In the world of sports optics today, things can be overwhelming with the different sizes, configurations, and price range and that is no different for a spotting scope. When it comes to optics, the old saying is true, the best spotting scope is not a cheap spotting scope, but comes down to personal preference. Many questions come up like, what is the best spotting scope for the money? You do get what you pay for!

A spotting scope is one of those items that is always nice to have whether you are on the hunting in the mountains, target shooting and the range or just scouting around the neighborhood looking for the target buck.  They are not a necessity but are great to have in your arsenal.  They give you the opportunity to observe the animal without spooking it and decide if you would like to pursue after him or even at the range target shooting at long distances without having to walk to the target to see if you hit your spot.

In this article we will go over some of the best spotting scopes for some of these different situations and give you our option on what we recommend from many different spotting scope brands. 

Best spotting scope comparison (9 top rated spotting scopes)

Below you will find the top spotting scopes and the best rated spotting scope in the following categories.

Below we you will find spotting scope reviews for several different categories to help you make a choice that will meet your needs or expectations. When you have browsed through them, you will be able to find each of these spotting scopes in our store, and we also have a wide variety of rifle scopes for sale that may interest. Check out the other types of scopes that we offer.

What is the best spotting scope for the money?  Here’s our 2023 Top 9 list:

When trying to find the best spotting scope for your situation, you must look at a few factors to help you decide.  Are you going to use it for a long-range spotting scope, a spotting scope for hunting or just everyday use?  Other factors are how much power do I want or need?  Is a straight or angled eyepiece better for my situation?  Is the image quality worth the money? Now days, all quality spotting scopes will be waterproof and fog proof for those rainy and cold conditions. We will discuss some options for the best spotting scope for the money for each situation. 

1. Vortex Razor HD 27-60×85 (Best Spotting Scope 2023 Overall)

To be chosen for one of the best spotting scopes overall, there are many factors that are taking into consideration: Clarity, field of view, weight, warranty, and others.  This is why the Vortex Razor HD 27-60×85 is out top rated spotting scope.  It hits most of these features that make an outstanding spotting scope. The APO System, XR Plus, ArmorTec and the HD lens elements offers the clearest, sharpest edge-to-edge image along with the great resolution and color accuracy.  A nice barrel style focus rings make focusing that image with ease.  The Razor HD scope is half the price of the best high end spotting scopes but does not sacrifice on quality. 

Pros:

• Great Optical Performance
• Nice Eye relief
• Good Field of View
• Rugged
• Custom Neoprene Cover

Cons:

• On the heavy side

2. Athlon Argos HD 20-60×85 (Best Spotting Scope on a Budget)

If you are looking for the best budget spotting scope, look no further than the Athlon Argos HD 20-60×85.  Offered in both a straight and angled eyepiece, this spotting scope gives you the flexibility of your choice.  With Athlon’s low dispersion lenses, the HD glass produces clarity, brightness and a sharp image that is hard to find in a spotting scope in the price point under $400.00. This is not a cheap spotting scope, but rather one of the best affordable spotting scopes on the market.

Pros:

• HD Glass
• Retractable sunshade
• Phase Coated prisms
• Includes Soft Case
• Tripod Ready 

Cons:

• On the heavy side
• Relatively long

3. Leupold Pro Guide HD 15-45×65 (Best Spotting Scope for Hunting)

When it comes to a spotting scope for hunting, you are going to want one that provides all day viewing comfort.  That is where the Leupold Pro Guide HD spotting scope shines.  With Leupold’s Elite Optical System, it offers great light transmission when needed most – Dusk and Dawn in low light viewing.  It offers rugged performance whether you are hunting or driving down those rough backcountry roads.  An oversized eyepiece and twist up eyecup make for less eye strain during those long days.  In a hunting situation, a straight eyepiece is always preferred compared to an angled eyepiece.  These features are why we recommend the Leupold Pro Guide HD 15-45×65 as the best spotting scope for backcountry hunting!  

Pros:

• Good Eye Relief
• HD Lenses
• Armor Coated
• Phase Coated Prisms
• Tripod Ready

Cons:

• Heavier side
• Smaller Field of View

4. Vortex Viper HD 20-60×85 (Best Spotting Scope for Target Shooting)

If I was at the shooting range, I would have the Vortex Viper HD 20-60×85 sitting on the bench with me.  The optics in this target spotting scope are top notch and are comparable to spotters in a much higher price range.  The angled spotting scope version is a great option when target shooting by use a small tabletop tripod for better comfortable.  The high definition lenses provide incredible optical performance to see bullet holes with ease making the Vortex Viper HD 20-60×85 our number one target shooting spotting scopes to consider.

Pros:

• Excellent optics performance
• Built-in Sunshade
• Smooth Enlarged Focus Ring
• Nice Field of View
• Great Customer Service if needed

Cons:

• Bulky in size

5. Leupold Mark 4 12-40×60 (Best Tactical Spotting Scope)

When it comes to Tactical optics, Leupold is the name that comes to mind.  The Mark 4 spotting scopes offer best in class spotting scopes for tactical use.  With its Professional Grade Optical System which delivers unmatched light transmission and performance under the most extreme and challenging conditions that are trusted by professional shooters and military personal.  The Mark 4 offers a large selection of reticles making it our top-rated spotting scope in this category.  The Leupold Mark 4 is the top choice military spotting scope for all branches of the military.

Pros:

• Performance unmatched
• Tripod Ready
• Great Eye Relief
• Reticle selection
• Lightweight Magnesium housing

Cons:

• Lacking Field of View at higher magnification
• Eye cup is on the smaller size
• Expensive

6. Sig Sauer Oscar8 27-55×80 (Best Long Range Spotting Scope)

Our pick for the best spotting scope for long range shooting is the Sig Sauer Oscar8 27-55×80 spotting scope.  This spotter offers some surprisingly great optics and is a quality spotting scope.  All though it is not the most powerful spotting scope, it does offer that clarity and performance expected for long range shooting.  The Oscar8 is equipped with extra-low dispersion glass and Schmidt-Pechan prisms to give you an outstanding image that is clear and bright.  The color clarity is top-notch and performance just as good as spotters substantially higher in price.  Sig Sauer is a name you can trust, and this spotting scope is no different winning the best spotting scope for long range shooting.

Pros:

• Crisp image due to HDX optical system and SprectraCoat lens coatings
• Adjustable Eyecup
• Rubberized non-slip grip armor
• Neoprene cover included
• Easy Focus ring

Cons:

• Angled eyepiece only
• Smaller Eye Relief
• High Lower power compared to others

7. Nikon Fieldscope ED 13-30×50 (Best Compact Spotting Scope)

Lightweight, small in size and great optics!  That is why the Nikon Fieldscope ED50 is recommended for the best compact spotting scope.  This little spotting scope offers Extra-Low Dispersion objective lens and multilayer-coated lenses that give you a bright and clear image.   Fits nicely in your hand to offer all day comfort and easy to pack if you are travelling.

Pros:

• Great Optics
• Small in Size for easy carrying
• Several different optional eyepieces available

Cons:

• Low light performance
• Small eye relief

8. Zeiss Victory Harpia 22-65×85 (Best High Dollar Spotting Scope)

When you look through the Zeiss Victory Harpia spotting scope, I will guarantee the first words out of your mouth will be “WOW”.  The Zeiss Harpia offers the best optics and coatings you will find in any spotting on the market today.  The Zeiss T* coating and SCHOTT HT/FL glass provide a view extremely clear and crisp in all light conditions.  Also equipped with a DualSpeed focus that can be switched between rapid and fine adjustments. The 65 high end of the zoom range is one of the highest magnification ranges available. 

Pros:

• Outstanding Optics
• Dual Focus ring
• Field of View

Cons:

• Heavy
• Expensive
• Eyepiece sold separately

9. Leupold Gold Ring 10-20×40 (Best Lightweight Spotting Scope)

Weighing in at only 15.8 ounces, the Leupold Golden ring 10-20×40 is one of the lightest spotters on the market.  Fully multicoated lens system, Leupold’s Diamond Coat 2 and Advanced Optical System gives you great light transmission, reduced glare, clarity, and resolution found in all Leupold products.  Great optics and lightweight makes this our choice for the best of the best spotting scope on the market. in this category.

Pros:

• Leupold’s optics performance
• Great Warranty
• Lightweight Magnesium Housing
• Tripod Ready

Cons:

• Lower Zoom Power
• Side Focus ring

Which spotting scope is best for me? Our conclusion

Which spotting scope is best for you? That is something only you can answer, but we hope that the above information can help you make that decision a little easier.  Just remember you want the best spotting scope that you can afford, so the main three things to look at are the image quality, field of view and weight.  These three factors will help you narrow your choice down, whether you are a target shooter or for you hunting needs. With that in mind, why not take a look at the spotting scopes for sale in our store to see what we have for you?

Have you ever wanted to range something long distance?  Well Nikon has just came out with the rangefinder that takes long range to the extreme.  The Nikon BlackX 4K Rangefinder!  Featuring Nikon’s HYPER READ technology for shockingly fast, accurate measurements out to 4,000 yards, Black RangeX 4K’s integral 6x monocular offers the bright, sharp view required for acquiring targets at extended ranges.

Extremely fast and accurate measurements, paired with precision, consistency, and a durable lightweight design, the new BLACK RANGEX 4K redefines pocketsized rangefinders. Delivering over two miles of ranging capability in the palm of your hand, this rangefinder will be at home in any long-range shooting kit.

The rangefinder offers a new high-visibility, crisp red OLED display provides ideal contrast on all types of targets and provides either automatic or five stages of selectable brightness.  BLACK RANGEX 4K’s uncluttered reticle display is designed with a small “gap” in the center of the crosshair to enable acquisition of smaller targets at extreme ranges.  The optic’s 3.5mm exit pupil provides the light gathering needed for varying light conditions. The unit’s 18mm of eye relief makes the RANGEX 4K functional both with or without shooting glasses.

The Nikon Black RangeX 4K integrates Nikon’s ID (incline/decline) Technology to take the angle out of your shooting equation, providing you with the true number needed to make your shot.

It also offers the ability to switch between First Target Priority Mode (provides reading of the closest target) or Distant Target Priority Mode (provides range to the furthest target through clutter, branches etc.)

Not only is the Nikon Black RangeX 4K very compact and lightweight for a 4,000-yard rangefinder, (4.3” x2.9” x1.6” and 6.3 ounces), it is also waterproof* and fogproof and backed by Nikon’s 5 Year Warranty.  Battery chamber is rainproof.

Nikon Black RangeX 4K Rangefinder Specifications:

To learn more about the Nikon Black RangeX 4K rangefinder or any other Nikon products, check us out at www.theopticzone.com.

Shotgun Scopes

Shotguns aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about deer hunting. Centerfire rifles, archery equipment, and muzzleloaders are popular in today’s deer hunting culture, but there is no doubt that slug guns have their place. Mount an optical scope on your deer shotgun and suddenly you find more confidence in the shot and in the hunt versus the standard beads it was outfitted with. There is a wide selection of slug gun and shotgun scopes on the market for deer hunters who are taking their shotgun to the deer woods and stand. Whether you hunt deer with a shotgun due to regulations, preference, or tradition; there is a scope that is the right fit for your slug gun. Some factors to consider when selecting the best shotgun scopes include: toughness, accuracy, budget, and innovation. Let’s take a look at some popular models and considerations for each.

Why a Slug Gun?

Slug guns were previously thought to not be accurate or efficient at harvesting game animals past 50 yards. However, new slug loads with proper practice can deliver accurate shots at and even past 100 yards. With these advances shotguns are perfectly suitable for taking deer out to 100 yards. That distance that is more than sufficient for most deer hunts, especially for those hunting in the east. Pursuing whitetails along hardwood bottoms, creeks, and farmsteads is an ideal fit for 12 and 20 gauge shotguns. The distance even covers most Midwest deer hunters. Modern slugs are more accurate than ever, and with some time behind the trigger you can master the deer slug gun. Mounting a quality scope with robust rings and bases that can handle the shotgun’s recoil provides slug hunters with accuracy, increased effective range, and peace of mind.

Slug Gun Regulations for Deer Season

Many states in the Midwest and East have low velocity only firearm seasons including shotguns and muzzleloaders. Some states that have recently allowed centerfire cartridges still have areas designated as shotgun only. If you are interested in taking a giant Iowa bruiser, or an Illinois monarch whitetail with a firearm, you should consider setting up a shotgun for the hunt. States like Kansas, Wisconsin, and Minnesota that are known worldwide for the quality of their trophy deer have wildlife areas and units that are open only to shotguns and muzzleloaders during firearm season. Hunters who are versatile and open to multiple weapon choices and hunting styles will find additional opportunities when it comes to seasons and areas that are available for them to hunt with shotgun only firearm regulations.

12 or 20 Gauge?

Both 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotguns are well suited to firing and hunting with slugs. Chances are the duck gun or upland shotgun you have at home will work just fine for hunting deer. A few modifications like choke selection, or adding a rifled barrel, and the addition of the right shotgun scope will improve your accuracy and your hunt. Optics manufacturers have not forgotten the shotgun hunter, and there are fantastic options when it comes to choosing a scope for your big game shotgun!

What to Look For in a Shotgun Scope

• Toughness

Shotgun scopes must be rugged and built with quality components. One thing is for sure, shotguns produce plenty of kinetic energy, energy that translates to effectiveness when hunting, but also to felt recoil on the gun and shooter. Using a quality scope from a manufacturer who stands behind their product is a must when it comes to a deer hunting shotgun.

Leupold has a fantastic offering at an amazing price point with their Leupold Ultimate 3-9X40 SABR Shotgun Scope! 

Leupold has a famous lifetime guarantee on their optics line, and their SABR scope designed specifically for shotguns and muzzleloaders is no different. You can rest easy with confidence knowing that you’ve got a quality scope designed for shotgun hunting and shotgun recoil when you step into the deer woods with the Leupold SABR scope on your slug gun.

• Accuracy

Firing a 70 caliber projectile from a 12 gauge shotgun does not diminish the need for accuracy in hunting in any way. Shotgun hunters still work to squeak out every bit of accuracy they can get from their scope, gun, and ammunition system. There is no substitute for practice when it comes to accuracy, but the use of quality tools and proven methods both in practice and application lends itself to accuracy and success in the field.

One development in tools when it comes to accuracy and ballistics is the Bullet Drop Compensator or BDC reticle in modern scopes. The BDC reticle system is a tool for shooters to use at varying ranges designated to a firearms specific ballistics. Built directly into the scope and reticle system.

Nikon has a terrific offering at an incredible price point with the Nikon Prostaff Shotgun Hunter 2-7X32 BDC 200. 

Nikon incorporates their Nikon Spot On Ballistics Match Technology into the BDC reticle. This advancement takes the guesswork out of hold over and compensating for sabot or slug drop at varying ranges. With practice at the range, shooters can identify exactly where their loads are hitting at varying distances compared to the BDC reticle in the lens.

• Affordability

Budget, price point, and return on investment are all considerations to account for when you are investing in the best shotgun scope for your situation. Making your budget work for you and finding great deals on quality gear is almost a hunt on its own. With dollars in mind, there are some great options for slug gun hunters searching for the right scope on their shotgun.

Take a look at this incredible value on a Bushnell Trophy 3-9X40 DOA 200 Shotgun Scope.  

The Bushnell Trophy 3-9X40 DOA Shotgun Scope combines amazing features at an affordable price. With unbeatable clarity and light transmission, Bushnell optics are a terrific option at a great price. With features like 100% waterproofed one-piece tube, and rigorous recoil testing it’s hard to go wrong on such a great deal.

• Innovation

Occasionally, technology comes along that is a game changer, a disruptor in an established market. That is the case with red dot sights. While not a new idea or design by any means, red dots are gaining in popularity in the hunting community where tubular type scopes have ruled for decades. If you are considering putting an optical sight on your slug gun, be sure and consider the red dot option.

Designed for fast target acquisition, small form factor, and the ease of shooting with both eyes open; red dot sights offer shooters a terrific alternative to traditional scopes.

Trijicon is a leader in the red dot sector with many options to choose from. This Trijicon MRO 1X25 2MOA Red Dot Reflex sight is the perfect option for a deer shotgun red dot. 

Trijicon is known for their rugged and reliable product line making them a strong choice for shotgun optics. Designed with ambidextrous controls, multiple brightness levels, and 5+ years of battery life, it’s hard to beat the Trijicon MRO 1X25 2MOA Red Dot Reflex as an option for your deer hunting shotgun.

Finally Deciding on a Shotgun Scope

Shotguns are a tool for deer hunters that should not be overlooked. Powerful and reliable, hunters have used shotguns in the deer woods for generations and their effectiveness cannot be discounted. Whatever reason you choose to pursue North American Whitetail with a shotgun, take careful consideration when it comes to the right optic for your slug gun. Multiple factors come into play and will help you decide which optic is right for you.