Best Bird Watching Spotting Scopes

Below are considered some of the best bird watching spotting scopes currently on the market by price range.

If you want to learn more about choosing spotting scopes for birding and their features, go to Spotting Scopes, Part I.

Most of the scopes listed below come in both angled and straight models. Its up to you and the kind of viewing you mostly do. Click here for reviewing the pros and cons of Angled or Straight bird watching spotting scopes.

Also, most scope models are available in several different objective lens sizes. It all depends on your personal needs. Click here to review objective lens sizes for bird watching spotting scopes.

Super-Budget (Under $500)

Alpen: $380

The Alpen 20-60x80 Spotting Scope Kit is an angled spotting scope with an 80mm objective lens and a 20-60x zoom eyepiece. This is a great budget birdwatching scope for under $400.

• Fully, multi-coated BaK-4 glass prisms for superior brightness, resolution, and edge clarity
• Close focus of 20-25 ft and 113 ft FOV (field of view) at 1,000 yards
• Extendable lens hood for flare reduction on barrel end
• Waterproof, fogproof and rubber-armored
• 45-degree angled eyepiece; waterproof, fogproof, and shock-resistant housing
• Includes micro-adjustable tabletop tripod and foam-filled aluminum case
• Measures 17 inches long; weighs 56 oz
• Unconditional lifetime manufacturer's warranty
• Kit includes tabletop tripod and foam-filled aluminum case

A customer review :

My wife and I are avid, avocational birders, and we have just returned from a three-week driving trip to Florida and back, during which time we gave our Alpen 20-60X80 Spotting Scope its maiden voyage in many diverse birding habitats. We found everything about this instrument to check out perfeectly with all of its advertising and reviews. I can't imagine a better birding scope in its price range, and I would bet it rivals those that are nearly twice as expensive. -Donald Abbott

Budget ($500-$1,000)

Nikon: $699

The Nikon 13-30x50mm ED 50 FieldScopeis an amazing bird watching scope for its size and price.

Even though the lens size is only 50mm, it gives extremely bright, razor sharp, true-color images that are free of flare. Birders have been impressed with this one and love that it's light and compact for on-the-go birding adventures. Features include:

• High quality eyepieces and Extra-low dispersion (ED) objective lens deliver unbelievable colors and bright, high contrast images.
• Premium quality glass and fully multi-coated optics deliver impressive image resolution
• 100% waterproof, nitrogen-filled, for reliable in rain, sleet or snow.
• 100% fogproof to prevent fogging on the interior of lenses with sudden temperature changes.

Pentax: $849

The Pentax PF-65ED AII Spotting Scope w/Zoom Eyepiece (straight body also available) is in same model line as the Pentax 80ED above, but with a smaller objective lens which cuts the price a little. An excellent choice for a bird watching spotting scope, especially if you don't need the bigger lens. Features include:

• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass with Lanthanum Crown (rare earth) glass provides optimum optical resolution.
• Super multi-coating maximizes light transmission, clarity and contrast.
• Larger objective lenses provides bright viewing under all light conditions
• Waterproof, fog proof, and nitrogen filled
• Built-in lens shade

This scope is also popular and hard to find in stock.

Tip: Make sure you get the ED II-A or AII. This is the new model. The ED-A is still available and on the market for a slightly cheaper price, but really not worth the savings compared to the improved features of the new model.

Mid-Priced ($1,000-$2,000)

Nikon: $1,599

The Nikon Fieldscope ED 25-75x82 (angled and straight bodies available) is at the low-end of the high-performance ED-glass scope in terms of price, but still is a high-quality bird watching spotting scope and an excellent value at that.

• Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass for exceptional viewing in low light conditions.
• Premium glass for the most distinct details possible.
• Fully multi-coated optics deliver brighter images.
• 100% waterproof for reliable in rain, sleet or snow.
• 100% fogproof with nitrogen purging to prevent fogging on the interior of lenses.
• Integrated sunshade blocks out annoying glare and keeps raindrops from splashing on the objective lens in an unexpected rain shower.
• Magnesium alloy body built strong and light enough to take anywhere you travel.
• Ultra-smooth helical focus system for easy operation in cold weather, or any other time you wear gloves.

Pentax: $1,100

The Pentax PF-80ED-A 80mm ED Glass Spotting Scope w/ Eyepiece (angled or straight bodies available) is another excellent value for a bird watching spotting scope. Features include:

• Magnesium-alloy body for lightweight handling.

• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements for optimum optical resolution.

• Large 80mm objective lenses for bright viewing under all light conditions.

• Special "O" ring assembly, which allows the body of the scope to be filled with nitrogen, making it fog proof and JIS Class 6 waterproof.

• Built-in lens shade cuts excessive light and helps to prevent rain and other weather elements from interfering with viewing.

• Extra wide focusing knob is incorporated for effortless focusing.

• Famous Pentax Super-Multi-Coating maximizes light transmission, clarity and contrast.

• An extendable eyecup on the XL eyepieces allows variable adjustment for up to a full 20mm of eye relief, allowing those wearing eyeglasses the same view as non-eyeglass wearers.

• Lanthanum Crown (rare earth) glass elements.

A customer review :

Pentax runs with Swaro on this one. Before I purchased this scope, I gave it a good test drive versus the Swaro. I'm not going to qualify my rating by saying that it's a good scope "for the price." Rather, this scope beats the Swaro. No qualification. Period." - Michael

Top Gun (over $2,000)

Kowa: $2,100

The Kowa TSN-884 ED Prominar 88mm Straight/Angled Spotting Scope are amazing bird watching spotting scopes. Crystal clear clarity is just the beginning.

Both scopes have large 88mm Pure Fluorite Crystal objective lens crafted of fully C3 multi-coated optics. This ensures maximum light gathering, clear visual range and sharp images that traditional glass lenses can not attain in the field.

• Prominar pure fluorite crystal lens eliminates chromatic aberration.
• C3 Coating is a highly reflective multi-coating of dielectrics for a much higher reflectivity than with coatings of silver or optically-enhanced aluminum, offering a reflectance of 99% or higher across the entire visible spectrum.
• Inner focus system decreases image movement when focusing.
• Quick focus knob gives you the ability to focus from 16 feet and out to infinity in just two revolutions.
• Large exit pupil provides bright images and ease of viewing.
• Waterproof and fogproof (to JIS Protection Class 7) with nitrogen purging for reliable use in any weather.
• Magnesium alloy body is rugged, and increases durability and reduces weight.
• Eyepiece locking mechanism prevents the eyepiece from falling out or being lost.
• Eco-glass lenses are made with an environmentally-friendly process.

Scope Cost: $2,300....

Seeing your life-bird as a crystal-clear, razor-sharp image, even in low light: Priceless!

Some other well reviewed bird watching spotting scopes at cheaper price levels, except for the Zeiss:

Learn how to choose the best birding spotting scopes and spotting scope features.

Spotting Scope 102

Digiscoping - Photography with spotting scopes

How to Choose Bird Watching Binoculars

Bird Watching Binoculars 101

Birding Binoculars 102

Binocular Reviews

Best Binoculars for Bird Watching

Nikon Monarch Binoculars

Nikon Monarch Binoculars ATB 8x42 Review

Swarovski SLC HD Binoculars Review

Budget Nikon Action Binoculars

Best Birding Binoculars

Types of Binoculars

Jason Binoculars - Auto Focusing Binoculars

Best Zoom Binoculars

Best Mini Binoculars

Binocular Repair and Care

Nikon Binoculars Repair

Go to Binocular Care

Binocular Accessories

Binocular Harness

Birdwatching Bliss Home Page

Cornell's Review of Birding Spotting Scopes

Return to Top of Bird Watching Spotting Scopes

Top-Rated Bird Watching Binoculars, Heated Bird Bath & Window Feeder
Nikon Monarch 5 Best Binoculars for Bird Watching Based on Quality & Price	Squirrel-Proof No batteries, adjustable, easy to clean...and no squirrels! "Best New Product" Award.	Window Bird Feeder Roof protects seed from rain & snow, securely fastens with suction cups.
Click Images or Links To View More Info