Best Spotting Scopes

A spotting scope is a portable magnifying device ideal for bird-watchers, star-gazers and wild-life lovers. It is the next version of binoculars, but a spotting scope needs a tripod to come into use. There are different varieties of spotting scopes that vary depending on your budget. In this article, we bring you some of our best picks of spotting scopes so you can pick one right away.

1. Gosky HD Spotting Scope with Tripod

Award: Sturdy Design.

Tagline: A sleek spotting scope that can display crystal clear images 4 to 5 kilometres away.

Gosky has come up with a 60 x 60 mm spotting scope best known for bird-watching. With an impressive 20 to 60x zoom and wide aperture, you get HD images in all seasons and weathers. Along with the spotting scope, you get a carry case, phone adapter and a tripod. Weighing 1.63 kilograms, this is the lightweight spotting scope allowing steady movement. This device is perfect for wildlife-watching, astronomical observation and target shooting. The high-quality prism optics provide bright and high-contrast images even in low light. Containing rubber, the scope has a non-slip grip along with being waterproof. 

2. Celestron 80-45 Degree Spotting Scope

Award: Durable body.

Tagline: The sturdy outer body resists minor jolts and falls while protecting the optics from inclement weather conditions.

Celestron offers a versatile spotting scope which is perfect for outdoor viewing of all types. In the package, you also get a smartphone adapter and a view-through carrying case. You can capture images and videos right from your smartphone using the adapter. The rigid frame and tight knobs allow you to connect any smartphone to the spotting scope with ease. Having a 45-degree viewing angle and multi-coating to the optics, you can capture high-quality pictures. The 20 to 60x magnification range allows you to quickly scan any landscape. 

3. Celestron LandScout Spotting Scope

Award: Best for beginners.

Tagline: Fully-coated optics increase the light transmission enabling bright and crystal clear images. 

Celestron brings you another spotting scope that is compatible with any smartphone and all 1.25-inch eyepieces. You also get a tabletop tripod, object lens cap, an eyepiece cap, smartphone adapter and a carrying case. The rotating tripod allows you to arrange the orientation of the scope for the best visibility. With the 45-degree viewing angle, the spotting scope encourages comfortable viewing for a long time. With the magnification of 12 to 36x, you can capture even the moon at night. The compact and portable scope is slip-resistant and waterproof. 

4. Vanguard Spotting Scope (Angled Viewing)

Award: Best for eye protection. 

Tagline: The built-in sun shield and the rubber eyecup give your eyes the utmost relief even under direct sunlight. 

Vanguard has come up with an incredible spotting scope with rubber and magnesium outer body that is waterproof, fog-proof and submersible. To ensure maximum light transmission, it features a fully-coated 80mm objective lens. The lens provides angled-viewing with 20 to 60x zoom magnification. The extendable rubber eyecup ensures an impressive field of view. For extra protection against inclement weather, you get a padded raincoat to cover the scope. The tripod is rotatable for allowing maximum viewing angles. 

Things to consider before buying a spotting scope:

1. Magnification power

Spotting scopes are low-range telescopes having the magnification of 15 to 60x. These scopes generally come as fixed-length eyepieces that are interchangeable or as single zoom eyepieces. For scanning a landscape, it’s better to go for a 20x magnification range. To examine something closely, go for the highest magnification.

2. Light transmission

The size of the objective lens determines the amount of light a spotting scope can gather. The size is generally between 50 mm to 100 mm. The higher the size of the lens, the brighter the images.

3. Eye relief

For a total field of view, the spotting scopes must contain an eye relief feature. Some scopes have movable rubber eyecups to provide eye relief to non-glass wearers. For glass wearers, 12 to 15 mm of eye relief is adequate.