Whether you are a hunter, birdwatcher or sport shooter, these criteria of spotting scope tests should be considered by every buyer before making a purchase. Make sure you choose the right spotting scope for your specific use case.
The observed object must meet your expectations as a buyer, even from a great distance. Spotting scope tests are based on different criteria, which are discussed in more detail below.
Criteria for the spotting scope test
When spotting scopes are tested, different test categories come into play. For example, the body of a spotting scope can vary: There are angled bodies (oblique-viewing) and straight bodies (straight-viewing), both of which are preferred under certain observing circumstances.
Spotting scopes with an angled body are particularly suitable for use over flat surfaces.
Spotting scopes with a straight body are mainly used from an elevated position – for example, from a mountain down into the valley or from an elevated position down into a forest clearing.
Lenses in spotting scope tests
The objective lenses of spotting scopes are also regularly tested. The spotting scope lens should always be made of a high-performance glass. It is not the size of the lens that matters, but the quality. When faced with a choice, go for a high-quality lens rather than the larger one.
Nevertheless, lens size also plays a role. The rule is obvious: larger lenses allow for greater performance than smaller lenses. So ideally, go for a high quality and large lens.
The magnification in the test
When testing spotting scopes, magnification power also plays a role.
Spotting scopes are often used when binoculars reach their limits. A spotting scope should provide magnification of 25x to 40x at the least. At these long distances, the spotting scope must also provide clean imaging.
Nevertheless, the greater the magnification, the more the quality of the image suffers. The laws of optics dictate this. The highest magnification, which many manufacturers do not exceed, is 60x magnification. However, some manufacturers also offer devices with 75x magnification (e.g. Bresser).
Atmospheric conditions such as fog, heat, wind and others usually prevent flawless images from being delivered above 60x magnification. Even with the best spotting scope, you can’t see against e.g. heat flicker (rising air layers of different temperature).
Eye relief
Spotting scope tests also check the distance of the eye from the eyepiece.
Observations become more difficult if the field of view of a spotting scope is lost during small eye movements.
Especially people who wear glasses must be able to see a clear image through the device even with some distance to the eyepiece. People wearing glasses are recommended to consider at least 14mm eye distance to the eyepiece.
Eyepieces and spotting scopes
When buying a spotting scope, be aware that eyepieces are not always included in the price. And if the eyepiece is included in the price, be aware that it is possible that the eyepiece cannot be changed.
High end spotting scopes usually have detachable eyepieces. In addition, the eyepieces are most likely not included in the price of high-end devices. Although the buyer must spend additional money to purchase a suitable eyepiece for the spotting scope, he has at the same time the possibility to choose between various offers of the providers – for example between zoom eyepieces or fixed magnifications.
Test results show: High-quality eyepieces make it possible to quickly focus on the observed object. This makes observation comfortable and durable at the same time.
Criterion Close focus limit
The minimum possible distance to observation is also included as a criterion when testing spotting scopes.
With most spotting scopes, the closest focusing distance is less than ten meters. At short distances, numerous spectacular details can become visible if the spotting scope is optimally processed.
Waterproofing
Regularly, when testing spotting scopes, the susceptibility of the devices to splash water (moisture) and dirt is examined. While these criteria are not important for every user, the weather can vary in every application situation. Special seals keep moisture, dust and dirt outside the spotting scope and guarantee the long service life as well as a permanently high imaging performance.
New test criterion: camera adapter
The trend towards digiscoping has led to the fact that most spotting scopes today can have a camera attached.
When buying a spotting scope, pay attention to which camera models your spotting scope can be used with – especially if you have already invested in expensive camera equipment.
If you want to use your spotting scope for digiscoping, please check whether special adapters are necessary and available. Because only with the right equipment you can produce razor-sharp photographs through the spotting scope.
Spotting scope test: criteria at a glance
When looking for test results of spotting scopes, compare the following criteria in particular:
- Lens diameter
- Focal length spotting scope
- Filter thread
- Resolution
- Contrast
- Image sharpness
- Distortion
- Seefeld greetings
- Fixed magnification
- Sharpness extension
- Color fringes
- Inner reflexes
- Colour rendering
- Brightness
- Focus
- Weight and balance
- Close-up settings
- Price
Results of spotting scope test
In the middle price category with prices between approx. 500,00 £ and 800,00 £ and a good price-performance ratio, you can find for example the KowaTSN 601 for approx. 730 £ or the Kite SP 82 for approx. 600,00 £.
Among the best spotting scopes in tests are the premium products from Leica, Swarovski & Kowa. These include the Swarovski ATX 25-60×85 for about 2,500.00 £ the KowaTSN-883 for about 1,750 £ or the Leica APO-Televid 82 for about 2,300 £.
This evaluation of test reports on spotting scopes, which various buyers have chosen, provides information on the most popular and at the same time best rated spotting scopes on the market.
Price overview spotting scopes
The following two price overviews are updated at regular intervals and offer orientation among the top manufacturers of spotting scopes on the European market.
| Spotting Scope | Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Celestron Kids 30mm Table Top Spotting Scope | £ 19.2 | Optics-Pro |
| Seben 10-25x42 SC1 Zoom Spotting Scope Monocular Macro Vision Nitrogen FMC Tripod | £ 26.21 | Optics-Pro |
| Discovery Spotting scope Range 50 | £ 54.31 | Optics-Pro |
| Levenhuk Spotting scope Blaze Base 50 | £ 61.33 | Optics-Pro |
| Bresser Junior Zoom spotting scope Spotty 20-60x60 | £ 65.66 | Optics-Pro |
| Seben 38-114x70 Ultra Zoom Mak spotting scope SC3 1.25" 870mm + Tripod | £ 69.26 | Optics-Pro |
| National Geographic Zoom spotting scope 20-60x60 | £ 70.05 | Optics-Pro |
| Levenhuk Spotting scope Blaze Base 60 | £ 74.48 | Optics-Pro |
| Bresser Spotting scope 20-60x60 Travel | £ 78.82 | Optics-Pro |
| Levenhuk Spotting scope Blaze Base 70 | £ 96.39 | Optics-Pro |
| Omegon 25-75x70mm spotting scope | £ 121.86 | Optics-Pro |
| Omegon 20-60x60mm zoom spotting scope | £ 121.86 | Optics-Pro |
| Barr and Stroud Spotting scope Sahara 15-45x60 MC | £ 125.32 | Optics-Pro |
| Omegon 20-60x80mm zoom spotting scope | £ 148.16 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron 20-60x60mm spotting scope, angled eyepiece | £ 162.19 | Optics-Pro |
| Omegon Handyscope 10-20x30 | £ 165.7 | Optics-Pro |
| Acuter Spotting scope 16-48x 65 Nature Close ST65A | £ 174.46 | Optics-Pro |
| Levenhuk Spotting scope Blaze Base 80 | £ 175.3 | Optics-Pro |
| Barr and Stroud Spotting scope Sahara 20-60x80 MC | £ 175.3 | Optics-Pro |
| TS Optics Spotting scope TSS P 80 Z 20-60x80mm | £ 192.0 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE Spotting scope Vantage 20-60x60 | £ 196.38 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Spotting scope C70 MiniMak 25-75x70mm | £ 200.76 | Optics-Pro |
| Eschenbach Zoom spotting scope Arena S 20-60x60 | £ 209.53 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron 16-48x65 TrailSeeker spotting scope, straight eyepiece | £ 209.53 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Zoom spotting scope Ultima 65, bended | £ 209.53 | Optics-Pro |
| National Geographic Zoom spotting scope Adventurer 20-60x80 | £ 218.3 | Optics-Pro |
| Levenhuk Zoom spotting scope Blaze PRO 60 | £ 219.13 | Optics-Pro |
| DDoptics Spotting scope Pirschler 12-36x50 S Gen.3 | £ 235.83 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE Spotting scope Vantage 24-72x70 | £ 235.83 | Optics-Pro |
| Barr and Stroud Spotting scope Sierra 20-60x80 Dual Speed | £ 249.82 | Optics-Pro |
| Levenhuk Spotting scope Blaze Base 100 | £ 254.2 | Optics-Pro |
| Acuter Spotting scope Nature Close 20-60x80 45° | £ 258.63 | Optics-Pro |
| Acuter Spotting scope Nature Close 20-60x80 | £ 258.63 | Optics-Pro |
| Omegon Zoom Spotting Scope 20-60x80mm + Tripod and Head | £ 262.13 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-502 | £ 265.64 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-501 | £ 265.64 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Zoom spotting scope Prostaff 3 16-48x60 | £ 267.39 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Spotting scope PROSTAFF 5 60-A | £ 275.28 | Optics-Pro |
| DDoptics Spotting scope Pirschler 15-45x60 G Gen.3 | £ 275.28 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Spotting scope PROSTAFF 5 60-S | £ 275.28 | Optics-Pro |
| DDoptics Spotting scope Pirschler 15-45x60 S Gen.3 | £ 275.28 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Zoom spotting scope Ultima 80, bended | £ 279.67 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Zoom spotting scope Ultima 80 | £ 279.67 | Optics-Pro |
| Vanguard Endeavor XF 60 angled eyepiece spotting scope + 15-45X zoom eyepiece | £ 279.67 | Optics-Pro |
| Bushnell Spotting scope Legend Ultra HD 10x42 Mono black | £ 288.43 | Optics-Pro |
| Vixen Spotting scope Geoma II ED 52-S | £ 288.43 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE Zoom spotting scope Nature-Trek 9-27x56 | £ 298.95 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Spotting scope C90 Mak | £ 305.97 | Optics-Pro |
| Bushnell Spotting scope Legend Ultra HD 10x42 Mono beige | £ 305.97 | Optics-Pro |
| DDoptics Spotting scope Pirschler 20-60x80 G Gen.3 | £ 314.74 | Optics-Pro |
| DDoptics Pirschler 20-60x80 spotting scope | £ 314.74 | Optics-Pro |
| DDoptics Spotting scope Pirschler 20-60x80 S Gen.3 | £ 314.74 | Optics-Pro |
| Noblex Spotting scope NS 8-24x50 ED | £ 332.27 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron 20-60x80 TrailSeeker angled eyepiece spotting scope | £ 341.04 | Optics-Pro |
| Bushnell Trophy Xtreme 20-60x65 spotting scope, straight eyepiece | £ 341.04 | Optics-Pro |
| Vanguard Endeavor XF 80 A angled eyepiece spotting scope + 20-60X zoom eyepiece | £ 341.04 | Optics-Pro |
| Vanguard Endeavor HD 65A angled eyepiece spotting scope + 15-45X zoom eyepiece | £ 349.8 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Spotting scope PROSTAFF 5 82-S | £ 354.19 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE Zoom spotting scope Nature-Trek 13-39x56 | £ 354.19 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Spotting scope PROSTAFF 5 82-A | £ 354.19 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE Spotting scope Nature-Trek 16-48x65 | £ 354.19 | Optics-Pro |
| Bushnell Spotting scope Prime 16-48x50 straight eyepiece | £ 367.34 | Optics-Pro |
| Acuter Spotting scope Grandvista 20-60x80 45° | £ 376.1 | Optics-Pro |
| Acuter Spotting scope Nature Close 22-67x100 45° | £ 381.36 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE Spotting scope Nature-Trek 20-60x80 | £ 393.64 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Spotting scope ED50 50mm, anthracite | £ 393.64 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Observation telescope ED50 A, green perlglanz | £ 393.64 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Observation telescope ED50 A, anthracite coal | £ 393.64 | Optics-Pro |
| Bushnell Spotting scope Prime 20-60x65 straight eyepiece | £ 437.47 | Optics-Pro |
| Bushnell Spotting scope Prime 20-60x65 angled eyepiece | £ 437.47 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Spotting scope 9-27x56 Hummingbird ED | £ 437.47 | Optics-Pro |
| Vanguard Endeavor HD 82 A angled eyepiece spotting scope + 20-60X zoom eyepiece | £ 437.47 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE Spotting scope Endurance ED 13-39x50 | £ 472.54 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Zoom spotting scope Ultima 100 22-66x100mm, angled eyepiece | £ 472.54 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-602 60mm, straight eyepiece | £ 498.84 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-601 60mm, angled eyepiece | £ 498.84 | Optics-Pro |
| Pentax Spotting scope SMC PF-65ED II 65mm | £ 512.87 | Optics-Pro |
| Opticron Spotting scope MM4 60 GA ED 45°-Angled | £ 533.91 | Optics-Pro |
| Omegon Spotting scope ED 15-45x60 | £ 560.21 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron TrailSeeker 22-67x100 spotting scope, angled eyepiece | £ 568.98 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE Spotting scope Endurance ED 15-45x60 | £ 575.12 | Optics-Pro |
| Pentax Spotting scope SMC PF-65EDa II 65mm | £ 591.77 | Optics-Pro |
| Vixen Spotting scope Geoma III ED 16-48x65 zoom set | £ 639.11 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa TSN-82SV 82mm spotting scope, angled eyepiece | £ 698.73 | Optics-Pro |
| Omegon Spotting scope ED 21-63x80 | £ 700.48 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Spotting scope REGAL M2 16-48x65 ED | £ 700.48 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron C5 50x127mm spotting scope | £ 726.78 | Optics-Pro |
| Vixen Spotting scope Geoma III ED 20-60x80 zoom set | £ 753.09 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE Spotting scope ENDURANCE ED 20-60x68 | £ 764.48 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa TSN-601 angled view spotting scope + TSE Z9B 20-60X zoom eyepiece | £ 771.5 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa TSN-602 straight eyepiece spotting scope + TSE-Z9B 20-60X zoom eyepiece | £ 771.5 | Optics-Pro |
| Bushnell Zoom spotting scope Legend Tactical T 15-45x60 | £ 779.39 | Optics-Pro |
| Opticron Spotting scope MM4 77 ED angled | £ 796.92 | Optics-Pro |
| Vixen Spotting scope Geoma III ED 16-48x65 zoom set incl. tripods & mounts | £ 805.69 | Optics-Pro |
| Pentax Spotting scope SMC PF-80ED 80mm | £ 828.48 | Optics-Pro |
| HAWKE ENDURANCE ED 25-75×85 SPOTTING SCOPES | £ 867.06 | Optics-Pro |
| Bresser Spotting scope Dachstein 20-60x80 ED | £ 867.93 | Optics-Pro |
| Omegon ED 20-60x84mm HD zoom spotting scope | £ 875.82 | Optics-Pro |
| Bushnell Spotting scope Nitro 20-60x65 | £ 875.82 | Optics-Pro |
| Vixen Spotting scope Geoma III ED 20-60x80 zoom set incl. tripods & mounts | £ 875.82 | Optics-Pro |
| Meopta TGA 75 75mm extendable spotting scope | £ 898.62 | Optics-Pro |
| Pentax Spotting scope SMC PF-80EDa 80mm | £ 907.38 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Spotting scope REGAL M2 20-60x80 ED | £ 928.43 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa TSN-82SV angled-view spotting scope + TSE Z9B 21-63X zoom eyepiece | £ 960.86 | Optics-Pro |
| Celestron Spotting scope REGAL M2 22-67x100 ED | £ 1095.0 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski CTC 30X75mm extendable spotting scope | £ 1238.78 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Fieldscope Monarch 82ED-S | £ 1261.57 | Optics-Pro |
| Nikon Fieldscope Monarch 82ED-A | £ 1261.57 | Optics-Pro |
| Omegon Spotting scope 40x80mm with binocular viewer | £ 1306.28 | Optics-Pro |
| Bushnell Spotting scope Forge 20-60x80 angled eyepiece | £ 1314.17 | Optics-Pro |
| Kite Optics Spotting scope SP-85 HD II & 30-60x Vario eyepiece | £ 1315.05 | Optics-Pro |
| ZEISS Spotting scope Dialyt 18-45x65mm straight eyepiece | £ 1341.35 | Optics-Pro |
| Leica Spotting scope Televid HD 65 Body 2025 | £ 1446.56 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski STS 65 HD spotting scope, straight eyepiece | £ 1491.27 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski ATS 65 HD spotting scope, angled eyepiece | £ 1491.27 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-66A PROMINAR Body | £ 1623.65 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-66S PROMINAR Body | £ 1623.65 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski CTS 85 85mm extendable spotting scope | £ 1767.43 | Optics-Pro |
| ZEISS Spotting scope Conquest Gavia 85 + 30-60x | £ 1775.32 | Optics-Pro |
| Leica Spotting scope APO-Televid 65 Body 2025 | £ 1841.07 | Optics-Pro |
| Leica Spotting scope Televid HD 65 Set + 20-60x eyepiece 2025 | £ 1968.19 | Optics-Pro |
| Pentax Spotting scope SMC PF-100ED 100mm | £ 1972.58 | Optics-Pro |
| Leica Spotting scope Televid HD 82 Body 2025 | £ 1972.58 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-55A PROMINAR | £ 2014.66 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-55S PROMINAR | £ 2014.66 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Zoom spotting scope ATC 17-40x56 Burnt Orange | £ 2043.59 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Zoom spotting scope ATC 17-40x56 Green | £ 2043.59 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Zoom spotting scope STC 17-40x56 green | £ 2043.59 | Optics-Pro |
| Meopta Meostar S2 82mm spotting scope, APO, angled eyepiece | £ 2050.6 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski ATS 80 HD spotting scope, angled eyepiece | £ 2083.04 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski STS 80 HD spotting scope, straight eyepiece | £ 2083.04 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski CTS85 telescopic spotting scope + 25-50X WA zoom eyepiece | £ 2095.31 | Optics-Pro |
| Leupold Spotting scope Golden Ring Mark-4 12-40x60mm TMR | £ 2164.57 | Optics-Pro |
| Leupold Spotting scope Golden Ring Mark-4 12-40x60mm Mil Dot | £ 2164.57 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-66S PROMINAR Zoom-Set 25-60x66 | £ 2246.98 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-66A PROMINAR Zoom-Set 25-60x66 | £ 2246.98 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski STS65HD spotting scope + 25-50x WA eyepiece | £ 2296.95 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski ATS65HD spotting scope + 25-50X WA eyepiece | £ 2296.95 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-88A PROMINAR Body | £ 2456.51 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-88S PROMINAR Body | £ 2456.51 | Optics-Pro |
| Leica Spotting scope Televid HD 82 Set + 20-60x eyepiece 2025 | £ 2494.21 | Optics-Pro |
| Leica Spotting scope APO-Televid 65 Set + 25-50x WW eyepiece 2025 | £ 2498.6 | Optics-Pro |
| Leica Spotting scope APO-Televid 82 Body 2025 | £ 2586.27 | Optics-Pro |
| Meopta Meostar S2 82 HD angled-view spotting scope + 20-70X zoom eyepiece | £ 2602.05 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope Set ATX 25-60x65 | £ 2745.82 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-99S PROMINAR Body | £ 2872.95 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-99A PROMINAR Body | £ 2872.95 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope ST Balance 14-35x50 | £ 2972.01 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski ATS80HD spotting scope + 25-50X WA zoom eyepiece | £ 2980.78 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski STS80HD spotting scope + 25-50x WA eyepiece | £ 2980.78 | Optics-Pro |
| ZEISS Spotting scope Victory Harpia 85 | £ 3037.77 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-88S PROMINAR Zoom-Set 25-60x88 | £ 3079.85 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope AT Balance 18-45x65 | £ 3147.35 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope Set STX 25-60x65 | £ 3208.72 | Optics-Pro |
| Leica Spotting scope APO-Televid 82 Set + 25-50x WW eyepiece 2025 | £ 3243.79 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope STR 80 MOA | £ 3298.15 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope STR 80 MRAD | £ 3298.15 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope Set ATX 25-60x85 | £ 3298.15 | Optics-Pro |
| ZEISS Spotting scope Victory Harpia 95 | £ 3432.28 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-99S PROMINAR Zoom-Set 30-70x99 | £ 3496.28 | Optics-Pro |
| Kowa Spotting scope TSN-99A PROMINAR 30-70x99 Zoom Set | £ 3496.28 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope BTX 30x65 | £ 3620.77 | Optics-Pro |
| ZEISS Spotting scope Victory Harpia 22-65x85 Set | £ 3668.99 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope Set ATX 30-70x95 | £ 3692.66 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope Set STX 30-70x95 | £ 3858.36 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope Set STX 25-60x85 | £ 3866.25 | Optics-Pro |
| ZEISS Spotting scope Victory Harpia 23-70x95 Set | £ 4063.5 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope BTX 30x85 | £ 4278.3 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope set ATX Interior with tripod | £ 4331.77 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope BTX 35x95 | £ 4699.11 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Zoom spotting scope ATX 30-70x115 | £ 4953.36 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Zoom spotting scope STX 30-70x115 | £ 4953.36 | Optics-Pro |
| Swarovski Spotting scope BTX 35x115 | £ 5067.33 | Optics-Pro |
*All of the links provided are affiliate links within the Amazon or Optics Pro affiliate program. The indicated prices are subject to fluctuations of the market.