Spotting Scopes

Spotting scopes provide more magnification than binoculars and are useful when hunters need to study animals or terrain at extended distances. They are especially common in western hunting, open-country scouting, and range use.

65mm vs. 85mm: Which Should You Choose?

A larger objective lens gathers more light. The difference shows up as exit pupil, which is the objective size divided by the magnification:

• An 85mm scope at 20x has a 4.25mm exit pupil, which is bright enough for dawn and dusk glassing.
  
• A 65mm scope at 20x has a 3.25mm exit pupil, which is noticeably dimmer in low light.
  
• At full power, both sizes drop to about 1.4mm, which is why you turn the magnification down as the light fades.
  

Choose 65mm if you carry your scope on long backcountry hunts. Choose 85mm if you glass from a truck, a ridge near the road, or a base camp, where weight matters less than brightness.

Getting the Most from a Spotting Scope

• Use a solid tripod. At 40x and above, even a little shake or wind blurs the image.
  
• Start low, then zoom in. Find the animal at low power, which gives a wider and brighter view, then increase the magnification to study it.
  
• Watch for mirage. On warm afternoons, heat shimmer limits how much magnification you can usefully use, so mid-range power often gives a sharper view than maximum zoom.
  
• Angled vs. straight: all four scopes here are angled. An angled eyepiece lets you use a shorter tripod, glass uphill comfortably, and share the scope with a partner without readjusting.
  
• Digiscoping: with a phone adapter, you can take photos or video through your spotting scope to share or review later.