Next in the top 10 series is the top ten spotting scopes. These top 10 spotting scopes are my view of the spotting scopes and you are definitely free to choose what you like as far as the spotting scopes are concerned. For top ten binoculars and top 10 rangefinders read here.
First of all what are spotting scopes?
Spotting scopes are similar to binoculars but with a difference which is that these have the single eyepiece and very large magnification. These spotting scopes will help you in selecting an animal far away in the herd. This helps as a lot of people will like to have that animal spotted first rather than going any closer and once that is done you will be able to use the binoculars later when the animal is closer.
Spotting scope is like a small telescope though in construction and the features it is like binoculars as opposed to a telescope. Spotting scopes always will give out an image which is not reversed which is what happens in a telescope.
There are some of the known brands when it comes to spotting scopes and these are
Barska spotting scopes
Burris spotting scopes
Celestrion spotting scopes
Konus spotting scopes
Leupold spotting scopes
Nikom Spotting scopes
Pentax spotting scopes
Zeiss spotting scopes
ATN spotting scopes
Bushnell spotting scopes
I have a detailed reference guide on the best hunting spotting scopes in my earlier post.
Here is my list of top ten spotting scopes
Cabela’s Big Sky ED 20-60×66
Nikon Prostaff 20-60×82
Leupold Sequoia 20-60×80
Bushnell Excursion FLP 20-60×80
Cabela’s Alaskan Guide 20-60×70
LEUPOLD Golden Ring 10-20×40 Compact Spotting Scope
Konus Konuscamo 20-60 x 70 Spotting Scope
Pentax PF-80ED (20 – 60×80 mm)
Bushnell Elite® 78-8045 (20 – 60×80 mm)
Swarovski Optik STS 80 HD
As far as digital products are concerned there are digital spotting scopes now available in the market for about $500.00. One of the brands that come to my mind for that is Celestron VistaPix IS70
As far as the usage is concerned you can use the spotting scopes for a wide variety of uses though I must say that a lot of people use them for general wildlife viewing also. Always check to see what is the need that you have while selecting the scopes. Since the scopes are heavy you will in all probability need the tripod for stabilization. Also the best design is different than the binoculars. They come in either straight barrel design or in the angled design. You can use these spotting scopes for digiscoping and that is where you get those beautiful pictures of the birds or the wildlife from close quarters without actually being that close.