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

Nikon 8317 Prostaff 20-60 X 82 MM Spotting Scope Outfit Prostaff 20¿60 x 82mm spotting scope outfit.

Leupold Sequoia 20-60X80Mm Angledspotting Scope Kit 61160 The Leupold Sequoia 20-60x80mm spotting scope with a 45¿ angled eyepiece. The compact tripod features adjustable legs and a multi-directional, tilting head. The hard-side case is rugged and features a padded interior to protect your valuable Leupold optics.

Bushnell Excursion 20-60 x80 Folded Light Path Spotting Scope The Excursion 20-60x 80mm 78-2080 A brighter image and big-time magnification in a portable size for detailed observation at the longest ranges. A compact with full-size optical punch. The ultimate fusion of lightweight portability and powerful viewing capability, our new Excursion spotting scope…

Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Premium Riflescope Cabela’s only uses the name Alaskan Guide on products that meet our strictest quality standards, and our Alaskan Guide Riflescopes meet those stringent criteria. It’s hard to improve on our originals, but with this new Alaskan Guide Premium Riflescope, we have achieved a higher level of design and…

Leupold Gr 10-20X40Mm Compact Spotting Scope Brown 61080 Just 15.8 oz and 7.5″ long, it¿s small enough to fit in a cargo pocket or carry around your neck on a lanyard. Use handheld, or mount it on most standard tripods, monopods or window mounts. The multicoated lens system delivers a bright sight picture of exceptional clarity and contrast, with…

Konuscamo-70 Spotting Scope 20-60×70 Zoom with Tripod Camouflage Description:Konuscamo-70Special camo design. With table tripod. Wide field eyepiece.Additional Information:

Pentax PF-80ED-A 80mm ED Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope w/Case (requires eyepiece) PF-80ED-A WITH FIELD CASE

Bushnell Elite 78-8045 – Spotting scope 20-60 x 80 – fogproof, waterproof, zoom – porro BUS788045 Features: -Elite 20 – 60 x 80 mm 45 angle rainguard spotting scope. -ED prime extra-low dispersion glass. -RainGuard HD. -100pct waterproof. -Armored. -20-60x zoom eyepiece. -BaK-4 prisms. -Protective case. -Retractable sunshade. -SLR camera adaptable. -Length: 17”. Free Fleece…

Swarovski STM-80-HD Spotting Scope Swarovski Optik HD observation spotting scopes will impress with their brilliant performance, fine resolution, extremely ergonomic design and unique functionality. These HD spotting scopes have a complex high grade optical system which allows for very detailed observation with high contrast images…

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

Celestron IS 70 VistaPix 3.1MP Imaging Spotting Scope 52212 Features: -Spotting scope. -Color: Black. -70 mm Spotting scope will get you 14x closer to the action. -3.1 Mega pixel image resolution. -Dual power camera for high magnification or wide field of view. -Digital focus meter for quick, sharp focus capability. -6x Digital zoom. -Continuous…

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.