The Best Spotting Scope Reviews Website

New: Kowa Telephoto Lens / Scope Review

Unlike digiscoping where you are converting a spotting scope for the use of photography, the Kowa telephoto lens for super telephoto shooting (350mm, 500mm or 850mm), that can also be used as a spotting scope. This means that you can use this high-performance telephoto camera lens as a spotting scope as well. This is achieved by simply connecting it to the optional prism unit and eyepiece using a bayonet mounting system, tmaking the switch between photography and observation a fairly quick simple operation.

What is more, the Kowa Lens/Scope is smaller, weighs less and is cheaper than the equivalent "standard" SLR telephoto lenses on the market. For more details:

>> Read the full review of the Kowa Telephoto Lens / Scope

New: Save over $1500 with Like-New Zeiss Ex-Demos

Take advantage of this exclusive purchase and save on a Zeiss premium scope kit while supplies last. These lightly-used Zeiss 20-75x85 Angled Spotting Scope display units are in new condition with full original packaging and paperwork, including Zeiss' transferable limited lifetime warranty. This is the perfect opportunity to save a huge amount of money on a top-shelf spotting scope without making any compromise.

What is more is this Zeiss Kit comes with a Zeiss ex-demo 20-75x eyepiece included. For more details:

>> More Information and Where to Buy

New: Kowa TSN-883 Spotting Scope Review

I recently got the chance to try out the top of the range angled TSN-883 spotting scope from Kowa.

Part of the TSN-880 series of large 88mm diameter scopes, the 883, comes with a host of the highest quality features including a very lightweight magnesium housing that is as light and compact as many 60mm scopes.

The quality does not end with the body, as Kowa use the highest quality pure fluorite crystal lenses as part of their achromatic lens design to limit the effects of chromatic and spherical aberrations. On top of this they have a whole host of lens and prism coatings to ensure that the scope produces the best quality image possible. For more details:

>> Read the full review of the Kowa TSN-883 Angled Spotting Scope

New: Celestron Regal 100 F-ED Spotting Scope Review

I was lucky enough to get the chance to enjoy Celestron's top of the range Regal 100 F-ED Spotting Scope, that as the name suggests features the highest quality air-spaced doublet achromatic lens, one element of which uses fluorite extra low dispersion glass (ED) to produce incredible quality razor sharp images with virtually no chromatic aberration (color fringing).

This angled Celestron spotting scope also has a rubber armored tough and waterproof body and comes with a dual speed focussing mechanism. The scope also comes with an excellent quality 22x-67x (8-24mm) Zoom Eyepiece, but because it attaches to the body using the standard 1.25" push-fit socket, you have the greatest flexibility in choosing further eyepieces to suit your needs.

This combined with the very large 100mm objective lens makes this scope ideal for a variety of uses including birding, wildlife observation and general astronomy. It also makes a great scope for digiscoping as it comes with a T-Mount adapter for your SLR camera.

>> Read the full review of the Celestron Regal 100 F-ED Scope

New: Acuter DS20-60X80A Spotting Scope Review

A new full and in-depth review of this entry-mid level angled spotting scope that considering it's small price tag comes with an impressive array of features that include: A tough and waterproof body, with a dual speed focussing mechanism.

Optical highlights include the use of quality Bak-4 Prisms, fully multi-coated achromatic lens that is designed to limit the effects of chromatic as well as spherical aberrations.

The scope also comes with a 20x-60x (8-24mm) Zoom Eyepiece that uses a standard 1.25" push-fit socket allowing you to choose your more of your own eyepieces with the greatest amount of flexibility.

>> Read the full review of the Acuter DS20-60X80A Spotting Scope

Benro Travel Angel 2 Tripod Review

Whilst looking for a new camera and spotting scope tripod to take travelling with me as well as on long hikes, I recently got the chance to test out the new Benro A1682TB0 Travel Angel 2 Tripod Kit.

The new Benro Travel Angel 2 tripods are light as well as compact and come in six different variations made from both aluminium and eight-layer carbon fibre. All have legs which can be independently locked in two positions, one of which can be converted into a monopod. Once transformed, an additional attachment is also supplied to turn the monopod into a walking stick - complete with integral compass.

>> Read the full review of the Benro Travel Angel 2 Tripod

Lowepro Scope Porter 200 AW Backpack Review

The innovative Lowepro Scope Porter 200 AW backpack gives both bird and general wildlife watchers a protective and supportive way to carry a spotting scope and tripod in the field and keeps your hands free at the same time.

I take a full and detailed look at this backpack from Lowepro that has been specifically designed to carry and protect your spotting scope:

>> Read the full review of this Lowepro Spotting Scope Backpack

Fantastic Deal on Nikon Fieldscope III's

Huge reductions on both new and refurbished Nikon Fieldscope III 20-60x60 Angled Spotting Scopes. Plus get a Free Eagle Optics Car Window Clamp/Mount with the purchase of any spotting scope from Eagle Optics.

>> More on this Nikon Fieldscope Special Offer

Birding Scopes:

Whilst you can enjoy birds without a scope or you may even use a pair of binoculars, but if you have never looked at a bird through a pair of spotting scopes, you are in for a treat as the level of detail is simply incredible! But which pair is right for you, I review some of the best, cheapest, lightest, smallest, strongest birding scopes on the market and what features to look out for when choosing your equipment >> Choosing Birding & Birdwatching Scopes.

Best Scopes for Digiscoping

Combining your digital camera with a spotting scope (digiscoping) can offer you a cheaper way of getting a super telephoto lens, but because of the vast choice of digital cameras and scopes the decision on what equipment to get can seem daunting. I take a look at some of the best digiscoping setups.

>> Best Digiscoping Scopes

Difference between Fieldscopes and Spotting Scopes

Essentially they are the same thing: a small portable telescope optimized for the observation of terrestrial objects as apposed to astronomy telescopes.

The term "spotting scope" probably comes from the sport of shooting on the target range as a spotter uses a scope to avoid walking to the target to verify the placement of hits. Nikon have added to the confusion in that they call their top-end scopes "Fieldscopes" and their cheaper scopes "Spotting Scopes".

Where to buy Spotting Scopes

I have found that especially with optics, it can really pay to shop around a little and so whether you are in the US, or the UK I take a look at some of the best places on the web that I have found that sell spotting scopes. This section will also make it much easier for you to quickly compare prices and deals making sure that you get the best price possible.

>> Spotting Scopes Shop

Straight Through vs Angled Spotting Scopes

Refractor spotting scopes come in two basic types of body design: angled and straight. Straight-through scopes have the eyepiece and barrel in the same horizontal plane. Whilst with an angled scope, the eyepiece is at at an angle, usually 45 or 90 degrees from the barrel. I take a look at why the are differences and at the advantages and disadvantages between each design.

>> Angled or Straight Spotting Scopes

Spotting Scope vs. Telescope

A lot of people ask what the difference is between a spotting scope and if they can use their scope for astronomy. In this article I take a look at the differences, the strengths and weaknesses of each and if you can effectively use a spotting scope to look at the stars and planets in the night sky.

>> Spotting scopes for Astronomy

Waterproof Spotting Scopes

Spotting scopes designed for all weather conditions and environments must not only be tough, but waterproof as well. One of the most asked for features of a spotting scope is waterproofing which is often called ‘weather proofing’. Here’s my guide to: Waterproof Spotting Scopes