Up Close with the Best Spotting Scopes for Hunting

Every hunter knows how it goes. It seems like you see deer every day except when you actually go looking for them. It’s one thing to accidentally spook a deer or miss a shot, but some of the most frustrating hunts are the ones you spend wet and freezing for twelve hours in a tree stand without seeing so much as a wayward fawn.

To avoid those hunts, up your optical game. There are many high quality scope options on the market for every hunter and every situation. If you don’t know what to look for in a scope, learn about the different specs and features that are out there. Once you know what you need, take a look at our picks for the best spotting scope.

What spotting scope features does a hunter need?

The features you need depend on how you plan to use your spotting scope. Someone in a stand with an elaborate setup will need something different from someone hunting a blind.

A long-range stand hunter should look for a more powerful optic to achieve better image quality. You need greater magnification or zoom range and larger objective lens diameter. Fortunately, you should have the space you need for a scope like this. You’ll need additional time to set up, but again, stand hunting allows for that.

If you’re still hunting, your needs are a whole different ball game. You want something lightweight that blends into your surroundings. You don’t need the same magnification as a long-range hunter. An objective lens of 60mm and 15 to 40 times magnification range should be plenty.

Whether you’re on the go or set up somewhere for the long haul, there are some universal things every bowhunter needs. For example, don’t compromise on weatherproofing.

It’s not worth ruining your equipment or your hunt due to unexpected weather.

You also want to go ahead and splurge on appropriate armor, even if you need to buy it separately. If you drop or knock your unprotected scope, you might be looking at an overpriced paperweight.

Lens power, size and glass quality

A look at a spotting scopes numbers reveals its strengths. These numbers work in an easy formula.

The first figure represents a range of magnification. A spotting scope labeled “15–50 x 60” can magnify 15-50 times. If the scope is not adjustable, this is a single number. The number following the ‘x’ is the size of the objective lens: in this case, 60mm.

If you’re a dusk or dawn hunter, choose a larger lens for better visibility. This is because larger lenses let more light into the scope.

Clarity and brightness of the picture also depends on the quality of glass in your spotting scope.

Glass quality is one place where you don’t want to cut corners.

If it’s not good, it can drag down the performance of the other features.

Coatings

Coatings can add to the cost of your spotting scope, so it’s important to know what they do—and whether you actually need them.

Glass is transparent, of course, but it still works as a filter, dimming light that passes through it. Coatings help diminish the amount of light lost during the process. Lens coatings vary–we’ve laid out the differences here.

• A coated lens comes with a single-layer coating applied to one or more lenses.
• Fully-coated options have a single layer of coating on every external lens.
• A multi-coated lens carries several layers of coating on one or more lenses.
• Fully multi-coated lenses have several layers of coatings on all external lens surfaces.

On the move? Then lightweight and compact

Keep this in mind—if you’re a still hunter or like to change stands a lot, you want something that’s going to be light and small. You need to worry about humping your equipment in and out–especially if you’ll be walking a long way back to your truck. You also don’t want something so heavy it’s uncomfortable to use.

Waterproof and armored

Whether you’re stand or still hunting, make sure your spotting scope is weatherproof and armored. You just can’t guarantee you can protect your equipment from unexpected elements.

Remember, weatherproofing isn’t about making your equipment submersible. Advertising a spotting scope as water-resistant, weatherproof or fog proof means the equipment has been sealed so there is no internal air exchange. That air exchange is what can cause clouding and condensation on the inside of your equipment.

So what’s the best way to keep that seal intact so there’s no condensation? You can find that in the armor.

Your spotting scope’s armor is just a protective case. Like a phone case is designed to absorb shock, armor fits snugly to the scope. This gives it an extra layer of protection for potential accidents.

Eye relief – what’s your eyewear?

Eye relief is the amount of distance there needs to be between your eye and the eyepiece for optimal viewing. You should absolutely know the individual eye relief of each spotting scope you’re considering. Minimal eye relief could make the scope difficult to use while wearing glasses—even your shooting glasses.

Generally speaking, lower-power scopes have greater eye relief. Your higher-power scopes have less. It’s possible you’ll have to compromise in one area to find a scope that suits your needs.

Angled or straight?

Scopes come in two styles angled or straight. A straight spotting scope is in line with your eyepiece. An angled spotting scope has a set angle somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees.

The type of spotting scope you choose to use depends on how you plan to hunt. One is not inherently better than the other, but different situations might make one style advantageous.

It’s hard to hold anything steady with a magnification power greater than 10, and scopes generally magnify 40–60 times. Regardless of whether you use an angled or straight scope, it’s best to use it mounted.

What about binoculars?

Not willing to let go of your trusty pair of binoculars? You don’t have to. Spotting scopes are a great piece of equipment to have when you’re hunting. So are binoculars. Scopes aren’t made to be a replacement for them. They’re made to use in addition to them.

Binoculars are usually handheld with lower magnification. They are ideal for sweeping the landscape and looking for game. Once you’ve found something, pull out your scope and use that to zoom in.

Remember, your spotting scope’s magnification range capabilities are much greater than your binoculars. You certainly wouldn’t want to be sweeping and searching with your scope. You’d never find anything.

Hunting Spotting Scope Reviews