In our latest Georges Cameras TV video, Nathan takes us through the ultimate guide to spotting scopes on outdoor expeditions. Spotting scopes offer more versatility over binoculars due to their ability to spot elusive birds and wild animals from a distance. Using the right adapters, these tools are also well-suited for both outdoor photography and videography – especially in wide-open spaces.
The Vanguard Vesta 460A 15-50×60 Angled Scope Spotting is the best in the Vesta series. Its incredible features make it an excellent choice for bird-watching. The angled spotting scope features a magnification range of 15-50x. With an 11mm eye relief, this fog-and-water-proof scope has a field view of 125-57 feet.
The Vanguard Endeavor XF 60A 15-45×60 Angled Spotting Scope offers excellent optical viewing. The rigid, rugged body of the spotting scope makes it perfect for outdoor usage. Along with a magnification range of 15-45x, this scope offers a field of view spanning 69-144 feet. It has a sturdy build and an angled view, with an eye relief of 19-20mm.
Compact and lightweight, the Kowa TSN 501-20-40×50 Angled Spotting Scope with Eyepiece from Kowa is another excellent alternative you can consider. It is angled, sturdy, and delivers a magnification of 20-40x. The field of view ranges from 131-92 feet.
Vanguard has nailed the Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A 20-60×82 Angled Spotting Scope, from an impressive magnification range to incorporating unique elements in the optical design. Its top features are the excellent eye relief of 19mm and the magnification of 20-60x – not to mention the robust and waterproof build.
Like other spotting scopes in the Endeavour series from Vanguard, the Vanguard Endeavor XF 80A 20-60×80 Angled Spotting Scope has impeccable features. It has a powerful objective lens of 80mm and an equally excellent magnification range of 20-60x.
The Nikon PROSTAFF 5 Fieldscope 60-A is a remarkable product from Nikon. The field scope does not come with an eyepiece. We’d recommend the Nikon SEP-20-60 as it complements the field scope perfectly. Waterproof, tough, and durable, this angled scope has a decent objective lens of 60mm. Its 20-60x magnification range is also great for photography.
The most noticeable feature of the Vixen GEOMA II ED 67-S Spotting Scope is its extra-low dispersion glass element. It has a proper eye relief of 19mm, and an impressive magnification range of 16-48x. The tough build makes this angled scope well suited for outdoor shooting.
The Nikon Monarch 20-60×82 ED Spotting Scope from Nikon features Field-Flattener technology, which gives it the ability to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness. The Monarch includes the MEP 20-60x eyepiece and offers a field view of 111 feet, an eye relief of 16.1 mm, and a magnification range of 20-60x.
Zeiss is another brand that offers great spotting scopes. One such excellent product from the brand is the Zeiss Harpia 85 body Angled Spotting Scope. The spotting scope is angled and has an objective lens of 85mm. The Zeiss Harpia 85 will require the Zeiss Victory Vario Eyepiece, which offers 22-65x.
Now that we’ve walked you through the very best spotting scopes, it’s time for you to pick one that best suits your requirements. Remember, magnification, lens design, build quality, weather-proof features are essential aspects to look out for.
Vanguard Vesta 460A 15-50×60 Angled Scope Spotting – Includes Case & Tripod
Vanguard Endeavor XF 60A 15-45×60 Angled Spotting Scope
Kowa TSN 501-20-40×50 Angled Spotting Scope with Eyepiece
Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A 20-60×82 Angled Spotting Scope
Vanguard Endeavor XF 80A 20-60×80 Angled Spotting Scope
Nikon PROSTAFF 5 Fieldscope 60-A
Nikon SEP-20-60 Eyepiece
Vixen GEOMA II ED 67-S Spotting Scope with Case
Nikon Monarch 20-60×82 ED Spotting Scope
Zeiss Harpia 85 body Angled Spotting Scope
Zeiss Victory Vario Eyepiece
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I know you cant have a review for every spotting scope. I purchased aspotting scope awhile back called SightMark 20x60x80 XD.
I think its very comprable to the ones you reviewed. If you could get info on it and let me know what you thought of it.
TiborasaurusRex gave it high reviews. Look forward to your response. I think its very well worth the money.
This is awesome, could you guys do a review specifically for target shooting please? Maybe including tripods as well for all weather shooting?
Thanks for the video! If you were to recomend one for target shooting at 100-300 yards, would the vangard endevour hd 82a be a good one? was planning on getting it but also attaching a phone adaptor as well, to better see bullet holes are long distance?
The best Spotting Telescope for Birdwatching you can get now are the Kowa TSN-99A Prominar with the TE-XW80 eyepiece which have 40x magnification with a field of view of 39 meters at a 1000 meters distance, I have got this Spotting Telescope and can very highly recommend it, my former Scopes was the Zeiss Diascope 85 and before that the Kowa TSN-3. Only get the very best and sturdy tripods for Spotting Telescopes, do NEVER use a center column, it will be best to avoid a tripod with center column !
I have compared the Kowa TSN-99A Prominar to the Zeiss Victory Harpia 95, the image quality are just about the same, not any significant difference, but the handling are very different, it is much faster to find a flying bird with the Kowa Scope and it is much faster and more precise to focus with the Kowa Scope, at the time of the comparison in autumn 2022 the price was the same for the Kowa and the Zeiss included eyepiece, but now the Zeiss are more expensive without the eyepiece than the Kowa with the eyepiece included, so I cannot recommend the Zeiss in any way ! Get the Kowa !!!
ZEISS Victory Harpia @ $5000+ ! is Amazingly ridiculous or ridiculously amazing? Especially when I compare it with my budget-friendly Harbor Freight $45 angular scope!
7:23 exit pupil = diameter of objective / mag power
Nice video but you forgot the excellent Pentax line of spotting scopes. If you add an adapter, as I have done, it is possible to use your full frame DSLR and lots of filters.
How much cost the last Lense you show?)$$
That’s a great one
(From India 2023)
Excellent comparison video on youtube and good informative video. Could you pls make video with celestron 100mm spotting scope.
[From the UK, December 2022] Fantastic video buddy! Must be one of the best on the Internet, for the subject covered.
Dear Sir, please suggest me a spotting scope with attachment, dslr and zoom eyepiece for inspection of flare, column top, pipe components at a distance of 700-800MTRS.
Very nice information i got , thanks!
Este é a melhor análise de lunetas que já vi em toda minha pesquisa que já dura duas semanas. Principalmente por mostrar imagens reais. Todos os outros vídeos-reviews não mostram essas imagens, além de serem propagandas descaradas das marcas. Parabéns!
why are there no reviews of bushnell prime spotting scopes on yt?
nice through video thanks
This is nothing more than an advertisement for a few specific brands of scopes, some of which are not that good. 👎
Didn't think I was gonna learn anything but I did. Great video , Thanks.I'm trying to find the most powerful scope I can afford to view and photograph sky squid and also the moon. I want more than 60 because I have a 60x optical zoom camera already. I can't seem to find anything higher on Amazon and it takes forever no matter what I type in. What's the most magnification obtainable in a scope ior eyepiece? Anyone?
I wish you rated the Leupold series
Great rundown. How does Vortex compare to the models you reviewed? I'm looking at the Diamondback HD 20-60×85 for target shooting.
telescopes can come with an eyepiece that flips the image the right way up
I've heard some negative results of the vanguard. My question is if it was used with a cell phone or DSLR, and if aps-c or F/F makes a difference or it just focuses differently and/or cropping ability of the F/F. I'm assuming with the sensor size of aps-c would be better than a cell phone.
15:29 jesus that edge to edge clarity
Highly detailed review. Rare to find good videos of spotting scopes on Youtube. Thanks for sharing.
ty for the video helps a lot………… every use a cell phone with them?
Super helpful, thank you! Do you know if the nitrogen filled ones are affected by high elevation? I’m talking 12k feet.
Chinese made Vanguard spotting scopes are GARBAGE!!!! I bought one to try out and the images were horrendous. You are better off spend the extra money on Japanese or EU made ones. Personally, I like the Swarovski ones. The 115mm objective lens from Swarovski is 2nd to none, the only drawback is the weight. That's why I also have the 60mm ones for backpacking.
wow
Excellent video.