What is a good spotting scope for bird watching? The best spotting scope for birding should have quality glass for bright images when glassing. Birding is an outdoor adventure activity enjoyed by many.
It’s fascinating to watch these flying creatures in their habitats or up in the sky flying. It becomes even magical when you admire every single detail at a closer range. For an up-close and personal birding experience, a spotter comes in handy.
8 Best Spotting Scopes for Birding
When it comes to birding or wildlife viewing, spotting scopes are a perfect alternative to binoculars. They are used for long-distance viewing where binoculars can’t reach. In this post, we will take you through the best spotting scopes on the market suitable for those who enjoy birding and wildlife viewing. Let’s get started.
1) Celestron – Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope
Ultima spotters are a great companion to nature and outdoor enthusiasts who love up-close and personal indulgence with the beautiful sceneries nature offers.
The Ultima 80 Angled spotting scope is the best spotting scope for birding from Celestron. If you are a beginner looking to start your birding hobby, this scope is perfect for you. It’s not only affordable but also lightweight and simple to use.
It comes with adjustable magnification from 20x to 60x which is suitable for viewing birds at different ranges. It offers a spacious field of view that’s necessary for easy target spotting and a 45° viewing angle that’s much more comfortable on the eye during extended observation sessions.
This spotting scope features multi-coated optics that maximize light transmission for bright and sharp images even when the ambient light conditions are unfavorable.
It also boasts of s a large focus dial that helps you bring your subjects into sharp focus and a built-in T-adapter that you can use for Digiscoping. Above all, the scope is fully waterproof and fog-free so you can use it even in bad weather conditions.
Features
- Multi-coated optics
- Integrated T-adapter for Digiscoping
- Eyepiece lens cap
- Manual focus
- 45° viewing angle
- Waterproof and fogproof
- 18mm eye relief
- Fold-down eyecup
- Lightweight design
- Sharp zoom eyepiece function
2) Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 20-60×85 Spotting Scopes
Vortex is a big name in the world of optics. It’s known for its quality optics and the Diamondback HD 20-60×85 Spotting Scopes are no different. The Diamondback HD Angled 20-60×85 spotting scope is rich in glassing features and is the best spotting scope for birding in the series. Anyone looking for a birding or wildlife viewing spotting scope will appreciate the high-end features that this scope provides.
With this spotting scope, you can either choose one with an angled eyepiece or a straight eyepiece depending on your preference. Besides that, it has an adjustable eyecup that makes it eyeglass-friendly and a built-in sunshade that helps eliminate glare and protect the objective lens from raindrops and snow.
The scope is tripod-adaptable for hands-free viewing. You can mount it to any Arca-Swiss tripod head without the need to use extra plates. It’s also designed to accept 1/4-20 threads for use on other style tripod heads.
In terms of construction, it has a durable aluminum housing that’s covered with rubber armor for ultimate durability. It brings to the table Armortek lens coatings which protect the lenses from scratches, dirt, oil and more. In addition, it’s waterproof and fog-resistant to give you a lifetime of reliable all-weather performance.
Features
- Two eyepiece designs: angled and straight
- Armortek lens coating
- Adjustable eyecup
- Variable 20-60x magnification
- HD optical system
- Tripod adaptable
- A built-in helical focus wheel
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Rubber armor
- Built-in sunshade
- Durable aluminum construction
3) Celestron Regal M2 100ED Spotting Scope
If you are looking to take your birding to a whole new level, you should invest in the Celestron Regal M2 100ED Spotting Scope. It has a few extra features to make your birding experience better and worthwhile.
As the best spotting scope for birding, Celestron Regal M2 Spotting Scope is specially designed to provide the sharpest images making it the ideal spotter for birding, nature observation, long-distance glassing and casual astronomy.
It brings to the table premium ED objective lens which significantly reduces chromatic aberration for sharp as razor images with superior color clarity. The XLT lens coating facilitates high-light transmission for brighter images even in low-light situations. The scope also comes with an angled eyepiece that’s perfect for long-distance viewing and digiscoping.
This spotting scope for birding is built to handle harsh and unforgiving field conditions. It has a lightweight yet durable magnesium alloy body that is fully waterproof and fogproof.
It also comes with a rubber armor that absorbs shock and provides a secure, non-slip grip. You also get an ergonomic dual-speed focusing mechanism that helps you bring your subjects into sharp focus easily and quickly.
Features
- Lightweight and portable
- Magnesium alloy body
- Weather-resistant construction
- Dual speed focusing mechanism
- Premium ED objective lens
- XLT lens coating
- T-adapter ring for Digiscoping
- Angled eyepiece
- Shock-absorbing rubber armor
- Eyepiece cover
4) Vanguard Endeavor HD 82 Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope
This angled spotting scope from Vanguard is your best option if you are looking for a quality yet budget-friendly spotting scope for birding. It has an angled eyepiece design and a broad magnification suitable for long-distance bird watching.
Featuring an 82mm objective lens, the scope provides an outstanding field of view which is what avid birders need. It features premium ED glass for excellent detail and advanced MultiGuard coatings which facilitate higher light transmission for bright, clear and sharp images. Even better, this scope comes with a built-in sunshade so you can view your subjects comfortably in direct sunlight.
The angled eyepiece is detachable for comfortable viewing. The dual-focusing wheels help you make your adjustments easily so you can bring the images into focus.
Since water is a major optics enemy, all Endeavor HD 82 spotting scopes have a weather-sealed construction for added safety. Overall, it’s a good-quality spotter that offers the best value for money.
Features
- Built-in sun shield
- Detachable eyepiece
- Long 19-20mm eye relief
- 100% waterproof and fogproof
- Large 82mm objective lens
- Premium ED glass with advanced MultiGuard coatings
- Rubber-armored magnesium body
- Dual focus wheel
- 20-60x magnification
- Wide field of view
5) Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD Spotting Scope
Leupold SX-2 is the best spotting scope for birding for those looking to add HD performance to their toolset. The Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD spotting scope offers high-end features at a price that’s easy on the wallet.
It has a wide 20x to 60x magnification and a 60mm objective lens. It provides clear views at both low and high-magnification settings regardless of the light conditions.
The scope has an angled eyepiece design and oversized eyepiece that makes extended glassing sessions comfortable and bearable. It’s well constructed to last long and has rugged rubber armor which provides a positive grasp even when it’s raining.
Another good thing about the scope is the high-end optical performance. It boasts high-quality lens coatings that provide high-definition clarity even in low-light settings.
The exterior lens is scratch and smudge-resistant to provide clear views all the time. Lastly, the spotting scope comes with a 1/4″-20 tripod adapter which makes it easy to mount on the tripod.
Features
- Angled rotatable eyepiece
- Tripod ready
- Rugged and durable construction
- Easy-grip rubber armor
- High-definition clarity
- Oversized eyepiece
- Twist-up eyecup
- Scratch and smudge-resistant
- 20-60x magnification
- Waterproof and fog-free
6) SVBONY SV13 20-60×80 XD Spotting Scope
Next on our list is the SVBONY SV13 20-60×80 XD spotting scope. This quality spotting scope is reasonably priced and suitable for a wide range of applications. It has a lightweight design so it’s convenient for you to carry from place to place.
Featuring a 45-degree angled eyepiece, the scope is essential for long-distance viewing and group sharing. The fully multi-coated lens increases light transmission to provide you with a bright and crispy view of the birds coming and going.
With this spotting scope, you don’t have to buy a tripod separately. It comes with a solid tripod that’s adjustable to meet the needs of different users. Besides that, the scope has an IPX7 waterproof design so you can use it in tough weather conditions.
For added convenience, this product comes with an extendable sunshade to protect your eyes from harmful sun rays and a smooth and easy-to-use focus wheel for quick magnification adjustment.
Features
- 80mm objective lens
- Fully multi-coated lens and prism
- Waterproof construction
- Extendable sunshade
- Twist-up eyecup
- 45-degree angled eyepiece
- Smooth and easy to use the focus wheel
- Lightweight design
- Adjustable tripod included
7) LANDOVE 20-60×80 Spotting Scope
Here is another quality and budget-conscious spotting scope suitable for birding, wildlife watching and other applications. It features a versatile 20-60x magnification suitable for intermediate and long-distance viewing.
The high-definition 80mm objective lens provides a wide and clear crystal field of view for easy target spotting. It’s fully multi-coated to increase light transmission so you get crisp images even in dismal environments. The scope also comes with a built-in retractable sunshade to reduce glare in direct sunlight and shield the eyepiece from weather elements.
When it comes to construction, this product is well-made with high-quality materials so you’ll get the best experience. It’s waterproof and fog proof for all-weather reliability and has a special non-slip grip for safe handling in wet conditions. To top it all, it comes with a cell phone adapter for Digiscoping.
Features
- BAK4 prims
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- 20-60x variable magnification
- Fully multi-coated green lens
- Built-in retractable sunshade
- 80mm objective lens
- Smartphone adapter for Digiscoping
- Non-slip grip
8) ROXANT Blackbird Compact Spotting Scope
This spotting scope comes with virtually everything you need for birding. It comes with a scope, tripod, lens cap and a durable carrying case. It’s very affordable and an excellent option for any buyer on a budget.
It boasts the best quality prism and fully multi-coated lenses which provide bright and high-quality images. The retractable eyepiece accommodates all users with or without eyeglasses, while the integrated sunshade reduces sun glare for comfortable viewing.
The scope has a weatherproof construction so you can use it in both good and bad weather conditions. The non-slip rubber armor shields the scope from shock and impacts for added durability. It also comes with a smooth-glide, textured focus ring on the main barrel for smooth focusing.
Features
- Lifetime replacement guarantee
- BaK4 prism
- Bright and wide field of view
- Fully multi-coated lens
- Non-slip rubbered body
- Textured focus ring
- Lightweight design
- 12-36x variable magnification
- Extendable sunshade
- 45-degrees angled eyepiece
How to Choose the Best Spotting Scope for Birding
Magnification
Magnification refers to how close an object appears when you look at it through a scope. With spotting scopes, the first two numbers that you see represent the magnification power. Popular spotting scopes for birding have a variable 20x to 60x magnification. This broad magnification is perfect for watching birds at medium and long distances.
Objective Lens
The other number that you see in a spotting scope represents the size of the objective lens. To get the most out of your birding expedition, you are going to need a scope that gives you bright and color-accurate views.
This calls for a product with a large objective lens. A model with a 50mm to 80mm objective lens will collect adequate light needed for bright and clear image production.
Fixed Vs Zoom Eyepieces
Spotting scopes come with an eyepiece that’s either fixed permanently or detachable. If you choose to go for a scope with a fixed eyepiece, make sure that it offers the right magnification for your needs. Typically, a model with a 20x or 30x eyepiece will be sufficient.
Scopes with zoom eyepiece are the best for birding. This way, you can adjust from one magnification to the other depending on the situation at hand. The most popular models have 20-40x and 20-60x optical power.
Glass Quality
The other important factor you should consider is the quality of glass. For birding, you want to have high-quality image views even in low-light situations. A scope with a good-quality lens will provide you with this much more.
The best scopes use ED glass which prevents chromatic aberrations. Also, make sure that the lenses are coated with premium coatings for excellent light transmission.
Angled Vs Straight Scope
Spotting scopes are available in two different configurations: straight and angled. If your bird alone, a scope with a straight eyepiece suits you. You can mount it on a tripod and make long glassing sessions a breeze.
On the other hand, if you prefer to go birding with friends or family members an angled spotting scope is the best option for multiple users. You can set the height according to the shortest person in the group and the taller individuals will lean over. Angled spotting scopes are also useful when watching birds overhead.
Build Quality
A well-constructed spotting scope will last long so you will get many years from it. The best spotting scopes for birding are made from high-quality materials preferably aluminum, magnesium alloy, or polycarbonate.
The scopes also come with a shock-absorbing rubber armor that provides a secure grip for the user and they are fully waterproof and fog proof for use in any weather condition.
Field of View
Magnification and field of view are inversely related. The higher you zoom in on a target, the smaller your field of view becomes. Field of view is listed as either ft at1000 yards or degrees at 1000 yards.
The size of the field of view is different from one spotting scope to the other. Some models offer a wider area of view than others. When it comes to birding, a larger field of view will help spot the birds in different habitats smoothly and help you motor the flying ones easily.
Best Spotting Scope for Birding FAQs
Q: Are Spotting Scopes Good for Birding?
A: Yes. Spotting scopes offer the best bird views at varying distances. They have higher magnification for long-distance bird watching and a wider field of view which helps you spot these magical creatures easily.
Q: How Much Spotting Scope Magnification Do you Need for Birding?
A: For long-distance bird watching, look for a spotting scope magnification of 20x to 60x and a large objective lens of at least 60mm.
Q: Do you need a tripod with a spotting scope?
A: Yes. Though spotting scopes are fairly lightweight and easy to hold by hand, you should get a tripod for comfortable viewing. A tripod will take the scope’s weight off your hands, provide the needed stability for the scope and make extended glassing sessions more bearable.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you are now able to make the right buying decision. Take your time and go through the different spotting scopes available, then choose something that works best for your specific needs. Before you know it, you will be amazed at how useful these tools are for watching birds around you.