The Best Spotting Scopes
As any birdwatcher or hunter will tell you, a quality spotting scope is a must-have. These portable telescopes are the perfect tool for honing in on skittish wildlife and tiny targets. Of course, telescopes have been around for centuries, so it's no surprise that the market is flooded with different options. Choose the wrong spotting scope, and you might get a distorted image or a rickety tripod. That's why we've gone ahead and assembled this list of the best of the best.
What to Look For
We’ve tried out tons of different spotting scope models, and we’ve learned a thing or two about what separates the winners from the duds along the way. A good spotting scope will have a clear, easy-to-focus lens, a robust construction, and the ability to zoom to different distances. It also doesn’t hurt if it comes at a fair price. With these standards in mind, we chose Gosky’s HD spotting scope as the best overall, thanks to its magnification range of 20-60x and gorgeous 60mm high-contrast lens. But if you want the most durable design, we recommend checking out Emarth’s spotting scope for its incredibly rugged build. There’s a lot to consider, so let’s dive into the reviews.
Gosky 20-60x Spotting Scope
Go the distance
This option from Gosky has everything we look for in a spotting scope and more. It’s strong, sturdy, and weatherproof. Like a tank in the rain, this baby is built to withstand the elements, so feel free to take it deep into the bush during your next excursion. A beloved scope among birdwatchers, hunters, and frontiersmen alike, this option comes with accessories that beef up the value. The tripod is stable, the phone mount is intuitive, and the carrying case is tough as nails. Better yet, this scope has a powerful zoom magnification of 20-60x. It’s the perfect magnification range for identifying a distant target and then zooming in to get a closer look. Through this scope, images are bright and clear, with strong contrast in all kinds of lighting conditions.
Pros
- It offers amazing value for the price, especially considering all the high-quality accessories.
- Includes a retractable sunshade, so you can say goodbye to glare when looking towards the sun.
- The zoom is smooth as butter, so you can identify your target first and then “zoom in and enhance.”
Cons
- You have to press your eye to the eyepiece, so it’s not the first choice for those with glasses.
Emarth 20-60x Waterproof Spotting Scope
No need for a rain check
Another fantastic overall option, this scope from Emarth has a bit of a leg up on the competition when it comes to weatherproofing. Much like our previous pick, this beauty is filled with nitrogen gas to prohibit moisture from getting inside the lens. Even in foggy fields and mucky bogs, this Emarth lens stays clear as crystal. Of course, you can’t take it scuba diving with you and expect it to stay completely dry, but you get the point. With a 20-60x magnification range, this scope features a responsive focus wheel that can fine-tune your focus in a fraction of a second. The Emarth spotting scope is smooth, durable, weather-ready, and affordable.
Pros
- The lens is multi-coated to enhance clarity and reduce glare.
- Waterproof, fog-proof, and durable, the construction is strong and ready for adventures.
- Zooming in and focusing is really smooth and doesn’t jostle the image.
Cons
- The eye relief is narrow, so you have to look into the eyepiece straight on to see the image.
Huicocy 20-60x Spotting Scope
Zoom in for the bullseye
Sure, target practice is fun, but hauling your butt across the field to see if you hit your mark every couple of shots is not. Enter the Huicocy spotting scope. This beauty comes at a bargain price and features a shockingly smooth zoom and focus. It’s the perfect companion for your next trip to the range. Simply prop it up on the included tabletop mount and keep it right next to your rifle. Even tiny marks from .22-caliber rifles can be seen easily through a Huicocy lens, especially when using the extendable sunshade.
Pros
- It’s amazingly high quality for the price.
- The compact design is great for traveling to and from the range.
- The focus ring is on the main barrel, so it works like a traditional lens.
- The eyepiece is retractable, so those with glasses can still peer through.
- This kit includes everything you need, including a tripod, digiscoping adapter, a cleaning cloth, and a carrying bag.
Cons
- The digiscoping adapter and tripod aren’t the best, but they do the trick.
Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope
Ready for the rough
Everything about the Trophy Xtreme is, well, extreme. The rugged construction is encased in waterproof armor that can handle almost all the inevitable drops, spills, and crashes you throw at it. And thanks to the premium multi-coated optical system, images through this 20-60x magnification lens appear shockingly clear, sharp, and bright. Even all the accessories are top-tier, including the sturdy tripod, hard travel case, and handy car window mount.
Pros
- There’s very little loss in color contrast and clarity when zooming in.
- The ideal option for rough handlers, this rugged spotting scope is strong and shock-proof.
- The included hard case adds extra protection, so you don’t need to worry about your scope getting crushed during travel.
Cons
- The eyepiece isn’t angled up, so you’ll have to view it straight on.
Creative XP Spotting Scope
Capture with confidence
Many spotting scopes come with a phone adapter, but these can sometimes be kind of gimmicky and poorly designed. Such is not the case with Creative XP. This spotting scope has a phone adapter designed to shoot and capture wildlife in the quietest way possible – with the click of a shutter. The adapter holds onto your device with a powerful suction cup and can be fine-tuned and adjusted for the optimal angle. Better yet, this spotting scope comes with a remote shutter (they call it a “clicker”) that connects to your phone via Bluetooth. Most importantly, the spotting scope itself is fantastic and offers HD optics through a multi-coated lens.
Pros
- Images through the premium lens are high-contrast and colorful, making it easier to see wildlife.
- The focus knob is really smooth and easy to fine-tune without jostling the image.
- The eye relief is wider than most, meaning you can look into the eyepiece at odd angles and still see an image.
Cons
- You may still have to remove your phone case to get the phone adapter to work.
- If you plan on doing high-quality photography with this, you’ll likely need to invest in a bigger tripod.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swap out the tripod?
Most spotting scopes have a standard tripod screw receptacle (that’s a fancy way of saying the hole to which you screw the tripod head). The standard dimensions of these screws are 1/4-inch to 3/8-inches wide.
How far can I see with a spotting scope?
Since most spotting scopes can zoom in up to 60x, they can peer really great distances. Shooters regularly use these scopes to check their marks on targets hundreds of yards away. Spotting scopes can even hone in on planets, and we’ve even used one to see the rings of Saturn. If you plan on turning your spotting scope towards the heavens, we suggest getting one with an angled eyepiece, so you don’t have to crane your neck to look up.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.