Hello everyone. This is Roseriver, wishing you the best. Today is about The Best Spotting Scopes for Bird Watching. These are different from Binoculars in mobility and magnification. Spotting Scopes have to be in a stable platform like a Tripod or a sand bag due to the enormous magnification and therefore the stability and mobility issue.
The greatness about Spotting Scopes is the ability attach video/photo cameras or smartphone to it and equally important for great recordings the distance you can keep from the bird.
Best Spotting Scopes For Bird Watching(Updated List)
Preview
| # | Preview | Product | Rating |
| 1 |  | Vortex Optics Razor HD 27-60x85mm | The smallest |
| 2 |  | Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 23-70x95mm | The Best |
| 3 |  | Kowa Prominar Pure Fluorite 88mm (includes eyepiece) | Best Overall |
| 4 |  | Nikon Monarch 20-60x82mm ED | The Traditional |
| 5 |  | Swarovski ATS-80 20-60x80mm HD | The Outsider |
Why You Should Get Spotting Scopes?
We’ve already talked about Binoculars in a different post but this is a step up. Spotting Scopes will forever change your relation with Bird Watching. The magnification is something that will marvel you as a birdie. Binoculars get you close but Spotting Scopes gives the colour of its eyes.
If you want to step up a notch get a good Spotting Scope and you will never go back. This is the reason for this post, presenting to you some of the best Spotting Scopes for Birdwatching.
What to Look for When Buying Spotting Scopes For Bird Watching?
Spotting Scopes come in different forms and also with different magnifications. Everyone has different needs and values different things but I am focusing on Bird Watching.
Birdwatching Spotting Scopes have to have pristine lens quality and clarity. Bird Watching only cares about detail so things are very simple: Image Quality. We also value the fact that observing birds with a spotting scope does not disturb the birds as much because we can be very far.
Spotting Scopes are not lightweight, they demand an extra support (e.g. tripod) therefore mobility is already compromised. Mobility is when we go hiking with Binoculars and a Notebook, Spotting Scopes are great on Birdwatching huts (Like BirdClubHUT) to really use it in its full potential.
Objective Diameter Bigger Than 60mm
One of the most important features of a Spotting Scope is light getting through therefore you should look for a Spotting Scope with lens diameter of at least 60mm but ideally 80 to 95mm.
Eyepiece Placement
When buying a Spotting Scope for Birdwatching go for the ones with an angled viewing instead of one with straight viewing. Angled viewing allows using it for longer periods without getting tired. Also it permits a better attachement of cameras or smartphones.
A Good Tripod
Tripods are not directly related to the Spotting Scope but without one the scope becames almost useless. Buy a good tripod to stabilise your Spotting Scope but also one that allows you to move it easily like a cinematic tripod.
The Best Spotting Scopes Product Reviews
Here are the reviews of the best Spotting Scopes. In this post we used the closest products possible. They are at the top of their brand quality, they all are fog and waterproof, and permit smartphone or cameras attachment.
1. Vortex Optics Razor HD(The Smallest)
This magnificent Scope has a good size lens, 85mm, and the its coating is also of great quality. Built with HD and ED glass to eliminate distortions and some chromatic aberrations it also permits the entry of a fair amount of light.
With a perfect location for the focus ring and the zoom ring to be easy to operate this Scope with a magnesium chassis is very light in weight. The Chassis is O-ring sealed and argon filled so it becomes fog and waterproof.
Pros
- Great Light Transmission
- Lightweight
- Fair price
Cons
- Focus and zoom ring are a bit stiff
2. ZEISS Victory Harpia 23-70×95 (The Best)
Zeiss Scope has the widest lens, 95mm, that allows an enormous amount of light transmission making the images bright and sharp even with pour light conditions. The Zeiss lens coatings improve the light transmission at all levels, colour, contrast and clarity. This technology also helps the lens to be easily cleaned of oils, dust, sap and dirt.
The focus system has a dual-speed mechanism for a fast and accurate sharp image. The body is fog and waterproof. In the front threads permits the use of filters like polarising and ND.
Pros
- 95mm lens
- Focus Ring
- Image quality
Cons
- Price
3. Kowa TSN-880 Series Angled Body(The Best Overall)
This Spotting Scope is state of the art for bird watching. The lens coating is one of the best along with the light transmission. Although it has an 88mm diameter lens the magnesium alloy body makes this scope to be one of the lighter in the list.
The technology involved in the lens construction makes it superb for bird watching, capturing images or videos, due to the great image balance.
Pros
- Fantastic Images
- Fog and Waterproof for both Body and Eyepiece
- Lightweight
Cons
- We couldn’t find a major one.
4. Nikon Monarch 20-60×82 ED (The Traditional)
This spotting scope follows the Nikon tradition in great lens quality and fantastic brightness and light transmission. Although the look is a bit different from others scopes its quality honours its name.
The Nikon scope here presented is the cheapest of the the lot and even though it is a true contestant in the area. The image and performances of the scope is almost perfect.
Pros
- Excellent Zoom
- Bright and Sharp Images
- Price
Cons
- Old Fashion Look
5. Swarovski ATS-80 20-60x80mm HD(The Outsider)
This scope comes with great lens features in coating bringing it to the level of quality needed to do bird watching. The Swarovski lens technology is close to perfection and the eyepiece complements with a great zoom capability.
The look is modern and compact. The use of this scope in a tripod improves stability and then you can enjoy the full potential of the great image quality produced through the scope.
Pros
- Lens Quality
- Eyepiece Zoom
- Body Rubber Material
Cons
- Pupil Exit on 60x Zoom
Conclusion
There it is. This concludes the review on some of the best scopes on sale this year. The experience was one of a kind and you’ll be pleased with any of the scopes presented. The reviews are reveal that they are all great contestants and great choices. I hope you enjoy them while bird watching. If you need more details go to B&H for more information.
Roseriver
BirdClubHut.com