Spotting Scope Buyers Guide

Angled Spotting Scope vs. Straight

Angled and straight are the two basic body designs of the refractor spotting scope.
In a straight scope the eyepieces are aligned to each other while in an angled scope, the eyepiece is at an offset of 45 degree or 90 degree from the barrel. However, straight design is preferred by many.
straight body designed scopes can [...]

Where to buy the best spotting scopes

Over the past few years I’ve purchased over 10 different spotting scopes online for myself and my family. The best selection, prices and overall shopping experience has been at the following stores.
Best shops to buy scopes from
Frugal shopper tip: I’ve linked you right to the best deals below. Visit each store using my links for [...]

Spotting Scope vs. Telescope

From the point of view of the design, a spotting scope and a telescope are not very different altogether.
Both are used for magnification and are constructed with an eyepiece lens and an objective lens. Both are used to be able to see long distance images clearly. Both the spotting scope and the telescope are designed [...]

Using a Spotting Scope for Astronomy

Over recent years, the use of spotting scope has gained popularity due to its portability. Moreover, it often results in clear images and is much cheaper than a conventional scope. Spotting scope is a durable telescope which is used for bird watching, hunting and even digiscoping. Depending on the configuration of the lens and eyepiece, [...]

Tips for Birding using a Spotting Scope

A spotting scope will widen your horizon for most bird watching. You can see a bird more clearly with spotting scope. All of us know that sometimes we need more than the usual 7x to 10x binoculars to locate those rare species of bird which we missed otherwise. However, it is not only used for [...]

How-to pick a Spotting Scope for Birding

There are many kinds of scopes available. Birding spotting scopes come with many features and its price generally ranges from $100 to $2,000. The costlier ones are characterized by large objective lens and special coated optics.
While purchasing a spotting scope, one should consider many factors. The factors include: the objective lens’ size, alignment of the [...]

How-to pick a Spotting Scope for Target Shooting

One very popular use of a spotting scope is for target shooting. This requires a premium quality spotting scope as compromising with the quality can lead to compromise with accuracy which you cannot most certainly afford.
Most target shooters are usually confused as to what features a spotting scope should have for effective target shooting. One [...]

Tips for Buying the Best Spotting Scope Tripod

Tripods play an important role in providing stability to a spotting scope. It is believed that even the world’s best spotting scope is useless if not stable. Tripods come in variety of shapes and size. They are also available in different colors and variety of head configurations. (Head of the tripod is the place where [...]

Spotting Scope Tripods 101

If a scope is not held steady even the world’s best spotting scope will be of no use. Using a tripod is the most common and the easiest way to hold the scope firmly. The tripod includes: the legs and the central column of the tripod and the head on which the scope is mounted.
Your [...]

Digiscoping 101

Digiscoping
is a combination of the words digi and scoping wherein digi comes from digital cameras and scoping comes from spotting scopes.

Have you ever tried taking a picture by placing a digital camera in front of the spotting scope eyepiece?
Not yet? Try it! It has a great advantage over the normal bird spotting scope.
Let [...]

Waterproof Spotting Scopes

One of the more desired features of a spotting scope is waterproofing so you can use the scope without worry in all weather. Note that waterproofing is often called ‘weather proofing’ as well. Here’s the best waterproof scopes I’ve found.
My Waterproof spotting scope Reviews

BARSKA Blackhawk 20-60x 60 angled Review
Alpen 20×50 Waterproof Mini Review

For all my [...]

What is a Spotting Scope?

put together this short guide for those not familiar with spotting scopes.
Definition

spotting scope
A spotting scope is a modification of an astronomical telescope. However, there are some major differences. A spotting scope is much smaller than a telescope and is mainly used for more low magnification vision. Another very radical difference is that a spotting [...]

How to Choose a Spotting Scope

This page is a simple guide for those looking to buy a scope.
Quick Overview
A spotting scope is a device that is used to view distant objects especially that on land. It is similar in construction and function to an astronomical telescope with a few minor changes. Usually spotting scopes provide a magnification of 15X to [...]