Spotting Scopes
Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 27-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- 85mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric Coated Porro Prism
Kowa TSN-553 15-45x55 PROMINAR Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 15-45x Zoom Eyepiece
- 55mm Objective Lens
- Ultra-Low Dispersion PROMINAR Glass
Vanguard 20-60x80 VEO HD Angled-Viewing Spotting Scope Bundle with Tripod & Digiscoping Adapter
- Ideal for Terrestrial & Celestial Uses
- 45° Angled Viewing
- Advanced MultiGuard Lens Coating System
- Digiscope in Portrait or Landscape
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 16-48x65 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 16-48x Zoom Eyepiece
- Large 65mm Objective Lens
- High-Density, Extra Low-Dispersion Glass
Meopta MeoPro 20-60x80 HD Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- Powerful 20-60x Zoom Magnification
- Extra-Low Dispersion Fluoride Glass
- MeoBright, MeoShield, MeoDrop Coatings
Other Buying Options
Swarovski ATX/STX/BTX 95mm Objective Lens Module (Eyepiece Module Required)
Shipping Restriction:
- Eyepiece Module Required
- 95mm Objective Lens
- Field-Flattener Lens System
- Extra-Low Dispersion Fluoride HD Glass
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
- Water & Fogproof Magnesium Body
Kowa TSN-99A 30-70x99 Prominar Spotting Scope Zoom Kit (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 30-70x Wide-Angle Zoom Eyepiece
- Massive 99mm Objective Lens System
- Fluorite Crystal & ED Glass Elements
Celestron LandScout 20-60x80 Spotting Scope Digiscope Kit (Angled Viewing)
- Universal Smartphone Digiscoping Adapter
- Tabletop Tripod with Pan-Tilt Head
- 45° Angled Viewing
- Powerful 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
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
Other Buying Options
Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50 Spotting Scope (Straight Viewing)
- Straight Viewing
- 11-33x Zoom Eyepiece
- 50mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism
Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 11-33x Zoom Eyepiece
- 50mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric-Coated Porro Prism
Pentax PF-80EDA 80mm Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing, Eyepiece Required)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- Eyepiece Required for Proper Use
- Accepts All 1.25" Telescope Eyepieces
- 80mm ED Lanthanum Crown Glass Objective
Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85 Spotting Scope Kit (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 27-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- 85mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric Coated Porro Prism
Celestron C70 Mini Mak 2.7"/70mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Spotting Scope Kit (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 32-52.5° Apparent Angle of View
- Includes: 25-75x Zoom Eyepiece
- Tabletop Tripod
Celestron C90 Mak Spotting Scope
- Angled Viewing
- Multi-Coated Optics
- 45° Erect-Image Diagonal
- Erect-Image 8x21 Finderscope
Celestron TrailSeeker 65 16-48x65 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 16-48x Zoom Eyepiece
- 65mm Objective Lens
- XLT Fully Multi-Coated Optics
Other Buying Options
Celestron Ultima 80 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope and Smartphone Adapter Kit (Angled Viewing)
- Capture Photos & Video through Scope
- Fits Most Popular Smartphones
- Angled-Viewing Spotting Scope
- Multi-Coated Lenses
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
Kowa TSN-501 20-40x50 Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Compact and Lightweight Design
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 20-40x Zoom Eyepiece
- 50mm Objective Lens
Celestron Ultima 100 22-66x100mm Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 22-66x Wide-Angle Zoom Eyepiece
- Multi-Coated Lenses
- Nitrogen Filled, Water and Fogproof
Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope (Straight Viewing)
- Straight-Through Viewing
- 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- Large 85mm Objective Lens
- High-Density, Extra-Low Dispersion Glass
Vanguard 15-45x60 VEO HD Angled-Viewing Spotting Scope with Tripod & Digiscoping Adapter
- 45° Angled Viewing
- Advanced MultiGuard Lens Coating System
- Digiscope in Portrait or Landscape
- Bluetooth Remote for iOS & Android
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
Hawke Sport Optics 25-75x85 Endurance ED Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- 45° Angled Viewing
- 25-75x Zoom Eyepiece
- 85mm Objective Lens
- Dielectric-Coated, BAK4 Porro Prisms
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
Other Buying Options
Swarovski ATX/STX/BTX 65mm Objective Lens Module (Eyepiece Module Required)
Shipping Restriction:
- Eyepiece Module Required
- 65mm Objective Lens
- Field-Flattener Lens System
- Extra-Low Dispersion Fluoride HD Glass
Nikon Monarch 20-60x82 ED Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)
- Angled Viewing
- 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece
- 82mm Objective Lens
- ED Glass
Swarovski ATX/STX/BTX 85mm Objective Lens Module (Eyepiece Module Required)
Shipping Restriction:
- Eyepiece Module Required
- 85mm Objective Lens
- Field-Flattener Lens System
- Extra-Low Dispersion Fluoride HD Glass
YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS
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.