Best Spotting Scope: Top 10 Best Options For Hunters
Having the best spotting scope comes with a lot of advantage irrespective of the use – bird watching, targeting shooting, or even hunting. For example, if you are a hunter, this scope will offer you an accurate placement of the target before you can pull the trigger. The best spotting scope should offer you a platform to achieve great focus on images and objects during hunting for better results.
Every hunter, bird watcher, or even a target shooter would be more delighted to land the best spotting scope but in most cases, such scopes are hard to come by considering the tons of different options on the market. We understand this and that is why we put up this review to offer you the insights and to help you find the best spotting scope that will serve you appropriately.
Best Spotting Scope FAQs
Buying anything, especially online, can be challenging, but not with the right information about the product. To help you settle for the best spotting scope for your specific needs, we have listed a few frequently asked questions which will enlighten you about spotting scopes.
1. What Is a Spotting Scope?
A spotting scope is a small, high-power telescope with added optics that increase the resolution, color, and contrast of images and objects.
2. What Does a Spotting Scope Do?
A spotting scope increases the resolution and enhances the color and contrast of the images and objects hence making hunting easier.
3. How Does a Spotting Scope Work?
A spotting scope gathers light at the objective lens, hence increasing the resolution color and contrast of the object. It also has a focus knob which magnifies the size of the image.
4. Where Can You Buy a Spotting Scope?
This product can be found in online stores such as Amazon.
How We Reviewed
Purchasing an item as important as a spotting scope can be challenging especially with the wide variety of this product online. We invested a lot of energy and time to research on some of the best spotting scope brands for hunters. Our focus of the research was a comparison of the features, pros and cons and prices to come up with a credible list of the best spotting scope to help you find a suitable product based on your preferences.
Overall Price Range of a Spotting Scope
[amazon box=”B01BY2XP36, B001HN5HB6, B0002CTZ70, B001UQ6E44, B003AVGRB2, B00CEVRCR2, B00BIKFLK0, B07BMRF7PR, B00BIKFHUE ” template=”table”]
The prices of each spotting scope differ significantly. According to what we reviewed in this article, spotting scopes range from as low as $ to as high as $$$. This difference in price is brought about by differences in features such as image quality resolution, weight, and ability to resist water and fog.
What We Reviewed
The following is a list of the top 10 best spotting scopes for hunters.
- Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope
- Leupold Mark 4 12-40X60Mm Spotting Scope W/Mil-Dot 53756
- Celestron 52250 80mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope
- Celestron 52312 Regal M2 LER 27×80 ED Spotting Scope
- Vortex Optics Viper HD 2018 Spotting Scopes
- Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope
- Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scope
- Bushnell Legend Ultra 12-36 x 50mm 786350ED HDX 40mm Ed Gla
- Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope
- Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 Spotting Scopes
Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
WARRANTY
This spotting scope has a lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B01BY2XP36″ value=”button”]
FEATURES
This spotting scope is built with a semi-straight design which makes it fully waterproof and fog-proof. It also comes with a straight lens which makes it easier to track moving objects left to right and look at things below your line of sight. The scope also has multi-coated lenses and low depression glass that provide the highest quality images.
It is coated with patented RainGuard water-resistant coating which makes it weatherproof implying that you can hunt in the snow or rain with no condensation on the lens.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Has a complete accessory package
- Larger size available
- 2 included tripod mounts
- It is weatherproof
- Has highest quality images
- Easily tracks moving images
CONS
- Has quality control issues
- It is quite pricey
Leupold Mark 4 12-40X60Mm Spotting Scope W/Mil-Dot 53756
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$.
WARRANTY
This product has a limited lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B001HN5HB6″ value=”button”]
FEATURES
This spotting scope has 4 multi-coated lenses which optimize light transmission for peak brightness, resolution, and contrast hence giving the highest quality images and objects. It also has a tactical spotting scope which allows you to estimate the range at any power setting using the Mil Dot.
It is made with a waterproof material which makes it easier to use in any weather, including snow or rain without condensing the lenses. It is rubber armored which absorbs shock and hence reduces damage.
PROS
- Water and fog-proof
- Rubber armored for shock resistance
- Multi-coated lenses
- Includes a front focal plane
- Fairly compact
CONS
- It is very expensive
- Maximum magnification is 40x
Celestron 52250 80mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
WARRANTY
This product has a limited lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B0002CTZ70″ value=”button”]
FEATURES
This spotting scope features an 80mm objective lens which provides magnification from 20x to 60x implying that the highest images are provided. It also features zoom wheels that work smoothly, which makes it easy to focus on and bring the target right up to you.
The 80mm spotting scope features multi-coated optics that provide high-quality images at low magnification. The eye relief of the spotting scope is superb which makes it easier to use without eyeglasses.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Smooth zooming function
- Multi-layered anti-reflection optics
- Compatible with a variety of tripods
- Stable in rugged conditions
- Brilliant zooming standards
- Highest-quality images
- List ElemeHas a sight tube for quick targetingnt
- Water and fog-proof
- Camera adaptable
CONS
- Magnification beyond 20x may cause chromatic aberration
- Poor image quality beyond 25x magnification
Celestron 52312 Regal M2 LER 27×80 ED Spotting Scope
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
WARRANTY
This product has a limited lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B001UQ6E44″ value=”button”]
FEATURES
This spotting scope features a 360-degree tripod which makes hunting and focusing easy and comfortable to use. It has a 6.0m scope which offers excellent focus and coarse focus, giving clearer images and objects. The body of the spotting scope is made with magnesium and aluminum, which makes it more stable and durable making it very long lasting.
The lens has a lens protector available which prevents the lens from damage or breaking hence making it very durable and long-lasting.
PROS
- Brilliant eyepiece specification
- Great lens protector
- Good and coarse focusing
- Very affordable
- 360 rotatable tripod
CONS
- Has a tight tripod knob
- Does not produce razor-sharp images
- Too tough to target at long range
Vortex Optics Viper HD 2018 Spotting Scopes
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
WARRANTY
This product has a limited lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B003AVGRB2″ value=”button”]
FEATURES
This spotting scope features a rotating tripod ring that allows rotation of the eyepiece to a sideways position, thus making the focus of images and objects easier. It has a sunshade which reduces glare and shields the aiming lens from rain and snow.
Its anti-reflective coatings team up with XD extra-low depression glass to provide images that are bright, crisp, and sharp. It also has dual focus wheels that allow maximum focusing precision with both coarse and fine adjustment.
PROS
- Stunning image quality and clarity
- Excellent HD, ED glass
- Very durable
- Versatile
- Has good range
- It includes accessories
CONS
- Heavy
- The cover is difficult to put on
- Limited eye relief
- Pricey
Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
WARRANTY
This product has a limited lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B00CEVRCR2″ value=”button”]
FEATURES
This scope features ED glasses that offer the highest quality of images at low magnifications. It has high-quality lenses that view bright and sharp images with excellent color and contrast. It is water and fog-proof, implying that it can be used in any weather without condensing the lenses. It also comes with a stay on case that slips over with openings on the aim and eyepiece ends, which allows you to view objects without having to remove the case
PROS
- Sleek, modern-looking scope
- Very bright and sharp images
- Shows plenty of details
- Good color and contrast
- The wide central sweet spot
- Dual focus control
- Easy to use
CONS
- Zoom eyepiece is a bit stiff
- Images degrade as you move up beyond 40x
Vortex Optics Diamondback Spotting Scope
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
WARRANTY
This product has a limited lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B00BIKFLK0″ value=”button”]
FEATURES
This scope features an 80mm objective lens and an angled eyepiece that provides high-quality images and objects that enable one to have a proper shot. It has a central focus knob and a magnification wheel built into the eyepiece which makes it very easy to use. The optics of this spotting scope are fully multi-coated which gathers light, thus offering sharp images at low magnification.
PROS
- Light
- Compact
- Rugged and built to last
- Waterproof and fog-proof
CONS
- Impossible to get a sharp image at a maximum magnification
- Packed with no foam protection
- Ineffective for spotting shots beyond 100 yards
Bushnell Legend Ultra 12-36 x 50mm 786350ED HDX 40mm Ed Gla
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
WARRANTY
This product has a limited lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B00GHYA7LA” value=”button” link_overwrite=”https://www.tactical-survivalist.com/bushnell-legend-ultra-12-36-x-50mm-786350ed-hdx-40mm-ed-gla/”Check Latest Price”]
FEATURES
This spotting scope features lenses that are multi-coated and have low depression glass that provide the highest quality images. It also features dual focus adjustments that optimize lenses, hence offering the capability to refine your focus. It is coated with patented RainGuard water-resistant coating which prevents even a drop of water from forming on any part of the scope.
PROS
- Clear optics with no fringing
- Great for targets to about 125 yards
- Small and light in weight
- Easy to see at dusk
- Nice two-stage focus
CONS
- Magnification will not see targets at 200 yards
- Not a good eye relief at high magnification
Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
WARRANTY
This product has a limited lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B07BMRF7PR” value=”button”]
FEATURES
This spotting scope features a combination of nitrogen-filled magnesium and a fully multi-coated path that creates a well-equipped zoom optic implying that you are able to make long-range observations. It has an extra-low dispersion lens system which maximizes light transmission and produces great color and contrast images.
PROS
- High-quality magnification
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Tripod mounting foot
- Interchangeable eyepiece mount
- Magnesium body
- Built-in sun shield
- Rubbered armor
- Waterproof and fog-proof
CONS
- Image degradation as you zoom beyond mid-range
- Zoom eyepiece is a bit stiff
Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 Spotting Scopes
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.
WARRANTY
This product has a limited lifetime warranty upon purchase.
WHERE TO BUY
[amazon fields=”B00BIKFHUE” value=”button”]
FEATURES
The Razor HD spotting scope features lens elements with extra-low dispersion characteristics that reduce chromatic aberrations and deliver stunning contrast. The Razor HD scopes also include an APO system, which combines with HD glass that provides the sharpest color distinctions.
PROS
- Has high-quality optics
- Sharp color distinctions
- Fully multi-coated optics
CONS
- Eye relief tends to be on the low side
- May have probability issues
- A bit expensive
The Verdict
Getting the best spotting scope from such a wide market is the best thing that a hunter can ever have. This is a very important tool for any hunter since it provides you with great resolution, great color and contrast, and also brings the image at a very close range.
According to our review, the Celestron 52250 80mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope made the top of the list for the best spotting scope brands for hunters. This is because of the fact that it has a smooth zooming function, it has multi-layered anti-reflection optics, it is compatible with a variety of tripods, and it gives brilliant high-quality images.