In the market for a new spotting scope? Are you seeking something spectacular that you’ve only dreamed of? While there are many brands of spotting scopes to choose from, it’s important to make sure you find the right one to match your needs. If you’re reading this, you may be looking for a scope that requires more magnification than standard binoculars provide.
So, do you need a spotting scope for birding or nature watching, hunting or viewing landscape? Outdoor photography? Maybe for studying wildlife, sea vessels or other distant objects? If you answered yes to any of the above, then it’s doubtful you’ll settle for anything less than superior in purchasing your next spotting scope. When it comes to satisfying that dream you’ll only find in nature’s beauty… it’s time to invest in that perfect optic.
Unlike the large and bulky telescopes you used for your 9th grade astronomy class, that require special mounting equipment and produce sub par images, spotting scopes are small, lightweight and portable. No more lugging around heavy gear. With a spotting scope, you’ll enjoy the luxury of using it in conjunction with your digital camera to take superior long-distance images.
Fact: Quality spotting scopes enable you to view across extreme distances and notice details that are simply impossible to see with standard binoculars.
With the use of spotting scopes, the high magnification will allow you to see tiny features on creatures such as birds that can’t be seen with binoculars. Additionally, hunters use them to precisely spot, track and identify wildlife.
Target shooters simply use them for scoring their shots. Spotting scopes are a surefire way of determining if your subject/animal is worthy of your time. If you’re pursuing from a significant distance you don’t want any chance of being detected.
Available in both fixed and variable focal lengths, spotting scope models are more flexible, thus enabling larger areas to be scanned with minimal focal lengths. With the use of a small lightweight tripod, managing these focal lengths is relatively easy.
TIP: Checklist for selecting a spotting scope:
- Magnification
- Aperture
- Field of view
- Eye relief
- Focusing
Field of View, Aperture, Focusing, Focal Length and Eyepieces
The field of view is nothing more than the widest dimension of circular viewing area observed through a telescope. FOV is by and large determined by eyepiece design. Eyepieces that are designed for long eye relief generally have more narrow fields of view.
A spotting scope’s aperture is the diameter of the objective lens, usually measured in millimeters. The specific eyepiece you choose is an important factor when purchasing a spotting scope.
A quality eyepiece can differ in some ways, such as being fixed in focal length while others are variable zooms.
Still others are designed to deliver wide angles or long eye relief for those who wear eyeglasses.
An eyepiece which possesses a straight-through design makes it easier to spot an object as it moves–and is usually more convenient to use with a vehicle window mount.
Extreme Weather Conditions and Waterproof Features
Spotting scopes are frequently used in extreme weather conditions, so features like waterproof and fogproof are very desirable in situations where seeing clearly is a definite. Many vendors say that they have waterproof scopes, but they are only protected against water. When it comes to spending your money wisely, it would be best to purchase from a reliable manufacturer, such as Bushnell.
Bushnell spotting scopes guarantee that your spotting scope is protected from all types of water and moisture and certainly won’t fog up. In addition, the inside of your scope will have protection from corrosion, which will be a plus if you’re likely to use it near the ocean. With Bushnell scopes, you don’t need to worry as they are highly durable, 100% waterproof and water sealed.
Founded in 1948 by David P. Bushnell, the Bushnell company has focused almost entirely on products in the optics and imaging fields. It’s easy to notice their quality right away… Bushnell products have proven over the years that their spotting scopes tend to get consistently high ratings from users. If you haven’t heard of them by now, you surely will.
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Spotlight: Bushnell Spotting Scopes
For more than 65 years, Bushnell has not only been the industry leader in high performance sports optics, but time and again, their products have won many awards, most notably in the field of design and performance. The Bushnell name is quite possibly the most recognized in sports optics brands worldwide. Their work ethic is one that strives to provide high quality, reliable and affordable sports optics products.
Product lines range from nature study and hunting to fishing and birding, spectator sports and astronomy, as well as theaters and concerts. With a name like Bushnell, you can rest assured your next viewing adventure will be magnified to the next level.
Let’s take a look at some of the exceptional spotting scopes they offer…
Legend Ultra HD 20-60 x 80mm (45 degree)
If you’ve been searching for a scope that delivers outstanding field performance at an extremely affordable price, then this is the spotting scope for you. Using the same ideology as the Legend Ultra HD Binoculars, the Legend Ultra HD spotting scope brings you exceptional field performance. Dual-focus controls allow you to make both quick and fine-tuning adjustments.
The new ultra-effective RainGuard HD protects lenses for the clear and concise views when you encounter inclement weather conditions such as rain, snow or fog. With extra low-dispersion glass, fully multi-coated optics, and powerful magnification, the Legend Ultra HD 20-60×80 offers a bright image that brings distant details into extremely sharp focus.
- Multi-coated optics
- 2-speed dual focus control
- RainGuard HD coatings
- 100% waterproof
- Bak-4 prisms
- Spotting scope with 20 to 60x magnification and 80-Millimeter objective lens
- Prime ED extra-low dispersion glass helps enhance with color-tuned, high-resolution viewing
- Rubber armored housing
- Rotating tripod collar
- Price: from $363.99
Legend Ultra HD 15-45X60mm HD
Are you looking for a spotting scope small enough to fit into a backpack, yet still deliver unbelievable viewing? Well look no further because Bushnell has done it again! Their Legend Ultra HD 15-45x60mm HD has not only first in class optics, they are fully multi-coated for premium viewing in any situation you may encounter. The design is 100% waterproof and sure to please the pickiest of consumers.
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- RainGuard HD Water Repellent Coating
- Porro prism design
- Rotating tripod collar
- Dual-focus control
- Waterproof
- Fogproof
- Rubber Armoring
- Price: from $440.92
Legend Ultra HD 12-36×50 Spotting Scope
Bushnell’s Ultra HD 12-36×50 compact design is the spotting scope you need to capture your moments with extremely clear visibility. It has stacked, dual-focus controls which allow you to make split-second, fine-tuning. And to top it off, the scope comes with a soft carrying case and viewing tripod.
Compact, comfortable and smart! This scope is super easy for you to carry and sure to be a crowd pleaser on your next camping or hunting trip!
Fully multi coated optics with BaK-4 prisms and ED glass guarantees that you have an outstanding view complete with high clarity and brightness even in the lowest light conditions!
Features
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Compact prism design
- RainGuard© HD water-repellent lens coating
- Prime ED extra-low dispersion glass
- 2-speed dual focus controls
- Long eye relief
- Zoom eyepiece
- Retractable sunshade
- 100% waterproof
- Soft case/tripod included!
- Price: from $364.49
Legend Ultra HD Black Ed Glass 15-45X60mm
This mid-size model comes complete with ED Prime extra-low dispersion glass and fully multi-coated optics that reduce glare. Perfect for unfavorable weather conditions, such as rain, sleet and condensation.
- Tough and durable
- Crystal-clear optics
- 100% quality materials
- Dual-focus controls quick fine-tuning adjustments
- Straight zoom eyepiece
- Magnification: 15 to 45x
- Objective lens: 60mm
- Multi-lens coating
- 100% waterproof/fogproof
- Price: from $343.74
Focus: Sentry 18-36x50mm
Planning a day trip, weekend or longer outing? With multi-coated optics delivering exceptional quality at any time of day, the Sentry 18 – 36×50 spotting scope is your best bet. This is the weather-sealed scope you’ll want to take for you next intermediate to long-range outdoor perception.
This model is built to last and has it all — waterproof/fogproof, complete with compact/tabletop tripod, soft-sided case and water-resistant hard shell case. With its eye-appealing price tag, this model is sure to satisfy both the toughest of weekend warriors and birders alike.
Nitrogen purged for complete waterproof/fogproof protection, this models can survive complete immersion in water and stay completely dry inside!
Optic Specs:
- 18-36x magnification, 50mm objective
- Multi-coated optics
- 20 ft minimum focus distance
- 16mm eye relief
- 2.8-1.4mm exit pupil
Features:
- 50mm objective lens for a clear, bright image
- Premium glass for bright, crisp viewing
- 100% waterproof
- Rubber armor- shock absorbing
- Multi-coated optics
- Bak-4 Prisms
- 100% waterproof/fogproof
- Includes compact tripod, soft & water-resistant case
- Available in camouflage
- Price: $96.99 +
- 2014 Brilliance Award Winner
- Multi-Coated
- Waterproof
- Zoom
Bushnell spotting scopes don’t stop here, take a look…
Trophy Xtreme
With a 20-60 x magnification, you’re guaranteed to get the ultimate view of your next subject with this spotting scope. The extra power is a bonus for that extra range and it holds a BaK-porro prism which delivers the utmost clarity. Multi-coated optics guarantee extreme light transmission for the most accurate of images.
- Rubber-armor construction
- 100% waterproof and fogproof
- Comes with compact tripod, window mount, waterproof hard/compact soft case
- Quality optics with stunning HD clarity
- Beautiful design and durability built to last
- 12 to 36 x adjustable magnification
- 50-millimeter objective lens
- 100 percent waterproof and fogproof
- Price: $99.00 – $219.00
- Limited lifetime warranty
- The Trophy Xtreme is also available with a 45-degree eyepiece, 20-60x65mm.
—Complete with an adjustable sun-shade built-in objective cover which protects the large objective lens. In addition, includes a waterproof hard case, and a side-carrying soft case. Best bet for your dollar.
Trophy XLT 20-60x65mm
A trophy is definitely what you’ll get with this beauty from Bushnell. The Trophy XLT delivers remarkable range in distance and application with 60x magnification. It’s waterproof and comes with fully multi-coated optics. The perfect choice for hunters and nature observers, it provides dynamic, clear and concise views from great distances.
- First in class optics with remarkable HD clarity
- Tough and durable
- Rubber-armored housing
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Rugged and reliable
- Includes compact tripod and top-shelf hard-side case
- 100% waterproof
- Price: from $355.60
Elite 20-60x80mm
This larger scope from Bushnell gives you such clear visual clarity at long ranges, you’ll be able to observe wildlife and enjoy your surroundings with the clearest and highest resolution. Complete with high contrast visuals and low-light reliability. The ED glass on this Elite spotting scope guards against rain, snow and other types of condensation. Great for the rugged adventurer.
- Quality optics and material
- Handsome design
- 20 to 60x magnification and 80mm objective lens
- BaK-4 porro prisms with fully multicoated optics
- 45-degree eyepiece
- ED Prime fluoride glass
- RainGuard HD lens coating
- 100% waterproof/fogproof
- Price: $898.00 +-
With so many spotting scopes out there to choose from, there’s no doubt you’ll want and need a reliable, durable and quality-made scope in your hands. Plan on bringing Bushnell Spotting Scopes on your next observation/hunt and you won’t be disappointed. Rain? Snow? Sleet? Whatever weather condition or adventure you encounter, you’re in good company with Bushnell.
Bushnell scopes take your outings to the next level, never failing to please even the most extreme pessimist. Time and again, Bushnell proves to be the brand consumers choose over other optics on the market. Their reviews are consistently excellent and go hand in hand with the quality of their products and customer satisfaction. Guaranteed. And with a price that continues to outshine the rest, your choice is easy!
