Best Spotting Scopes

Spotting scopes are incredibly useful optical instruments as long as they’re used for the right purpose. As with anything, there isn’t a single best spotting scope, but there are a number of things that one has to consider to determine the most suitable buying option when looking for one. Let’s have a look at these factors.

Magnification – typically the magnification for spotter scopes starts at 20x and goes up to around 60x, though some models support higher figures. Note that the cheaper the product and optics, the worse will the scope’s performance at high power factors be.

Objective lens – the size of the front lens determines how much light goes into the scope and is crucial for its usability in dimmer light or higher magnifications.

Quality of optics – the quality of the glass components differs drastically between budget models and the best scopes on the market. Things like using BaK-4 prisms, lens coatings etc all increase brightness, contrast and sharpness of the image. The quality of the image can be (almost literally) like day and night even when comparing scopes with the same basic numbers.

Price – obviously it would be nice to buy a Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss scope, but few can afford this kind of an investment. Price is a major consideration, but must be weighed carefully against all the other factors, since cheap product tend to be “cheap” in terms of more than just price.

Since picking the top spotter scope is not an easy task, we try to make the job easier by reviewing the best models by type and application and showing you great choices in a wide range of prices.

• Reviews of the Top Spotting Scopes for Wildlife Viewing
  Spotting scopes are indispensable tools for observing animals and birds in the wild. We have a look at what you need to know when buying one and list some of the top options on the market right now.
• What are the Top-Rated Spotting Scopes for Hunting Elk? Reviews
  Which spotting scope will give you the best view while elk hunting without punishing your back or draining your pockets? Read our reviews and buying tips to find out!
• A Review of the Top Spotting Scopes for Mountain Hunting + Buying Guide
  You can't take just any old spotting scope mountain hunting. We review the top optics for hunters in a range of prices and provide a guide to buying the best one.
• Choosing the Best Spotting Scope for $400 Or Less
  We look at and compare some of the best spotting scopes available for less than $400. Read our reviews and quick bullet-point guide to figure out which scope is the best one for you.
• Choosing a Spotting Scope for 200 to 300 Yards Distance
  If you need to spot targets or game at about 200 or 300 yards out, you'll need a decent spotting scope for the job. Let's see the main points to consider and look at some of the best products on the market.
• Buying a Rangefinder Spotting Scope - What Are Your Options
  We go through the actual options you have when trying to buy a spotting scope with a rangefinder - there are several solutions to the issue. Read this guide before jumping to any conclusions.
• A Full Guide to Picking the Best Hunting Spotting Scope
  Your spotting scope can make or break your hunting trip - it's crucial you understand what you're buying. We make it easy to choose the best tool for the job and your budget and review several top models to consider.
• Picking the Best Spotting Scope for Birding, What You Need to Know (2019)
  Getting the best spotting scope for birding or some random one will make or break your bird viewing experience. Let's see what you should know about birder scopes before spending your cash.
• A Target Shooter's Guide to Buying a Great Spotting Scope
  You've got tough choices to make when looking for a great target shooting scope and we'll help you - read this guide and check out these products before spending your money.
• Some of the Best Spotting Scopes under $500 or so for Hunters
  Need a spotter scope for your hunting, but you're on a budget? For $500 or less, you can get a really good tool that will fulfill your needs - read this article first.
• Cheap Spotting Scopes vs More Expensive Ones
  Here we compare some really cheap spotting scopes with higher priced ones.
• How to Use the Reticle on our Spotting Scope
  Suppose you buy a spotter scope with a distance measuring reticle. Do you know how to use one? Here we give a brief overview of what's involved.
• Best Brands that Make Great Mid-Range Spotting Scopes
  You can get a pretty good spotting for less than $500. Read this article to find out which brands offer optics in this range.
• How to Choose a Good Spotting Scope for a Few Hundred Bucks
  How do you know a good spotting scope from bad one? Especially if the price is the same? What to look for and how to choose your spotting scope - in this article.
• How to Choose a Spotting Scope with a Range Finding Reticle
  Reticle-equipped spotting scopes are incredibly useful for estimating range during practice shooting or hunting. But how do you choose one? Read this article to know what to pay attention to.
• Your Ultimate Guide to the Top Spotting Scopes under 1000 USD
  Find out the best optics you can get for your money with our full buying guide. We review several spotting scope models in depth and provide tips on making the best buying decision.
• Uses and Limitations of Really Cheap Spotting Scopes
  See what you can expect when buying a low-end spotting scope. They have their applications, but won't fulfill everyone's needs/
• What to Expect from a $500 Spotting Scope
  500 dollars is a fair amount to buy a decent spotting scope, but it will not be the same as a $2000 one. In this article, we look at what you might expect for your money.
• What's Better: Getting a Low-Cost Spotting Scope vs a Decent Binocular?
  Sometimes it's not obvious whether you should spend your money on a spotting scope or binoculars. Here we look at some things you should consider when weighing one against the other.
• Spotting Scope with Ranging Reticle vs Laser Rangefinder: Which Should You Go for?
  There are situations where one would prefer to measure distant through a reticle-equipped spotting scope, but sometimes you need a laser range finder. Read here which to choose.
• Best Spotting Scope Under 100 Dollars Reviewed (2019)
  Read our reviews and buyer's guide for the best spotting scope under 100 USD. There are some great cheap scopes out there - and we have them listed!
• Spotting Scope with Reticle: Review of the Best Models on the Market
  A complete buying guide and in-depth reviews of the top spotting scopes with a reticle on the market. Read before buying.
• What are the Best Budget Spotting Scopes on the Market in 2018?
  Find out the best budget spotting scopes on the market today by reading our detailed buying guide and reviews.
• Top Picks for Spotting Scopes that Cost $500 Or Less
  Reviews of the top spotting scopes that one can usually get for less than $500. We review features to look for and a small selection of the most prominent products.