Kowa TSN-55 PROMINAR Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Highly Compact & Lightweight
- Pure Fluorite Crystal Objective Lens
- Integrated 17-40x TE-11WZ II Eyepiece
- Nitrogen-Filled, Fog and Waterproof
Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 27-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- 85mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric Coated Porro Prism
Vortex Viper HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- Large 85mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism
Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- Large 85mm Objective Lens
- High-Density, Extra-Low Dispersion Glass
Vortex 20-60x80 Crossfire HD Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- 80mm Objective Lens
- HD Optical System
- Fully Antireflective, Multicoated Glass
Celestron Ultima 80 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope Kit (Angled Viewing)
- Waterproof
- Angled Viewing
- 20-60x Wide-Angle Zoom Eyepiece
- 40-60° Apparent Angle of View
Kowa TSN-501 20-40x50 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Compact and Lightweight Design
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 20-40x Zoom Eyepiece
- 50mm Objective Lens
Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 15-45x Zoom Eyepiece
- Large 65mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism
Kowa TSN-66A 66mm PROMINAR Spotting Scope with TE-11WZ II Eyepiece (Angled Viewing)
- Compact, Highly Portable Spotter
- Pure Fluorite Crystal Objective Lens
- Durable, Lightweight Magnesium Chassis
- 25-60x Eyepiece
Vanguard Endeavor HD 20-60x82 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Angled-Viewing Eyepiece
- 20-60x Eyepiece Magnification
- Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Elements
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
Nikon ProStaff 5 20-60x82 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- AAoV of 39.9°
- BAK4 Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
- Built-In Sliding Sunshade
Kowa TSN-88A 88mm PROMINAR Spotting Scope Kit with TE-11WZ II WA-Zoom Eyepiece (Angled Viewing)
- 25-60x Eyepiece
- Ultralow Dispersion Lenses
- Dual Focus
- Fog and Waterproof Magnesium Body
Vortex Diamondback HD 16-48x65 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 16-48x Zoom Eyepiece
- Large 65mm Objective Lens
- High-Density, Extra Low-Dispersion Glass
Hawke Sport Optics Endurance ED 15-45x60 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Extremely Compact & Lightweight
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 15-45x Zoom Eyepiece
- 60mm Objective Lens
Kowa TSN-82SV 3.2"/82mm Spotting Scope (Requires Eyepiece) (Angled Viewing)
Nikon Monarch 20-60x82 ED Spotting Scope (Straight Viewing)
- Straight Viewing
- 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- 82mm Objective Lens
- ED Glass
Vortex 12-36x50 Crossfire HD Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 12-36x Zoom Eyepiece
- 50mm Objective Lens
- HD Optical System
- Fully Antireflective, Multicoated Glass
Celestron TrailSeeker 80 20-60x80 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- 80mm Objective Lens
- XLT Fully Multi-Coated Optics
Celestron Hummingbird 9-27x56 ED Micro Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- Extra-Low Dispersion Glass
- 56mm Objective Lens
- Fully Multi-Coated
Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 Spotting Scope (Straight Viewing)
- Straight-Through Viewing
- 15-45x Zoom Eyepiece
- Large 65mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism
Celestron Regal M2 80ED Spotting Scope with 20-60x Eyepiece (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 20-60x Eyepiece Magnification
- Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Objective
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
Celestron Regal M2 100ED Spotting Scope with 22-67x Eyepiece (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 22-67x Eyepiece Magnification
- Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Objective
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85 Spotting Scope (Straight Viewing)
- Straight Viewing
- 27-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- 85mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric Coated Porro Prism
Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85 Spotting Scope Kit (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 27-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- 85mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric Coated Porro Prism
Kowa TSN-66A 66mm PROMINAR Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Compact, Highly Portable Spotter
- Pure Fluorite Crystal Objective Lens
- Durable, Lightweight Magnesium Chassis
- Eyepiece Required for Use
Kowa TSN-88A 88mm PROMINAR Pure Fluorite Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Water and Fogproof
- Dual Focus Mechanism
- Thixomolded Magnesium Alloy Body
- Dual Tripod Mounting Screw
Swarovski 17-40x56 STC Spotting Scope (Straight Viewing, Green)
- 56mm Objective Lens
- Unimpeded Turning of Focus/Zoom Wheels
- 88% Light Transmission
- Phone Adapter Allows Smartphone Use
Swarovski ATS-80 20-60x80mm HD Spotting Scope with Eyepiece (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 20-60x Magnification Eyepiece
- Apochromatic HD Fluoride Glass Elements
- SWARODUR/SWAROTOP High-Contrast Coatings
The Scoop on Spotting Scopes
Spotting scopes are small telescopes intended for terrestrial viewing. Available with either straight or angled bodies, they're fitted with image-erecting prism systems, and offer magnifications between 14X and 60X. This is higher than most binoculars, but lower than refractor telescopes.
Their magnifying power, flexibility, and compact size make spotting scopes popular with hunters, birdwatchers, wildlife buffs, and surveillance experts. Some models can also function as telephoto lenses when you attach them to cameras or mobile devices.
How to Choose a Spotting Scope
Spotting scopes are labeled with three numbers. The first two, usually separated by a dash, represent the zoom range, and the number after the X represents the diameter of the lens. Thus, a scope marked as 20-60x80 would feature a front lens measuring 80mm in diameter, and a magnification, or zoom, ranging from 20 to 60 times.
As a rule, the larger the lens, the brighter and clearer the image quality will be, and the wider the field of view. However, a large lens also makes the scope bulkier and heavier. Ultimately, the standard of the optics determines the quality of the image, with high-end brands such as Nikon spotting scopes offering outstanding clarity even at high magnification.
Best Spotting Scopes for Birding
Ornithologists are well served with compact, lightweight models with waterproof and fog-proof qualities to handle life in the field. You can also find high-definition models such as Leupold spotting scopes that deliver superior image quality. Most beginners prefer straight scopes, while angled models are more flexible and comfortable, and let you use lower tripods. Some scopes allow you to shift between angled and straight modes by changing a module on the back of the unit.
Popular Accessories for Spotting Scopes
With so many people using their smartphones for photography, it's natural that you can find accessories known as digiscoping adapters that can hook them up to spotting scopes to take photographs. These frames have grips to hold the mobile device and adapters to fit the camera lens to the scope's eyepiece.
Tripods are necessary to provide stability and to avoid the fatigue that comes from holding scopes for long periods. The good news is that most scopes fit on ordinary photo tripods, so you can use your existing camera tripod or monopod should you have one. Otherwise, you can choose from a wide range of optics tripods and support equipment to suit your needs. Other popular accessories include padded carrying cases.
Check out the extensive range of spotting scopes for sale, along with solar telescopes and much more, at B&H Photo and Video.