This guide will give you all the information you need to choose your new Spotting Scopes. To buy the ideal tool, you need to ask yourself these questions:
- Do you need a spotting scope, binoculars, or telescope?
- The telescope should be straight or angled.
- What are the required specifications?
- It would help if you had a tripod.
I like to think of the spotting scope as a simple telescope designed for use on the sea or land during the day. Most natural observers use one. However, hunters also benefit from its use. Spotting scopes are much more accurate than binoculars and are an excellent tool for pinpointing targets.
Table of Contents
Spyglass, Binoculars, or Telescope
There is room for a professional spotting scope in nature observation and even the hunting world. They’re easy to use on the fly, compact and portable, and transportation is never a big deal. However, the more seriously you start looking at nature, the more you realize that you cannot do without a terrestrial telescope.
Bird watchers are great fans of telescopes, as they offer greater magnification and unprecedented stability to study even the rarest birds from afar. On the other hand, hunters benefit from this tool, spot wildlife more efficiently and track them effectively. They are also handy for improving your score during target shooting! So why shouldn’t you use a telescope to do the same?
Because the telescopes are specially designed for viewing the night sky, spotting scopes, on the other hand, are designed to be used at any time of the day. In addition, telescopes are meant to observe objects thousands and thousands of miles away, while spotting scope is designed for viewing relatively close objects.
Straight or Angled Scope?
There are essentially two telescopes: the angled eyepiece and the straight one. The angled eyepiece asks the user to look down to be used, while the straight eyepiece is used as a normal spotting scope or binoculars. So which one should you buy? It depends on the use you have to make of it!
Bird watchers and sky enthusiasts prefer the angled eyepiece for the following reasons:
- First, the angle allows the user to aim upward more easily without stiff necks.
- Angled eyepiece makes tool sharing easier. For example, there is no need to adjust the height according to the observer each time.
- The angled eyepiece is certainly more comfortable if you need to look through the spotting scope for extended periods.
We can point out other reasons that would make using a straight scope just as convenient. It is easier to use for situations that require you to “point and shoot.” For example, floor games are ideal. The straight scope allows you to hide your position more easily than an angled eyepiece.
The good news is that most spotting scope manufacturers worldwide offer both variants of their best “pieces.” Once you have decided on the design according to your needs, you must consider the required specifications and functionality.
Specifications and Features of a Telescope
Zoom / Magnification
There are variable zooms installed in virtually any terrestrial telescope on the market. Generally, no minimum zoom starts at 15x and goes up to 60x, depending on price and brand. Zoom adjustment is generally made by hand, just like with cameras. The greater the magnification power, the closer you will be to observing an object.
The Dimension of the Objective
You must carefully decide the lens size you want to buy, which will significantly impact your experience while using the scope. For example, a large lens, such as 80-100mm, can collect light better, even in low light conditions.
The image through these lenses is clearer and brighter than with a small lens. Spotting scopes with small objectives are lighter and easier to carry than large ones. To choose the lens size, it is necessary to consider the place of use. A large lens will give you better images if you intend to install your scope in a fixed position.
On the other hand, if you have to travel often, it is better to consider a smaller but lighter lens. Most 50 or 60mm can use lenses without a tripod. Of the smaller lenses, they are certainly the most versatile.
Pupillary Extraction (Eye Relief)
should always prefer a professional spotting scope with greater eye relief. This is especially important if you wear glasses or use the telescope if you intend to use sunglasses. Sunglasses can be useful and indispensable for the eyes when you are outside in the summer and the sun gets blinding.
For this reason, if you plan to use the spotting scope a lot in strong light conditions and wear sunglasses, you should consider a high Eye Relief. This allows you to keep your eye slightly away from the eyepiece but still see a full field of view.
Waterproof
You won’t always find yourself using your scope in ideal conditions. However, when you are out in the field and encounter adverse weather conditions, having a waterproof spotting scope is the minimum to get the most out of your observation.
You can get a clear image in most climates if the scope is waterproof and anti-fog. These features also protect your scope from water and corrosion, which is common when using the tool near saltwater.
Price and Image quality
When looking at commercially available riflescopes, you are likelier to fall in love with the best specs and the highest price. Undoubtedly, high-end riflescopes offer the best image quality, but such specs come at a high cost. Some professional riflescopes can cost up to $1,500.
As for image quality, you get what you pay for. But, at the same time, most mid-range riflescopes offer ideal image quality for most users. Hence, it is important to balance the required image quality and the price you are willing to pay.
Several factors affect image quality: the lens’s size, the prism’s design, and the type of glass. Also, the lens coatings and optics used play an important role. More expensive spotting scopes are equipped with multilayer lenses, which allow you to collect a greater amount of light.
Do you need a tripod?
The shorter answer to this question is: Yes. Tripods prevent images from becoming unstable and provide more stability to the tool to collect as much light as possible. However, we have discovered over years of observation that it is more difficult to concentrate on a target without a tripod, even when using small scopes.
Most commercially available scopes come with basic tripods and are typically interchangeable between models. In addition, some come with lens kits and tripods. Before purchasing, be sure to read the contents of the package.
This will ensure you buy the tool with all the necessary accessories. If you are buying a professional spotting scope, you should consider purchasing a solid and sturdy tripod other than the one offered in the box.
Conclusions
As we mentioned at the beginning of this guide, what I discovered in this article was to provide you with the most important information to help you choose the spotting scope that best suits your needs. Here is a summary of what we said:
- First, you have to think about the use I would make of the telescope. If you use it most of the time in ideal conditions, a base model of 50 or 60mm might be fine in broad daylight. However, a larger 80 or 120-mm lens is recommended for those who need to see objects up close.
- Don’t expect more from what you buy other than what it was designed for. Instead, use a scope that offers a “more realistic” zoom, between 15x and 40x, unless you are a high-expectations professional.
- If you don’t already have a tripod, you should consider buying one to pair with your new scope. In most cases, it isn’t easy to get good images if you hold the scope in your hands, so the tripod is an essential purchase.
- Choose wisely if that slight improvement in image quality is worth the much higher price you would be getting.
Don’t assume you must pay a high price to get the most out of your tool. For example, some spotting scopes cost around $100, while others exceed a thousand. Especially in this area, the more you play, the better the product you take home, but always ask yourself: do I need it?
The Best Spotting Scopes
Below you will find the most interesting offers on the market, carefully analyzed to help you find the right spotting scopes.
- Variable 20x to 60x magnification and dynamic lens focusing system - makes it easy to zoom...
- Fully multi-coated 80mm green film objective lens provides a field of view at...
- Nitrogen filled waterproof and fog-proof design enables the scope to withstand the...
- 25-75x zoom;SV28 spotting scope is easy to focus and change magnification;easily set up...
- 70mm large object lens;More powerful light gathering ability;70mm tube allows plenty of...
- IP65 waterproof;Can avoid sudden environmental changes to damage the SV28 spotting...
- 【Variable 25x to 75x Powerful Magnification】: Our spotting scopes has adjustable...
- 【80mm Large Object Lens】：Fully multi-coated 80mm green film objective lens provides...
- 【Sturdy Tripod and Portable】：This spotting scope is equipped with a solid tripod...
- ⭐【Professional Powerful Spotting Scope】Zoom in on nature with a powerful 25-75x...
- ⭐【Clear & Bright Even in Low-Light】Fully multi-coated lens and BAK4 roof prism...
- ⭐【Durable and Portable】High-quality rubber armor provides a non-slip grip and...
- ✅【High Magnification】This spotting scope features a powerful zoom magnification...
- ✅【Fully Multi-coated Lens】The lens are all fully multi-coated and features BAK4 roof...
- ✅【Durable Construction】High-quality rubber armor provides non-slip grip, shock-proof...
- 【HD Magnification】Our spotting scopes has 20- 60X,and 85MM high magnification and...
- 【BAK4 Roof Prism】Our Spotting scopes for target shooting use high-quality BAK4 Paul...
- 【Sturdy Tripod and Phone Holder】This soptting scopes for hunting is equipped with a...
- The redesigned Diamondback HD spotting scope has all the optical horsepower the western...
- HD optical system delivers exceptional resolution, cuts chromatic aberration and provides...
- Adjustable eyecups twist up and down for comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses....
- POWERFUL 20X-60X MAGNIFICATION - Our high-definition spotting scope provides an...
- WIDE VIEW RANGE WITH FOGPROOF DESIGN – Our multicoated 60mm green film objective lens...
- BAK4 HIGH TRANSMISSION PRIMS – Our spotting scopes are manufactured with the BAK4 prism...
- The Viper HD 20-60x85 Angled spotter is packed with features for incredible glassing and...
- The HD optical system comprised of premium components generates vivid high-definition...
- The smooth helical focus helps dial in your image for ultra-sharp viewing and maintains a...
- Trophy Xtreme 20-60x65 is built on the same great platform as our previous model but now...
- Fully Multi Coated - Multiple layers of anti-reflective coating on all air-to-glass...
- Extra power for extra range, this is the ultimate portable, all-weather spotting scope for...
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