It's only natural that after using a pair of binoculars, some birders will find that they yearn for more, and the only way to practically get more reach is to use a spotting scope. These are essentially terrestrial telescopes, using one optical path to magnify an even greater distance than our typical handheld optics can manage.
As covered in our guide to choosing a spotting scope, finding the right scope can be as simple or as daunting as we make it. In this guide, we aim to make this process easier, covering a range of the best scopes we offer for all budgets.
If you've read our guide to the best full-sized binoculars, you may be wondering why we've forgone the breakdown of angle of view. First, the angle of view in these scopes tends to be nearly identical in similar optics. After all, scopes are designed for close-up observation, whereas binoculars do the finding.
Top of the Line
Swarovski OPTIK ATS-80 20-60x80mm HD
Rugged yet refined, the OPTIK ATS-80 20-60x80 angled viewing spotting scope from Swarovski delivers one of the clearest viewing experiences one can imagine. This should come as no surprise coming from one of the world's most renowned optics manufacturers.
This is made possible with premium, apochromatic HD fluoride-containing optics designed to transmit all wavelengths of visible light. The result is an image with accurate color rendition, rich detail, and minimal flare for a contrast rich image.
Leica APO-Televid 25-50x65
Leica optics excel optically in their brightness and color fidelity. Even binocular users note that a pair of Leica Trinovids look noticeably brighter than alternative bins, and let's not even get into the Noctivids. The APO Televid 25-50x65 scope continues this trend, offering a crisp, bright image even in darker lighting conditions thanks to the inclusion of APO elements.
Now, what does APO mean? This refers to the inclusion of apochromatic lenses, which are designed to cancel out color distortion while maintaining light transmission. This means that an apochromatic lens produces sharper, brighter images, a trait common in Leica optics.
The scope features a superb build quality, including a magnesium chassis with durable, textured rubber coatings. The grip on the zoom eyepiece and focusing knobs are easy to control, even when wearing gloves. Pair the construction quality with the optical performance, and you have an optic that delivers an exceptional viewing experience with little to no eye fatigue.
Kowa TSN-99A 30-70-99 PROMINAR
The Kowa TSN-99A 30-70x99 PROMINAR Zoom Kit has the honor of providing the largest objective lens diameter on the list at 99mm across. This massive diameter allows users to see distant objects clearly in even the toughest conditions. This light gathering makes more sense when you consider the powerful 30-70x eyepiece, which requires plenty of light at the long end to deliver the expected performance.
When it comes to the glass itself, the Kowa features a front XD lens made of extra-low dispersion glass with the second element being made of fluorite crystal glass to create an optical path virtually free of chromatic aberrations throughout the scope's zoom range. To keep the glass safe, the scope is built using a corrosion-resistant magnesium alloy chassis with O-ring seals to protect from the elements in extreme conditions.
If the TSN-99A is a bit too magnified, consider the slightly wider Kowa TSN-88A 88mm PROMINAR Scope. These scope share many of the same features, although with different eyepieces.
ZEISS Victory Harpia 23-70x95 Kit
B&H assembled this Zeiss Victory Harpia 23-70x95 Spotting Scope kit to give outdoor enthusiasts a powerful rig for long-distance observation. What makes this kit so impressive is the versatile zoom range paired with the oversized 95mm objective lens, which draws in copious amounts of light, ensuring a bright view even in low light or other challenging lighting conditions.
This scope's stellar optical performance begins with the glass used in its optical formula, implementing extra-low dispersion fluoride glass to virtually eliminate color fringing and chromatic aberration. Additionally, this scope makes use of Zeiss's proprietary T* multi-coatings to maximize light transmission and improve color rendition. What this means for you as the user is a clear, strain-free viewing experience throughout this scopes zoom range.
Midrange
Vortex Razor HD Spotting Scope
Vortex is one of the most recognizable names in the world of sports optics. In fact, this brand made many appearances in our guide to full-sized binoculars. They offer one of the widest varieties, ranging from the affordable Crossfire series to their flagship Razor line. At the forefront, sits the Razor HD 27-60x85 angled scope.
What sets the Razor series apart from its contemporaries aside from its sharpness and color transmission, is the helical focusing mechanism, which is easier to access and allows for fast, yet fine adjustments, especially when wearing gloves. Now, let's talk about the optics.
While the diamondbacks are spectacular, especially for the price point, the Razor have a little bit more pop to their color accuracy. Additionally, the edge-to-edge sharpness of the Razors make for an overall more visually pleasing experience.
For a more travel-friendly option, consider the Vortex 13-39x56 Razor HD Spotting Scope. We chose this particular scope for its compact, portable design. As you begin shopping, you'll see that there are plenty of small options to choose from, but few that offer the clarity and brightness of the Razor series.
One of Vortex's strongest selling points is their unconditional lifetime warranty that covers any damage, drops or defects. This extends to nearly all their products, and every scope on this list.
ZEISS 20-50x65 Conquest Apia 65
Our next offering from Zeiss is the compact Conquest Apia 20-50x65 Scope, which carries over many of the same features as its larger Victory cousin, but in a smaller, portable package. At only 11.8” in length and weighing almost a pound and a half less than the Victory above, this scope is perfect for longer treks or travel.
So, what's the difference between the Conquest and Victory series? These optics feature different objective lens diameters and magnifications, so the weight difference is obvious, but what sets these series apart? We found that while both are stellar optics, there is a bit of eye strain with the Conquests during longer viewings. That said, for more casual viewings, especially when you're covering more ground, the Conquest is the better option.
Nikon Monarch 20-60x82 ED
Nikon has long been considered an optics manufacturer that also makes cameras. While this may sound like a jab, it's far from it. Nikon's glass, whether it be for photography or observation, has always been spectacular, and the Monarch 20-60x82 ED Spotting Scope is no exception.
The Monarch line itself includes binoculars, rifle scopes, range finders and of course, spotting scopes. While considered a mid-level optic, the Monarch binoculars alone are among the best-selling binoculars around, often outperforming similar and higher end optics. While it's not as bright as some of the higher end models, it's still extremely sharp.
Glass aide, the scope just feels great to use. It features the much-praised helical focusing mechanism and outstanding build quality. With an aluminum-alloy housing, nitrogen filling, and O-ring seals, the Monarch ED is a durable optic made to withstand the elements.
Getting Started
Celestron TrailSeeker 65 16-48x65 Spotting Scope
One of the best values in spotting scopes is the Celestron TrailSeeker 65 16-48-65. This scope features Celestron's proprietary XLT fully multi-coated optics to allow for efficient light transmission throughout its optical path. This means users are treated to a crisp, high-contrast image with reduced reflections. And that's only scratching the surface.
Despite its price, this scope has a rugged feel and offers many of the same specs as other scopes on this list including fog proofing and waterproofing. It features a rubber-armored polycarbonate housing, and while it's not as durable as the mid- and high-level metal chassis, it's tough enough to face the elements. The key takeaway here is that the TrailSeeker is a great value and performs very well for the price.
Hawke Sport Optics Nature-Trek 20-60x80
Hawke Sport Optics has the edge when it comes to budget-friendly optics, as they manage to deliver a robust feeling optic with good clarity for a relatively low price. The Nature-Trek 20-60x80 Spotting Scope uses anti-reflection coatings to produce bright images with accurate color representation without sacrificing contrast in the image.
Where Hawke really has the edge, is in build quality. This scope has an aluminum-alloy chassis, making it more durable than other optics in this category, plus it does so while weighing just 46.2 ounces. This is one of the lighter scopes on the list, and our pick for best overall entry-level scope.
Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope
An ideal companion for long-range viewing, the Vortex Diamondback
HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope is one of the most popular scopes available. It's no surprise why this is one of our best sellers, as it provides a powerful 20-60x zoom eyepiece with a bright, sharp viewing experience for a relatively affordable price.
This scope is a workhorse, designed with harsh conditions in mind, featuring a shockproof chassis and Vortex's Armortek scratch-resistant coatings to protect the glass from scratches and debris.
Nikon ProStaff 5 20-60x82 Spotting Scope
Nikon's entry level optics in the ProStaff series are quite like the Monarchs in that they punch far above their means. These scopes are sharp, have a solid feel to them, and can withstand the toughest conditions. Our pick in this category is the ProStaff 5 20-60x82 Spotting scope with the angled eyepiece.
Unlike the Monarch, the ProStaff sports the common, albeit small knob-style focusing system. We're nitpicking a bit here, but as we touched upon earlier, if you're an all season birder who will be operating your scope with gloves, the larger helical style is better.
Which Should I Get?
Consider your intended use, and whether you'll be setting up near the car, hiking to a vantage point, or a bit of both. The highest-end optics may seem appealing, but it may be more practical to choose a smaller, compact scope for your needs. Whether it be bird watching or any other type of wildlife observation, there's a solution for you.
To learn more about scopes and their many uses, check out our other guides and articles on the matter. If you'd like to read more guides or other articles on photography, videography, and all things tech, check out the rest of the B&H Explora site!
