The Best Handheld Spotting Scope: Suggestions & Considerations

Hailey Abbott By, Hailey Abbott
Updated
ROXANT Blackbird Spotting Scope - 12-36x50
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: ROXANT Blackbird Spotting Scope - 12-36x50

The Roxant Blackbird Spotting Scope is the best choice for hunters and nature enthusiasts. This scope features a 45 degree angled eyepiece that makes viewing more comfortable, and the molded grip of this military scope makes it the perfect tool for hunting, viewing wildlife, watching sports. The rugged non-slip armored construction ensures your valuable investment will stay safe in any weather or environment. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Celestron – Mini MAK 70mm Angled Spotting Scope

Celestron’s Mini MAK 70mm Angled Spotting Scope is a portable, versatile, and quality spotting scope. This telescope features a Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design with multi-coated optics and a recognized for being compact and easy to use. It is applicable for both terrestrial (land) and astronomical use. Read Review

3. Best Convenient: Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scope 11-33x50 Straight

The Vortex Razor HD Spotting Scope is a high-quality, ultra-lightweight spotting scope that is perfect for hunting and general use. It features a triplet Apochromatic lens which offers unsurpassed clarity and color fidelity. The XR Plus anti-reflective coatings applied to the lenses offer maximum brightness for critical low-light glassing. Read Review

4. Best Lightweight: Celestron 52320 Landscout 10-30x50 Spotting Scope

The Celestron 52320 Landscout 10-30x50 Spotting Scope is a lightweight and compact spotting scope that offers increased light transmission for bright, sharp images. With rubber grip, it’s easy to adjust the magnification and focus on your subjects with ease. This spotting scope is portable and packable so you can take it on any excursion out in the field or on the range. Read Review

When you want to see more of the world, especially at night, look for a handheld spotting scope. A spotting scope is an optical instrument used for viewing remote objects and sights from a greater distance than could be seen without it. The first handheld telescopic scopes were intended for military use in reconnaissance and artillery spotting.

Now that you know what a handheld spotting scope is, you might wonder if it’s worth getting one. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using a handheld scope to get a better understanding of your options. Keep reading to learn more about this useful tool!.

Following extensive study and analysis, we've come up with the ROXANT Blackbird Spotting Scope - 12-36x50, which we hope will meet your demands. However, it is not the only thing on our list. We also show a full buyer's guide and a number of different options are available to help you find the most suitable.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 ROXANT Blackbird Spotting Scope - 12-36x50
Our Score:
9.8
ROXANT
  • Lightweight and magnifies to 12x and 36x without losing definition and clarity. Has extendable sunshade on main sighting scope barrel to reduces glare
  • Our handcrafted Roxant spotting scope features non-slip armored construction and a smooth-glide, textured focus ring on the main barrel. The molded grip of this military scope makes it the perfect tool for hunting, viewing wildlife, watching sports
TOP Choice #2 Celestron – Mini MAK 70mm Angled Spotting Scope
Our Score:
9.7
Celestron
  • Recognized for being compact and easy to use
  • Brings portability and versatility to a new level
TOP Choice #3 Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scope 11-33x50 Straight
Our Score:
9.6
Vortex
  • The Razor HD is Vortex Optics' top of the line spotting scope. The 11-33x50 Straight Razor is ultra-lightweight and packable for your convenience.
  • Triplet Apochromatic lens combined with high density, extra-low dispersion glass delivers unparalled resolution and color fidelity. XR Plus anti-reflective coatings were applied to the lenses to yield maximize brightness for critical low-light glassing.
  • 10-30x Zoom Eyepiece: Adjustable magnification - wide field of view for general viewing or detailed up-close viewing when needed. Rubber grip for easy magnification adjustment.
  • Compact, Lightweight: Portable and packable, so you can take it on any excursion out in the field or on the range.
  • The CS.1 features crystal clear extra low-dispersion (ED) glass, fully multi-coated lenses, and a durable, yet lightweight polymer frame.
  • This powerful scope features a well-balanced lightweight polymer frame, extra low-dispersion (ED) glass, and fully multi-coated lenses for an exceptionally clear, bright, high-contrast image with excellent color reproduction.
  • Easily carried in vest or coat pocket, in belt pack, or shoulder bag
  • ED lens optical system provides sharp, clear images with vivid, well-managed color
  • Design, Machined and Assembled in the USA. 100% Waterproof, fogproof, and backed by Leupold's legendary customer care
  • Fully Multi-Coated Lens System - our fully multi-coated lens system ensures maximum brightness for clarity, contrast, and color fidelity
  • Lightweight
  • Compact design
  • Fully Multi-Coated Lens System - our fully multi-coated lens system ensures maximum brightness for clarity, contrast, and color fidelity
  • Design, Machined and Assembled in the USA. 100% Waterproof, fogproof, and backed by Leupold's legendary customer care
  • Extra-low dispersion glass for the ultimate in resolution
  • Compact and lightweight

How Do You Know Which Among best handheld spotting scope Here Satisfies Your Tight Criteria?

Consumers are frequently hesitant to purchase best handheld spotting scope. Several factors should be considered while making a significant purchase. Our understanding and expertise with the best handheld spotting scope will assist you in making the right decisions.

Today's best handheld spotting scope has been substantially upgraded with greater functionality and offers more safety for users than older-generation devices.

Before deciding on a best handheld spotting scope for your life based on your desire or the product's qualities, there are a few things to consider. We hope the information provided here will assist you in locating the best option. Let's see what we can do.

Aperture

SpottingScopeAn aperture in a spotting scope is the size of the objective lens. It's usually measured in millimeters. The aperture size for hunting purposes will typically range from 50 to 90mm. The instrument's size and weight will directly affect the aperture size. However, the focal length and optical design play an important role. With a larger objective lens, the light entering the optical system will be more concentrated. This can lead to greater detail and clarity. The actual observed brightness of an image depends on several factors, including the transmittance (coatings), how the aperture is related to magnification (exit pupils), and the focal length of objective lenses.

Optical Design

Two types of optical design are used in spotting scopes. The refractor is the most common and the catadioptric the least. One difference is in the lens used to focus the image. Refractor uses optical glasses lenses to bend light, while catadioptric uses mirrors to reflect light. Although the differences in material are not significant, they can each produce distinct optical characteristics.

Clarity

The glass is probably the reason why two scopes have similar features, but very different pricing. It's one thing to make durable scope tubes, but it is very difficult to create material that magnifies images without adding colour or distortion. Clarity is an important factor, just like with camera lenses and diamonds.
Spotting scopes that are inexpensive can still do the job and save you money. These scopes will have imperfections and may not show true-to-life color. They can also cause distortion around the edges. These distractions are gone with high-end glass, though you will have to spend a lot of money for it.

Straight Or Angled View

There are two versions of many spotting scopes: straight and angled. The eyepiece orientation is what this refers to. Although you can use both effectively, you may prefer the spotting scope.

Weight

Some people, such as hunters who use their scope mostly from a car or day hikers with basic supplies, consider weight a minor issue. Others find it a significant concern. A smaller, lighter scope might be the best choice if you are looking to hike miles up remote mountains to see stars, or climb 14,000 foot peaks for bighorn sheep hunting,

Objective Lens Diameter

The objective lens diameter refers to the area of your scope's viewing field. Smaller backpacking spotting scopes can be up to 40mm in diameter, while bigger stargazing scopes are around 100mm. Although larger scopes are generally more effective because they allow in more light, heavier scopes will usually be costlier and weigh more. You will need to know how the scope is going to be used. If you have the opportunity, you should also spend some time looking at different scopes to help you find the right one for you.

Magnification

It depends on the range of your choice whether you choose a binoculars or spotting scope. Most scopes will pick up from binoculars and fall within the 12 to 80 power magnification range. They are almost always "zooms," which means they can offer multiple magnifications, such as 20-60x.

Price

A spotting scope can be expensive, costing anywhere between several hundred and several thousand dollars. Scopes come in all price ranges. While I cannot say if $3,000 is worth it, I can assure you it will not be worth the cost of $100. Low-quality scopes are often frustrating and you don't get the intended purpose of the scope.

FAQs

Can I Attach A Camera To My Spotting Scope?

It is, indeed. This allows you to make the most of your experience. This technique is used by both hunters and wildlife guides to capture pictures of animals that they encounter. It's possible to be amazed at how good the photos turn out.

What Makes A Spotting Scope Good For Hunting?

Scoring scopes enable hunters to see further than what is possible using binoculars or riflescopes. These scopes are much more effective than lesser-powerful optics and allow for better target identification. They can also scan faraway terrain with much greater accuracy.

How Should I Carry My Spotting Scope?

Scopes for hunting are made to be carried on rugged terrain and in any weather. They are still precision optics, so it is a smart idea to protect them with a case.

What Do The Numbers On A Spotting Scope Mean?

The number before the X indicates the magnification range, either fixed or telescopic. Numbers after the X indicate the size of the objective lens in millimeters. The scope 10-20x40 zooms between 10- and 20, power magnification, and features a 40-millimeter objective lens.

What Magnifications Are Typical For Spotting Scopes?

The majority of spotting can be done at 30- to 40-power magnification. Many spotting scopes can be extended beyond this range, but there are occasions when it is useful. More powerful optics can be used by people in open areas with calm, clear air.

What Is A Spotting Scope Used For?

Scopes can be used to view objects at close range. They are used by wildlife tour guides and hunters to identify and observe animals from a distance. Spotting scopes are used at the range to help shooters evaluate the placement of their shots without having to leave the bench.

Can You Use A Telescope As A Spotting Scope?

Although it is possible, we don't recommend it. Telescopes are typically larger and less fragile than a spotter scope.

There are numerous points to pick from in general, but doing so well may help you be more convenient and save time! When selecting a best handheld spotting scope, pay close attention to the elements listed above, and don't forget to verify the safety.

Have you picked a product like that after reading our article on how to choose and top the best handheld spotting scope? Hopefully, the information provided will assist you in selecting the best option for you.


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About Hailey Abbott

Hailey Abbott
Hailey Abbott is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer for CampfireHQ. She has a passion for hunting and fishing, which she often enjoys with her family and friends. Hailey also enjoys staying active through sports such as golf, basketball, and softball. Hailey has worked as an editor for several years, providing content that is both accurate and engaging. She has also had the opportunity to interview numerous experts in various fields. This wealth of experience gives her a unique perspective when writing about the outdoors and other topics.

Read Hailey's full bio