dispersion glass, which improves contrast, resolution, and colour fidelity while also minimising chromatic aberration. Its larger size and proprietary XLT lens coatings also produce brighter images with great clarity.

When it comes to using this spotting scope, a sliding sunshade plus a sightline help you find objects faster. It also features a dual-speed focus dial for quick adjustments and easy refinements, which is excellent for bird watchers. It is also waterproof making it safe for wet conditions, and is equipped with a standard sized eyepiece mount making it compatible with a variety of other astronomical tools.

A robust magnesium alloy body helps the Celestron 52305 Regal M2 80ED 20-60×80 spotting scope remain in pristine condition for as long as possible. It also comes with a soft carry case for extra protection and a T adapter ring for attaching a DSLR camera.

The front lens cover on this spotting scope may be slightly tricky to remove, at least until you get the hang of it, and the zippers on the carry case may wear out more quickly than expected. Other than those minor things, the only downside we could find for this spotting scope is that it is somewhat heavier by design.  

• Versatile and compatible design 
• Speedy dual focus mechanism 
• Strong magnesium alloy body 
• ED glass objective lens 
• Proprietary XLT lens coatings 
• It might have a trickier front lens cover  
• Somewhat heavier by design 
• The zippers on the carrying case could wear out quickly 

The GoSky 20- 60×80 spotting scope has a newly updated design that still provides you with the excellent value of the previous model but with a few key improvements. This is our top recommendation if you are in search of the best budget spotting scope available.

This angled spotting scope is built with a multi-coated objective lens and BAK 4 prism optics to bring you superb image quality. The large objective lens allows ample light in, so you can expect brilliant images that are true to colour, even in lower light conditions. A fine-tune focus knob helps make all this possible.

For user ease, this spotting scope features an adjustable eyecup that establishes eye relief for people with and without glasses. It also has an adjustable elevation knob for a more customised viewing experience and a sight bead for quicker your targets, which is excellent for bird watching and more.

To top it off, the GoSky 20- 60×80 spotting scope is waterproof , so feel free to take it out in damp weather. In addition to the scope itself, you also receive a phone adapter, carrying case, and a tripod to reduce image shakiness during more stationary pursuits.

You should know that while this makes a great value option, it may be less ideal for advanced users; it also has a somewhat smaller eyepiece and comes with a lower quality phone adapter.

• Large objective lens 
• Good in low light conditions 
• Waterproof design 
• Adjustable eye relief 
• Excellent value option 
• It has a slightly smaller eyepiece 
• It could be less ideal for advanced users 
• Lower quality phone adapter

You shouldn’t underestimate accessories when choosing a new spotting scope. The right accessories can seriously improve the user experience. The GoSky 20-60×60 spotting scope is our top recommendation if a user-friendly design appeals to you.

The GoSky 20-60×60 spotting scope comes with all the things you need to get started straight away. It comes with an adjustable tripod, a phone adapter, a carrying bag, a cleaning cloth, and a lens and eyepiece cover to keep your scope’s lenses protected.

This spotting scope is great for portability as well due to its lightweight build weighing in at only 1200 grammes. Even so, it has a durable body with rubber armour to improve grip and protect the spotting scope. In addition, it is fully waterproof and weatherproof , thanks to nitrogen gas purging and an inbuilt O-ring.

The zoom eyepiece on this device features a swivel scope design to help you achieve the perfect viewing angle according to your height and conditions. It also has an adjustable eyecup for the best eye relief possible. Paired with the green film fully multi-coated lenses and BAK4 Porro prism optics, you can expect actual colour, accurate images, and user ease every step of the way.

This spotting scope may not be ideal for more advanced users, and the images could be somewhat less clear, particularly at high magnification. The swivel clamps could also be less durable, but it still makes an excellent choice if you are searching for quality accessories.  

• Lightweight build 
• Great for beginners 
• Tripod plus a variety of other included accessories 
• Advanced weatherproofing 
• Rubber armoured exterior 
• The images could be slightly less clear 
• It may not be ideal for more advanced users 
• The swivel clamps could be less durable 

In our opinion, the Praktica 20-60×77 is the best spotting scope for birding. It has a wide objective lens and allows for a rapid focus which comes in handy as birds don’t typically stay in one place don’t for very long.

This spotting scope features an angled design and contains multi-coated optics . Its larger objective lens allows more light in than other spotting scopes, so so that you can expect brighter images with advanced clarity. The focus dial is also smooth and easy to manipulate at a moment’s notice. Simply point, focus, and enjoy.

This spotting scope is also waterproof and fog-proof due to a nitrogen purge during construction and a sealing O-ring. For portability, this scope is also lightweight by design , even though it has a somewhat larger overall size. Additionally, it remains durable and robust thanks to its top-quality construction.

With this spotting scope, you also receive a carrying case, two lens covers, and a cleaning cloth to get your viewing started in the right direction. If you are not into bird watching, don’t worry, this spotting scope is excellent for other viewing activities as well.

The Praktica 20-60×77 may not be the best choice for advanced users, and you may experience reduced sharpness at the most substantial magnification level. It also has a slightly bulkier design, so we recommend getting a tripod to help make it more user friendly.

• Lightweight and durable build 
• The rapid focus dial is excellent for bird watching 
• Wide objective lens for low light conditions
• Waterproof and fog proof 
• Fully multi-coated optics for clear images
• It might be less sharp at the top magnification level 
• It may not be ideal for advanced users 
• It has a relatively bulkier design 

If you are looking for your first spotting scope, the Svbony SV28 25-75×70 makes an excellent beginner option. It may also be the best spotting scope in the UK for more advanced users as it is easy and convenient to use.

This spotting scope has an angled eyepiece for comfortable viewing. The fully multi-coated optics are paired with a BAK4 Porro prism for added brightness and clarity overall. It establishes a 1000 yard field of view , and the zoom eyepiece gives you the opportunity for extra high magnifications. It can zoom up to 75x , which is a bit more than many other scopes.

This spotting scope features an easy to use dial that allows you to achieve focus quickly. It also has an inbuilt, retractable sunshade for reducing glare in maximum light conditions. It is also safe for outdoor use in wetter conditions thanks to it being nitrogen filled and sealed with an O ring. These traits combined make it both fog proof and weatherproof.

The Svbony SV28 25-75×70 spotting scope comes with a variety of valuable accessories. A table tripod with an easy adjustment handle, a phone adapter, a cleaning cloth, and a carrying case all come included. Even without the shoulder bag, it is still shockproof.

With this spotting scope, you may experience slightly lower quality optics, especially at long distances, but it still makes an excellent choice for new users. The tripod that comes included might also be a bit flimsier than expected, and the lens caps have been known to be somewhat tricky to remove quickly.

• Great for beginner users 
• Carry case and cleaning cloth included 
• Phone adapter for digiscoping 
• Retractable sunshade 
• Fog proof and weatherproof 
• Flimsier tripod included
• The lens caps could be a bit tricky 
• Slightly lower quality optics are possible 

Considering most people intend to take their spotting scope outdoors to use it, choosing a waterproof and fog proof device can make it significantly more convenient and easy to use without unnecessary restrictions. That’s why it is no surprise to find the Landove 20-60×80 spotting scope, our favourite waterproof option, on our list.  

This angled spotting scope is ideally suited for a variety of viewing purposes, including bird watching, camping, hunting, and more. It has multi-coated optics with a quality BAK4 prism to achieve sharp images that are clear and visible. It also features a wide objective lens that increases light transmission and improves image quality in low light conditions.

This spotting scope was built with an adjustable eyecup to increase user comfort and viewing capability further. If you wear glasses or even sunglasses, this can help you get the best quality images by adjusting the distance between your eye and the actual eyepiece.

In addition to being fully weatherproof, the Landove 20-60×80 spotting scope comes equipped with a dynamic focus dial system to help you make adjustments quickly, which is highly convenient for bird watching. Its durable build with added rubber armour on the exterior also makes it shockproof.

This spotting scope is easily attached to a standard sized tripod, and lucky for you, it actually comes with one to help you get the most out of the device. It also comes with a cleaning cloth, a carry case, lens protection covers, and a phone adapter included.

Just so you know, it may be somewhat trickier to attach your phone to this spotting scope’s adapter. In addition, it might not have the sharpest images at its high magnification level, and it is slightly heavier by design, so holding it for extended periods of time might be less comfortable.

• Dynamic focus dial system 
• Completely fog proof and weatherproof 
• Durable shockproof design 
• Phone adapter and tripod included 
• Adjustable eyecup 
• Slightly heavier by design 
• It could be less clear at the top magnification level 
• The phone adapter system could be a bit trickier

If you are searching for a spotting scope with a larger objective lens, the ESSLNB 20-60×80 could be the spotting scope for you. It makes a solid choice for target shooting, wildlife observation, bird watching, and other types of general observation as well.

The ESSLNB 20-60×80 spotting scope has a variable zoom ranging from 20x to 60x. It is built with a BAK4 fully multi-coated objective lens giving it high-quality optics with a 1000 yard viewing field . This design also makes it excel in low light conditions, which is excellent for bird watching and wildlife observation.

This angled spotting scope comes with a solid adjustable aluminium tripod with advanced adjustability for user ease and ideal spotting conditions. If setting up your scope for activities like target shooting appeals to you, the sturdy tripod is a huge bonus. This spotting scope also comes with a convenient storage bag, lens covers, a phone adapter, and a cleaning cloth to get you started.

You can even feel good about carrying this spotting scope in your carry on luggage or on an outdoor adventure thanks to the reinforced aluminium body and rubber armour which give it added durability and protection. This scope has also got you covered in inclement weather as it is both waterproof and fog proof.

Regretfully, the phone adapter that comes with this spotting scope could be at a slightly less comfortable angle, making it somewhat uncomfortable when used for extended periods of time. It is also somewhat heavier by design, and we have reason to believe that the lens cap covers could be a bit tricky due to their heavy threading.

• Sturdy aluminium tripod included 
• High-quality optics 
• It may have trickier lens cap covers 
• Less convenient phone adapter angle 

When it comes to the best spotting scope for astronomy, we think the Celestron C90 15-39×90 stands out amongst the competitors. It features an excellent build quality and comes with Celestron’s limited lifetime warranty.

A large 90 mm multi-coated objective lens allows plenty of light into the scope to help you achieve clear, crisp, and bright images in a variety of viewing conditions. The erect image finderscope is also comfortable to use and makes finding objects more accessible. The scope also excels in low light, something crucial for viewing the night sky.

This spotting scope’s design is highly versatile. It comes with a 32 mm eyepiece but also allows you to attach additional astronomical eyepieces for higher magnification. It also has the option to be mounted on either a camera or an astronomical tripod. Finally, it features a T mount for creating a telephoto lens with your DSLR camera.

For varying eye relief, a folding eyecup further improves user-friendliness. Included with this spotting scope, you’ll also get a custom backpack carry bag, a cleaning cloth, and a lens cover.

Unfortunately, the Celestron C90 15-39×90 comes standard with a lower magnification, so most people will want to invest in some additional eyepieces. It also has a slightly heavier build, so we anticipate you will want to use it with a tripod. Lastly, it might take a bit longer to achieve focus with this spotting scope until you get used to the controls.

• High versatility 
• Suitable for viewing the night sky 
• Excellent build quality 
• Erect image finderscope 
• A quality backpack comes included 
• It has a lower magnification without additional eyepieces 
• It might take a bit longer to achieve focus  

Top-quality construction and durability make the USCAMEL 20-60×80 spotting scope an excellent choice. This highly portable spotting scope is also lightweight for user comfort and gives you a variety of perks in one optical system.

This user-friendly angled scope features a fully multi-coated BAK4 Porro prism objective lens that brings you good quality optics. The objective lens also has a wide diameter for brighter images, even in lower light conditions. The zoom range of 20x to 60x makes this spotting scope an excellent choice for a variety of different outdoor activities.

With a smooth zoom control knob , you can easily adjust the zoom magnification range on this spotting scope. To help you achieve a clear image in all weather conditions, it also has an extendable sunshade and is completely waterproof and fog proof, thanks to an 0-ring plus a nitrogen-filled scope.

A rubber armoured exterior and a top-quality build make the USCAMEL 20-60×80 spotting scope durable and shockproof as well. You should still handle it carefully, but it can probably withstand a few accidents without being damaged. Conveniently, a carry case, lens covers, a fully adjustable tripod, and a phone adapter all come included.

Be aware that this spotting scope has good optical performance overall, but its images could be somewhat less sharp when compared to other top options on our list. The included tripod could also be a bit flimsy, and the phone adapter may not be all that sturdy, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make an excellent choice all around.

• Extendable sunshade for bright conditions
• Lightweight for user comfort and portability  
• Smooth zoom control knob 
• Suitable for lower light conditions
• Top-quality construction and design
• The included tripod may be a bit flimsy 
• The images produced could be somewhat less sharp 
• The phone adapter may not be the sturdiest  

Choosing a Spotting Scope: A Buyer’s Guide

Spotting scopes vs binoculars vs telescopes: what’s the difference.

A spotting scope, also called a spotter telescope or bird watching telescope, is a fantastic viewing tool that resembles a hybrid mix between a telescope and a pair of binoculars . Spotting scopes are a midway point for viewing between a telescope and a pair of binoculars. This makes them much more portable than telescopes but with less zoom.

Spotting scopes often offer a higher, better quality of magnification than a pair of binoculars can achieve but are larger and heavier. Spotting scopes are also compatible with tripods and cameras, which are typical for telescopes but an unlikely trait for binoculars.

What Do the Numbers on Spotting Scopes Mean?

Like binoculars and telescopes, spotting scopes typically feature a set of numbers on the scope’s exterior. These numbers refer to the objective lens and zoom specifications of the scope.

If a spotting scope has a 20-60×80 specification , the first range of numbers refers to the potential zoom power compared to the naked eye. The final number refers to the diameter of the objective lens in mm. So, 20-60 indicates the ability to magnify images from 20 to 60 times their original size, and 80 indicates an objective lens with an 80mm diameter.

Important Features to Look for In a Spotting Scope

Finding the perfect spotting scope for your needs depends greatly on how it will be used, but if you keep an eye out for the following traits, you can evaluate a device’s potential functionality. Decide which characteristics will make the most significant difference for you, and make sure to prioritise them while you decide which spotting scope is the best choice for you.

Design Style

The first thing to consider when choosing a spotting scope is the design style. There are two main types, those with a straight eyepiece and those with an angled eyepiece.

In general, angled spotting scopes are preferred. This is because they are less strenuous to use and remain comfortable for more extended periods. An angled scope allows you to view the sky and other higher elevation objects without putting excessive strain on your neck. They are also more convenient if you have multiple viewers using one scope. For the most part, once an angled scope is set, different people should be able to look through it without having to adjust it each time. Angled scopes also make connecting cameras and phones easier.

A straight spotting scope can be good for hunters who lie on the ground while waiting for prey. A straight scope allows you to lie down and have a direct view.

All of the spotting scopes on our top 10 list are angled scopes due to their added benefits and overall popularity.

Build Quality

As you may have guessed, the build quality is also essential in a spotting scope. Choose an option that is strong and durable. After all, you will probably be taking it outside, and you want it to be able to withstand outdoor conditions.

Many spotting scopes are built using strong aluminium shells and rubber armour to make them shockproof. This is a significant nod to the build quality overall. A warranty can also alert you to the build quality of a product.

Different spotting scopes have different levels of magnification. Typically, the range starts around 15 or 20x and maxes out around 80x . However, many models can only produce a magnification of 60x, so make sure you choose an option that has a range suitable to your viewing needs. If you like viewing extreme distances, choose something with more powerful magnification. If you prefer closer viewing, 80x may be unnecessary.

The zoom eyepiece determines the achievable magnification. This is why some spotting scopes allow you to switch out the eyepiece.

Objective Lens

The size of the objective lens affects the light transmission received by a spotting scope. A larger objective lens will allow more light inside the area resulting in better, brighter imagery all around. A larger lens will also perform at a higher level in low light conditions.

Choosing an objective lens made from extra-low dispersion glass also improves image quality overall.

Image Quality

Regardless of the more technical details, the best spotting scopes should have excellent image quality. One way of achieving this is by using fully multi-coated objective lenses to reduce colour distortion and help to bring you crystal clear images with sharp features.

You certainly don’t want dark or blurry image reproduction, or it will seriously diminish your viewing experience.

All of the spotting scopes on our list feature fully multi-coated objective lenses.

We also think choosing a weatherproof spotting scope is essential. Almost everyone uses their spotting scope outdoors and in a portable fashion. With this in mind, you don’t want your equipment to be damaged by unexpected fog, rain, or snow while you are hunting, hiking, camping, and more. That’s why we only chose weatherproof spotting scopes for our list.

To make a spotting scope waterproof and fog proof, it is built with a sealing O-ring and undergoes a nitrogen flushing process that, interestingly enough, can also be used to preserve food .

Ease of Use

We think the best spotting scopes should also be easy to use. Ease of use can mean different things for different users, but many spotting scopes are designed with user ease and comfort in mind.

The weight of a spotting scope can either make it easier or more challenging to use. Many people prefer lightweight spotting scopes as they are easy to carry and transport. They also make holding them less strenuous. In general, spotting scopes are pretty lightweight, but a little extra weight can make a big difference if you are hiking with them or trying to hold them for more extended periods of time. You can always get a tripod, though, so try not to focus on this too much.

The size and quality of an eyepiece can also help improve ease of use. A super small eyepiece can make it more challenging to use. A larger, often softer eyepiece is generally more comfortable.

If you wear glasses, eye relief is another trait that can improve ease of use and overall comfort. Many spotting scopes have an adjustable eyepiece with variable eye relief for precisely this reason.

Finally, the design of the focus dial can also affect how easy a spotting scope will be to use. An accessible dial with a smooth adjustment that allows for fine-tuning is ideal. For bird watchers and other wildlife viewers, the ability to adjust the focus quickly can also be highly beneficial for the viewing experience. You can’t depend on wildlife to stay still for long, so if you want to view them through a spotting scope, you will need to be able to focus without delay.

Do You Need a Tripod for Your Spotting Scope?

Many people prefer to use a tripod with their spotting scope, but it is not truly necessary. Your spotting scope will still function properly without one, but if you enjoy a more stationary form of viewing, a tripod can be very beneficial for your function overall experience.

A tripod can reduce fatigue, particularly with heavier spotting scopes. A tripod can also be helpful for target shooting or group viewing of scenery and distant landmarks.

Instead of having to readjust and refocus for each person, a tripod allows you to set it up and leave it for multiple people to enjoy.

The Right Spotting Scope for You

The Celestron Ultima 22-60×100 angled spotting scope is the winner of our Editor’s Choice Award for the best spotting scope in the UK. Not only does it feature excellent image quality, but it also has an easy to focus dial, a comfortable eyepiece, a durable armoured exterior, and comes with a variety of included accessories. All of these traits combined make it a fantastic choice for bird watching, hunting, target shooting, viewing scenery, and more. 

The only potential cons we could find for this model are that it is a bit heavier than other options, it is possible higher magnifications could be less sharp, and the included carrying case may be less durable than expected. Nonetheless, we still think you could be more than happy choosing this spotting scope for your next viewing adventure. If not, one of the other outstanding options on our best spotting scopes list should more than accommodate your needs and preferences.

Let us know what you think, and leave a comment below.

Additional Resources

• Best Camera for Wildlife Photography
• Best Compact Binocular
• Best Night Vision Monocular
• Best Binocular for Kids

Sam loves to learn about animals and their habitats. He has been a nature lover from a very young age, and has been writing papers and articles about wildlife for as long as he can remember.

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Best Spotting Scopes for Birding of 2024

Add these spotting scopes to your birding arsenal to get a more detailed look in the field

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Spotting scopes for birding are often overshadowed by binoculars—the usual choice of optics by birdwatchers everywhere. But what many don’t know is the role spotting scopes play in birding. Sure, bringing a northern cardinal or flighty steller’s jay ten times closer is nice, but how about putting that same species in your lap, courtesy of a magnification of 30X or 45X? A reliable spotting scope allows you to get up close and personal with your subject so you can see details that a pair of binoculars can’t pick up. Plus, if you combine good binoculars with a reliable spotting scope, then you have the ultimate birding setup. 

We rounded up some of the best spotting scopes for birding, as well as some tips and considerations to make sure you get the best possible optics for the field.

• Best Overall: Maven CS.1S 15-45x
• Best Value Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60x
• Best Budget: Celestron Ultima 80 20-60x
• Best Angled: Vortex Razor HD 27-60x  
• Best for Kids: Celestron LandScout 12-36x

How We Picked the Best Spotting Scopes for Birding

It would be easy if there was one style of birding and one model of spotting scope to choose from; however, that’s not the case. Some birders are more mobile than others, choosing to hike and look rather than sit and let their feathered friends come to them. Some folks prefer a straight eyepiece, while others like an angled one. Here are the parts of the equation I rely on when I’m making the choice as to which spotting scope to put into play.

User-friendliness Rating

I want something quick and easy to operate. Some optics come with enough bells and whistles to make them pretty time-consuming to get on target and bring into focus. With that in mind, I’m looking for a focus knob or wheel that’s ergonomically designed and positioned so I can get to it easily.

Magnification and Objective Lens

Most birders should look for a spotting scope with a magnification range from 20X to 60X, and an objective lens of somewhere between 50mm to 80mm. Anything with less magnification, and you may as well use a binocular. If you go above an 80mm objective lens, then you start to get into issues of size, weight, and expense. It is also worth noting that spotting scopes feature an adjustable magnification, while binoculars have a fixed magnification.

Size and Weight

Like binoculars, spotting scopes come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and weights. However, unlike binoculars, spotting scopes are traditionally used from a stationary platform, like a tripod or window mount. As a result, a spotting scope’s size and weight aren’t as much of a consideration as they are with a binocular that’s carried for the entire event. But mobile birds will still want to consider weight, even though the scope is mounted on a tripod.

Glass Quality

The best glass comes at a price, but a common denominator with quality glass is it being Extra-Low Dispersion or ED, and that’s something we were looking for when we made our choices. Dispersion refers to colors of different wavelengths being focused at various points on the glass. Extra-Low Dispersion glass, then, ensures the singularity of a focus point, which translates into a sharper image. Bottom line? You want Extra-Low Dispersion glass.

Best Spotting Scopes for Birding: Reviews and Recommendations

Best overall: maven cs.1 15-45x.

Specs 

• Magnification range : 15-45X
• Objective lens : 65mm
• Weight : 40.4 ounces
• Glass : Extra-low Dispersion
• Field of view: 174’ at 1,000 yards
• Lightweight magnesium/aluminum frame
• User-friendly full-body focusing ring
• Adjustable eyecup
• Compact design
• Lightweight

I had a chance to mount the CS.1 on an old Bogen tripod and spy on the tree swallows nesting 100 yards north of my back porch. Overall, I was quite impressed on several different levels. Technically, my scope is a CS.1 15-45X65mm unit. It’s slim and trim, shorter than most at 12 inches long, and tips the scales at just a shade over 40 ounces. Meaning if I decide to pack it into the field, it won’t add too much extra weight to my pack. The forward-mounted focus ring is 1-3/8” wide and grooved to offer a good grip, even when wearing gloves. And the image? Crystal clear.

Best Value: Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60X

• Magnification range: 20-60X
• Objective lens: 85mm
• Weight: 70 ounces
• Glass: High Definition
• Field of view: 102’ at 1,000 yards
• Fairly priced
• Choice of angled or straight tube
• Rubber armor enhances durability
• Extendable sunshade
• Lifetime warranty
• Rotating tripod mounting ring a plus
• Not Extra-Low Dispersion glass

Some optic manufacturers offer premium glass at a premium price. Now I’m not saying to settle for less, but rather that good optics can still be had without burning a hole in your wallet. And the Athlon Argos is the perfect example. For under $400, birders will find that the Argos HD 20-60X is a rugged scope with just enough bells and whistles, like the rotating tripod mount, to elevate it on the user-friendliness scale. At over four pounds, it’s not light, so chances are you’re going to set it up and use it right there. Still, the Argos is an excellent value for beginner and veteran birders alike.

Best Budget: Celestron Ultima 80 20-60X

• Objective lens : 80mm
• Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Glass : High-definition
• Field of view : 105’ at 1,000 yards
• Multi-coated lens 
• Includes T-adapter (cell phone) for digiscoping
• Included soft case
• Good warranty 
• Both angled and straight tube options
• A little heavy and bulky

Here’s a spotting scope you can afford to carry in your truck 24/7, or even throw behind the seat and really not worry about it. Why? For less than a couple tanks of gas, you have good glass that does what it says it will do—let you see stuff far away—while taking a beating. There’s nothing pretty about the Ultima 80; in fact, I’d call it “brutishly handsome.” But the controls, like the focus knob and zoom adjustment, are well-designed and easy to use. Plus, accessories like the phone adapter, soft case, eyepiece pouch, and limited lifetime warranty are all nice. It comes in both angled and straight models and only costs $180.

Best Angled: Vortex Razor HD 27-60X

• Magnification range: 27-60X
• Weight : 4.10 pounds (20-60×85)
• Glass: Extra-low Dispersion/High Def
• Field of view : 117’ at 1,000 yards
• High-end ED/HD glass
• ArmorTec scratch-resistant coating
• Custom-fit neoprene case

Vortex has an impressive following among the hunting community, and their reputation is spilling over into other outdoor enthusiast groups, birdwatchers very much included. The Razor HD is rugged and durable, comes in both angled and straight tube versions, and features a light-sucking 85mm objective lens. Yes, it is a little heavier and more expensive, but if first-light hummingbirds are your target species, the Razor HD will get you up close and personal.

Best for Kids: Celestron LandScout 12-36X

• Magnification range: 12-36X
• Objective lens: 60mm
• Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Glass : Fully-coated
• Field of view : 157’ at 1,000 yards
• Very affordable
• Tabletop metal tripod and soft case included
• Extra-large focus dial/knob works well with kids
• Soft padded eyecup
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Tripod mount spins 360 degrees
• Build quality isn’t the best

Kids are tough on gear. Still, you want the little ones to participate in all aspects, but you just don’t want them fiddling with your $2,000 spotting scope. Enter the LandScout from Celestron. For right around $100, your young birder will have all he or she needs to see that barn swallow in full detail. There are some kid-friendly amenities here too, including a big focus knob and a padded eyecup. Spend another $20 to get the Smartphone adapter and preserve those memories forever.

What to Consider When Buying a Spotting Scope

Truthfully, this list of five prior-to-purchase considerations could be downsized to three—price, magnification, and weight—but we’ll throw field of view and the company’s reputation into the mix, as both are worth giving some thought before you open your wallet.

There are some things worth paying a little more for in order to get the quality and performance you wish. Windshield wipers and toilet paper come to mind. Spotting scopes, too. Get the best you can afford, and remember that cheap glass is probably just that. Cheap glass.

Magnification

This one’s relatively simple, as the two main magnification choices when it comes to spotting scopes are 15-45X and 20-60X. Either should work well for the birder, regardless of the setting or the subject matter.

Field of View

The field of view for a spotting scope isn’t as big a concern as it is for birders buying binoculars. Why? Because scopes are, almost without exception, used to study stationary objects, whereas binoculars are often moved along with a flying, swimming, or walking subject. Think of it this way. Binoculars equal lower magnification and a larger field of view. Spotting scopes equal higher magnification, greater detail, and a smaller field of view.

Weight and Size

If you’re packing a spotting scope down the trail for any distance, then size and weight are a factor. You’ll also have to consider a lightweight tripod. If the spotter is stationary, then a larger objective lens, say, 80-85mm, that lets in more light but is heavier might be an option.

Company Reputation/Service

I’m partial to sticking with a name I know and trust. And I want to be able to contact the company direct if I have a problem with their product. All of the brands recommended above get my seal of approval.

Q: Is a spotting scope worth it for birding?

It depends on what your birding objectives are. If basic identification and observation, especially with birds in motion, is your goal, then a binocular might be a better choice. If the goal is an in-depth study, e.g. anatomy, feather detail, or even reading the numbers on a band, then the higher magnification offered by a spotting scope would come in handy.

Q: Is a straight or angled spotting scope better for birding?

Each style has its pros and cons. Mounted on a tall, sturdy tripod and set at one’s eye level, a straight tube is great for the solo birder wishing to spy on his/her subject(s) for long periods of time. Angled tubes, however, can be set at a height to accommodate the shortest member of the group and then easily shared by all.

Q: What’s the best magnification for a bird watching scope?

Best is a relative term, as most birders have their own standards as to the magnification they need for their specific purposes. That said, the two most common zoom ranges—15-45X and 20-60X—will do just fine in most situations.

Q: How much should a good spotting scope cost?

Essentially, you’re working with three price ranges—less than $1,000, $1,000 to $2,000, and over $2,000. Prices are all over the map, so make sure to do your homework and determine what you need out of a spotter before buying one.

Best Spotting Scopes for Birding: Final Thoughts

For most birders, a new spotting scope constitutes a major financial investment, so it only makes sense to do your research prior to the purchase. I’d strongly suggest visiting your local sporting goods store and test-drive several different makes and models. Warranties, repair/replacement policies, and returns, too, should be taken into consideration. Oh, and a good tripod.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

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Opticron MM4 Travel Scope

What do you look for in a spotting scope? With back trouble, one key defining factor to me is the weight of the ‘scope so when I was asked to review the Opticron MM4 50 ED/45 with SDL v2 Zoom and HDF T Zoom eyepieces) for Birding For All I thought it would be a great opportunity to try out this latest light weight travel scope.

For those desiring them I’ll start off by offering up the specifications found on the Opticron website , so you can see weight, sizes and costs before getting into the meat of the review.

Specifications

• Super-compact ED “extra low dispersion glass” objective
• High contrast FMC optical system
• Close focus to 2.5m (50mm), 3.5m (60mm)
• Removable rubber objective lens cover
• Telephotoadapter option
• 30 year guarantee

SDL v2 Zoom Eyepiece:

5-group, 8-element ‘super’ zoom, the SDLv2 offers superior cross-field definition with exceptional viewing comfort. Waterproof and fitted with a rotating eyecup. Supplied in soft padded case. 10 year guarantee.

HDF T Zoom Eyepiece:

High definition eyepieces with long eye relief. Fixed magnification models are wide angle (except 40861). Models marked (*) feature alloy twist type retractable eyecup. 10 year guarantee.

Opticron MM4 In Use

Right let’s start out with the practicalities of the travel scope; the light weight and small size of the Opticron MM4  is the selling factor here, compact enough to slip into quite a small backpack and light enough (619 grams) to not give this guy a sore back (my back is not great with heavy weights, in fact a few hours walking and I can suffer pain).

Opticron MM4 in use in the Field

Next to the weight, and probably more important to most people, comes the optical quality of the scope and eyepieces. In the few weeks that I’ve had the travel scope on trial I have been very impressed. Picking out the finer details on Little Ringed Plover on the far side of my local waterways, has been simple, especially with the zoom features on both eyepieces. Although as with all zooms you do lose light at the highest magnifications, and every movement is magnified so a good tripod is still important.

How does it compare to the bigger, more expensive, scopes out there? As with most modern optics there isn’t much to fault. The contrast is great, there is no noticeable colour fringing and you are getting crisp sharp views, place it side by side any of the optics out there and you won’t be disappointed. At low zooms the light is perfect, the higher you zoom the less light you have but it is still excellent quality.

Comparing Eyepieces

Opticron offered me the chance to compare two eyepieces, the SDL v2 Zoom and the HDF T Zoom on the MM4 travel scope, and I have to say I can honestly say I struggled to see any noticeable difference between the two optically.  The waterproof element of the SDL v2 is a useful feature, but with the SDL v2 being heavier, and larger, it has drawbacks (I like the nice padded case it ships with though, great for keeping it safe when travelling).

The HDF fits better (I think it looks better on the body as well) and is lighter, but has no mention of waterproofing. The eye relief on the SDL v2 is longer, and there is a larger opening in the end you are looking through, but unless comparing directly you are unlikely to notice. My advice would be to choose the eyepiece that suits you better.

Opticron SDL v2 Zoom (left) & HDF T Zoom (right)

The looks and feel of the scope, with black rubber armour, is one of toughness, and makes hand holding possible (especially when combined with the light weight). Adding the eyepieces does give the set up a slight top heavy feel, and makes the scope an odd shape in the bag, being almost as tall as it is long. Perhaps a straight through scope would have been easier than a 45 degree one, but I’m used to the angled scopes.

This doesn’t in anyway detract from the use of the scope mind you it is purely a practical, carrying, issue. Of course, I could have carried with the eye piece off and attached in the field, which might have been easier.

Is it going to compete with the expensive models from Swarovski or Leica? Well yes and no, optically it is up there, although not quite at that level, but then not much is and those things cost well over £2000. What this is a scope designed for is travel (or those like me looking for a light weight alternative) and it excels over the competition here. The light weight nature and small size are ideal to throw in a suitcase or in a backpack, while not taking up room or adding too much weight. The optics are brilliant and will do you in most situations you are likely to encounter.

If you are in the market for a new scope, then check it out, you never know you might save yourself a lot of money and back pain!

Review by Ashley Beolens

For more reviews please read our Reviews Page

10 Best Spotting Scopes for Birding in 2024 – Reviews & Buyers Guide

Last Updated on Jan 03 2024

While birding, it’s pretty common for an avian subject you’re watching to fly out of view, possibly even perching just far enough that you can see it but not make out any worthwhile detail. Binoculars will only get you so far, but if you have a good spotting scope, you can see your feathered target in high detail from much greater distances.

Similar to binoculars, there are many different spotting scopes available and they come in varying magnifications, sizes, and with different lenses, features, and more. So, which ones are the best options for birding?

We set out to answer exactly that question. After testing out many of these spotting scopes, we’ve narrowed down the numerous choices to the best ones that gave us a birds-eye view of our winged subjects. Hopefully, our reviews will help you decide which one is right for you.

• A Glance at Our Favorite Choices in 2024:

The 10 Best Spotting Scopes for Bird Watching:

• 1. Celestron Regal M2 80ED Spotting Scope – Best Overall

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The Celestron 52305 Regal M2 features a top-of-the-line prism with low-dispersion glass and coated optics to help maintain sharp images. It also has a large objective lens to help gather as much light as possible in overcast conditions or at dusk. It’s also waterproof—if it rains or fogs, moisture won’t seep into the body of your scope.

It’s built on a solid frame that feels flimsy but is actually very stout. Don’t confuse lightweight with junk. In this case, the lighter weight makes it pretty mobile

What we didn’t like was the eye relief, that space between the ocular lens and your eyeball. It’s pretty narrow, so if you wear glasses that will be an issue. We also found that the benefit conferred by the large objective lens tended to be diluted when used at higher magnifications. It’s also (no surprise here) pretty pricey.

However, we still think that this is one of the best spotting scopes for birding this year.

• Great value
• Angled body
• Coated optics
• Large objective lens
• Lightweight
• Higher magnification degrades large objective benefits
• Poor eye relief
• 2. Vortex Optics Diamondback Birding Spotting Scope

The best way to describe the Vortex Optics Diamondback is that it delivers big things in a really small package. It maintains sharp, colorful images in a lightweight, compact frame so that you can feel like you’re up close and personal with the birds you’re tracking.

The optics are superior and maintain details that are critical for a good birding scope. It’s also water- and fog proof; if it gets wet while you’re out in the woods, you don’t have to worry about moisture getting into your scope and ruining your images. The scope also comes with a built-in sunshade, which is handy during sunny, cloudless days.

Focusing can be a bit of a trick, but that’s not the real drawback. The real drawback is the price. This one is really expensive. You get a lot of scope for it, but you can get comparable quality for less. That’s why, when it comes to the best spotting scopes for birding, we dropped it to the runner-up spot.

• Built-in sunshade
• Weatherproof
• Really pricey
• Focusing can be tricky

Check Out:  Best Vortex Spotting Scopes

• 3. Celestron Ultima Zoom Bird Spotting Scope – Best Value

Related to our top pick, the Celestron 52250 Ultima Zoom packs great optics into a waterproof frame. It will let you scope out birds from a comfortable distance with details that will enable you to identify their species with confidence. It’s also pretty affordable, which is why it gets our “Best for the Money” choice.

It’s got great features for its optics. The multi-coated glass will reduce light lost due to reflection and will help keep images looking fresh and sharp. It’s also got a nice large objective lens to help gather light in low-light conditions like dusk and on overcast days.

What we didn’t like was the eye relief, that space between the ocular and the eyepiece. If you wear glasses, they will get in the way. We also found the weight distributed poorly, with more of it on the front end than the back. It might tip during use if you’re not careful.

• Good optics
• Forward weighted
• 4. Vanguard Endeavor A 20-60x Bird Spotting Scope

Vanguard’s Endeavor has all the right features for its optics. It just somehow can’t pull it all together and deliver the goods with them. It’s still one of the best spotting scopes for birding, bit it’s just not a really good value.

We can’t quite understand it. It’s got low-dispersion glass and coated glass to help keep images sharp and reduce color bleeding. It’s lightweight but durable, and it’s waterproof to keep water out if it rains or gets foggy.

It has a lot of potential, but the scope just can’t seem to live up to it. The images, for all the features, just aren’t all that sharp and are just about grainy in low-light conditions. It’s not as costly as some of the other models we looked at, but it’s still a pretty underwhelming scope. It’s also not a very good value as a purchase which, considering the price, is a pretty serious drawback.

• Great optics
• Not really very sharp images
• Not a good value
• 5. TASCO 20-60×80 Spotting Scope for Bird Watching

TASCO’s World Class isn’t a terrible scope for birding , it’s just an awfully large scope to lug around when chasing birds. Of course it’s big, and it’s got a nice-sized objective lens that needs to be supported by a frame of similar size.

It’s also—compared to the other models we looked at—pretty inexpensive. It’s also weatherproof, so it’ll keep the rain and fog out.

Beyond that, it’s just not a very good scope. Its images are of the kind of quality you’d expect to get from a scope of this price. There aren’t a lot of extras to help clean up the images. What you see is what you get, plus distortion, blurring, and color bleeding. It also comes with a tripod, which we suggest that you throw out with the packaging. Get a different one.

• Inexpensive
• Quality not very high
• Tripod is not great
• 6. Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope

Birding takes place out in nature where you’re often subject to nature’s whims. The elements can be rough on our expensive birding devices, which is why the Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope has been built tough to withstand adverse weather conditions. It’s covered in a rubber armor that’s not only shock-absorbing but it’s waterproof as well. And just in case anything should happen to your scope, your investment is protected by the Bushnell no questions asked lifetime warranty.

This scope has standard tripod mounting threads so you can easily attach it to any tripod. A mini tabletop tripod is even included with the scope, though it’s not very sturdy.

The zoom on this spotting scope ranges from 20x-60x, giving you plenty of magnification to see those far off birds that would normally be out of binocular range. But the highest levels of magnification can lose some clarity, especially if weather conditions aren’t perfect.

Thanks to the 65-millimeter lens, you get great image quality but the device remains compact. It’s still small enough to bring along on your next outing, even though it will give you the ability to see hundreds of yards farther than binoculars.

• Zoom magnification from 20x-60x
• Includes tabletop tripod
• 65mm lens is a good blend between size and image quality
• 100% waterproof construction
• Lifetime warranty
• The included tripod isn’t very sturdy
• Low clarity towards the upper end of the magnification range
• 7. Roxant Authentic Blackbird High Definition Spotting Scope with Zoom

It’s certainly not the highest quality scope on the market, but the Roxant Authentic Blackbird High Definition Spotting Scope offers a great image and some excellent features for a very affordable price. It’s lacking in the magnification department, though the zoom still provides a respectable 12X-36X magnification. Roxant defends this choice by saying that higher levels of magnification on other low-priced spotting scopes aren’t usually usable; we’d tend to agree.

The image quality of this scope is very good. It’s not on par with the high-end scopes we tested, but for a fraction of the price, this scope has pretty darn decent optics. Even better, it’s very compact and lightweight, making it easy to take in the field. It’s just shy of nine inches long and weighs barely over a pound. You’ll barely notice it in your pack.

Thankfully, this scope is built to be durable. It’s covered in a tough rubber armor that not only protects the scope but also provides non-slip texture for easier holding and viewing. But if any accidents should happen, you’re covered by the Roxant lifetime replacement guarantee.

• Affordably priced
• Lifetime replacement guarantee
• Weatherproof and durable
• Compact and lightweight
• Not as much magnification as other models
• Mediocre magnification
• 8. LANDOVE 20-60X80 BAK4 Prism Spotting Scope

For a 20x-60x magnification zoom equipped spotting scope with an 80-millimeter lens, the LANDOVE spotting scope is priced quite affordably. Its quality isn’t on par with the higher-end scopes, but at this price, you shouldn’t expect it to be.

Up to 300 yards, you get a decent image. It always seems a bit dim, especially given the large objective lens, but the image is decent. Once you zoom past that, you’ll start to see a lot of blur in the image. If you’re looking for a spotting scope that will allow you to clearly see birds at 500 yards or more, you’ll probably have to look at a model with a slightly higher price tag.

Another issue with this device is the small eyepieces. When looking through them, the image you see is very small. So, even when viewing subjects within that 300-yard range, it can still be difficult to make out details. Though it’s not a bad scope, if you want to do serious birding you should look for something with a higher image quality past 300 yards.

• Includes adapter for cell phone
• Zooms from 20x-60x magnification
• Has a dim picture
• Small eyepieces means the image you see is small
• Not great past 300 yards
• 9. Emarth 20-60x60AE Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope with Tripod

The dirt-cheap pricing of the Emarth Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope might attract you, but the low quality means it’s not the best choice for serious birding. It does have 20x-60x zoom magnification, but of that, about half is usable. Once you get past 40x magnification, it becomes very difficult to get any sort of clear image with this scope.

Because it has a 45-degree angled eyepiece, this scope can be comfortable to use in some situations. But it’s held back by the eyepiece. It doesn’t rotate, so you can’t change the angle. Worse, you have to get so close at higher magnifications that you can’t use any type of eyewear with this scope.

If you zoom in, you’ll discover that your field of view is extremely narrow. This makes it difficult to locate small subjects like birds off in the distance. Combined with the poor image quality past 40x magnification and it makes this scope a poor candidate for birding.

• 20x-60x magnification
• Can’t use eyewear with this scope
• Not great at long distances
• About half the magnification is clear
• Narrow field of view
• 10. Barska 30-90×90 Waterproof Colorado Spotter Scope and Tripod

The Barska 30-90×90 Waterproof Colorado Spotter Scope seems like a great scope on paper. It’s got a zoom range of 30x-90x, making it one of the most powerful scopes we’ve tested. With a large 90-millimeter objective lens on the front, we figured that you might actually be able to use some of that zoom. Unfortunately, we were wrong.

While you can use the first portion of the magnification and get a pretty clear picture, it’s never quite sharp like some of the nicer models we tested. Past 40x magnification, the picture gets blurry and it’s practically unusable past 60x. Turns out, all that extra magnification wasn’t much good!

That large 90-millimeter lens didn’t seem to let any extra light in. The image was dim. When you were using it in low light, you couldn’t see anything of use. And the poor eye relief meant you had to be right up on the eyepiece to see anything, so it’s not suitable for those with eyewear.

But that big lens did mean one thing; this is a big, bulky device. It’s not something we’d like to carry too far, so it’s probably not the best choice for birding.

• 30x-90x zoom
• Includes an extendable tripod
• Included tripod is unstable and weak
• Poor low-light performance
• Poor eye-relief
• Big and bulky, thanks to large 90mm objective lens

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Spotting Scope for Bird Watching

If you’re still unsure of which scope to pick for birding after reading our reviews, don’t worry. We’ve written this short buyer’s guide to help you narrow down the important factors and make the right decision.

• What to Look for in a Birding Scope

When you’re looking at spotting scopes for birding for the first time, the sheer amount of specs and terms can be overwhelming. Magnification, field of view, lens coatings, lens sizes; it can all be pretty confusing. Let’s break down some of these terms a bit more and discuss how it affects your scope and the image you see so you can make your decision from a more informed place.  

Magnification

Magnification is the measure of how much larger an image appears when viewed through your device. It’s expressed by a number followed with an x. For instance, 20x magnification means that objects will appear 20 times closer or larger than with the naked eye.

For a spotting scope to be useful for birding, it has to have more magnification than your binoculars. Many offer zooms that will give you a broad range of magnification levels.

Keep in mind that high magnification isn’t always usable. 60X magnification is only usable if the glass used for the lenses is of high quality. Even then, weather conditions can drastically affect the image quality at such high levels of magnification.

Field of View

Field of view is how much area you can view at once through your device. It’s usually measured at a distance of 1,000 yards. Spotting scopes will always have smaller fields of view than binoculars since they have higher magnification.

In general, you want the largest field of view possible for birding. If your field of view is too narrow, you’ll have a hard time finding your subject in your scope. You might be able to see it off in the distance with your bare eye, but if the field of view is small in your scope, you’ll have a hard time finding that tiny target, especially if it’s moving.

Objective Lens

The objective lens sits at the front of your scope and takes in light to provide you with an image. A larger objective lens lets in more light for a brighter image with better detail.

You’d be forgiven for thinking this means you want to find a scope with the largest objective lens possible. While this might result in a high-definition image, there are other factors at play. For instance, lens quality. A larger lens isn’t always better. A smaller objective lens of a higher quality might produce a clearer image.

• Also, keep in mind that a larger objective lens means a larger scope overall. This can make it a nuisance when carrying it out in the field.
• For birding, you’ll probably want an objective lens between 60-85 millimeters for the best blend of a clear image and a compact device.

How far do you trek to locate rare avian specimens? If you spend hours in the field covering long distances, then you’ll want to consider the size of your scope. Larger scopes tend to be heavier, and that big bulky scope can be a pain to carry with you through trails and wilderness alike.

Of course, larger scopes are often the ones with the best capabilities. Large objective lenses allow for high-definition images at long distances and they can even provide better low-light performance. But you’ll have to weigh that against the overall size of your scope if you don’t want to lug around the extra weight of that big lens.

Since your scope is going to be doing most of its spotting under the open skies, it will likely be introduced to some adverse weather elements. Not only that, but trees, rocks, and more provide hazards as you trek towards that perfect vantage point.

To combat the likelihood of your expensive scope getting damaged, look for one that’s built rugged to endure these conditions. Many are covered in tough armor that will protect them from scratches and impacts. Likewise, many scopes today are waterproof and fog-proof so they can handle whatever nature throws at them while you search for your next feathered subject.

Spotting scopes vary widely in price and capability. Some are very affordable, others are astronomically expensive. While it’s true that you often get what you pay for, that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to get a usable spotting scope.

Look for the spotting scope that has the most useful features inside of your price range. Even at the low end of the price spectrum , there are excellent spotting scopes available that will help capture your next avian encounter in spectacular detail.

In our reviews, the Celestron 52305 Regal M2 was the king. You pay for it, but you get quite a lot for the price. The Vortex Optics Diamondback was a reasonably close second, but price and difficulty in focusing brought it down in our eyes. The Celestron 52250 Ultima Zoom was our “Best for the Money,” out-delivering in quality while under-demanding in price. We felt the Vanguard Endeavor simply didn’t live up to the potential of its features. The TASCO World Class was a bit too big to carry around for birding. They could have taken the money they spent on what is an atrocious tripod and put it into better optics.

We hope you found our reviews helpful and took something from our buyer’s guide that will help you make a better choice in finding the best birding scope for your needs. We wish you the best of luck in finding new and interesting species of birds.

Table of Contents

About the Author Robert Sparks

Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.

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Best Spotting Scopes for Birding in 2023: A Bird Photographer’s Perspective

During my birding escapades, I stumbled upon the incredible utility of the spotting scope I frequently used for bird watching. To my delight, it became an instrumental tool in capturing some of the most awe-inspiring bird photographs I’ve ever taken.

In this article, I’d like to share my experiences with some of the top-rated bird spotting scopes I’ve used, hoping it helps fellow bird enthusiasts make an informed choice.

Keep scrolling!

My Top Pick: • Kowa TSN-884

Why Use a Spotting Scope for Birding and Photography?

One of the primary reasons I gravitate towards spotting scopes in my birding adventures is their unparalleled magnification and detail.

These scopes empower me to observe birds from a distance, revealing intricate details that are crucial for both species identification and ensuring that I capture the perfect shot.

Another game-changer in my photography journey has been the art of digiscoping. By ingeniously combining a spotting scope with my camera, I’ve been able to achieve super-telephoto shots, a feat that would typically require a prohibitively expensive lens.

Plus, check out the article on how to use a spotting scope for photography for a complete guide on how to use your spotting scope for photography, including the digiscoping technique.

Moreover, the financial aspect of digiscoping cannot be overlooked. This technique presents a cost-effective solution, serving as an affordable alternative to high-end telephoto lenses.

As a result, the world of bird photography becomes more accessible and less burdensome on the pocket.

Best Spotting Scopes for Birding and Bird Photography

1.      celestron regal m2 80ed.

Using the Celestron Regal M2 80ED has been a transformative experience for me.

Its 80mm objective lens combined with the ED glass consistently delivers sharp, detailed images, a must-have for my bird photography. While it’s a tad heavy, the 20-60x zoom eyepiece is incredibly versatile.

I still cherish the day I captured a kingfisher in mid-flight, a testament to the Regal M2’s unmatched clarity.

• Pros: Sharp images, versatile 20-60x zoom eyepiece.
• Cons: Slightly heavy.
• Recommendation: Ideal for those prioritizing image clarity.

2.      Vortex Razor 20-60x85HD

The Vortex Optics Razor HD quickly became a favorite in my gear collection.

Its 27-60×85 angled design and high-definition imaging capabilities are nothing short of impressive. The triplet apochromatic lens ensures every shot is bright and vibrant.

I remember a mountain trek where its wide field of view was invaluable, allowing me to effortlessly photograph a swift falcon in action.

• Pros: Bright images, rugged build.
• Cons: Premium price.
• Recommendation: For professionals seeking top-tier quality.

3.      Swarovski Optik ATS/STS 65HD

Every time I use the Swarovski ATS/STS, I’m reminded of its excellence.

Its compact design paired with HD lenses offers unparalleled color fidelity. The rapid focus mechanism is a lifesaver, ensuring I never miss a shot, even in challenging light conditions.

During a coastal birding trip, this scope’s prowess shone through, capturing the subtle color variations of wading birds with precision.

• Pros: Exceptional color fidelity, high-contrast images, and rapid focus mechanism.
• Cons: On the higher end of the price spectrum.
• Recommendation: Best suited for birders and photographers who are looking for premium quality without compromising on portability.

4.      Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85

The Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85, with its 85mm objective lens, has been instrumental in enhancing my bird photography.

Its LotuTec protective coating ensures a clear view in all weather conditions. The fine focus facilitates quick focusing, especially when tracking fast-moving birds.

• Pros: High-resolution lens system, rapid focus feature.
• Cons: Slightly on the pricier side.
• Recommendation: Ideal for those who want a combination of quick focusing and high-resolution imagery.

5.      Zeiss Victory Harpia 95

The Zeiss Victory Harpia 95 has been nothing short of a revelation in my birding adventures.

With its 95mm objective lens, the clarity and detail it provides are unparalleled. The Dual-Speed focus facilitates rapid focusing, ensuring I never miss a moment.

Its innovative optical system offers a wide field of view, capturing the beauty of birds in their entirety.

• Pros: Exceptional clarity, Dual-Speed focus, wide field of view.
• Cons: Premium pricing.
• Recommendation: A top-of-the-line choice for those who seek unmatched optical brilliance in bird photography.

6.      Kowa TSN-884

The Kowa TSN-884 has been a steadfast companion in my birding sessions.

Its pure fluorite crystal lens ensures images that are sharp, vibrant, and free from any chromatic aberration.

The scope’s rugged build ensures durability, and its waterproof design means I can venture out without worrying about the elements.

• Pros: Fluorite crystal lens for vibrant images, durable and waterproof.
• Cons: Heavier compared to some models.
• Recommendation: Ideal for birders who prioritize image quality and need a scope that can withstand the elements.

Additionally, you can explore more spotting scopes in my previous guide on the best spotting scope for photography .

Is a Spotting Scope Better Than a Telescope for Birding?

While telescopes are crafted primarily for stargazing and astronomical pursuits, spotting scopes are tailored for observing terrestrial subjects. Their compactness, ease of use, and upright viewing experience make spotting scopes the preferred choice for birding.

In contrast, telescopes, with their upside-down imagery and heftier design, don’t align well with the practical needs of birdwatchers.

So, the answer is yes. Based on my experience as a bird photographer, a spotting scope is more suitable for birding than a telescope.

What is the Best Magnification for a Spotting Scope for Bird Watching?

I found that magnifications between 20x-60x work best for bird watching.

At lower magnifications, I get wider views which are especially handy in forested areas. On the other hand, higher magnifications are perfect for open spaces, though I often need a steadier hand or a tripod to ensure clarity.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bird Spotting Scope

Selecting the right spotting scope involves considering several key factors. From magnification to price, each aspect plays a crucial role in enhancing the birding experience.

Here’s what I prioritize when making my choice:

• Magnification: 20x-60x is versatile for most scenarios.
• Objective Lens Diameter: Larger lenses gather lighter, crucial for dawn or dusk birding.
• Field of View: A wider view is beneficial for tracking moving birds.
• Build and Durability: Look for waterproof and fog-proof designs.
• Weight and Portability: Crucial for treks and hikes.
• Ease of Use: Smooth focus knobs and comfortable eyepieces enhance the experience.
• Price: Balance your budget with your requirements.

Digiscoping Tips for Bird Photographers

Digiscoping, the fusion of digital photography with telescopic spotting, offers bird photographers a unique avenue to capture distant subjects with remarkable clarity. While the method can yield breathtaking outcomes, grasping its subtleties is crucial to truly harness its potential.

So, if you’re keen on immortalizing the sights you witness through your spotting scope, these indispensable tips will lead you to exceptional photographs.

• Match your camera with a compatible spotting scope adapter.
• To reduce blur, employ a tripod and a remote shutter release.
• Capture shots during the golden hours of early morning or late afternoon for the most flattering illumination.
• Manual focus often yields sharper results in digiscoping than autofocus. Take your time to fine-tune the focus for the crispest image.
• Position your spotting scope at a downward angle to reduce the chances of internal reflections which can degrade image quality.
• Start with lower magnification levels for a wider field of view and gradually zoom in to find your subject. This makes tracking easier.
• Digiscoping has a learning curve. Regular practice will help you get acquainted with your equipment and improve your shot accuracy.
• Given the unique challenges of digiscoping, post-processing can be beneficial. Adjusting sharpness, contrast, and saturation can enhance your final image.
• Be mindful of atmospheric disturbances like heat waves or mist, which can affect image clarity. Opt for days with clear, stable air for the best results.
• Regularly clean your spotting scope lens and camera sensor to ensure dust or smudges don’t compromise your images.

Plus, I found an interesting video that shows how to take bird photography using the digiscoping technique. You can refer to it too.

In conclusion, navigating the world of bird photography and birding requires not just passion but also the right tools.

The spotting scopes I’ve highlighted have been instrumental in my journey, enhancing both my observation and photography experiences.

The fusion of spotting scopes with photography, especially through digiscoping, has opened up new horizons for capturing the beauty of our avian friends.

As we move forward into 2023, it’s essential to stay updated with the best equipment and techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned birder, an avid photographer, or someone just starting, I hope this guide serves as a valuable resource in your adventures.

Plus, remember the beauty of birding lies not just in the sights we capture but also in the moments we experience. Happy birding!

Justin Parker is a professional photographer and has been in the industry since 2007. He attended the University of Georgia. Justin combines his passion for photography and his interest in writing to give life to this blog which talks about photography in order to help and inspire young photographers.

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8 Best Spotting Scopes For Birding (2024's Reliable Brands)

Shopping for the best spotting scope for birding can be more tedious than buying a pair of binoculars.

Spotting scopes serve several functions, in addition to bird watching.

I doubt if you can find one that's specifically for birding. For that reason, when looking for one, match features to your birding needs.  We did that and listed the eight best birding scopes based on the features you'd need when birding in your backyard or out in the bush.

Let's get started with our favorite spotting scope, the Celestron Ultima 80 .

The Top 8 Best Birding Scopes Reviewed

1. celestron ultima 80 - best overall.

Celestron is a brand that leads with excellent birding binoculars . You'll be sampling its engineering ability when you try its  Celestron Ultima 80 scope.

This scope's 80mm objective lens makes it ideal for birding in woodlands, riverine forests, and other landscapes.

Hence, no neck strain; consequently, you can sit or stand in one location for hours.

The images have perfect color quality as if you're viewing them with your eyes because this scope has several coatings on the lenses. If the object is too far away, the zoom eyepiece brings it closer up to 60x.

It comes with a tripod mounting plate to use when you get tired of holding about 3 pounds of weight in your hands. Lastly, it's heavier than some of the models in this review, but since you can mount it on a tripod, it won't tire you.

• Waterproof, for use in humid areas
• Folding eyecups for better eye relief
• Coated glass surfaces to boost image quality
• Designed by a brand that engineers binoculars
• No eye relief at higher magnification
• Heavier, you may not use it when birding and hiking

Celestron Ultima 80 gives such high-quality images that your eyes will pick out details of bird species easily. It's waterproof, and the focus knob and magnification ring are smooth and crisp.

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2. Roxant Authentic Blackbird - Best Design Option

When using the Roxant Authentic Blackbird , you'll always have your lens caps attached, so there are no chances of losing them when birding in the bush.

Additionally, unlike other scopes, this one  has a big focus ring on the barrel instead of a focus knob on the top of the barrel, which makes focus adjustments a lot easier.

Further, most scopes have a plastic screw for mounting on a tripod. In contrast, the Roxant Authentic Blackbird has a metallic one that is more durable. You'll also benefit from using a scope with adjustable eyecups; you can extend or retract them when you wear glasses.

It's not the biggest objective lens in this review, but 50mm isn't very bad. Wouldn't you agree? This lens has fully multi-coated surfaces; thus, image sharpness and clarity will not be an issue.

• It comes with a tripod
• Retractable eyepiece to use with or without glasses
• Extendable sunshade to prevent glare
• Metallic tripod mounting screw
• Can magnify up to 36x only

The Roxant Authentic Blackbird comes complete with a tripod, and it's affordable. It's also durable because it has a rubberized body for a firm grip. Plus, with the lens caps attached to the body, you won't lose them.

3. Emarth - Best Focusing System

If you've been shelving the idea of getting a spotting scope because you fear it might be expensive, you're in for a surprise. Emarth 20x to 60x magnification scope is affordable.

Additionally, there's a dual focus knob to fine-tune the view before you zoom in up to 60x.

It comes with a travel case with dividers so that the tripod stays in one section and your scope is in another for extra protection of the lens.

• The focus knob is easy to adjust
• Inexpensive
• Extendable sunshade
• Easy on/off lens caps
• The stiff eyepiece may cause eye strain.

Emarth makes birding so much fun offering you up to 60x magnification without losing the quality of the image. When you zoom in, you can fine-tune the image with a dual focus knob that is easy to operate.

4. Landove - Best Birding Set

What you see through the spotting scope is what's most important. Therefore, this Landove model uses a fully multi-coated objective lens to show you the exact quality of the image without losing color or clarity. It can magnify from 20x to 60x.

Hence, when you spot a rare bird at 20x, you can bring it closer to your eyes up to 60x what your bare eyes can see.

Thus, whether birding on your deck or in the open landscapes, mount this spotting scope on a tripod, fix your smartphone on the phone adapter, set your portable birding chair, and enjoy!

It's water and fog-proof; therefore, you can go birding in wet and humid conditions. Further, it has a close focus distance of 6m; consequently, you can get better detail of birds.

• Rubber armor for shock resistance
• Stretchable eyepiece shield
• Close distance focus of 6m
• Fully multi-coated objective lens
• Unclear images on higher magnification.

The Landove 20-60x spotting scope is affordable yet offering clear optics. It has a sturdy tripod, and the phone adapter is also easy to set up.

5. Barska Straight - Best Lightweight Spotting Scope

Barska gives you three options with a magnification power between 18x and 125x. The model in our review has an 88mm objective lens, and it magnifies from 25x to 125x. Awesome, right?

Imagine the excitement of using such magnification power when spotting warblers in Ohio or looking for Yellow-billed Magpies in California's coastal hills.

The 88mm objective lens maintains the quality of the image as you zoom in because it's fully coated. If you're more into watching birds in your backyard, you'll benefit from the tabletop tripod of this spotting scope.

Mount it on your deck and enjoy the thrill while holding it steady using the Accu-Grip handle.

It weighs about one pound, making it the lightest in our review. Further, it comes with both a hard and a soft case to protect the lens as you travel.

• Two travel cases
• Lightweight
• Fully-coated lens for quality images
• Zooms up to 125x
• The focus might be blurry when you zoom in.

The Barska 25 to 125x is lightweight; thus, you can enjoy birding for hours while holding it. Plus, it has a tripod with a firm grip handle to help you steady it.

6. Gosky 20 to 60x - Best For Digiscoping

Gosky 20 to 60x has the same magnification power as the other digiscoping model we discussed earlier, the Landove, but with a larger objective lens of 80mm, which means even better detail in the image.

Therefore, we ranked it as the best spotting scope for digiscoping. Just mount your smartphone on its digiscoping adapter and take photos or videos as you pan or zoom your view. This phone mount is easy to use, and it accommodates almost all smartphone models.

The images you capture are clear and crisp as this scope has BAK4 Porro prisms. On top of that, it has a shock-proof grip to protect the internal components when it falls. It's also fog and waterproof to suit the unexpected weather conditions you'll face as a birder.

The price is a bit high, but when you look at the features you're getting, it might be worth spending as much.

Lastly, Gosky is famous for its binoculars, so you'll be getting a spotting scope from an industry leader.  

• Digiscoping smartphone adapter
• BAK4 Porro prisms
• 80mm objective lens
• 45-degree angled eyepiece
• Retractable sunshade to reduce glare on the eyepiece
• Heavy, it weighs over 4 pounds
• The tripod is practical but not the best

This Gosky 20 to 60x model might weigh over four pounds, but it has a tripod for you to mount it so you can enjoy spotting birds without tiring your arms.

7. Creative XP - Best HD Lens

Not sure if the Gosky model above suits your birding needs? Let's continue looking for the best scope for digiscoping until you find one you like.

This Creative XP model also comes with an 80mm objective lens and a zoom of up to 60 times. Hence, you're getting the same lens features as in the Gosky model above.

What's more likable about it is the clip-on phone adapter that holds your smartphone to capture your view. It's easy to use, and you can even use the phone camera to make videos of your sightings.

When you zoom in, it maintains the quality without color distortion or blurriness because it has HD lens quality. It has two focus knobs for accuracy and ease of use when you zoom in.

Lastly, the nitrogen filling in the lens prevents fogging regardless of when or where you're watching birds.

• Two focus knobs for accuracy
• HD lens quality
• BAK4 prisms
• Nitrogen purged 

Focus is an issue when using some spotting scopes, but Creative XP 20 to 60x has two focus knobs that are easy to use. For that reason, when you zoom in, it'll take you the least time to adjust your focus.

8. SV28 Scope - Best Budget Option

SV28's magnification starts from 25x, which is high compared to the magnification power most basic binoculars will offer you. Thus, it's an ideal spotting scope if you're switching from binoculars and you want a spotting scope with a fair price.

It has a 70mm objective lens, excellent in gathering and transmitting light to the eyepiece.

If the view on the eyepiece is glaring, you can extend the sunshade over it.

The non-slip surface enhances durability by reducing the possibility of dropping this scope when birding on a wet day. It's not heavy; you can carry it with you on birding tours with young bird lovers and let them enjoy using it too.

Its close focus distance is 8m, which means nearer objects won't have fine details. Nonetheless, you can still use it in a park or open landscapes.

• Lightweight as it weighs a little over 2 pounds
• Fully-multi coated lens for clarity
• Porro prisms
• The eyecups fold down
• A close focus distance of 8m
• Unstable tripod
• Fiddly phone mount 

SV28   suits your digiscoping needs if you're using one for the first time. It has better optics than standard binoculars as it offers 25x magnification power through a 70mm objective lens.

After looking at the best spotting scope for birding, let's discuss what makes these scopes better than the rest.

For starters:

How To Choose The Best Spotting Scopes For Birding

Spotting scope reviews for birding enthusiasts mention terms like the field of view, magnification, and eye relief. Sometimes, it all sounds confusing. That's why we want to talk about:

Straight Or Angled Scope?

The decision to get a straight or angled scope depends on your comfort. But, let's compare the two briefly, so you'll know the advantages of getting either.

The objective and ocular lenses of an angled scope don't sit in a straight line because the barrel curves upward. For that reason,

• It's easier on the neck; no muscle strain.
• You can mount it on a shorter tripod.
• More comfortable to use when viewing soaring birds or the ones perched on treetops.
• It's also a good choice when birding in a group as people of different heights can use it.
• It's easier to mount your smartphone for digiscoping.

On the other hand, a straight scope has both the objective and ocular lenses in a straight line. It suits birding on hills as the straight angle makes it easier to spot birds in the valley below. It's also faster to scan an expansive area at once in search of birds.

In our review, we looked at several angled scopes like the Emarth and Celestron models. We also talked about Barska , which is a straight scope.

Zoom Eyepiece

A fixed eyepiece denies you the opportunity to get closer to the image in your view. Hence, choose a zoom eyepiece to locate birds, then zoom in until you see the fine details on them.

Some of the zooms we have in our review are 20 to 60x and 20 to 80x. Once you locate a bird at 20x, you can magnify it up to 80x.

Minimum Focus Distance Matters

When a migratory bird visits your backyard, you want to zoom in and focus on details that ID it. A similar situation would arise when spotting rare species in a park. At such times, the focus adjustment should fine-tune your view.

That being the case, buy a scope with a minimum focus distance of 20 feet (about 6 meters). The Landove and Barska scopes in our review have a close focus distance of 6m.

Don't forget...

Lens Quality Controls Image Quality

You might worry about magnification and getting the highest magnification power in the market, but it all comes down to the quality of the lens.

When there's no light loss between the objective lens and the eyepiece, the images are clear and sharp. That's why brands install fully multi-coated glass surfaces to minimize loss during transmission.

Takeaway Points

• The larger the objective lens, the brighter the image on the eyepiece.
• Zoom magnification is better because you can enlarge an image to see more details.
• Get a scope with a tripod, as these spotting devices are more stable on one.
• You can replace the tripod offered with a sturdier one.
• A padded carrying case protects your lens.
• There are budget scopes with exceptional features.

For a better understanding of spotting scopes, here's a guide for you:

Before you go...

The Verdict

The Celestron Ultima 80 is our top spotting scope. It has an 80mm objective lens to give you bright images and a zoom eyepiece that takes you from 20x to 60x in a few seconds.

It's also an angled scope, which makes it easier to share with other birders and to use for hours without neck strain.

Nonetheless, if you're looking for something cheaper, there's the SV28 scope that magnifies from 25 to 75x through a 70mm objective lens. Not bad, right? It's lightweight, has Porro prisms and fully multi-coated surfaces. It's perfect!

About The Author

Brandon Trent

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The Best Spotting Scopes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

By Andrew McKean

Updated on Jan 29, 2024 9:46 AM EST

23 minute read

Best Overall

Meopta meostar s2 82 20-70x82, athlon cronus g2 20-60x86, best compact, swarovski atc 17-40x56.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

Spotting scopes represent one of the largest investments a hunter or shooter makes, so it’s natural that we spend a disproportionate amount of time and energy researching different brands, models, designs, and sizes before we make a buying decision.

That same deliberate attention to performance and value defines every category of Outdoor Life ’s optics test, but especially spotters, since we know—as hunters, shooters, and wildlife-watchers ourselves—how few opportunities most of us have for side-by-side-by-side comparisons of these expensive instruments. Plus, consumers are starved for objective, reliable information, as marketers blur the definitions of glass quality and often exaggerate specifications such as field of view and actual magnification.

That’s where Outdoor Life ’s optics test can save you hundreds of dollars and years of literal headache from squinty glass. We are not obligated to any brand or advertiser, and our testers aim to squeeze the very best performance from every submission. As we discuss below, in the How We Test section, you won’t see our extensive 10-point evaluation elsewhere.

Because manufacturers don’t release new spotting scopes every year, we don’t always include a spotter evaluation in our optics test. This year, though, we invited a handful of new introductions along with models that have been on the market for a few years in order to compare the rookies with the veterans, all in an effort to help you decide which spotter is the best for your needs and budget.

We had so much response that we divided the spotting scope field into two sub-categories. We tested nine of the most popular full-size spotters, which sport 80mm or larger objective lenses and magnification ranges anywhere from 27-55x to 20-70-power. And in one of the most exciting categories of the test, we evaluated five compact spotters, those with 50-to-56mm objective lenses and magnification ranges in the 13-39x and 15-30x powers. These sub-compacts, which easily fit in a backpack and weigh in the 2-pound range, are an important new category of sports optics for backcountry hunters and traveling bird-watchers. Find the best spotting scopes in compact and full-size from our extensive optics test below.

Full-Size Spotting Scopes

• Best Overall: Meopta MeoStar S2 82 20-70×82
• Best Value: Athlon Cronus G2 20-60×86
• Maven S.1A 25-50×80
• Revic Acura S80a 27-55×80
• Nikon Monarch Fieldscope 82ED-A 20-60×82
• Sig Sauer OSCAR8 27-55×80
• Tract Toric UHD 27-55×80
• Leupold SX-5 Santiam HD 27-55×80

Compact Spotting Scopes

• Best Overall: Swarovski ATC 17-40×56
• Best Value: Hawke Nature-Trek 13-39×56

Vortex Razor HD 13-39×56

• Leupold Gold Ring Compact 15-30×50

How We Tested the Best Spotting Scopes

We invite manufacturers to submit any new spotting scopes introduced from mid-2022 through 2023. Because this particular category of sports optics is expensive to manufacture, and because the market isn’t nearly as dynamic as rifle scopes or binoculars —after all, once you’ve purchased a spotting scope, you’re unlikely to be in the market for another—we test spotters only every two or three years.

Optical Resolution 

We put all submissions, whether full-size or super-compact, through the same criteria. First, we measure optical resolution, using the diminishing black-and-white lines of a 1951 Air Force Resolution Target to score the optical performance of each submission. 

Low-Light Performance

We also measure the low-light performance of each submission by mounting them to tripods and focusing them at 200 yards at a black-and-white resolution target at twilight, all in order to measure the brightness of the glass.

The scope that can “see” the longest into the gathering darkness gets top marks. The scope that loses its night-vision earliest gets the lowest score. Scopes in the middle receive scores somewhere between those two poles.

How We Score and Grade Optics

We break our 10-point scoring into four general categories: optical performance, mechanical performance, design, and value. The average of these categories is the basis of our grades, detailed below.

Optical performance includes the resolution and low-light tests plus the more subjective assessments of image quality and brightness. Mechanical performance assesses the durability of the submission along with its controls: focus and zoom, eyecups and barrel rotation. Design considers the exterior finish, interior blacking, tripod mount, and its innovation and versatility along with its comfort. We ask testers to evaluate this critical question: how long could you glass with this spotter?

And then our price/value score rates how much optic—along with warranty and amenities such as carrying case, additional eyepieces, or field cover—you’re getting for your money. The spotter that gets the highest overall score wins our Editor’s Choice award for the best in the category; the optic with the highest price/value score wins our Great Buy recognition.

Grading 

Our 10-point evaluation adds up to a total numeric score, but we translate those to grades for each submission. Our Optical Performance grade combines the scores from resolution, low-light, image, and brightness. Our Mechanical Performance grade aggregates the mechanics and durability score. The Design grade considers Construction, Innovation, Versatility, and Comfort. And then the Price/Value grade is our value grade.

To earn an “Excellent” grade, the average of that category must be 9 or higher, which is extremely hard to achieve. “Very Good” is an average score of 7 to 9. A “Good” grade is 5 to 7. Our “Fair” grade is 3 to 25, and “Poor” is anything under 3.

The Best Spotting Scopes: Full Size

• Optical Performance: Excellent
• Mechanical Performance: Very Good
• Design: Very Good
• Price/Value: Good

Key Features

• 82mm objective lens diameter
• Angled eyepiece
• Removable 20-70x eyepiece; 30-60x wide-angle eyepiece available
• Center-barrel focus
• Retractable sunshade
• Premium extra-low-dispersion glass
• Magnesium chassis
• Lifetime warranty
• Best-in-class optical resolution and image quality
• Extremely tactile focus and power-changing controls
• Excellent internal coatings and blackening
• Sharp edge-to-edge clarity
• Vivid color and contrast
• Price is about $1,000 below premium European peers
• Body and eyepieces sold separately
• At nearly 4 pounds with eyepiece, it’s heavy
• Tripod foot could be beefier
• Warranty response is slow and erratic

How did we lose sight of this remarkable spotter? Introduced in 2020, about the same time that Zeiss introduced its flagship Harpia line of spotters and Swarovski wowed the world with its modular ATX/STX/BTX (they stand for angled, straight, and binocular) lines, Meopta produced this world-class optic. It’s one that we overlooked in previous spotting scope tests, though it remains a hot seller for the Czech company.

The price—the real-world street price is around $3,000 for both the body and the 20-70-power eyepiece—is about $1,000 lower than its European peers, but you get the same vivid image, the stunning edge-to-edge clarity, and the velvety controls. In short, the MeoStar is an investment-grade spotting scope that is a relative bargain when considered against its competitors.

The Meopta easily won our low-light test, and topped the field in optical resolution. The test team especially liked the long-range detail it produced, even at higher magnifications. “Easy to focus and not-too-narrow depth of field,” noted one tester. “A great scope for someone who wants excellent optics but can’t afford a Swaro.”

From about 20- to 40-power, the image delivered by the MeoStar is wide and luscious; from about 50- to 70-power, the image gets relatively dark and grainy, but we had a real-world spotting challenge that showed off the Meopta’s talents. In the sunny morning—with rising solar mirages—four grizzly bears emerged from a timbered creek valley to feed on an open slope about 1,300 yards from our cabin. While the image degraded at high powers with other full-size spotters on hand, the Meopta delivered reasonably bright and sharp images of these remarkable bears, rendering enough detail to see that one of the griz had a notched ear, maybe from a fight with other bears or evidence of a missing eartag placed there by bear managers.

Great Buy: Athlon Cronus G2 20-60×86

• Optical Performance: Good
• Design: Good
• Price/Value: Very Good
• 86mm objective lens, largest in the field
• Non-removable eyepiece
• Pebbled texturing
• Ships with nylon field case
• Fairly good glass
• Street price under $1,000
• Big 86mm objective lens
• Good close focus
• Excellent warranty
• Some play in power ring and sunshade
• Some peripheral distortion
• UHD glass designation is questionable
• Average clarity at higher powers

With a real-world street price at a cool $1,000, there’s a ton of value in this big 86mm spotter. It delivers a bright, sharp image at lower powers, it has very nice controls and a tight, robust build, and it has a cast-iron transferable lifetime warranty. Testers gave it the highest score in our Price/Value category, and it must be said that no other full-size spotter was even close.

It’s worth observing, though, that testers also noted that both brightness and optical clarity degrade at about 48-power. This is a fairly common shortcoming among price-point spotters. They tend to deliver pretty good images at lower magnifications but fall apart as the exit pupil—this is the small bright spot that is inversely proportional to magnification—gets smaller. That’s a function of glass. A big 80mm-class objective lens takes a lot of premium glass, and Athlon isn’t the only brand to throw out meaningless terms to define the class of glass that they use.

Athlon calls their objective-lens glass “ultra-high-definition” or UHD. That’s a marketing term, and not a particularly worthwhile optical definition. It might indicate the spotter has some fluorite in its composition—that’s a material used to correct chromatic aberrations, or color fringing and flaring—or it might have some higher-quality glass in the objective lens than is used in internal lenses. Either way, the fairly pedestrian grade of glass in the Cronus is responsible for causing the image to break down at higher magnifications and in lower light conditions.

But the Athlon brings so many other talents to the game: nice texturing, well-rendered internal blacking, and decent focus and zoom controls. Testers noted a bit of slop in both the focus and power-changing wheels, but not enough to downgrade their value assessment.

If you’re in the market for a serious full-sized spotter at a very approachable price point, you should get years of excellent performance from this big unit that has better glass than most of its price-point peers.

• Design: Excellent
• 80m objective lens
• Distinctive orange/black/gray exterior styling
• Magnesium/polymer chassis
• Direct-to-consumer retail model
• Premium high-definition fluorite glass in objective lens
• Responsive controls
• Aggressive diamond-cut texturing on exterior surfaces
• Excellent price for level of performance
• Disappointing low-light performance
• Grainy image at highest magnifications
• Fixed eyepiece

A ravishing beauty, the Maven easily won our informal “eye-candy” award as the handsomest spotter in the field. That’s to be expected from a brand that has adorned the generic black tubes that characterize most optics with color accents and stylistic flourishes.

But the Maven isn’t just for looks. Testers rated its velvety controls, including a very tactile center-focus ring, as among the most pleasing and precise in the field, and its grippy texturing makes the 4-pound spotting scope easy to handle, even while wearing gloves.

The image is decent, and testers especially noted the edge-to-edge clarity. But overall, the optical performance placed the Maven in the middle of the field. That might be a product of its glass. The S.1A features premium fluorite glass in its objective lens, but internal lens elements are standard optical glass.

Because Maven, as a direct-to-consumer retailer, posts its pricing on its website, it isn’t subject to the usual MSRP mark-up that makes optical pricing inconsistent. At the time of our test, the S.1A was selling for $2,200, a price that testers thought was more than fair for the performance. Check back with Maven for pricing updates, but at the time of publication, the price had dropped to $1,950. That’s a screaming deal on one of the best spotting scopes, especially when you consider the excellent warranty and quality of the build.

• 80mm objective lens
• Includes 27-55-power and fixed 22-power eyepiece with reticle
• Extra-low-dispersion glass
• Composite and aluminum chassis
• Ships in custom EPP foam carry case
• Includes neoprene field cover
• Excellent long-distance range spotter
• Reticle has both MOA and MIL references and ranging scale
• Reticle features spotting grid
• Precise controls
• Compatible with PhoneSkope eyepiece for digiscoping
• Family includes Acura riflescope and rangefinders
• Slight optical aberration
• Image washes out in bright light

A newcomer to the premium spotting scope space, the Acura S80a is produced by the optical arm of Gunwerks , the long-range shooting and hunting brand that manufactures premium long-range rifles and integrated riflescopes. Given its precision-shooting DNA, the Acura’s configurations as a range spotter make a lot of sense, and provide a ton of utility for shooters.

The most noteworthy attribute is its fixed 22-power eyepiece—included with the 27-55-power eyepiece—that contains a ranging reticle that has references for both MOA and MIL shooters. The feature essentially allows a target spotter to call shots using the same references as the shooter, cutting down on time and solving common communication problems between teams of shooters.

The 22-power eyepiece has an impressively wide field of view and excellent clarity. We used it to walk in long shots to test the reticle reach of some of the long range rifle scopes in our test. The 27-55-power zooming eyepiece has no reticle, but serves as a very capable game and target spotter.

Overall, testers liked the responsive controls and overall handling of the Revic. A few noted some edge distortion and a distracting halo around the periphery of the image at most magnifications. And we were surprised that the 80mm scope didn’t perform better in our low-light test.

But the optical resolution of the Acura was the second-best among full-size spotters, and the comfort factor also boosted its overall score. Many testers said they could spot all day with this scope, switching out eyepieces to meet specific needs. The molded foam carry case is also an extremely nice touch, and along with the second eyepiece, adds a ton of value to this excellent newcomer.

• Optical Performance: Very Good
• Mechanical Performance: Good
• 82mm objective lens
• Center-barrel fast focus wheel
• Aluminum-alloy chassis
• Removable eyepiece
• Reverse tripod foot
• Field-flattener lens system
• Excellent color fidelity
• Reverse tripod foot promotes balanced mounting
• Infinitely adjustable eyecup
• Pebbly texturing resists dust and scratches
• Ships with ballistic nylon field case
• Offset eyepiece distracted some testers
• No numeric magnification indexing
• Very shallow depth of field

One of the “legacy” submissions to this year’s test, the Fieldscope was introduced in 2019, but it remains a strong seller for Nikon. Many of the spotter’s features will be familiar to users of Nikon’s DSLR cameras, including the lens mounting system and the extremely velvety focus and magnification controls. The fast-focus feature is useful, especially for birders who often must ramp up the power from a close-in finch to a distant egret (or whatever variety of bird you prefer).

It’s a funky-looking scope, for sure, with its backward-facing tripod mount and its offset eyepiece. But the Nikon is packed with features, including a field-flattener lens system that delivers sharpness way out to the edges, and coatings and ED glass that tame color fringing and boost contrast. Optically, the Fieldscope placed in the upper third of full-size spotters, and testers gave high marks for design and overall value.

With its short overall length (13 inches), fairly light weight (3.6 pounds) and lovely balance, this is a very field-worthy spotter worth every bit of consideration that you’d give a brand new scope.

• Aluminum chassis
• Non-slip rubberized armor
• Distinctive flat dark earth color
• Premium glass
• Includes fitted neoprene field cover
• High-contrast image
• Image didn’t wow testers
• Middling low-light performance

While the OSCAR8 has been on the market for four years, it remains a solid seller for Sig Sauer, and also represents a rare cross-over spotter, appealing to both hunters as well as long-range shooters. Built around two varieties of premium glass, it’s also one of Sig’s most optically ambitious products.

Specifically, the 80mm spotter sports extra-low-dispersion glass in the objective lens. That’s not uncommon for premium brands, as that class of glass corrects chromatic aberrations, which we see as color fringing and jags of multi-colored light, before they enter the optic. But the Sig is unique in using high-transmission glass on its internal lenses. That glass boosts light transmission and generally improves image resolution.

Indeed, the Sig posted a good resolution score, though we were disappointed in its low-light performance, which placed it in the very middle of the pack of nine full-size spotters. But its bomb-proof build and aggressive controls that are a cinch to turn with cold or gloved hands made it a team favorite for both durability and comfort. With a very approachable real-world street price of under $1,700, it’s a good buy for quality glass and a durable build.

• Aluminum/polycarbonate chassis
• Interchangeable eyepieces
• Direct-to-consumer brand
• Features Schott high-transmission glass in objective lens
• Accepts 22x and 30x eyepieces with either MOA or MIL reticle
• Positive, smooth controls
• Four-position eyecup
• Magnification ring turns hard
• Zoom range is limited

The only spotting scope—so far—in the growing product line from this direct-to-consumer brand, the Toric UHD is a solid, no-frills optic for wildlife viewing and most distant target games. But the addition of interchangeable eyepieces with reticles elevate this to a very useful aid for any competition shooter.

The 22-power fixed eyepiece ($294) has a MRAD PRS reticle, and the 30-power eyepiece ($344) contains an ELR reticle tuned to MRAD references. Both reticles are offset from the field of view, so they don’t obscure targets while still enabling precise target measurement and follow-up shot corrections.

The balance of the scope is a field-worthy blend of form and function. The premium high-transmission glass boosted the Tract’s resolution score, and while we were disappointed with its low-light brightness, the image quality scores were consistently high. Testers also liked the solid construction, though they complained that the power-changing ring was a bear to turn. The focus wheel, by contrast, was buttery smooth and very precise, allowing for easy one-finger operation.

Testers also appreciated the approachable price and responsive customer service from the brand.

• Oversized eyepiece
• Glare-reducing coatings
• Exterior lenses treated with DiamondCoat 2 scratch-resistant coating
• Oversized twist-up eyecup
• Rugged, easy-gripping armor
• Ships with fitted neoprene field cover
• Mediocre optics
• Loose sunshade

Leupold’s flagship full-size spotting scope has been on the market since 2018, but it remains a strong seller and field favorite due to its hard-wearing durability and drama-free operation. It simply works in most conditions.

Testers were a bit disappointed in low-light performance, but the Santiam posted a decent resolution score, and in most conditions testers praised its overall brightness and edge-to-edge clarity. Its fully transferable warranty and Leupold’s legendary customer service also boosted its price/value score.

The spotter is also very comfortable, thanks to the oversized eyepiece and big, generous eyecup that lets your face sink into the optic and the aggressively textured focus and zoom controls that turn with authority and precision. We’d like to see this product built around a better grade of glass, which might elevate it from pretty good to outstanding.

Compact Spotting Scopes 

• Mechanical Performance: Excellent
• 56mm objective lens
• Polycarbonate chassis
• Removable foot
• Burnt-orange coloration
• Exceptional glass
• Just over 2 pounds
• Very portable and packable
• Removable half-shell for non-tripod viewing
• Digiscope friendly
• Limited utility
• Limited focus ring access when tripod-mounted

This compact spotter, clad in distinctive orange armor, simply stunned the test team. It is extremely bright, crisp, and the image it delivers is full of color and contrast. In short, it’s a world-class optic. That said, the team noted that, at $2,500, it will have a limited audience.

“This checks all the boxes for a premium compact spotter, but I don’t think most people want to spend over $2,000 for a mini-spotter,” says tester and OL gear editor Scott Einsmann. “I see this as an aspirational item rather than a replacement for a full-size spotter.”

Fair enough, but the Swaro, which is the mini version of the brand’s modular ATC/BTX line of spotters, has plenty of field chops to go along with its aspiration. Its graceful lines, for which Swarovski could win industrial design awards, easily fit in a pack, and nicely balance the 2-pound heft. Mounted on a tripod, the center-barrel focus ring can be hard to access, forcing users to reach over the top to turn the dial with fingertips. But the ATC’s smart and useful “shoe” screws into the tripod receiver and gives the scope’s round body a flat surface on which to deploy it. Picture slapping the scope (with the half-shell shoe) on top of a wooden post or pickup tailgate, sans tripod. The focus ring is unencumbered by the shoe, which stabilizes the scope in any number of situations.

This is clearly not a scope for everyone or for every purpose. But it would be our choice for slinging in a pack for those times when you don’t want to carry a full- or mid-sized spotter and a tripod. As for all those other times when you’re not looking through it, the Swarovski ATC is mighty pretty to simply look at.

• Angled dog-leg design
• Aluminum alloy chassis
• Ships with window mount and neoprene field cover
• Super compact porro prism design
• Handy window mount
• Some internal dust

The consensus pick for our best value in the compact spotting scope category, this little marvel has a length of just over 9 inches and weighs 2 pounds. Introduced earlier this year, the Nature-Trek ships with a handy window mount and a fitted neoprene field cover, further boosting its value.

We were unimpressed with the optical performance, at least compared with the class-leading Swarovski and Maven, but that’s to be expected in a unit that costs a cool third of the latter two submissions. The image, delivered by standard glass, is adequate for most purposes, and the Nature-Trek held its own in both our low-light and resolution tests.

We’d like to see the same Arca-Swiss foot that Vortex employs on its Razor HD, and some testers noted a bit of dust and debris inside the Hawke, evidence of sub-optimal construction. But the unit’s focus and magnification controls turned with precision, and the 14-foot close focus makes it a handy optic for birders and butterfly enthusiasts.

Supported by a tabletop tripod, this would make an excellent range scope. And, at just over $300, it’s a bargain for an extremely packable compact spotter.

• Arca-Swiss compatible tripod mount
• New size in Razor line
• Ships with neoprene field cover
• Excellent controls
• Simple tripod mount
• Eyepiece attachment is jinky
• Barrel doesn’t rotate

A smart and capable newcomer to Vortex’s excellent Razor HD line, this wee spotter delivers an image much larger than its stature. Its premium glass tames color flaring and other optical aberrations, and the combination of coatings and glass quality elevated the Razor HD to the top low-light performer of the compact scope category. It finished just behind the excellent Swarovski in resolution, as well.

If only the spotter’s mechanics matched its glass. The eyepiece attachment gave the test team fits, easily cross-threading with no clear indication of when the attachment is properly seated. A metal collet that protects the threads further came loose, exposing the optic’s interior to dust and moisture. Testers also recorded that the focus and magnification ring were distractingly stiff.

But the Razor HD has enough other talents to offset those mechanical deficiencies. We love the tripod mount, compatible with Arca-Swiss tripod heads. This simple design enables direct mounting, without messing with a separate mounting plate. The pebbly exterior is easy to grip and resists dust and scratching, and the balance is among the best in the class. Plus, testers noted Vortex’s excellent warranty and accessible price, especially consideri

• Straight-barrel design
• Extremely tactile texturing on controls
• Distinctive gray/black/orange accents
• Twist-up eyecup
• Premium fluorite glass in objective lens
• Straight design easy to pack
• Slight edge distortion
• Shallow focal length

One of the shortcomings of compact spotters with angled eyepieces is that they don’t normally rotate. That means that you can’t change the orientation of the optic to your eye, a major hindrance if you’re glassing from a window mount or trying to share the optic with a partner on a sidehill. Happily, the straight-barrel Maven doesn’t have that problem. What you see, literally, is what you get with the design.

That’s only one plus of this handy, bright, and extremely packable spotter. The other, of course, is that the 11-inch tube slips easily in a backpack pocket, making it—along with Leupold’s Gold Ring—the most portable of the class. The glass is excellent, leading with premium fluorite glass in the objective lens and fully multi-coated lenses inside. The controls are positive without being overly resistant, meaning they turn with casual authority. And the looks, orange accents above the gray-and-black exterior, are head-turning.

The S.2 was introduced way back in 2019, but if it now is considered a legacy submission, it was years ahead of its time, since it now conforms easily to the new sub-compact category of spotters. In all, it’s a bright, capable optic that bridges the gap between binoculars and full-size spotters.

• Mechanical Performance: Poor
• Design: Fair
• 50mm objective lens
• Ultra-compact design
• 21.5 ounces, lightest in the test
• 11 inches long
• Extremely packable
• Distinctive shadow-gray color
• Useful without tripod
• Unstable tripod mount
• Power ring turns hard
• Right-side focus awkward for lefties

The test team badly wanted to love this scope. It descends from spotting-scope royalty, Leupold’s excellent Gold Ring and Mark 4 lines. But a couple of demerits knocked this ultra-compact version into the realm of good, but not great, spotters. The main problem we had was the wobbly connection to a tripod, a situation that left us unable to achieve precise spotting at any distance. The problem stems from a plastic-on-plastic interface between the scope’s body and the tripod adaptor. Once we shimmed the adapter and found imaginative ways to tighten the connection, the unit performed well enough to keep it in the test.

The glass is good, but not quite on par with the premium scopes in this year’s test, but the 50mm objective lens, much smaller than its 56mm peers, kept it toward the bottom of our low-light test. Other testers complained that the reverse porro-prism design—Leupold calls this its “Folded Light Path”—doesn’t point instinctively and was hard to get on target.

Those deficiencies out of the way, this is among the most packable scopes in the compact field. Weighing only 21 ounces and measuring only 11 inches, it goes everywhere. Plus, the design is intended to be used without a tripod, by wedging the scope in a tree branch or pack frame. That helps explain why the tripod mount isn’t a deal-breaker. The size, magnification range, and overall handling make this a good alternative to a 15-power binocular and a useful companion on a backcountry hunt.

How to Choose a Spotting Scope

Since even good budget spotters average over $1,000 and premium optics can cost up to $4,000, spotting scopes are among the most price-prohibitive pieces of outdoors gear. That means you want to be sure you’re buying the best scope for your use.

Full-size units start at 80mm objective lenses and can go up to 90 and even 95mm. That’s a lot of glass. Make sure you’re going to get the most out of it by investing in a stout tripod that will stabilize the scope. Second, really consider whether you need a full-size unit, or whether a 65mm or even a compact 56mm spotter is more your speed. For most of us who carry spotting scopes for miles over rough country, the smaller versions are preferable over the super-sized ones.

Next, consider whether you want an angled or a straight-body scope. I prefer angled scopes because of their versatility. I can easily deploy one on a steep hill, and by rotating the barrel, I can share the scope with a buddy sitting beside me without ever moving the scope.

Other considerations: center-barrel focus or fingertip focus close to the eyepiece. Also magnification range. Most full-size scopes have 20- to about 60-power magnification zoom ranges that cover most practical glassing purposes, but if you need more magnification, you’ll probably pay for it.

Look for spotters that have fully transferable lifetime warranties, good customer service, and solid reputations. After all, you’re going to be laying out a lot of cash for this spotter, and you want to make sure the company stands behind their product.

Final Thoughts on the Best Spotting Scopes

This was the first year we tested the best spotting scopes that have been on the market for a few years against new-for-’23 products, and we were both surprised and delighted to see the oldies pull their weight. That’s an indication that optics built with premium components and durable construction retain their value, and for buyers it means that you might find some very good deals on scopes that are being discontinued.

Testers were also interested in seeing how many spotters are relative clones of one another. We had three or four submissions that likely originated in the same factory, with only coatings and armor—and sometimes, a different grade of glass—differentiating them.

• New Launch: Vortex Razor HD 13-39×56

Best Spotting Scopes for Birding and Wildlife (2024)

Below we review the best spotting scopes for birding and wildlife viewing for 2024 by price range:

• Super-Budget (Under $200)
• Budget (Under $500)
• Semi-Budget ($500-$1,000)
• Mid-Priced ($1,000-$2,000)
• Best of the Best (over $2,000)

Don't Get a Spotting Spotting Scope for Less Than $100!

Just one thing before we proceed...

I plead with you not to buy a spotting scope for birding/wildlife viewing that is priced less than $100.

They will cause you eye strain and even worse, severe frustration.

Cheap scopes may be good for looking at an elephant 100 yards away or to see your 22 cal bullet holes in your paper target at the range, but they are not made for bird watching.

You're better off just looking through your binoculars than using such a scope.

One exception would be for someone who just wants to look at backyard birds from their deck and/or take photos of them and doesn't want to hold binoculars.

Straight or Angled?

Most of the scopes listed below come in both angled and straight models.

Its up to you and the kind of viewing you mostly do.

Click here for reviewing the pros and cons of Angled or Straight bird watching spotting scopes.

Also, most scope models are available in several different objective lens sizes. It all depends on your personal needs.

Click here to review objective lens sizes for bird watching spotting scopes.

Best Super-Budget Spotting Scope (Under $200)

Celestron 80mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope

The Celestron Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope is an refractor-style scope with an 80mm objective lens with built-in zoom from 20x-60x.

It comes in both straight and angled designs (see all listings below).

If you want an entry-level scope, this is a very good choice.

The only drawback is that the scope does not have the more expensive ED glass which helps prevent blue fringing at the higher magnification.

• Multi-coated optics
• Eyecup can be removed to attach a camera on standard T-Thread
• 45 degree angled eyepiece supports shorter tripod if needed
• Lightweight at 3.6 pounds
• Comes with padded carrying case that has access zippers on both ends of scope so you can use the scope without removing the case

The Celestron Ultima also has other options available such as a 65mm (cheaper) and 100mm (more expensive) objective lens and also comes in both angled and straight models for each of the sizes.

Celestron Ultima Objective Lens Size

The bigger the objective lens, the greater the light-gathering capacity of the scope, but it also increases the weight.

If you do a lot of low-light birding (i.e., at dawn and dusk, in cloudy locations, etc.) then you may want to get the 100mm size.

But for most conditions, the 80mm will be plenty. We wouldn't recommend getting the 65mm in this scope since this is a lower-end scope without premium optics.

Also, Celestron states "The Ultima 80 mm offers a step up in aperture from the 65 mm, offering 50% brighter images." 50% is quite significant and I think worth the extra cost.

You can review more about objective lens sizes here .

And again, if you're not sure if you want a straight or angled scope, read our quick tips here about choosing scope body design.

Celestron Ultima Review

--> View the Celestron Ultima Spotting Scope

Best Budget Spotting Scope (Under $500)

Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80 Spotting Scope

The Diamondback is an exceptional scope at this price point. It is Vortex's lowest-price model compared to the Viper HD and Razor HD spotting scopes.

The Vortex Diamondback line comes in both straight and angled models in both 60 mm and 80 mm objective lens sizes.

It is a full-sized scope in a compact design, weighing less than most spotting scopes in this size at only 33.8 oz and 47.1 oz for the 60 mm and 80 mm lenses, respectively.

We recommend the 80mm lens which will always give you that added brightness edge, especially valued in low-light conditions.

And not for nothing, we really love the view-through case that actually is easy to use and view-through because of its generous-fitting design.

• Full XR multicoated optics
• Dielectric prism coatings for improved brightness
• ArmorTek scratch-resistant coating
• O-ring sealed and nitrogen-purged - waterproof and fogproof

We also love Vortex's Warranty:

~Vortex VIP Warranty~ Lifetime. Unlimited. Unconditional. Vortex will repair or replace the product in the event it becomes damaged or defective. Absolutely free—no matter the cause!

--> View Vortex Diamondback HD Spotting Scope

Another excellent choice under $500:

Vanguard Endeavor HD 20-60x65mm Spotting Scope

The Vanguard Endeavor HD Spotting Scope is an amazing bird watching scope for its size and price in the under $500 price range.

Birders have been impressed with this one and love that it's light and compact for on-the-go birding adventures.

Features include:

• ED Extra-Low dispersion glass virtually eliminates color fringing
• Fully multi-coated optical system with improved coatings gives high light transmission rate
• Rubber armored magnesium housing for lightweight and durability
• Retractable sunshade with peep sight
• Eyepiece and deluxe scope coat included
• Fully waterproof (submersible) and fog proof - nitrogen filled body & eyepiece
• Phase coated Bak4 prisms for high resolution
• Detachable eyepiece with 20-60x zoom with retractable eyecup and up to 20mm of eye relief
• Available digiscoping adapter allows use of the scope as a super telephoto lens

65mm or 82mm Objective Lens?

The Vanguard Endeavor comes in both 65mm and 82mm sizes.

Unless you plan to do a lot of digiscoping or will often be in low-light conditions, we think the 65mm objective lens is suitable for most birding situations, especially with the ED and multi-coated glass.

This smaller lens and resulting lighter weight will also be appreciated by those who plan to carry it a lot.

--> View the Vanguard Endeavor HD Scope

Best Semi-Budget Spotting Scope ($500-$1,000)

Celestron Regal M2 20-60x80ED Spotting Scope

If you can afford a $500+ scope, the Celestron Regal M2 80ED Spotting Scope is well worth the investment with ED glass, XLT multi-coated optics, and a magnesium alloy lightweight, yet very durable body.

• Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass minimizes chromatic aberration, increases resolution and contrast, and provides color fidelity
• Proprietary XLT (Fully Mulit-Coated) lens coatings maximize light transmission for bright, sharp images
• Magnesium allow body - lightweight yet strong - decreases overall weight by 14% compared to previous model
• Fully waterproof and nitrogen purged to prevent fogging
• Upgraded dual focus mechanism - can focus on objects 2x faster
• T-Ring and T-Adapter for attaching your camera for digiscoping

Celestron Regal M2 80ED Spotting Scope Overview

--> View the Celestron Regal MD 80ED Spotting Scope

Best Mid-Priced Spotting Scope ($1,000-$2,000)

Vortex 20-60x85 Razor HD Spotting Scope

The Vortex 20-60x85 Razor HD Angled Spotting Scope is a high-quality bird watching spotting scope and an excellent value at that in this price range.

• Premium Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass for exceptional viewing in low light conditions.
• Ultra-hard coated Armor Tek protects exterior lenses from scratches, oil and dirt
• Dielectric prism coatings provide the clearest, brightest, most color-accurate images
• Proprietary XR anti-reflective coatings increase light transmissions for maximum brightness
• Triplet apochromatic lens reduces chromatic aberration.
• Porro prism offers maximum image quality and performance
• Waterproof O-ring sealed optics keeps out dust and debris
• Fogproof - argon gas purged

--> View the Vortex Razor HD Scope

Best of the Best Spotting Scope (over $2,000)

Kowa TSN-99A PROMINAR Pure Fluorite Spotting Scope with TE-11WZ II 25-60x Wide Angle Zoom Eyepiece

The Kowa TSN-99A Prominar Series is one of the best bird watching spotting scopes money can buy.

The TSN-99A is the angled body model, TSN-99S is the straight body model.

Crystal clear clarity from Kowa's unique Prominar pure fluorite crystal lenses is just the beginning.

• The combination of the ultra-low dispersion pure fluorite crystal paired with a concave lens provides stunningly bright razor sharp images, minimizing chromatic aberrations (color fringing), image fuzziness and extended twilight and low light performance
• Dual Focus: Quick & Fine focusing. Quick will focus from infinity to five meters in 2 revolutions. Fine is smooth with pinpoint accuracy for high magnification adjustments and for digiscoping
• Lightweight, compact design - the highly achromatized objective lens makes the scope as compact  a 60mm scope without sacrificing performance
• Waterproof to JIS 7 protection class 7 (protects against effects of temporary immersion in water - aka, "Oops!" protection) and nitrogen purged to prevent fogging
• 3 eyepieces available : TE-11WZ (25-60x, wide zoom), TE-17W (30x, wide) TE-20H (25x, LER - long eye relief). There is an eyepiece locking mechanism to prevent accidental release. Note that the TE-11WZ has replaced the older TE-10Z (20-60x, zoom) model.

Kowa TSN-99 Prominar Spotting Scopes Overview

Digiscoping with the Kowa TSN-99 Prominar Spotting Scope

Even an iPhone delivers stunning footage and photographs through the Kowa-TSN 99 with the TE-80XW extreme wide 40x eyepiece.

The Kowa TSN-DA10 Micro Four Thirds Digiscoping System

The Kowa TSN-DA10 digiscoping adapter is made for Micro Four Thirds camera system bodies and Micro Four Third compact lenses up to 25mm focal length (full size) (50mm MFT equivalent) and can be combined with the Kowa TE-11WZ eyepiece.

• Set-up is simple (takes less than a minute) and you can easily switch between landscape and portrait positioning as well as quickly slide the adapter off for normal observation.
• The DA10 fits lenses with a 43mm filter thread. If your lens has a different size filter – simply add one of our adapter rings - AR28/30/30.5/37/43/46/52/55/58/62/72mm between your lens and the DA10.
• All camera functions remain including camera lens auto-focus and focus peaking.

Kowa TSN-99 Prominar Series Cost: $$$....

Seeing your life-bird as a crystal-clear, razor-sharp image, even in low light... Priceless!

--> View the Kowa-TSN-99 Prominar Spotting Scope

We hope that one of the best spotting scopes for birding (as well as for other outdoor wildlife viewing) in the 5 price ranges - Super-Budget, Budget, Semi-Budget, Mid-Priced and Best of the Best - suits your needs.

We also listed the Nikon Prostaff 5 Proscope 20-60x82 in the Semi-Budget range as a good second choice in that category. We have found that Amazon typically has the best prices, including shipping which is usually free.

Our overall advice: Buy the best spotting scope you can afford.

***NOTE: The Alpen Scopes are no longer available due to the company going out of business.***

→ Our new pick in this price range is the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80 Spotting Scope as noted above.

Or jump to the Semi-Budget Spotting Scope category .

Bird Watching Spotting Scopes FAQs

Is an angled or straight spotting scope better.

It depends how you will primarily be using your spotting scope.

If you will be using your scope to spot things above the horizon, then looking into an angled cope will be more accomodating.

It's also easier for groups of people of varying heights to use an angled scope.

However, a straight spotting scope can be easier to spot and follow moving objects and to use from an elevated position or when mounted on a car window. Angled vs straight spotting scopes.

What do Spotting Scope Numbers Mean?

A 20-60x80 spotting scope has a magnification range between 20-60 with a 80mm objective lens.

Larger spotting scope objective lenses provide more light, but will be heavier and more expensive.

In the next section below, we discuss these features in detail.

How Do I Choose a Spotting Scope?

In deciding how to choose a spotting scope, you should consider magnification, objective lens and exit pupil size, eyepieces, FOV, optical and body design, eye relief, focus mechanism, close focus distance, glass/prism quality, and weatherproofness.

Are Spotting Scopes Better than Binoculars?

No, they serve different functions.

Simply, if you want to see details on birds or other wildlife or any types of objects from a long distance, especially in low-light conditions, a spotting scope will give you an advantage over binoculars, unless you use high-powered binoculars that are either image-stabilized or with a tripod to help provide a steady image.

How do I choose a spotting scope for birding and other wildlife viewing?

Get a bird watching spotting scope that has at least an objective lens size of 60mm which will allow enough light to enter the scope, especially during low-light conditions.

If you want to take photos through your scope ( Digiscoping ), you may want a bigger ojective lense (85mm and up).

Most birders like a variable zoom lens (i.e., 20-60) vs a fixed magnification.

Best travel scope for birding?

If you are looking to get a more compact spotting scope for birding while traveling, the Celestron Hummingbird 9-27x56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope is a good choice weighing only 1.43 pounds and small enough to be carried in a coat pocket.

How to Choose a Spotting Scope

What are the best spotting scopes for birding and wildlife viewing?

Scopes can range in price from $200 to $2,000. So what's the difference between a cheap scope and an expensive one?

Let's start with the basics and then define and compare the different features of spotting scopes to help you decide on a purchase.

To help you with your purchase, we will discuss the following spotting scope features:

Magnification

• Objective lens size
• Exit pupil size
• Field of view
• Optical design
• Body design
• Focus mechanism
• Close focus
• Weatherproofness and
• Glass/prism quality

What is a spotting scope?

A spotting scope is a terrestrial telescope, compact and portable, designed for observing objects on or near the earth (as opposed to astronomy viewing).

Spotting scopes are essentially telescopes designed for birding or other nature observation.

How is a spotting scope different than an astronomy telescope?

A spotting scope typically has lower magnification, a wider field of view, is easily portable, field-durable and its prism provides a correctly oriented image.

It's hard enough to ID right-side up birds. And a mirror image will just mess with your mind.

Try following a bird that looks like its moving right, when in reality it's moving left.

Astronomy telescopes are typically designed with a longer focal length for higher magnifications, but smaller fields of view.

In birding, we don't need astronomy-level magnification (100x+).

We like to see the details on the bird, but don't need to see every hamuli of a feather.

And the wider field of view on spotting scopes is definitely an advantage for "spotting" the bird in the first place.

Conclusions: A good astronomy telescope won't be good for bird watching and a birding scope won't be good for astronomy.

You can certainly use your spotting scope to look at the night sky (good for Moon and stars), but if you really want to see spectacular details, then get an astronomy telescope. If you're getting a telescope primarily for birding, get a spotting scope.

Why get a spotting scope? What are the advantages over binoculars?

Spotting scopes are for long-distance bird watching. They provide the magnification necessary to see distant birds and to admire details at closer ranges. They provide the means to identify birds beyond the reach of your binoculars.

Under low light conditions, scopes will give you a brighter, clearer image and the magnification needed to see more details.

All birding scopes will have a mounting plate to attach a tripod for stabilization at these higher magnifications.

There are times when your 7x-10x binoculars cannot get you close enough to see what you want.

Or in open spaces, when trying to get close enough with binoculars will scare them away. With a spotting scope, you can admire birds from a distance.

Personally, we use spotting scopes often during the field season to make observations of nesting Golden Eagles and Prairie Falcons.

Many times we don't even get out of the vehicle, but rather use a window mount to observe. We simply would not be able to observe certain adult and chick behaviors without a scope.

It's also nice to have a spotting scope when birding in groups so that everyone can get a closer look. It's a great way to share bird watching with beginners, especially young birders.

You can also record images and video with a spotting scope with either a regular telephoto 35mm camera, digital camera and/or video camera (see digiscoping ).

Spotting Scope Features to Consider Before Purchasing

Below 15x, you might as well use your binoculars.

Above 60x, the field of view becomes too narrow and image brightness begins to dim, especially a problem in low light conditions.

Most often, 20-40x gives both the best field of view and image brightness for bird watching.

A point to remember: The higher the magnification, the larger the objective lens is needed to maintain image quality.

Additionally, any distortions (heat waves) or scope movement (tripod tremors) will be intensified at higher magnifications.

If you do want more magnification, remember that the quality of the lenses and prisms (which affects transmittance) become increasingly important.

Low quality lenses and prisms will produce low quality images, especially above 45x.

The highest useful magnification of your scope depends on the quality of the lenses and prisms, the objective lens size (discussed below), and outside conditions (low or bright light, haze, heat waves, etc.)

Objective Lens (Aperture)

More light = more clarity and detail which = a brighter, clearer image.

Aperture is defined as the diameter of the objective lens, usually measured in millimeters.

Bird watching objective lenses normally range between 50-80mm.

In general, a larger objective lens equals more weight and more $$.

When deciding on the objective size for your scope, get the largest objective you're willing to pay for, but also willing to carry.

If you're willing to carry a little extra weight, an 80mm objective lens will give you good images in nearly all light conditions, especially at higher magnifications. This is up to you.

Think about where and when you will be doing most of your birding.

If you live in Seattle (many cloudy days), go for the bigger objective lens.

If you live in a dry, sunny location, i.e. Arizona desert, and do most of your birding during the day (not dusk or dawn) and you want to carry something lighter, perhaps you could consider going a little smaller.

Along with objective lens size, the exit pupil is the best measure of image brightness.

The exit pupil is the diameter of light in millimeters visible through the eyepiece.

To calculate the exit pupil divide the objective lens size by magnification.

So the higher the magnification, the larger the objective lens needed to maintain image brightness.

As a general rule of thumb, try to get a scope where the exit pupil is 1.33mm or more.

Because in conditions besides optimal (bright, calm), an exit pupil below this will be insufficient, especially at higher magnifications.

So if you had a scope with a 20-60x zoom eyepiece, an 80mm objective lens would be suitable for all magnification ranges.

80mm (obj. lens size)/60 (highest magnification)= 1.33mm (exit pupil size).

However, a 50mm objective lens at 60x would give you an exit pupil of .83 mm (50/60=.83). Not as good, especially in lower light conditions.

Eyepieces sometimes are included with you scope but more often are sold separately.

Most scopes have interchangeable eyepieces, specific to manufacturer and line, allowing you to choose one or more that fits your preferences.

You can get either interchangeable fixed or single zoom (variable) eyepieces for your scope.

There are some spotting scopes, usually zooms or waterproof scopes, which have eyepieces that are non-interchangeable.

Zoom eyepieces have a range of magnification levels from low to high, usually 15-45x or 20-60x.

Birders find these very useful because they can scan at the lower magnification (wider field of view) to find the bird, then use the higher magnification to see details.

If most of your birding is done in wide open spaces, i.e. ocean seabird watching, hawk mountain ridges, then you may want to get a fixed wide-angle eyepiece which provides a wider field of view.

Or one with long eye relief (usually 25 or 27x) for those who wear eyeglasses. Or an eyepiece just for digiscoping .

Just remember to get a scope with an objective lens size that will be able to provide you with good images at all magnification ranges (review objective lens size and exit pupil size ).

The quality of the eyepiece glass and design affects image quality as well. So selecting an eyepiece is just as important as selecting the scope body.

Note that manufacturers may have eyepieces that can only be used on one design line while other may be used on multiple lines.

You may want to consider this and see what eyepieces can be used on your scope if you plan on getting more than one.

Field of View

The linear field of view (FOV) is measured as the width of area visible at 1,000 yards (or meters) from the observer.

It can also be expressed in degrees as the angular field of view. Normally as magnification increases, field of view decreases.

In general, a wide field of view is better for following fast-moving objects or for scanning and finding birds in the scope.

As discussed earlier in the eyepieces section, if most of your birding is done in wide open spaces, i.e. ocean seabird watching, hawk mountain ridges, then you may want to get a fixed wide-angle eyepiece that will provide you with a wider FOV.

You will notice that when comparing a 20x fixed eyepiece with a 20-60x eyepiece that the fixed 20x will have a wider field of view than the zoom at 20x. Just a matter of design.

Optical Design

The 2 basic optical designs of scopes are refractive and catadioptric.

Nearly all birding spotting scopes are refractive.

The reason being that even though catadioptric scopes provide clearer images at higher magnification (of same weight of refractor), they cost significantly more than refractive scopes and are not as strong and durable for field use as refractive scopes.

If you want that extra bit of edge for better images, have the cash, and think your scope won't get bumped around too much, then go for the catadioptric.

Otherwise, a refractive scope is what you want.

But remember, catadioptric scopes may have images that are vertically correct, but reverse the image left and right.

How To Choose A Spotting Scope for Birding

Here is our continuing discussion of bird watching spotting scope features and how to choose a scope.

Spotting Scopes Part I above discusses magnification, objective lens, exit pupil, eyepieces, field of view and optical design.

In Spotting Scopes Part II we will discusses body design, eye relief, focus mechanism, close focus, weather proofing, and glass composition to help you choose a spotting scope.

Spotting Scope Body Design : Straight or Angled?

Straight scopes have the barrel and eyepiece aligned with each other, angled scopes have the eyepiece offset 45 or 90 degrees from the barrel.

There are pros and cons for both.

Personally, we like the straight design.

It's easier to follow birds that are moving and because we often use our spotting scope from inside the car with a window mount, a straight scope is not a problem.

Many people fine the straight line of sight is easier for accurate aiming.

A straight design is also easier to use from an elevated position.

For example, viewing your backyard birds from a second-story deck.

On the other hand, if you are tall or do a lot of birding with groups, or most of your viewing is above the horizon (looking at cliffs, viewing soaring raptors, birds on tree-tops) than perhaps an angled design would be a better choice.

It all depends how you want to use your spotting scope.

An angled scope can be shared easier than a straight scope because more people of different heights can comfortable look into the scope without adjusting the height.

Think about how you will most often be using your spotting scope. This will help you decide which design best suits your needs.

Spotting Scope Focus Mechanism

There are 3 basic focusing mechanism designs: single knob, double knob, and helical.

If you can, try different mechanisms and see which one works best for you.

If you can't, then choose a knob focuser which is generally preferred for bird watching and nature viewing.

Spotting Scope Glass Composition/Coatings

Color aberration is sometimes noticeable with refractor scopes.

Also light transmission can be increased by reducing reflections.

This can be mostly eliminated with the right kind of glass and coatings.

Look for scopes with ED (extra-low dispersion) FL (Fluorite) HD (High Density) and/or APO (apochromatic) glass.

These elements will provide you with an image of higher clarity, detail, and sharpness which in turn will reduce eyestrain.

Of coarse scopes with these extras add extra cost.

Another factor to weigh, but you'll be paying the cost in frustration when you can't see those details on that special bird on an overcast (low-light) day.

Spend the extra money on your spotting scope, save by making coffee at home, renting movies, skip the fast-food, make your own x-mas or birthday presents.

Not eating french-fries for a month may buy you the feathered look of a lifetime!

Weather Proofing/Protection

You never know when that rain cloud will just pop-up out of nowhere.

Look for scopes with waterproof and fogproof (nitrogen/dry gas filled) designations.

Rubber armoring is also a nice addition.

It provides protection against abrasive materials, corrosion and helps cushion the scope against unexpected impacts (oops!).

It also makes it more easier and comfortable to handle in cold, wet weather.

Spotting Scope Eye Relief

Eye relief is an important feature on for eyeglass wearers.

It is the distance in millimeters between the eyepiece of the spotting scope and your eye that still allows you to see a complete field of view image in focus.

As an eyeglass wearer your eye is further away from the spotting scope eyepiece, which means a longer eye relief is needed in order to see the entire field of view.

For most eyeglass wearers, an eye relief between 12-15mm will be adequate.

Without adequate eye relief, you won't get a complete field of view and find you'll need to remove your glasses in order to see the image properly.

So long eye relief promises full field viewing with eyeglasses.

As mentioned previously in the eyepiece section, there are eyepieces specifically made with long eye relief.

You may also want to select eyepieces that have folding or rollback eyecups so you can get your eyes closer.

Spotting Scope Close Focus

Close or near focus is the distance between the scope and the nearest object you can focus on, while maintaining a good image and sharp focus.

In general, as magnification increases, the minimum close focal distance also increases. So scopes will typically have longer close focus ranges than binoculars.

For bird watching, a short close focus is beneficial for seeing details of a bird that has landed up-close to your scope.

It is also better for taking photographs (see digiscoping ). So if this is important to you, selecting a scope with a close distance of 15ft or less would be optimal.

Summary: Get a lightweight, strong & sturdy scope.

If it's not lightweight, it will be uncomfortable to carry around.

And if it's not well built with strong housing, the first time it gets bumped when you're frantically grabbing it from your back seat to see that lifetime peep (a.k.a sandpiper), you may be very disappointed when the focus doesn't focus.

You get what you pay for - so don't go cheap. Cheeps are for the birds.

So as with anything else, weigh the cost against the benefits, and get the best spotting cope you can afford.

If you can't afford a Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss (top-end, most expensive manufacturers) then look at others such as Kowa, Nikon or Pentax which can have just as good designs, but be significantly lower priced.

And don't forget to leave money in your budget for a sturdy tripod to support your scope, otherwise it's like putting a Mercedes on golf cart tires.

Spotting Scope Basics

Hope you've enjoyed this review of spotting scope basics and we wish you the best in finding that perfect scope.

Digiscoping - Photography with spotting scopes

How to Choose Bird Watching Binoculars

Bird Watching Binoculars 101

Best Binoculars for Bird Watching

Types of Binoculars

High Power Binoculars - sometimes can be used as an alternative to spotting scopes if used with a tripod or monopod.

Jason Binoculars - Auto Focusing Binoculars

Best Zoom Binoculars

Best Mini Binoculars

Infrared Binoculars

Best Marine Binoculars

Cornell's Review of Birding Spotting Scopes

Birding Optics

• Binoculars 101
• Best Binoculars
• Monarch Binoculars
• Best Spotting Scopes
• Compact Binoculars
• Kids Binoculars

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Birding Tips

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The 10 Best Spotting Scopes for Birding 2024

When binoculars just won’t cut it, what you need is one of the best spotting scopes for birding. In this article, we look at the top spotting scopes on the market for those who enjoy birdwatching. Our spotting scope reviews will look at the top-quality spotting scopes on the market for different budgets and lifestyles. So, strap in and come find out which scope is the best for you in 2024.

As we get into the meat of this article, we’ll give you additional detail about the different types of scopes, information about point of view, and offer help with magnification options. However, all of our recommendations are based on quality, value for the money, and how well received each of these scopes has been in the birdwatching community.

Here are the best spotting scopes for birding 2024:

• Kowa TSN-883
• Swarovski Optik ATS 80 HD
• Athlon Optics Ares UHD 20-60×85
• Celestron Ultima 80
• Roxant Blackbird
• Vortex Diamondback 20-60×80
• Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A
• Celestron Regal M2 80ED
• Vortex Razor HD 20-60×85
• Gosky 20-60×80 Porro Prism

1. Kowa TSN-883

This spotting scope for birdwatching is made of lightweight, strong materials and offers a high-performance 88mm spotting scope. It is filled with dry nitrogen gas to prevent lens fogging and offers JIS class 7 waterproof protection. The concave lens of ultra-low dispersion pure fluorite crystal ensures sharp images without image fuzziness or color fringing.

• Features a dual focus mechanism for both fine and quick focus.
• The manufacturer offers a lifetime product warranty.
• Offers a rugged construction with high-end specifications.
• Price for the birdwatching scope may be too high for some.

Our verdict is that this scope is the best you can get on the market today. The fact that it has dual focus and comes with three eyepieces sets it above all other scopes you could purchase. It is the best scope you can buy.

2. Swarovski Optik ATS 80 HD

Secondary pick for best birdwatching scope overall

This spotting scope is one of the pricier options on the market, but there’s a good reason for that. It offers a high-definition aluminum spotting scope with an 80mm objective lens diameter. Even in low light and at high magnifications, you can expect to enjoy excellent light transmission. The scope includes 20x to 60x eyepieces with eyecups that can easily be twisted in.

• Features a high-quality multi-coated lens.
• Is waterproof, fog proof, and shock-resistant.
• Offers a lightweight aluminum housing with an armored rubber casing.
• Might be a bit too expensive for most of the birdwatchers out there.

Our verdict is that if you have extra money to burn, you couldn’t do much better than choosing this scope. It has all the extras you want when you need the best possible optics in the field.

3. Athlon Optics Ares UHD 20-60×85

Designed to offer a weatherproof design and bright images, the Ares UHD 20-60×85 is ideal for any conditions. It offers extra-low dispersion glass, advanced fully multi-coatings, and BaK4 prisms. The chassis of the spotting scope is waterproof and filled with argon gas to create better thermal stability and prevent fogging. It also comes in three sizes, so users can select the one that works best for them.

• Offers fully multi-coated lenses for the top color and brightness.
• Resistant to oil and dirt and stands up to adverse weather conditions.
• Features ED glass for a sharp and clear image.
• The eyepiece may not fit everyone well and may cause trouble focusing.

When a bird watcher wants something that can handle it all, the Athlon Ares is an excellent choice. Our verdict is that this scope brings high-quality at a reasonable price compared to others on the market. It has a rugged design and exceptional color contrast.

4. Celestron Ultima 80

The best entry-level scope

This birding scope is one of the most recommended for those on a budget. It offers a refractor style scope with an 80mm lens and a zoom from 20x to 60x. For an entry-level scope, this is a choice you won’t regret. It comes in both angled and straight designs. The biggest drawback is that this budget option doesn’t come with an expensive glass to prevent blue fringing at a high magnification level.

• Super lightweight at only 3.6 pounds.
• Waterproof and includes multi-coated optics.
• Includes padded carrying case that doesn’t have to be removed for use.
• Can be blurred or grainy when birdwatching at far distances.

The verdict for this scope is that it does the job well for any beginner. However, it may not have all the bells and whistles for an experienced bird watcher.

5. Roxant Blackbird

Runner-up for best beginner’s birdwatching scope

Those who want a value-priced beginner’s bird scope are going to appreciate this option. It comes with the scope, tripod, lens cap, and a carrying case, so everything you need is available right away. The optics used Bak4 prism and are multi-coated for brightness and light transmission in all applications. On top of that, the spotting scope offers a lifetime replacement guarantee.

• Rubber armor construction is rugged and non-slip.
• Comes with additional accessories to start started fast.
• Offers high definition military-grade optics for the best viewing.
• Field of view might not be as good as more expensive models.

The verdict we’ve come to is that this is an excellent little scope, especially for someone on a budget. The birdwatching scope is easy to use and can be used with or without glasses.

6. Vortex Diamondback 20-60×80

The best value birding scope

Those who may want something more impressive than the beginner’s scope but don’t want to pay too much can enjoy the Diamondback Scope. The scope comes in angled and straight models with 60 and 80mm lens sizes. Some of the features included are scratch-resistant coating, multi-coated optics, and prism coatings for brightness.

• Nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed to prevent fog and avoid water.
• Dielectric prism coatings offer top brightness.
• Features ArmorTek coating for scratch resistance.
• May not offer the subtle detail some desire.

The verdict for this spotting scope is that it makes a good option for those on a budget who don’t mind not having every feature of a scope that is twice as expensive. It is an easy to use and convenient scope with a simple to use focus wheel and powerful zoom eyepiece.

7. Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A

Runner-up for best value birdwatching scope

For those who want to pay less than $500 but get an excellent birdwatching scope, this is an excellent choice. The scope offers a detachable eyepiece with 20x to 60x zoom with up to 20mm of eye relief. The dispersion glass used helps prevent color fringing while the multi-coated optical system provides a high light transmission rate. A digiscoping adapter is also available.

• Offers high resolution through phase-coated Bak4 prisms.
• Comes with a deluxe scope coat and eyepiece.
• Lightweight and durable with rubber armored magnesium housing.
• May be hard to focus and offers mediocre optics compared to others.

The verdict on this spotting scope is that it offers excellent value for those on a budget. It has a lot of top features that you might expect from more expensive versions.

8. Celestron Regal M2 80ED

Best mid-range birdwatching scope

Anyone looking for a birdwatching scope that has a few extra features will appreciate this birding scope. It offers an ED objective lens that offers accurate colors, high resolution and contrast, and minimizes chromatic aberration. It comes with a tripod mount that rotates for the best orientation of the eyepiece. The dual focus mechanism lets you focus on birds 2x quicker while the extra-low dispersion gives you the best resolution and contrast when birdwatching.

• Features a magnesium alloy body that is strong but lightweight.
• Proprietary XLT lens coating provides sharp, bright images.
• Comes with a T-adapter and T-ring for digiscoping purposes.
• Many experience the scope being heavy on the back end.

Our verdict here is that for a mid-range birdwatching scope, you can’t do much better. The new magnesium alloy body is also 14% less bulky when compared to the previous version.

9. Vortex Razor HD 20-60×85

Runner-up for best mid-range birding scope

This angled spotting scope offers high-quality components for the best bird watching possible. It’s also excellent value for a scope in this price range. The spotter is fog-proof due to being argon gas purged and includes O-ring sealed optics to make the scope waterproof and keep out debris and dust. It offers ArmorTek hard coating lenses for protection.

• Reduces chromatic aberration using an apochromatic triplet lens.
• Offers color accurate, bright, clear images through dielectric prism coatings.
• Porro prism provides the best possible image quality and performance.
• Loose-fitting knobs can create image movement.

Our verdict is that this scope is one of the best for the money. It comes with a scope, eyepiece cap, lens cover, and carrying case. The scope is decently priced, simple to use, and offers a bright and clear view.

10. Gosky 20-60×80 Porro Prism

Top-rated waterproof birding scope

Those who are looking for a best-selling waterproof birdwatching scope will enjoy this one, which offers a multi-coated 80mm green film objective lends. The magnification can range from 20x to 60x, and there is a dynamic focusing system, so you can easily zoom in on a bird. The waterproof design keeps things sealed up to prevent moisture from getting inside of the scope.

• Features a dynamic lens focusing system and variable magnification.
• Offers rubber armor and a durable framework to withstand any weather.
• Comes with both a digiscoping adapter and a metal tablet tripod.
• Image may not be as crisp as expected and distance can be lacking.

The verdict for this top-rated birding scope is that it fits the bill for anyone who wants a waterproof option to take out in any conditions. It’s easy to set up and use even for a beginner.

Guide to Buying a Birdwatching Spotting Scope

Having visual aids can help you easier see birds from farther away. Anyone who has a love for birds is likely going to get a pair of binoculars pretty quickly. For those who just want to look at birds in a backyard or park, that may be all that you need. However, those who want to see waterfowl out across a lake, watch harks perched in precarious positions, or want to look at shorebirds on a mudflat are going to need more than binoculars.

A spotting scope can make it much simpler to enjoy and identify the birds around you. Not only will it allow you to identify birds easily, but it will also give you insight into details you otherwise would never see.

1. Understanding Scope Numbers

One of the numbers you will see on binoculars is something like “5x,” which explains the level of magnification. With a spotting scope, this isn’t always the case since magnification is related to the eyepiece you use. Most of the time, the major number you are going to see is the diameter of the front lens in millimeter form. Popular birding scopes on the market often have lenses of around 50 to 80mm. The larger the lens, the more light comes in. However, larger lenses also weight more and can be bulky.

2. Fixed vs. Zoom Eyepieces

In some cases, a scope comes with an eyepiece that is attached permanently, while others have eyepieces that are detachable to give you additional choices. If you choose to purchase a fixed eyepiece, you also shouldn’t assume that the higher magnifications are automatically better. In most cases, those looking for birds will find a 20x or 30x eyepiece is effective. Vibrations and heat shimmer can obscure the view when using higher magnifications.

A zoom eyepiece might be the best choice you can make. Some of the most popular include 20x to 40x, 20x to 60x, and 25x to 50x. The lowest power can be used to find and center on a bird before you zoom in to study it more closely.

3. Quality of Glass

The glass quality of a scope is very important since it determines the image quality that you get. You want to look at the manufacturer specifications to make sure you are getting an excellent lens for the price you pay. Any good lens on the market is going to be coated, and most of them are fully multi-coated, which is considered the highest standard for birdwatching scopes.

With typical ordinary glass, a certain amount of light is going to pass through it. With the newest lens coatings, light transmission is improved. That means more light gets through, and your image is going to be brighter.

A lens of low-quality is more likely to create chromatic aberrations. This means you might get a fringe of color around and object based on lens dispersion. What happens is that colors of various wavelengths pass through the glass in an unequal manner and focus on different points. The best optics use ED glass to prevent this, also called “extra-low dispersion.” When all of the colors are focused at the same point, this makes the image much sharper.

The problem is that not every optics maker is going to use the exact same terminology, so choosing glass can be challenging. For instance, some manufacturers call their low-dispersion lenses HD, while others call them APO or XD. You want to do a bit of research to determine what the brand uses as their term or speak with an optics dealer who can give you more information about the type of lenses that are used.

While a good quality lens is going to increase the price of a scope, the investment is worth it. If you are looking at the difference between a higher power or a higher quality lens, you should always go with the better lens since it will create the clearest and sharpest images for the best experience.

4. Angled or Straight Scope Models

Many of the most popular scope models out there are going to be available in two different configurations: either angled or straight. For those who bird alone and who have a tall and sturdy tripod, a straight scope model might be the best choice. The tripod can place the scope at eye level, and long periods of scanning will be a breeze.

If you are someone who prefers to go birding with other people, an angled scope is the best option for sharing. The height can be set for the shortest person in a group, and taller individuals will just have to lean over a bit more. This type of eyepiece is also useful when looking at birds overhead.

5. Focusing and Close Focusing

In most cases, you turn a knob or ring on the barrel of the scope to focus it and create a sharper picture. There are some models with two-step focusing, which means one knob is used to shift from close-up to far away, and the other makes smaller adjustments to fine-tune the experience. It really depends on the person, whether a single or double knob is preferred.

While it might seem strange, the ability to focus on close up items can be crucial. You aren’t always going to be looking out at birds that are specks far away; sometimes, you might be looking for extra details on a bird nearby. A lot of the manufacturers now make it clear what the minimum focusing distance is in the specifications. You are likely going to want a scope that can focus at 20 feet or even closer.

6. Compact Versus Full-Size Models

You also want to be aware that spotting scopes come in many lengths and weights. A high-powered model can let you see farther, but that means more bulk and weight. Many find that compact versions of spotting scopes do the job just as well as a full-size model, and you don’t have to lug around as much weight from your home or car to your favorite birdwatching location.

7. Lens Caps and Cases

Most of the telescopes you’ll see come with a lens cap, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dig a bit deeper. The best lens caps are going to attach firmly and feel solid in your hand. What can be an issue is not losing these while you are outside looking at birds. One of the systems birders use is to put the lens cap in a pocket while it is not in use and then immediately putting it back on the scope when the session is over.

There are also many manufacturers out there who offer a heavy canvas cover to be used on the scope when it is not out and being used. In some cases, these cases can even be left on the scope while you are actually using it. The ends just open up, so you can continue use. This type of case can be useful since it protects the scope from random accidents or blowing dust in the wind.

8. Remember to Factor in a Tripod

When you are spending time considering your budget for a birdwatching scope, you want to remember that part of that cash should go into a high-quality tripod. While you don’t need a tripod quite as solid as one you would use for photography, you still want to be sure that the tripod you choose stays steady even when it’s windy outside. You also want to look at how far the tripod will extend to be sure that it’s at a comfortable height when you’re going to spend a long session watching birds.

Putting It All Together

Now that you know what the best spotting scopes through our birding scope reviews and how you are aware of how to look for the right one for you, you should be ready to go. You can go through your options and choose something that fits your specific needs. Before you know it, you will be ready to start homing in on all those birds you love and learning much more about them.

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Further reading

Eagles in Michigan (With Pictures)

10 Common UK Birds (With Pictures)

Chickadees in Florida (With Pictures)

Best Spotting Scope on a Budget: 5 Great Scopes For Wildlife Enthusiasts

Alex Gillard

Since 2015 I have been a freelance writer and wildlife photographer, working out of some of the planet’s most spectacular wildlife and nature travel destinations–from the Amazon to Raja Ampat–diving, snorkelling, fieldherping, birding and photographing my way around the world.

• This article contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you purchase something after clicking on them.
• Check out our review guidelines .

A spotting scope is somewhere between a monocular and a telescope, and while they can be quite expensive pieces of gear, it is possible to find quality brand-name scopes (Bushnell, Celestron, Redfield etc.) at a reasonable price. 

Why a spotting scope from a reputable optics brand is a worthwhile investment

Binoculars are great for close-up wildlife spotting, and they are good at giving you an idea of what lies in the distance, but a spotting scope really does make a big difference in your wildlife observation travel experience.  

For that reason, I’ve put together some options to help you choose the best spotting scope on a budget. 

If you would like to start reading a comprehensive breakdown of each scope, click here .

They are the ideal piece of optics for observing wildlife from a fixed position. Go to any birdwatching lodge in the Americas or game reserve in Africa, and you are pretty much guaranteed to see at least one person using a spotting scope. 

I’ve used spotting scopes to watch whales off the west coast of Vancouver Island in Canada, in front of watering holes in the Orinoco, waiting for jaguars and capybaras to come and have a drink, and while bird watching in the Colombian Amazon. 

The clarity and magnification you get from a spotting scope are second to none, and even budget-friendly spotting scopes are going to greatly improve your wildlife viewing experience.

The Winner of The Best Spotting Scope on a Budget Overall: Celestron – Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope

Celestron is a renowned maker of optics, and the Ultimate 18-55×65 is my top choice for best spotting scope on a budget because you get full multi coated optics, which means less glare, better colour contrast and an all-around sharper image when you’re viewing wildlife (or anything else), great magnification , top-notch prism material and I like a bit heftier scope, and this one weighs in at 2.31 lbs.

Want a list of 150 of the most unique nature and wildlife travel experiences?

If you are looking for the best spotting scope on a budget, in this case, one of the best spotting scopes under 200, the Celestron Ultima is a frontrunner for sure. 

The power-image clarity-cost dynamic and the quality craftsmanship make this my top spotting scope on budget. 

Keep in mind that, because this is an entry-level scope, you are not going to be getting stunning clarity at full zoom, the way you would if you were to pay triple the price for something (from Celestron or otherwise).

Other Great Options

While the Celestron – Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope is the clear winner, there are still several other great pieces of gear from respected optics manufacturers on the market that might be ideal for your needs or budget.

#2: Gosky 20-60 X 80 Porro Prism Spotting Scope

• #3: Celestron – Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope
• #4: Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope
• #5: Athlon Optics Talos

Gosky has been making great optics and spotting scopes since the 1980s , so it’s no surprise that one of their products made it onto an affordable spotting scope list. 

Like the Celestron Ultima, the prism is multi-coated for optimum colour contrast, and clarity and the robust magnalium frame and rubber armour means this is a piece of gear that is going to stand up to harsh weather conditions –whether you’re bird watching or whale-watching in a downpour or setting up in a blind in the middle of a steamy jungle.

I also had to include the Gosky on my list because it comes with an adapter for digiscoping . If you aren’t familiar with digiscoping, it is basically another term for afocal photography, which the Cornell Lab defines as:

Placing the lens of a digital camera to the eyepiece of a spotting scope to take photos is called “ digiscoping .” It’s an inexpensive way to take good pictures without a long, heavy telephoto lens and the expensive camera body that goes with it.

Keep in mind that the original picture is contained inside a circle, so you need to zoom the camera in to get a full-screen picture .

The Gosky also comes with a nice carrying case, a cleaning cloth, straps and lens protection and eyepiece covers, and a metal extended tripod mounting plate so that you can use it on a table or window base (i.e., a car window mount). Ideally, you would mount it on a standard tripod . 

As tends to be the major issue with even the best budget scope at such a low price,  over 100 yards, there is going to be a notable difference in image clarity and quality from what you’d get if you were to quadruple your budget, or even go for the best spotting scope under 500. 

If you want more impressive magnification and top of the line high quality optics, you do need to spend a bit more.

#4: Celestron – Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope

The Celestron Ultima 80 (80mm objective lens) is the slightly more powerful big brother to Celestron’s Ultima 65 –the best budget spotting scope overall. This angled spotting scope is perfect for wildlife viewing and long-distance observation. 

You get a zoom eyepiece with an integrated adapter for digiscoping , a lens cloth, soft carrying case, and an eyepiece port cover and pouch and eyepiece lens cap.

All of the lens surfaces are multi-coated for optimal image clarity, colour contrast and brightness, so you see everything up close and personal in fantastic detail.

The Ultima 80 also has a large focus dial that makes it easier to zoom in quickly so that you never miss a moment of natural history while out in the field. Keep in mind that to get the most out of an entry-level scope–even the best spotting scope on a budget– you should really invest in a tripod , especially with the Ultima 80 because it is a bit on the heavy side for a small scope (over 3lbs).

#5: Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope

Bushnell is synonymous with optical quality in optics manufacturing, whether it’s a target shooting spotting scope for long range shooting, a rifle scope, or something for wildlife or bird watching. 

The Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope is not only an example of an affordable spotting scope but maybe the best spotting scope under 500 on the market . 

A portable, all-weather spotting scope, the Trophy Xtreme’s Porro-prism design, multi-coated optics, 60x zoom magnification range (impressive magnification), 100 percent waterproof rubber armour and 50mm aperture make this a great all-day, all-weather, ultra-compact entry-level spotter for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. 

A recurring theme in this part of the optics market, even the very best affordable scope (and this one is at the upper range of what you might consider “budget”) is going to start dropping in performance the closer you get to the magnification limits .

Will still far outperform your binoculars, and you will definitely be able to see that breaching whale or nesting eagle in closer detail, but you’d have to spend over $500 to get a really spectacular piece of optics.

#6: Athlon Optics Talos

This is definitely the most affordable option on our best spotting scope on a budget list. At close to the $100 mark, this is a scope you can still feel good about because, ultimately, you are purchasing the Athlon Optics name.

For those just getting into spotting scopes or who don’t have a lot of money to spend, the Talos 20-60×80 is a great little entry scope that performs well, but don’t expect it to blow more powerful, more expensive scopes out of the water. 

On the upside, you get a nice, well-made composite body that is waterproof and fog proof, a silver prism coating and FMC optics.

However, the biggest demerit with this budget scope is that it uses K9 prism glass instead of the BaK4 or BaK5 (higher quality glass) that the other scopes on this list use, and which name brand optics, in general, tend to use.

What the K9 glass basically means is a lower level of image quality .

But again, you’re paying just over a hundred bucks for this piece of gear from a reputable manufacturer. Even still, the myriad positive reviews indicate that, despite being quite a bit less expensive, even serious hunters, shooters, and wildlife viewers give this little scope its due.

What Went Into My Selection Process for the Best Spotting Scope on a Budget List

I used my first spotting scope on a whale-watching trip off the coast of Vancouver Island when I was ten, and ever since I saw my first wild orca up close, I’ve been in love with this gear. 

Granted, my first introduction to the gear wasn’t with a budget spotting scope, I have used more budget spotting scopes since 

Over the past few decades, I’ve used spotting scopes at different lodges and field stations around the world, from Danum Valley in Borneo spotting orangutans and silver leaf monkeys as they settle in for the evening to the Pacific Coast of Colombia, watching frigate birds glide about and bully other marine birds out of their hard-won meals. 

I spent many hours accounting for the scopes that I’ve used in the past and spoke to my birder friends, including my good friends and renowned birders Jurgen Beckers, owner of R.N. La Isla Escondida in Putumayo, Colombia, a famous international birding destination and Carlos Bocos , a world-renowned wildlife photographer and birding guide in West Papua, Indonesia.

I also perused dozens of options for the best spotting scope on a budget, reading reviews, watching footage and deciding which I wanted to include and exclude from my list.

Main Evaluation Criteria to Choose the Best Spotting Scope Under 200

Binoculars are great for close-up viewing, but a spotting scope (even an entry-level one under 200) is going to allow you to find and observe more wildlife (whether it be birds or anything else). 

When choosing the best spotting scope on a budget, keep the below criteria in mind: 

**avoid astronomy-specific scopes for wildlife viewing. Their zoom is overkill, they’re often not protected against the elements and they tend to be difficult to sight through. 

Magnification power

A spotting scope is basically a medium-range telescope and you want something with between 15 and 60x zoom. 

You want a zoom lens from between 20x to 60x that allows you to make simple adjustments. This makes wildlife viewing more convenient, allowing you to scan better at lower power and quickly shift to high power for fine details.

Keep in mind that a fixed lens surface collects more light than a zoom lens and that more magnification means reduced light transmission, increased vibration and a more narrow field of view. This is true whether you’re talking about camera lenses or a spotting scope lens. 

Glass quality

Top-of-the-line spotting scopes are going to be made with flourite-coated, high-density and/or extra-low dispersion glass, which improves light transmission (especially at high magnification) and provide better, more high contrast images. 

This is what’s known as an ed spotting scope (or extra dispersion scope) and this kind of scope features the higher quality optics, hands down. 

Even the best budget scopes are going to be outperformed by the higher-end models from the same manufacturer when it comes to low light viewing and at high power because they use these more sophisticated glass prisms (i.e. better glass quality). 

Look for BaK4 or 5 in a spotting scope under 200 or 500. 

Light-gathering capacity

(i.e., aperture). Look for a value between 50-100mm.

Keep in mind that with a larger objective lens, the brighter the images, but the heavier the scope will be, which will affect portability and how appropriate the gear is for travel. 

Eyepiece placement (angled or straight)

There are essentially two placement types: a straight eyepiece scope or an angled scope.

Straight eyepiece configurations make it easier to quickly locate and follow wildlife.

A 45-degree angled eyepiece scope makes it easier to view above the horizon, and they work better with shorter tripods (which come with most of the options on this list.)

Your eye-relief is the amount of space in between the eye cup frame and the lens itself, which is an important consideration for people wearing eyeglasses.

I wear glasses, and generally speaking, 12-15mm is enough eye relief for most people. Some scopes have folding or adjustable rubber eyecups specifically for people wearing glasses. 

Focusing mechanism

For the most part, there are two focusing mechanism styles. The first is the focusing collar, where the entire barrel of your scope is knurled or rubberized and you have to twist the entirety of the barrel to sharpen the image.

The second design has a smaller focus nob on the top of the scope by the zoom eyepiece. This latter design is slower to focus but gives you more precision.

I’ve found that different hand sizes are better suited to each setup.

Spotting Scope Terms and Measurement Meanings

Throughout this article, and anywhere you see people talking about spotting scopes, you are bound to find a recurring set of terms used to describe performance, materials, and specifications.

The specs that I believe are the most important when selecting a scope, and which I’ve used throughout this article are: 

Magnification

Also called zoom, this is the most straightforward measurement that refers to how many times closer a distant object appears because of the scope’s prism design. 

Field of View (feet at 1000 yards)

This is a common optics measurement in both binoculars and scopes, and it essentially refers to how wide of a field of view you have (measured in feet) if you were to measure it from 1,000 yards (10 football fields) away.

A shorter field of view means you are more constrained in what you are able to observe while long distance viewing. 

Eye relief is the measurement of the distance between the outer surface of the eyepiece lens to the place where the exit pupil is formed. 

Lens Coatings

Lens coatings refer to the anti-reflective coating that is (or isn’t applied) to the lens in order to give you better colour contrast, less glare and sharper image quality. 

Prism or Glass Material

This refers to the design of the glass used in the scope’s lens. Generally speaking, BaK4 (which refers to Barium Crown Glass–the best type of prism material) is the industry-leading standard for high-end scope manufacturers. It is better than, say, BaK7. 

Weight just refers to the weight of the scope itself when fully assembled (without the tripod or digiscoping adapter). I travel a lot, so a lightweight, compact scope is always preferable. 

Reasons To Bring a Spotting Scope When Traveling

Serious birders with serious bird watching budgets probably aren’t looking for budget scopes, and are probably willing to spend upwards of a grand on the main piece of gear that they need to follow their passion and practice their hobby. 

A decent entry-level spotting scope, however is going to take your wildlife viewing to the next level no matter what you’re after. 

If you are a nature traveller and general wildlife enthusiast ( the kind of people I try to gear my content towards) , and spend a lot of your vacations and trip planning looking for wildlife viewing opportunities, then a spotting scope (perhaps in addition to a pair of binoculars) is going to open your eyes to what you’ve been missing out on. 

For a couple of hundred dollars , you can purchase a well-made piece of gear from a respected optics manufacturer that is easily transported and set up and which makes birdwatching, whale watching, mammal watching, and landscape viewing such a thrill.

If you are more intent on astronomy, there are spotting scopes that are better suited for star and celestial body gazing.

Looking After Spotting Scopes

There are a few things you can do to ensure that your spotting scope remains in good working order and that you get many years of useful life out of your purchase. 

• Store your scope with the eyepiece cover on, in its protective soft carrying case and in a non-humid environment
• Use your microfibre cloth to remove dirt and debris from the lens after each use and then either a lens blower or a camel-hair brush to clean off metal parts and ports. 
• Never use your t-shirt, paper towel or anything not designed for delicate prism glass to clean your scope’s objective lens. 
• To remove dirt and grease, add a drop of lens cleaner or isopropyl alcohol to your lens cloth. 
• Don’t use household cleaning products on your lens. 
• Never open your scope and try to clean the internal components on your own. There are professional optics cleaners that you can (and should) pay to do this if you think you have an internal issue. If you open your scope, you are almost surely invalidating your warranty and could end up doing irreversible to the delicate inner workings.

Why Investing in Good Quality Spotting Scope Makes Sense 

I’ve said it already, but I’ll say it again, I put together this review because a good quality spotting scope (even an entry-level one), especially if it has digiscoping capabilities, will make any nature travel and wildlife-oriented vacation so much richer and more memorable. 

You don’t need to spend many hundreds or thousands of dollars to pick up a respectable piece of optics from a reputable company to add something great to your wildlife viewing and recording arsenal. I hope the above review and breakdown will help you choose the best spotting scope on a budget for your needs and objectives.

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Best Spotting Scope for Birding: 2022’s Top 5

So, you’ve finally decided to embark on the glorious adventure that is birdwatching! That’s fantastic news, you’ll enjoy it, full of beauty and wonder, as im sure you already know. However, to get the most out of it, both in our personal and professional lives, there is a proper way of doing things, a tool for every trade. In this case, you’ll need to get your hands on the best spotting scope for birding .

The purpose of this article is to help you find the perfect spotting scope for your unique needs. We will discuss the types of scopes, and give you some useful tips and pieces of advice regarding their use, and how to choose them, we can’t wait to help you!

So, let’s get stuck in. Below are, in our opinion, the best spotting scopes on the market at the moment.

• 1.1 1. Celestron 52332 TrailSeeker 80-45 Degree Spotting Scope
• 1.2 2. Vanguard 16-48x65mm Waterproof Spotting Scope with Straight Eyepiece
• 1.3 3. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes
• 1.4 4. Swarovski ATS 80 20-60X Spotting Scope Kit
• 1.5 5. Gosky 20-60 X 80 Porro Prism Spotting Scope: Waterproof Scope for Bird Watching
• 2 What are Spotting Scopes?
• 3 Scopes vs. Binoculars
• 4.1 Straight Scope
• 4.2 Angled Scope
• 5.1 Magnification
• 5.2 Field of View (FOV)
• 5.3 Eyepiece Design
• 5.4 Optical Design
• 6 Conclusion

Top 5 Spotting Scopes for Birding

We’ll go into more detail further down in the article on the different types, point of view information and even some help on magnification. We’ve made these recommendations with several factors in mind, quality, value for money and generally how well they’ve been received.

These scopes should be able to satisfy all your birding needs, both if you’re already a seasoned bird watcher or if you’re just starting to explore the wonders of birding!

1. Celestron 52332 TrailSeeker 80-45 Degree Spotting Scope

The first spotting scope on our list is the Celestron 52332 Trailseeker, it’s one of the best items of Celestron’s Trailseeker series. Evidently, this is an angled scope, the eyepiece angle being 45˚. Its magnification eyepiece allows 20x-60x zooming. Trailseeker series stands out with items of solid construction, high-quality products, and overall reliability.

The aluminum housing is strengthened with rubber, which gives this scope waterproof and perfect for use in the conditions of high-level humidity, and can even be used in conditions of poor visibility, i.e. in foggy areas.

Thanks to its proprietary XLT multi-coatings, the optical system is able to provide you with incredibly well rendered high-resolution pictures with top-notch contrast.

This device is also equipped with a dual-focus mechanism, which allows you to get the object of your observation (i.e. birds) into focus with great speed and precision. All this gives you enough time for any other fine-tuning you need to do for a perfect, crystal-clear picture.

This model of scope is smaller in size, which makes him highly portable, but don’t worry, its size does not lessen its capabilities when it comes to lighting. Due to the size of the lenses (80 mm), Celestron 52332 Trailseeker provides you with plenty of light, so you’ll be able to see the bird you’re planning on observing in all its glory, even in poor lighting conditions.

Some of the characteristics of this model are usually reserved for some of the higher-end models (high-end models have higher levels of performance, but also a higher price range), which makes this spotting scope more than worth the purchase.

It is equipped with a sliding sunshade, interchangeable eyepieces, and a rotating tripod for mounting. All in all, this model is perfect for any type of outdoor activity, which also makes it perfect for birding as well!

• Waterproof and fog-proof due to its rubber-armored housing;
• Great lighting ensured by its large exit pupil;
• High-quality optics;
• High-end features on an affordable device;
• Lightweight aluminum construction;
• Lifetime warranty.
• The focus mechanism might be too sensitive at times.

2. Vanguard 16-48x65mm Waterproof Spotting Scope with Straight Eyepiece

Now we come to a fine example of a quality straight scope. Vanguard’s spotting scope is equipped with a rubberized magnesium casing, which provides it light but durable construction, and completely shields it from the detrimental effects of shock, water, and fog. A sunshield is included as well, so you’ll be able to use this scope both in low and high lighting conditions.

This scope also possesses an advanced optical system, including multi-coated lenses and BAK4 prisms. These features will allow you to take clear, high-contrast, high-resolution images.

If you’re doing your birding in low lighting condition, you may want to consider purchasing the model at least 80mm lenses. In most other situations, this model’s 65 mm lenses will suit your needs just fine. Bear in mind, however, that the size of the lenses influences the overall weight of the scope: the bigger the lenses, the heavier the device!

Much like in the case of the first item on our list, this Vanguard straight scope has a dual-wheel focus system, very effective when it comes to fine-tuning focus settings. The zoom range is 20-60x, and the eyepiece itself is detachable and equipped with a retractable eyecup.

Vanguard 16-48x65mm straight scope is one of the scopes which can be affixed to a digital camera. There is an adapter for this device made specifically for this purpose. Use it to attach this scope to a digital camera, and you’ll get an affordable and effective replacement for those pricy photo lenses.

Now you won’t be just observing birds: you’ll be able to take some highly detailed pictures of them at the same time!

These features make this scope one of the more versatile ones, which makes it one of the favorite scopes of many birders worldwide. If you’re planning on travelling a lot or being on the move in general while birding, this may be just the scope you need!

Vanguard spotting scope can be found in both straight and angled variants.

• Lightweight magnesium casing;
• Shock-resistant due to rubber armoring;
• Waterproof;
• High quality optics;
• Fine-tuning adjustment;
• Digital camera adapter is sold separately.

3. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes

Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes are also one of the scopes built in both straight and angled forms. They are very reliable and popular, equipped with either 60mm or 80 mm lenses.

We have already mentioned that the size of the lenses influences the size of the entire scope. This is the case here as well. Vortex Diamondback scopes with 60 mm lenses are lighter than those with 80 mm lenses, but this should not concern you: both variants are praised for their light weight and durable construction.

Due to its rubber armor and O-ring sealed and nitrogen-purged casing, these models are waterproof, fog-proof, and resistant to shock and scratching. Plus, rubber enhances your grip on the device, so you won’t need to worry about dropping it too much.

If you need to choose between the 60 mm and the 80 mm models, choose the 80 mm models whenever you can. It will provide you with a higher resolution, and it works great even in low-lighting conditions.

Speaking of lenses, these models are equipped with excellent XR multi-coated lenses, and as a bonus feature, there is also a built-in retractable sunshade. That way, the quality of light and clarity of the picture is guaranteed.

Another important feature these models share is the twist-and-lock collar. This collar allows us to move the scope into different glassing positions. The eyecup on the eyepiece is adjustable, so you can twist it up or down, however you find it comfortable at the given moment. The eyepiece itself has an excellent zoom wheel and powerful zooming capabilities.

• Lightweight casing;
• Sturdy build and good grip due to its rubber-armored casing;
• Lifetime warranty;
• Excellent overall capabilities for its price range;
• Built-in retractable sunshade.
• None found so far.

4. Swarovski ATS 80 20-60X Spotting Scope Kit

Swarovski Optiks is one of the most esteemed optics manufacturers in the world, and among other things, they produce and develop spotting scopes which are generally held in high renown. That is also the case with this spotting scope.

ATS 80 20-60x Spotting Scope Kit really shows some very impressive performance. Its overall construction may seem rough and rugged, but it is actually quite refined and durable. This spotting scope is relatively lightweight despite the 80 mm lens size, so it’s perfectly suited for bird spotting, but also for hunting (if you enjoy that kind of sport) as well.

Due to the size of the lens, ATS 80 20-60x can be used both in high-lighting and low-lighting conditions, and because of their multiple protective and performance-enhancing coatings, they provide a crystal-clear, sharp image with reduced glare and maximum contrast.

This angled scope also possesses outstanding phase-corrected prisms. They are the reason for the high-level picture rendering. If you’re worried about the field distortion, this scope has this taken care of as well. The field-flattener technology eliminates this little problem for you, so you can enjoy your spotting with ultimate quality of sight within the zoom range (the zoom range of this scope being 20x-60x).

As we have stated, the sturdiness of the overall construction enables you to use this scope in any environment, and as you may know, field work is really messy more often than not. Yet, you don’t need to worry about lenses getting dirty: SWAROCLEAN leans coating allows you to easily clean any type of dust, watermarks, and even tree resin.

Speaking of sturdiness and construction, this scope’s housing is O-ring sealed, nitrogen-purged, and rubber-armored, which makes it water-proof, fog-proof, and shock-resistant. Its light weight makes it easy to use and transport, and the fact that its eyepiece can easily be removed and attached to the objective show us how easy it is to assemble, reassemble, and transport this scope further illustrating its versatility.

Swarowski ATS 80 20-60x Spotting Scope is a marvellous birding scope, and you can tell how much care and effort the manufacturers have invested in making it. Admittedly, its price is a bit too high for most of the people, but I believe it’s worth it, especially if you’re a professional looking for a new high-quality birding scope. Nevertheless, an impressive piece!

• Lightweight aluminum housing;
• Rubber-armored casing;
• Shock-resistant;
• High-quality multi-coated lenses;
• Integrated tripod collar;
• Great field-distortion solution.
• Perhaps a bit too pricey for most of the birdwatching folk.

5. Gosky 20-60 X 80 Porro Prism Spotting Scope: Waterproof Scope for Bird Watching

Gosky 20-60x 80 Porro Prism Spotting Scope is one of the best budget scopes on this list. It has impressive capabilities for considering how relatively cheap it is.

This scope is equipped with 80 mm fully coated green film lenses, so not only you can use it in low-lighting conditions, its high-quality prisms provide you with crystal-clear, outstanding pictures. As for its zooming capabilities, they range from 20x to 60x, which makes it an ideal scope for birdwatching, but also for watching wildlife in general.

This is claim is further proved by the way it is built. This scope is constructed by combining the durability of magnalium casing, and the protective capabilities of the rubber armouring. This combination makes this device highly versatile. You can use it in conditions of high humidity and low visibility since the device is both fog-proof and waterproof, and its casing makes it resistant to most shocks and scratches.

Another way which shows just how much time and care the manufacturers have invested in making this device as safe for use as possible is the fact that they designed an eyepiece piece shield which you can stretch to further protect the eyepiece lens.

As is the case with Vanguard spotting scope, the second item on our list, this scope is also perfect for digiscoping, since it can be affixed to a digital photo camera. If you decide to purchase this scope, you will see that the camera adapter is included in the package, and not sold separately, which is a great bonus since you’ll have no need for additional expenses.

Other than the camera adapter, you’ll also receive eyepiece and lens protective covers and a neat tripod for you to mount the device and observe your favorite types of birds undisturbed.

• Low price – great performance;
• High-quality lenses;
• Digiscoping capabilities;
• Digiscoping adapter is not sold separately;
• Sturdy, yet lightweight rubber-armored casing;
• Mountable on a tripod;
• Stretchable eyepiece shield.
• The tripod could be sturdier.

What are Spotting Scopes?

Spotting scopes are very similar in function and look to telescopes, but they are not made for observing stars and other celestial bodies. Spotting scopes’ main function is to observe objects located near or on the surface of the earth. Thus, spotting scopes are perfect for birdwatching and are widely used in this purpose, but also for observing other land-based animals in their natural habitats.

Bear in mind that, even though they are similar to telescopes in shape, size, and function, you shouldn’t use the latter for birdwatching.

When you look through the spotting scope, you see the picture of the bird the way you normally would have seen it. However, when we look through the telescope, the picture of the object we wish to observe will be inverted. That poses no problem whatsoever when it comes to observing stars and planets, but it would not be easy to properly identify a bird while looking at its upside-down image!

Here’s a fantastic video from David Chandler on actually using a spotting scope.

Scopes vs. Binoculars

When compared to binoculars, scopes are always the better choice. They are much more precise when it comes to long-distance birdwatching, which enables you to identify the bird you’re observing and see all the particularities you’re looking for with greater precision and clarity.

Mounting plates are a particularly important benefit of the spotting scopes. All spotting scopes have the option to be mounted on a tripod, for example, thus increasing their stability, and consequently, the quality of the picture.

Binoculars may serve you well, but holding them for prolonged periods of time can make your arms sore. Plus, while getting in the range in order to properly see and identify a bird, chances are you’ll scare the bird and make it fly away from you. It’s always safer to watch the birds from a greater distance, and for that purpose using a scope is much more effective.

Unlike binoculars, spotting scopes can be used to take pictures and/or recordings of the birds you’re watching! Some of the photo cameras and video cameras can be combined with some of the spotting scopes and help you produce pictures and videos of the highest quality!

DON’T MISS: If you did want to go the binocular route, we’ve reviewed our 10 favourite models here .

Types of Scopes

When looking for a good scope, you’ll generally find two types of scopes: straight and angled .

Straight Scope

Straight scopes are good for when you’re in a situation when you have to share your scope with someone else – the switch is easy due to its design. They are easy to carry and mount, especially if you’re birdwatching from an elevated position (i.e. from a tree branch, or from the first floor/roof of your house).

Its straight line of sight is a bonus for many birdwatchers since it makes them easier to aim in the desired direction.

Angled Scope

Angled scopes are especially good for observing objects far above the horizon. For example, if the bird species you wish to observe typically choose their nesting places on great heights, such as tall trees, or even steep cliffs, this type of scope will allow you to observe them without straining yourselves.

What Should You Look For?

When purchasing a spotting scope for birding , there are several things you need to pay attention to. They include, but are not at all limited to, the following criteria:

Magnification

When it comes to zoom range appropriate for birdwatching, the 15-60x range is the one you need. Do not go for the models who have a lower range limit under 15x. This is what binoculars are for.

However, do not buy models whose maximum range limit goes over 60x. Your field of view will grow increasingly narrow, the picture will become dim, and that can cause you all kinds of trouble in low-lighting conditions. 20-40x, or 20-60x range should give you the optimal quality of the picture.

Another thing you’ll need to take into consideration is the lens size. The greater the magnification, the larger the lenses you’ll require in order to keep the image quality within the necessary parameters, both in terms of quality and brightness.

I strongly advise you to purchase a scope with the exit pupil of 1.33 mm at the very least. Any lesser size will be of little use to you in the conditions of low lighting and/or extreme brightness.

A scope with an 80 mm lens would perfectly suit your needs, especially if it has a 20-60x magnification range. That way, you’ll be able to do your birding in both low-lighting and high lighting conditions, and all this with a 1.33 mm exit pupil.

ALSO: Learn more about the numbers on spotting scopes here .

Field of View (FOV)

When it comes to measuring field of view, optimal FOV is measured in relation to the width of the area an observer can see at the distance of approximately 1000 meters. There is also an angular field of view. As rule of thumb states, the more you zoom in, the more you lessen your field of view.

If your object of observation is moving in great speeds (i.e. a bird in flight), the best way to observe it is with a wide field of view. A wide FOV is also useful for scanning and finding the particular type of bird you wish to observe.

Thanks to the guys over at Birdwatching-Bliss.com for the image!

Eyepiece Design

When it comes to FOV , magnification rate, and eye relief, the eyepiece is the key component. Usually, they are included in the overall construction of the scope, but are often sold separately. Some manufacturers make interchangeable eyepieces for specific purposes, which add to the versatility of the scope.

If you’re planning on doing your birding in open areas, I recommend you to get a fixed wide-angle eyepiece. That way, you’ll have a wider FOV. If you’re wearing eyeglasses, purchase eyepieces with greater eye relief (25-27x will work just fine). And if you’re doing a lot of digiscoping, there are eyepieces designed specifically for this purpose.

Eyepiece glass is of huge importance. It influences the overall quality of the picture; the higher the quality of workmanship, the higher the image quality. This makes choosing an eyepiece as important as choosing the whole scope!

When it comes to eyepieces, make sure you get those with high-quality lenses in order to avoid any potential issues with picture quality. Bear in mind – some manufacturers make eyepieces only for their product line, but there are some eyepieces you can mount on any type of scope.

Take all this into consideration, and choose carefully!

Optical Design

When it comes to optical design, you’ll need to choose between two basic types: refractive and catadioptric.

Most of the scopes on the market are refractive. The reason for that is the fact that catadioptric scopes are much more fragile compared to refractive models, despite their providing sharper images at higher levels of magnification. Remember – on larger magnifications (over 60x), the FOV and the image quality diminishes, but catadioptric scope maintain the clarity of image even on 200x magnification!

There is also the matter of price. Catadioptric scopes are more costly than refractive ones, their price being 3-5 times higher. Their sensitive construction, however complex and effective, makes them hard to maintain.

Refractive scope’s picture quality is indeed slightly lesser, considering their sturdiness and availability, they’re perfect for outside scoping and you can use them on basically any terrain. They’re low maintenance, easy to move around, but that feature can be given to the catadioptric scopes as well if you invest a bit more and add a rubber armor o the casing.

Picture quality vs. versatility – a tough choice indeed!

So, there you have it, stacks of information for picking the perfect spotting scope and plenty of helpful information on how to use a spotting scope . Some are a bit pricey, some are more affordable than others, but all of them are more than capable of making your bird spotting a more enjoyable experience!

We have gone over everything you need to pay attention to when buying a spotting scope, all the dos and don’ts, so read carefully, and choose your scopes with even greater care. And of course, enjoy your birding!

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Best Spotting Scopes for Birding 2020

When it comes to birdwatching, you want to make sure that you have the right type of gear. Well, it’s actually easier than you might think. You don’t have to spend a fortune in order to do it either. Rather, you want to get a spotting scope to help you see what’s really going on out there, no matter what type of birds you want to watch (or where).

Table of Contents

The great thing about spotting scopes is that you can get excellent focus and clarity. You’ll be able to find a scope that lets you get a lot better zoom and image than you can possibly find with binoculars, and that gives you the ability to really take your birdwatching to the next level. If you’re interested in being able to see what’s going on at the top of a nest or high up in the sky, you’ll need a scope to be able to do it.

Getting a scope means that you can see all of the details that you’ve been missing out on by using binoculars, and you can do it without spooking the birds as well. How many times have you tried to get a really good look at a bird only to move too close and scare it off? That won’t happen with a spotting scope because you can get the perfect image from much further back. All you have to do is adjust the zoom, and you’re going to have the image that you want. And the bird is going to be able to continue doing what it’s doing. That means you get to do what you really want – watch them in their natural habitat.

What is the best spotting scope for birding?

1. gosky updated 20-60x80 spotting scope with tripod.

The Gosky spotting scope comes with a tripod that makes it easier to get a steady shot or to observe the birds for an extended period of time. It also has a carry bag included and a smartphone adapter so you can record everything that you see through the scope for sharing later on.

You’ll get an angled scope, which makes it easy to look down into, and which also gives you more range of motion on the image. On top of that, you’re going to have a waterproof and fogproof design, which protects your telescope no matter what’s going on outside. This also allows you to spend more time bird watching than cleaning your lenses.

The variable 20x to 60x magnification means that there’s very little you’re not going to be able to see while you’re birdwatching or while you’re doing any other activities. This scope is actually great for shooting, hunting, camping, astronomical observation, and a whole lot more. All you need to do is find something you want to look at.

What we like

• Water and fog-proof
• Smartphone adapter included
• The tripod that's included could be of better quality

2. Landlove 20-60x80 Spotting Scope

The LandLove Spotting Scope comes with a dynamic lens focusing system that will make sure you get the clearest possible image at any distance. It features 20 – 60x magnification which gives great versatility and also has a multi-coated 80mm green film lens.

You can use this lens for any purposes, from hunting and marine observation to birdwatching and astronomy. What’s even more important is that it’s fully fogproof, waterproof and shockproof. That makes it a great investment for anyone who wants to get out into the wilderness. You can still enjoy the wildlife without having to worry about your lens in less than ideal weather.

The digiscoping cell phone adapter means that you can easily take photographs of whatever you’re seeing through the lens. You’ll also have a tripod that you can set up on to get a steady image and a carrying case to keep everything protected until you get to your location. There’s even lens, and eyepiece covers included to protect the glass.

• Dynamic lens focusing
• Smart phone adapter included
• Water, shock and fog proof
• Phone adapter can be a bit temperamental

3. Roxant Authentic Blackbird High Definition Spotting Scope

For those who want something compact but high quality, this is definitely the way to go. The Roxant scope is completely weatherproof, with a rubber exterior that’s designed to be easier to hold onto, even when it gets a little wet out there. It has a textured focused ring directly on the barrel as well, which serves a dual purpose. First, it’s easier to find and use when you’re looking through the scope. And second, your hand isn’t going to slip on the knob.

You’ll get an adjustable eyepiece that is designed to work for those who have glasses and those who don’t, plus an extendable sunshade. That means you’re going to have less glare affecting the image you want to see. You’ll also have a larger objective lens and a 45-degree angle on the eyepiece to really get a good look at everything.

This scope has zoom of 12 – 36x and a 50mm objective lens to go along with it. On top of that, you’re going to get a tripod, a carrying case, and all of the caps you need to protect your glass.

• Adjustable eyepiece for glasses wearers
• Lifetime guarantee
• Military grade optics
• Tripod included is not the best

4. Gosky 20-60x60 HD Spotting Scope

With this Gosky spotting scope, you’re going to have all of the extras that you need to head out into the wilderness. You’ll get the scope itself as well as a carry bag to hold it, a tripod to set it up on, and even a phone adaptor so you can take pictures of the beautiful things that you’re seeing through your scope.

The eyepiece is angled at 45 degrees, making it easier for you to look into it with just the right amount of light. Inexpensive but still powerful, this unit gives you 20 – 60x zoom, so you can get a really good look at just about anything and everything that’s out there, whether it’s birds or other wildlife.

The lens is a multi-coated 60mm green film that provides you up to 110ft/1000 yards of view. You’ll also get a high-quality rubber exterior that protects this unit from drops and makes it easier for you to hold onto. Add in the shockproof and waterproof design, and you’ll have a scope that you can take with you just about anywhere and use any time that you want to.

• Retractable Shade
• 60mm green film, multi-coated lens
• Image quality at high zoom isn't the best on the market

5. Huicocy 20-60x60 Spotting Scope

This inexpensive scope still provides you with some excellent features, even at a value price. It’s completely fogproof and waterproof, which means you don’t need to worry about the weather when you want to head out and take a look at the wildlife. You’ll be able to keep the lenses clear and comfortable, even with rain.

You get a phone mount as well as a tripod included so you can get your whole setup ready in no time. Plus, you’re going to have 20 – 60x zoom, which gets you in close to anything that’s out there. The field of view gives you up to 131 ft/1000 yards, which means you can still see plenty of what’s going on around the area and around your bird of choice.

The exterior is made with rubber to create a non-slip surface that you can hold onto more easily. Not only that, but it makes the whole thing more shockproof in case of drops. You’ll also have a focus ring right on the barrel and retractable eyepieces that can be used for those who wear glasses. You’ll also get excellent customer service that stands behind their products.

• Retractable eyepieces for glasses wearers
• Carry case included
• The carry case can't hold accessories

6. Celestron 52238 C70 Mini Mak Spotting Scope

With this scope, you’re getting something that’s small but still capable of a great deal of power. In fact, this scope has a zoom of 25 to 75x. On top of that, you’re going to have a case to carry it in and a tripod that you can take with you wherever you go. That way, you’re going to have a more stable surface to watch through.

This compact scope is great for use on land or in the air, including watching birds or watching astronomical events. You’ll get a great deal of versatility with the Maksutov-Cassegrain optical, and the 1.25” eyepiece is large enough for you to see everything with the right amount of light.

You’ll get a field of view up to 68ft/1000 yards, so you’re able to see everything that’s happening, no matter what you’re looking at. You’re also going to have slow-motion controls for the tripod, and you can swap out the eyepiece for another one if you have something else you prefer.

• Extremely sensitive focus adjustment
• Small, compact and lightweight
• Compression molded design mimics concrete basin
• Eye-piece could be improved

7. Emarth 20-60x60AE Waterproof Spotting Scope

Here you’re getting a scope that gives you plenty of features and capability for the price. You’ll have up to 60x zoom, which lets you get as close as possible to whatever it is that you want to watch. You’re also going to have a field of view that’s large enough to let you see more than just the bird you’re watching, but what’s around it as well.

You’re going to have a fully multi-coated lens that actually uses BAK4 roof prisms to make sure you get the absolute best lighting possible. Even when the conditions are dim, you’re still going to have the high-contrast that you’re looking for. Add in the dual focus wheel system, and you’re definitely going to have the image you want.

This unit is waterproof and fogproof to make sure you can use it whenever and wherever you want. On top of that, it’s made with a rubber exterior that makes it easier to hold onto and shockproof. That way, even if it gets dropped, you can still count on it to keep working.

• BAK4 roof prism
• Lightweight & compact
• Image quality is reduced at higher zoom. Expected at this price.

8. Amcrest Spotting Scope for Target Shooting

You don’t have to actually be hunting to use this scope because it’s great for birdwatching as well. It has a multi-coated optical lens and gives you up to 60x zoom. That means you’re going to get up close and personal with any of the birds that you want to watch or anything else you want to keep an eye on.

This waterproof scope comes with a tripod and a smartphone adaptor, so you can easily take pictures of anything that you’re looking at for sharing later on. You’ll also get a high refractive index rate, which means you’re getting brighter images, even at the edges of the field of view.

On top of all of that, you’ll get a carry case that lets you take this scope with you wherever you want to go. The retractable sunshade means you won’t have to worry about glare while you’re checking out the scenery, and you will really like the field of view of up to 36m/1000m.

• Weather proof
• Durable material
• Tripod included could be improved

9. Celestron Ultima Angled Spotting Scope

If you’re looking for a lot of power, you’re going to like this spotting scope that comes with up to 60x. With that kind of zoom and an 80mm optical lens, you’re going to have no problem seeing anything and everything out there in the wilderness. What’s going to be even better is the quality of the scope itself.

This scope is waterproof and fogproof, which means you can use it even when the weather isn’t quite ideal. Plus, you’re not going to have to spend all of your time trying to clean the lenses or keep the scope protected. You can just enjoy the wildlife.

You can choose between several different styles and settings for this scope, but you’re going to get sharp zoom and an excellent two-year warranty no matter what. You’ll have no problem with lighting, even if the light around the scope is lower than what you would like. Plus, the brand is based in California and hires tech support from the US.

• Attachment for DSLR
• Made in USA
• Metal Alloy body
• Carry case is not padded

10. BARSKA Colorado Waterproof Spotting Scope

You’re going to get a high magnification scope that gets up to 60x so you can get in as close as you want. You’ll get a prism that’s BK-7 and has fully-coated optics. It’s also a shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof system that lets you go birdwatching whenever and wherever you might want to go. Even when the weather isn’t good, you’ll be able to see clearly.

The compact size of this unit will make it easier to carry along. It even comes with a carry case that you can transport and store it in. When you’re ready to use it, you’ll have a tripod that makes it simple to steady and see whatever you want without the shaking.

The 60mm objective lens is large enough for you to get plenty of light, and you’re going to have a Porro prism to get you even more light. The great price point for this unit makes it good for even beginning birdwatchers. Not to mention you’ll have an easy time using it for seeing other wildlife and for target practice.

• Great value for money
• Compact size
• Eye-piece doesn't adjust

11. Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scopes

With this spotting scope, you’re going to have a 60mm optical lens as well as up to a 60x zoom. That’s going to give you plenty of light as well as plenty of power to see things that are very far away. The XR multi-coated lens makes the image even brighter and even clearer for anything that you want to see.

With this lens, you’ll also have a twist-and-lock collar that lets you choose the glassing position that you want. On top of that, you can adjust the eyecup to get the most comfortable fit. It’s all about what fits your eyes and your face the best. All of this makes it easier for you to continue adjusting to whatever you like.

You’ll get a waterproof and fogproof unit that you can use without having to worry about the weather. You’ll also get focus at approximately 22 feet, and the rubber exterior is designed to make it easier to hold onto. Not only that, but it helps protect it from shock. That way, you don’t have to be as concerned if you happen to drop it.

• Twist-and-lock glassing position collar
• Water and fogproof
• Sight relief a little on the small side

12. Bushnell Trophy Xtrme Spotting Scope

Available in multiple sizes, this scope is designed for hunting, but it’s going to give you all the power you need for birdwatching too. In fact, it’s 100% waterproof, which makes it great for use even in less-than-ideal weather. Add in the fact that the exterior is rubber to make it easier to hold onto, and you’ve definitely got something you can count on.

This unit is compact and comes with a modest tripod as well, so you won’t have any problem setting it up in smaller spaces. On top of that, you’re going to have no problem getting a clear picture of anything you want, from a further distance because this scope gets up to 48x magnification.

The multi-coated optics make for a clear picture with plenty of light, even in difficult lighting. You’ll also get a portable system that comes with a hard-sided case for even better protection. Add in the soft-sided secondary case, and you’re definitely going to have something you can count on.

• Included 2 cases
• Not entirely shockproof

What are the different types of spotting scopes that are available?

There are two basic types of birdwatching scopes that you can use. The first is the refractor, which utilizes optical glass lenses. These lenses will bend the light and make it easier to see whatever it is you’re looking at. These are the more common style of scope, and they’re what those who are just getting into birdwatching would use. In fact, many birdwatchers will never choose to use anything other than a refracting scope because they’re simple to use, inexpensive to buy, and they work reasonably well for anything that you might need. These are the standard scopes that you might expect when it comes to searching the skies (or the trees) for anything.

The second option is the catadioptric, which uses mirrors in order to reflect light. These scopes are unique in style because they are shorter and fatter than standard scopes. They usually feature unique angles for the eyepieces and are extremely apparent to anyone who has seen one. The unique look is something that definitely calls out a more professional birdwatcher, though these are quite expensive and much more delicate. That means you’ll have a whole lot more variance every time you adjust something on a catadioptric scope. These are not for the casual birdwatcher, but for someone who is willing to put effort into what they are doing.

Both types of scopes will give you excellent results. Both are going to let you see the birds more clearly than with a standard pair of binoculars and will give you more control over the image. The difference is going to be in just how high quality you want it to be and how much you’re willing to pay for it. If you want the absolute best and money is no object, then the catadioptric is a great way to go. If you want to get started and not spend as much, you can absolutely start (and end) your birdwatching career with a refractor.

1. Field of View (FoV)

Field of view is the widest area that you can see with your scope. In order to compare these settings in a fair manner, they are usually referred to as X linear feet at 1000 yards. This might be 60 linear feet at 1000 yards or 100 linear feet at 1000 yards. Each scope will have a different field of view though the larger the number, the more you’ll be able to see. With a spotting scope, you will generally get between 52.5 and 157 feet at 1000 yards.

2. Aperture

The aperture is the overall diameter of the objective lens. It will usually be measured in millimeters, such as 55mm or 32mm. The size for a spotting scope will generally be around 50mm to 90mm, giving you a good amount of light to create a clearer and sharper image. Keep in mind that the larger the aperture, the larger the scope is going to be, and that means it’s also going to be heavier. If you’re carrying it a long distance, you may want to sacrifice some clarity for weight.

You can get one of three different types of focus for your scope, and each one has different applications. Helical focus means that you can quickly change the focus, which is great for those who are watching birds in flight. You’ll be able to follow along and get quick adjustments for clarity. Rack and pinion focus is designed for those who want quick but smooth focus. They’re not commonly used for birdwatching but rather for astronomical reasons. Finally, knob focus is slow, but it gives you more precise images.

4. Focal Length

The focal length is actually two different lengths, with the first being the amount of space between the main lens and where the light of the image comes into your view. The second is the eyepiece focal length. The two together give you magnification, though the equation for this process can be a little complicated. In general, you take the focal length of your objective and divide it by the focal length of your eyepiece. This will give you the magnification. You’ll generally see this expressed as a ratio.

5. Eyepiece

There are a number of different styles of eyepieces, including some that are fixed or variable. You’ll also be able to choose between straight-through or angled pieces and a variety of different diameters. For most, a straight-through eyepiece is the way to go, though angled eyepieces are found more commonly with catadioptric scopes. Angled eyepieces can also be good in some instances for birdwatching because they let you get just the right amount of light into the lens and the scope itself. The diameter of the eyepiece will generally be between 0.96” and 1.25” if you’re looking for something convenient and easy to use.

What are the benefits for the bird of a spotting scope?

One of the biggest benefits for the bird with a spotting scope is that you can get a clearer and sharper image without actually getting closer. That means you’re going to be leaving the bird to its own devices. You’ll be able to get a good image and still make sure that you let the bird care for its nest and eggs. Because you don’t have to worry about moving in closer, you also don’t have to worry about missing the image that you’re looking for. You’ll be able to see the bird and what it’s doing without worrying about scaring it off in the process, so you get a better shot.

How heavy are spotting scopes?

The weight of your spotting scope will vary based on the quality and type of scope you choose to get. In general, the lower the magnification of your spotting scope, the lower the weight, and vice versa. If you’re looking for a scope that will really get you up close and personal without needing to move, you’re going to sacrifice in the way of weight. Scopes that are higher magnification could weigh upwards of 70 ounces. While that may not sound like much on its own, it absolutely is when you’re talking about carrying it a long-distance or holding it for an extended period of time.

Any of these spotting scopes will help you to see anything and everything you want to see. Whether you’re only using your scope for birdwatching, or you’re planning for it to double as something else entirely, you’re going to have a range of great options with our top twelve. Just take a look and see which one will get you the features you need.

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We are avid bird-watchers who recently retired, allowing us more time to travel the world. Fortunately, we have managed to visit numerous countries around Europe, Asia, and America. Watching and photographing birds has been a passion for many years and we are making the most of the extra time on our hands!

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Travel light with the best compact spotting scopes for birding

March 23, 2024

If you are seeking the best choice of compact spotting scope for your bird-watching requirements, it is likely that you anticipate that a light, smaller sized scope will be more comfortable and practical.

These top picks will meet those needs:

Quick comparison: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel

Vortex optics razor hd 11-33×50 spotting scope.

A compact, high-quality gem for comfortable use when you want to travel light.

Best overall lightweight spotting scope

CHECK PRICE

Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50

A classy travel option, this compact Nikon is light and versatile, with an eyepiece that can be swapped for different zoom ranges for a wide angle.

Best lightweight compact straight scope

Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter Spotting Scope

A top-class piece of kit with a great performance to size/weight ratio.

Best compact scope if money is no object

Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope

Top choice for the size conscious! Fitting in the palm of your hand, this option is suitable for hand holding.

Best value lightweight travel scope

Main criteria: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel

The best lightweight compact spotting scopes will be easier to pack and carry around with ease of movement, as well as adding to your enjoyment of being immersed in the natural environment.

To remain in top condition and maintain good image quality, a compact lightweight spotting scope for birding also needs to be tough enough to withstand being transported more in more rugged conditions.

In choosing the best compact spotting scope for these purposes, we are assessing them against our main criteria of:

Image quality

• Portability – size and weight

Durability – weatherproof and shockproof

To narrow down the possibilities, we discuss each of these criteria in much more detail in this article. If you haven’t read this yet, it is probably best to read it before continuing with this one: Top tips on choosing the best compact spotting scope for birding

There are manufacturers creating very high-quality optical instruments that meet these targets and deliver a sharp, bright image. Let’s take a look at how the best ones fulfil the requirements.

Reviews: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel

In the next section we cover all the main features of these compact lightweight spotting scopes, evaluating how they measure up against each other.

Best lightweight compact angled spotting scope for birding

Main features of the vortex optics razor hd 11-33×50 spotting scope.

The Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 spotting scope offers impressive features. Here are a few of them, just to spark your interest!

• Dual focus with fine and coarse controls
• Dielectric coated Porro prism system
• Fully water- and fogproof
• Magnesium body
• Tripod mount included

Specifications

Magnification 11 to 33x

Objective lens 50 mm

Field of view at 1000 yards (depends on zoom) 11x: 191 ft; 33x: 96 ft

Close focus distance 6.6 ft

Eye relief 16-19 mm

Weight 1.6 pounds

• Great minimum close focus distance for close encounters
• Lightweight due to its magnesium frame
• Fine tuning possible with the dual focus system
• Rubber armoring is easy to grip and feels durable
• Eyepiece is attached, so cannot be switched for a different zoom range
• No sunshade incorporated

Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 spotting scope Overview

Available either in an angled or a straight format, this scope is very light. You can pack it into a small space.

Portability and practicality

The angled scope is a gem for comfortable use. It is easy to mount low and stable on a tripod.

But even better, this scope is possible to hand hold. What a great option to be able to leave the tripod behind and travel really, really light.

This scope has an eyepiece that is permanently attached, meaning that you cannot swap this zoom for another one. That is the downside.

(Minor point: the eyepiece cap is flimsy to fix on and could be improved to stay in place better.)

The upside is that the zoom range that you do have matches the expectation that we would have for this high-end optic from Vortex. The zoom’s range runs from 11x up to 33x, using the magnification adjustment ring.

There’s a very slight graininess at the edges when at maximum power. Even at the upper end of this range, there is very little loss of resolution.

Otherwise, the image is crystal clear across its whole width. The dual focus knob allows you to fine-tune the focus.

First adjust the focus quickly at a macro level after initially finding the bird, then use the micro dial to get the crispest possible image. It’s also easier on the eye to see the sharpest possible view.

The objective lens is 50mm wide. The glass used has every benefit that we would include on the wish list – APO lens, ED glass, dielectric phase coatings…

All this adds up to excellent clarity. The scope’s performance in low light is due to these anti-reflective components and coatings. You’ll like the brightness and resolution of color.

The Vortex Razor performs especially well in open terrain. But the near focus range is also great at six and a half feet if you’re anticipating close encounters.

The Vortex Razor delivers on durability, with rubber armoring and easy grippability. As expected, the scope is fully waterproof and fogproof, being Argon purged and O-ring sealed.

The feature of the sunshade that Vortex includes on the larger scope is not on this model. It saves weight but it leaves the objective lens a little exposed.

To compensate for this, the lenses are coated with ArmorTek protection which guards against scratches.

Best straight spotting scope for birding if money is no object

Main features of the zeiss dialyt 18-45×65 field spotter spotting scope.

The Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter spotting scope offers impressive features. Here are a few of them, just to spark your interest!

• Rubber armoring
• Fully multi-coated glass
• Argon-purged for water- and fog-proofing
• Achromatic lenses for better color and less image distortion

Magnification 18 to 45x

Objective lens 65 mm

Field of view at 1000 yards (depends on zoom) 18x: 120 ft; 45x: 69 ft

Close focus distance 32.8 ft

Eye relief 19 mm

Weight 2.6 pounds

• Fantastic brightness even with a comparatively small objective lens diameter
• Performance is equal to a full size scope – without the additional weight and bulk
• Topnotch components and full multi coatings increase brightness and sharpness
• For best results, a tripod is still recommended, despite the scope’s small size

Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter spotting scope Overview

You’ll notice that the objective size for the Zeiss is of a lesser diameter than for some of our other picks for straight scopes. Really with an optic of this quality, you are losing nothing in terms of the image quality.

It compares extremely well with the spotting scopes of a larger size, despite their additional light-gathering width of glass.

Technically the Dialyt is not a compact spotting scope, but it measures around 15.5 inches in length. The weight is 42 ounces – much less than full size spotting scopes.

The benefit of the smaller dimensions of this straight spotting scope are clear when it comes to traveling to and from your bird watching destination.

Its compact solid shape makes it easy to pack and very light.

Impressive sharpness at all magnifications

Eye relief is 19mm, so plenty of room for eyeglasses wearers, along with the rubber eyecup.

Where the Zeiss makes up for the lack of objective lens width is in its components and full multi coatings.

These eradicate fringing and chromatic aberration, all the way up the zoom range. The image remains sharp even at the highest magnification.

Sleek, well-sealed scope

It really is tiny compared to a normal sized spotting scope, but still manages a 45x zoom. The zoom is at the rear of the scope, near the ocular lens, while the focus ring is right at the front, just next to the objective lens.

The body of the Dialyt is noticeably different to the usual design of straight spotting scopes.

It’s sleeker, fully waterproof, nitrogen purged and sealed. It appears almost like some kind of retro flashlight. In any case, it’s very durable, with a rugged non-slip body.

This is of course a pricey piece of kit. In our opinion, it is worth it, with a great performance to size/weight ratio. Hence the inclusion here.

Best lightweight compact straight spotting scope for birding

Main features of the nikon 13-30x50mm fieldscope ed 50 spotting scope.

The Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50 spotting scope offers impressive features. Here are a few of them, just to spark your interest!

• ED (extra-low dispersion) objective lens for chromatic aberration
• Waterproof (up to 3.3 ft for 5 minutes), fog-proof, purged with nitrogen gas
• Compatible with a choice of other eyepieces, include wide view lens
• Multi-layer coated lenses

Magnification 13 to 30x

Field of view at 1000 yards (depends on zoom) 13x: 157 ft

Close focus distance 26.6 ft

Eye relief 13 mm

Weight 1 pound (without eyepiece, which can be changed)

• Interchangeable eyepiece, so adapts to different requirements
• Lightweight, with easily packable dimensions
• Can handhold the scope (without tripod) if weight-saving is a priority
• Top image quality and color from fully multi-coated optics
• Single focus knob might be simpler for some
• Low light causes more challenge at higher powers
• Single focus knob might lack precision for some

Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50 spotting scope Overview

The eyepiece is interchangeable. This will allow you to switch the 13-30x zoom range if you wish. Really, though, the range that is offered is a great option for general birding and travel use.

It’s a good, functional magnification in a small size, which is what you really want from a scope that is going to go long distances with you.

At only 11 inches long, this straight scope’s shortness makes it eminently packable. Its weight matches this convenience, at around 20 ounces.

Its light weight makes it easy to incorporate into your hand luggage when flying. All in all, it’s a top traveler.

A real benefit is that you can handhold it. This negates any need for a tripod and therefore further reduces the weight of your pack.

The further up in power, the more the risk of image shake. So to retain that crisp image, keep the magnification under 15x.

Or for even better results, mount it onto a tripod and enjoy!

The optics are fully multi-coated. These, in addition to the ED glass (extra-low dispersion), are specifically intended in order to allow as much light as possible to be directed to the eye while maintaining color accuracy.

This is able to generate an impressive image. This is true right at the top end of the zoom range too.

The time when you lose a bit of quality is at low light, due to the comparatively small objective lens. Switching down to around 20x or 25x zoom, though, should ensure the image quality remains as expected.

There is a single focus knob, which makes it simpler to use. Though you do miss out on the fine-tuning that is possible with the dual-focus knob of the Vortex Razor.

At around 13mm, eye relief is rather short. Disappointingly, this spotting scope might not be the best choice for people who wear spectacles or sunglasses while they are viewing. It might be possible to get away with this at the lower end of magnification.

And remember, the big bonus of the eyepiece on this scope, in comparison to the Vortex Razor. It is interchangeable, giving you the option to upgrade to another eyepiece with longer eye relief.

As we would expect from Nikon, this compact spotting scope is fully purged and sealed, making it fogproof and waterproof.

The build feels solid and sturdy, easy to grip and manipulate. Whereas the Vortex Razor ditched the sunshade, Nikon has retained it.

The sunshade, as well as being functional in bright conditions, also adds that extra bit of protection to the objective lens.

Best value lightweight travel spotting scope (ultra small and light)

Main features of the celestron hummingbird 9-27x56mm ed micro spotting scope.

The Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope offers impressive features. Here are a few of them, just to spark your interest!

• Fully Multi-Coated and Extra-Low Dispersion Glass
• Nitrogen-Filled Fogproof and waterproof
• Polycarbonate chassis
• Rubber Armoring
• Built-in Tripod Mount

Magnification 9x to 27x

Objective lens 56 mm

Field of view at 1000 yards (depends on zoom) 9x: 216 ft; 27x: 98 ft

Close focus distance 9.8 ft

Eye relief 15 mm

Weight 1.3 pounds

• Highly portable
• Can be used hand-held or added onto a tripod or window mount
• Top quality glass components
• Sharpness all across the image
• Tough rubber armor
• Suitable for compatible magnification extenders
• Performance is better at the lower end of the zoom range
• Eye placement can make a difference to color accuracy

Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope Overview

The angled eyepiece configuration is the only option for the Hummingbird. No straight scope to opt for. But when it comes to size, this one wins as the most compact scope.

The dimensions are highly portable. The Hummingbird at 56mm objective lens will fit into your purse or travel bag with room to spare – in fact it fits into the palm of your hand. It’s only around 8 inches long, weighing around 20 ounces.

Zoom reaches up to 27x – a large number for such a small package. Its close focus distance is 10 feet – around three meters. Eye relief is suitable for glasses wearers, at 15mm.

The Hummingbird can be used hand-held or added onto a tripod or window mount for more stable or extended viewing.

Sharpness extends pretty much all the way across the image. Color fringing is almost completely eliminated by the extra-low dispersion glass in this spotting scope.

That’s a direct result of the top quality glass that Celestron uses. The lenses and optics are fully multi coated.

The focus is adjusted via a ring on the eyepiece. Magnification is via a helical focus ring on the main body of the scope.

If you get to the point where you want to boost the magnification, then Celestron is a good brand to stick with.

They make 1.25” mount magnification extenders – also known as astro or astronomy eyepieces. There is a range of these to mount onto the scope and increase the existing strength.

The rubber armor feels like it will withstand the dual test of tough conditions and usage over time. It’s good to feel that your valuable optic is well protected.

The waterproofing precautions meant that this is nitrogen purged and sealed.

A case and eyepiece and objective lens cover are included in the package, along with cleaning accessories to take care of the scope and maintain it in top condition.

Find the best compact spotting scope for birding: next steps

Owning an optical device can be a long-term commitment so it’s important to feel confidence in the model that you are choosing and the company that produces it, in case you need repairs and after-sales care.

To this end, we include products from established manufacturers with long histories that will hopefully be around for many years to come.

While most of these scopes that we have reviewed can be handheld for extra portability, they will also perform better on a tripod.

If you’re wondering whether it is worth sacrificing a bit of lightness for extra image quality, by upsizing to a larger objective lens, one of these articles might help you decide.

Best angled spotting scope for birding

The best straight spotting scopes for birding

Are you clearer on whether one of these compact spotting scopes is for you? Is there anything else that we could add to help you work it out?

If it might help, please have another read of our informational article suggesting what to weigh up when choosing a compact spotting scope… Top tips on choosing the best compact spotting scope for birding

• 1.1 Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 spotting scope
• 1.2 Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50
• 1.3 Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter Spotting Scope
• 1.4 Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope
• 2 Main criteria: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel
• 3 Reviews: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel
• 4.1 Main Features of the Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 spotting scope
• 4.2 Specifications
• 4.5 Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 spotting scope Overview
• 5.1 Main Features of the Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter spotting scope
• 5.2 Specifications
• 5.5 Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter spotting scope Overview
• 6.1 Main Features of the Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50 spotting scope
• 6.2 Specifications
• 6.5 Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50 spotting scope Overview
• 7.1 Main Features of the Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope
• 7.2 Specifications
• 7.5 Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope Overview
• 8 Find the best compact spotting scope for birding: next steps

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• Flocking Around
• Jul 13, 2023

The Best Spotting Scopes (2023) - Buying a Spotting Scope for Birdwatching & Wildlife Viewing

Birdwatching with a pair of binoculars is a great experience. Spotting scopes allow for new opportunities in birdwatching: distant birds. See our favorite scopes from various price ranges!

Enjoy our post on the top spotting scopes for birdwatchers, wildlife observers, and outdoor enthusiasts! If you want updates on our birding gear recommendations, join the flock!

If you want to jump ahead of the basics of spotting scopes, use our index:

Top 3 Recommendations

Entry-level

How to Select a Scope

How to Use a Scope

Summary of Spotting Scope Recommendations

Want the too long; didn't read (tl;dr) version of this post? You are in the correct place! Use our quick reference table below to pick from each of our category winners. If you want more information on the recommendations provided, reach the about the category winner in its corresponding section.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Links may lead to affiliate sites.

Top 3 Spotting Scope Recommendations

Our top three scope recommendations are the Celestron Ultima 80 (<$300), Vortex Viper HD (<$1000), and the Swarovski ATS (>$1000).

Small-budget spotting scopes for birding | Cheap spotting scopes (<$300)

This category is not where the top-of-the-line spotting scopes will be found. However, a quality scope can be bought for under $300 for those who are new to birdwatching. From this category, our top recommendation is the Celestron Ultima 80 . If a more heavy-duty spotting scope is desired without spending big bucks, our personal recommendation is to move up to the <$1000 category, if possible. Anything above that price is for more professional or serious birdwatchers.

Best Spotting Scope Under $100: Celestron Landscout

The Celestron Landscout is a lightweight, affordable spotting scope that is great for those new to birdwatching who do not wish to spend much money on their first scope. The lenses are fully coated, and the scope comes in at a weight of 1.13 lbs.

Best Small Spotting Scope: Celestron Hummingbird

The Celestron Hummingbird is the world’s first “micro” spotting scope well suited for hikers, birders, and other wildlife watchers on the go. All air-to-glass surfaces are fully multi-coated with high transmission optical coatings. The result is maximum light transmission for bright, sharp, and contrast images. The prism is phase-coated BaK4, which increases contrast and resolution for sharper, more detailed images. The durable body of the Hummingbird works to keep the spotting scope protected against bumps and jolts both during transport and in the field. It’s also fully waterproof and nitrogen-purged, so you can use the scope worry-free in downpours, humid conditions, and other environmental challenges.

Best Overall Budget Scope Under $300: Celestron Ultima 80

Celestron’s Ultima 80mm Zoom Spotting Scope offers images that are noticeably brighter and sharper than entry-level spotting scopes. For this price range, this scope is unbeatable. The Ultima 80 is a refractor-style spotting scope with an Achromatic objective lens. Excellent light transmission is assured by multi-layer anti-reflection coatings on the objective lens as well as on the zoom eyepiece and the BAK-4 prisms. The multi-coated 80mm objective lens delivers 77% brighter views than a 60mm scope, and the built-in zoom lens produces sharp images from 20X all the way up to 60X magnification. The Ultima 80 features a sleek, waterproof design and includes a padded soft case with zippers on both ends so the scope can be protected even while mounted on a tripod. Including the eyepiece the Ultima 80 measures just over 18 inches long and weighs about 3.6 pounds.

Medium-budget spotting scopes for birding | Mid-Priced Spotting Scopes (<$1000)

Scopes in this budget category are generally the best price for the quality. Glass is usually HD or ED, bodies are shock-proof and waterproof, and glass is treated to be fog-proof. The best of class for this category is the Vortex Viper HD . Unless a professional ornithologist or a serious birder is shopping, this class of spotting scope will do just fine.

Best Budget Spotting Scope Under $1000: Vortex Diamondback HD

The Vortex Diamondback HD spotting scope is the favorite budget scope in this price category. Vortex boasts quality optics and robust protection for their scopes. The Diamondback has multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces that allow for an increase in light transmission. Adjustable eyecups twist up and down for comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses. The built-in sunshade reduces glare and shields the objective lens from raindrops and snow. O-ring sealed and argon purged, the scope delivers waterproof and fog-proof performance. Armortek coatings protect the lenses from oil, scratches, and dirt. Rubber armor enhances both durability and grip for the user.

Best Warranty Spotting Scope Under $1000: Maven CS.1

The Maven CS.1 spotting scope is built using the same glass as C Series Binoculars and carries the same excellent protections as the C Series Binoculars. Because of its lightweight magnesium/aluminum frame, this compact scope gets the job done without taking up much space in your pack. It is a highly recommended mid-range spotting scope for birders and wildlife viewers who require extra magnification in a minimal unit. This powerful scope features a well-balanced lightweight polymer frame, extra low-dispersion (ED) glass, and fully multi-coated lenses for an exceptionally clear, bright, high-contrast image with excellent color reproduction. The CS.1 is waterproof, fog-proof, and possesses scratch-resistant lens coatings.

Best Optics Spotting Scope Under $1000: Celestron Regal M2 80ED

The Celestron Regal M2 ED spotting scopes are optimized to provide the sharpest images available, while also keeping a lower price point. However, The Celestron Regal M2 is a heavier-bodied scope. This is Celestron’s top-of-the-line spotting scope and is an ideal choice for birdwatching, observing wildlife, long-distance viewing, and casual astronomical observing. This spotting scope includes extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, XLT lens coatings, a dual focus mechanism, and a lightweight magnesium alloy body, which is strong, durable, and weather-resistant. This model also includes a T-adapter ring for digiscoping with a DSLR. Fully waterproof and fog-proof, the Regal M2 ED features an armored magnesium alloy body that makes an ideal addition to your field gear.

Best Overall Spotting Scope Under $1000: Vortex Viper HD

Vortex optics are always quality, and the Vortex Viper HD spotting scope is no exception to this rule. The HD optical system is comprised of premium components that generate vivid high-definition images. XR anti-reflective coatings on exterior surfaces help obtain brighter views in low-light situations. This scope has a built-in sunshade that pulls out to help reduce glare. A multi-position eyecup provides proper eye relief while a locking collar allows the scope to rotate into different viewing positions. O-ring sealed and argon purged, the Viper delivers waterproof and fog-proof performance. Armortek coatings protect the lenses from oil, scratches, and dirt. Rubber armor enhances both durability and grip for the user.

Large-budget spotting scopes for birding | Top-tier Spotting Scopes ($1000+)

The spotting scopes in this budget category are top-notch. However, most bird-lovers do not need 'glass' of this quality. The HD and ED glass of the mid-tier is beyond adequate for the majority of birders. However, for those that have the budget for a better scope, this is the correct category. The top recommendation for this top-class of spotting scopes is the Swarovski ATS spotting scope.

Best Warranty Spotting Scope (Top Tier): Maven S.1A

The Maven S.1A spotting scope is backed by the Maven warranty: "All Maven optics come with an unconditional lifetime warranty. If your optic becomes damaged or is at all defective (not including deliberate or cosmetic damage that does not hinder product performance). We don't care where or when you bought it or if it was your fault - if it's Mavenbuilt, we will take care of it." The Maven S.1A features a powerful 25-50x magnification and a generous 80mm fluorite lens for superior low light performance. The larger objective lens delivers bright, crisp images with no aberration or distortion, even at maximum magnification. Edge-to-edge clarity means a fully usable field of view, and high contrast images transmit every amazing detail. The scope is heavier as it comes in at 7 lbs. However, when our crew has tested this scope at tradeshows, it did not perform as well as hoped.

Best Budget Spotting Scope (Top Tier): Vortex Razor HD

Within the top-tier spotting scopes, the Vortex Razor HD is our budget-friendly pick. It has top-quality optics for much more reasonable prices than other spotting scopes on this list. The Razor HD has a triplet apochromatic lens combined with high density, extra-low dispersion glass that delivers unparalleled resolution and color fidelity. XR-plus anti-reflective coatings were applied to the lenses to yield maximum brightness for critical low-light glassing. A smooth helical focus dials in razor-sharp resolution and keeps the scope trim for easy packing. The scope possesses a built-in sunshade pulls out to reduce glare. O-ring sealed and argon purged, the Razor HD delivers waterproof and fog-proof performance. Armortek coatings protect the lenses from oil, scratches, and dirt. Rubber armor provides extreme durability. Multi-layer prism coatings provide bright, clear, color-accurate images.

Best Optics for a Top-tier Spotting Scope: Zeiss Victory Harpia

The Zeiss Victory Harpia spotting scope has some of the best glass in a spotting scope, currently available. However, this scope does not come with an attached eyepiece, so grabbing the Zeiss Vario 22-65x/23-70x Eyepiece will be required. The large objective lens on this scope allows for extreme lowlight performance. Seabird watching and wintertime duck counts can be performed in even the stormiest conditions when there is quality glass combined with a large objective lens.

Best Overall Spotting Scope (Top-tier): Swarovski ATS

The Swarovski ATS 20-50x80 spotting scope enables comfortable observation for hours. The 80 mm objective lens diameter provides higher detail recognition, while a wider exit pupil ensures brighter images and comfortable viewing even in poor lighting conditions. This scope offers all the features that would be looked for in a spotting scope, including a tried-and-tested, lightweight design and perfect optics. As some of the lightest quality spotting scopes in the world, these Swarovskis are characterized by detailed optics with exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness and color fidelity. The Swarovksi glass, dependability, and weight of only 2 lbs make this the favorite pick of spotting scopes in this list.

Best Spotting Scope Available

There are scopes that have higher price tags with minuscule gains in performance. The Swarovski Modular ATX Objective 95 combined with the Swarovski Modular ATX Eyepiece can create a spotting scope that is unrivaled in the industry, but an unlimited budget may be necessary.

Best tripod for a spotting scope

Often the most forgotten piece of the tripod puzzle is the use of a quality tripod. If you live in an area with heavy winds, a sturdy scope can prevent shaky and unstable views. Heavy scopes require sturdy tripods, so we recommend budgeting for a name-brand tripod. Our favorite tripods are:

Manfrotto 290 Xtra Aluminum 3-Section Tripod

Manfrotto Compact Action Aluminum 5-Section Tripod

Victiv Joilcan 80-inch Tripod

If you have questions about our recommendations, please reach out through our contact form !

How to select a spotting scope for birdwatching

Similar to our suggestions for birdwatching binoculars, use budget, optics quality, and durability as the main guidelines for spotting scope selection. However, if you do not know anything about optics, such as spotting scopes, you might be confused by the various numbers and terminology used in optics.

What do the numbers on spotting scopes mean?

A standard spotting scope has a three-number set, such as 20-60x85. These numbers give you a clue as to the optics viewing experience, indicating the strength of zoom and low-light performance. The first two numbers ( 20-60 x85) indicate the level of zoom your optics provides. A scope with 20-60 means an object appears 20-60 times closer than your eye. A range is offered due to the adjustable zoom ability of most spotting scopes. The second number (20-60x 85 ) tells you the diameter (length across) of the objective lens, which is the large lens. In our example, the objective lens is 85 mm across. The objective lens is the outer lens that allows light to enter the spotting scope. The larger this number is, the more light is allowed into your view allowing for crisper, optimal views of distant birds.

How much zoom should birding spotting scopes have?

When it comes to selecting a level of zoom on spotting scopes, the recommendation varies depending on the activities you are conducting. If you are watching seabirds, shorebirds, or ducks from a great distance, a scope with a zoom range that extends above 50 will benefit the viewing experience. If the primary use of the scope is to view passerines at feeders or slightly distant birds (<150 yards), a zoom power of less than 30 is likely adequate.

How large an objective lens should birding spotting scopes have?

An extremely large objective lens might seem appealing for low-light situations, but an objective lens that is too large can create a heavy, unbalanced spotting scope. If carrying excessive weight is not appealing, stick to smaller scopes. However, for extreme birdwatching conditions like seabird watching, a large objective lens is a MUST.

How to use a spotting scope

Using a spotting scope is not complicated and does not require the same effort as focusing a pair of binoculars for both eyes. Because a spotting scope is a monocular, the focus can be adjusted per situation easily, and the zoom can be tailored to the distance of the bird.

Adjusting the zoom on a spotting scope

The zoom on a spotting scope is quite simple. It is usually associated with the eyepiece and simply turns clockwise to zoom out and counter-clockwise to zoom in. However, some scopes may have this zoom style reversed, so try your zoom to get comfortable with the rotation. Set the zoom power BEFORE attempting to use the spotting scope.

Adjusting the focus on a spotting scope

Many spotting scopes have a single focus wheel, typically on the body of the scope, near the rear of the scope, and close to the eyepiece. Other types of spotting scopes may have a smaller focus wheel that sits just below the eyepiece on a raised part of the scope body. Most scopes will only have a single focus. However, some scopes will have two focus wheels, one for coarse focus and one for fine focus.

In a single focus wheel spotting scope, use the focus wheel to bring the object into focus AFTER the proper amount of zoom is set. If you adjust the zoom, you will need to readjust the focus. If the scope has TWO focus wheels, adjust the coarse focus first, bringing the object as close to focus as possible, then use the fine focus to make smaller adjustments. Again, focus AFTER the zoom power has been selected.

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