Best Spotting Scopes for 2024

Hunters know that big game hunting is mostly preparation, hiking, and spending hours (sometimes days) behind a spotting scope or a pair of binoculars for the mere chance of spotting a legal animal. 

When these three forces interact, sometimes, although not always, magic happens, and you come across a once-in-a-lifetime animal. 

Like all gear, there's a wide discrepancy in price, quality, and ease of use. Today, we're breaking down the best spotting scopes for 2024 to help you dial in your optics and get one step closer to that dream buck.

How Hunters Use Spotting Scopes

For most hunters, the initial scouting is done with binoculars, providing a broad overview of the terrain and landscape. However, when a specific area of interest, such as rocky patches, downed trees, or signs of animal movements, is identified, it's crucial to switch to a spotting scope. 

This transition to advanced viewing is critical, as the scope's superior clarity, zooming, and observation capacity significantly increase the chances of picking up more specific details. These details could be crucial, such as identifying an animal's sex or looking for signs of legality, like horn or antler size, before moving in for a shot. 

Certain factors come into play when considering a spotting scope. Image quality is crucial, as it determines how clear and detailed your observations will be. Size and portability are also important, especially if you plan to carry your scope on long hikes.

And, of course, cost is a significant consideration, as spotting scopes are one of the larger investments hunters can make. Finally, it may also be essential to consider your local hunting environment and environmental factors. 

How a HuntWise Hunter Chose a New Spotting Scope

Our friend and HuntWise Field Team hunter Alec Pratt shares his insights into choosing the ideal scopes (whether yours "get lost" or it's just time for an upgrade).

He says:

"My trusty spotting scope mysteriously disappeared in 2020. Was it related to civil unrest? I'll never know, but the scope wasn't fancy. It served its purpose well, and I needed to replace it, so I started following a new rabbit hole to find a replacement scope. 

The gear we buy needs to justify itself in our minds if we're going to haul it around for a hunt or let it take up space in our hunting closet. I think many of us spend lots of time reading descriptions and marketing jargon about different products as companies aim to earn our dollars.

A spotting scope is no different and can be added to any hunter's packing list for a number of reasons, but there's a lot to consider. 

I break out the scope when I don't want to fool with binoculars, and I'm trying to observe something farther away. I use them mostly when I plan to be stationary. These times are generally at the rifle range or on a ridge scouting for movement." 

Balancing Price and Features

"There's a balance between price and features that meet your needs.

Premium spotting scopes have specialized coatings and are built to be bulletproof; however, I knew I was looking for a budget replacement.

Variables that I considered were:
 

• Magnification
• Clarity
• Objective lens
• Weight

I figured these were basic requirements that I could measure to tune out the noise that drives up the cost for an item that I wouldn't use very frequently. 

Premium options, with higher build quality, specialty reticles, coatings, and clearer glass, got me excited. You'll pay more for these, but if you plan on regularly spending hours behind the glass, it's generally warranted. There are many fantastic options to consider; perhaps I'll upgrade down the line. 

The replacement I bought was a value brand 20-60 x 80, and it met all my requirements. It was within my budget of about $200. I could connect my phone to the eyepiece and easily see my shot placement, and I could mount it on a tripod.

It was perfect for being stationary, and I wasn't worried about it getting damaged or disappearing (again)." 

5 of the Best Spotting Scopes To Consider for 2024 

Hunting is an accessory sport, and we love deep-diving into quality gear to fill out our backpacks. Here's a breakdown of our top scope picks for 2024, starting with three of our faves from our HuntWise partner, Vortex.

1. Best Overall: Vortex RAZOR® HD 27-60X85 Angled

Price: $2,399.99 

The Razor 27-60x85 angled is our top pick, as it offers more than unbeatable clarity. Its specialized formulas, including multi-coated dielectric prism, plasma tech, and anti-reflective coatings, are designed to enhance vision in low-light conditions, making it a versatile companion for any outdoor adventure.

If you're thrown off by the technical jargon, just know that the image quality is crystal clear, and the resolution is off the charts.

It's fog, water, and shockproof and covered in specialist rubber armor. With a lifetime warranty, you can feel confident in your decision.

2. Best Straight Scope: Vortex RAZOR® HD 22-48X65 (Straight) 

Price: $1,849.99

Similar to the angled razor, the Razor HD straight has been constructed with superior glass and specialized coverings to deliver bright images and elite clarity.

The high-density extra-low dispersion glass ensures light transmission, creating a fuller sharpness and color accuracy. This means you can enjoy a more vivid and detailed view of your surroundings in low-light environments. 

Its o-ring is sealed with a sturdy magnesium alloy chassis, making it fog-proof and covered in a scratch-resistant coating. The lenses are also protected from oil and dirt, meaning they are made to last. 

3. Best Compact Scope: Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56mm Angled Spotting Scope

Price: $1,499.99 

For challenging terrain that requires miles of packing out and a considerable gear carry, the Vortex 13-39x56mm is the option for you.

Although small, it offers incredible clarity and premium optics with edge-to-edge clarity through the HD optical system. The ultra-hard lens coating protects against scratches, dirt, and mishaps, and as an Arca-Swiss compatible option, you can still settle in for a long session of scoping with your tripod. 

4. Best Budget Scope: Athlon Optics Cronus Gen II 20-60x86mm UHD Spotting Scope

As Alec noted earlier, you don't have to spend a lot for good spotting scopes that can serve you well.

The Athlon Optics Cronus Gen II 20-60x86 mm scope is an excellent budget option. Up to 60x, the specialist lens design adds an optical component to help draw color into one focus point. This contrast produces excellent sharpness and color definition. 

A protective coating and a layer of material applied to the exterior lenses to protect them from dirt, oil, and scratches guards the exterior lenses from dirt, oil, and scratches. This feature is especially important for maintaining the clarity and performance of your spotting scope, particularly in rugged outdoor environments. 

It's the perfect option for an introductory scope, offering excellent image quality, and it's not too hard on the pocket. 

5. Best For Backcountry: Leupold SX-5 SANTIAM HD 27-55X80MM Angled

The SX-5 is built tough, with a strong focus on glare reduction and durability. It's waterproof, fogproof, and sealed with a proprietary gas blend to ensure it holds up even in the most challenging conditions. 

With a lifetime warranty, the SX-5 is not just a durable option; it's a wise investment. Its 27-55 magnification range offers a significant return on your investment, providing the perfect balance between quality and affordability. 
 

Use HuntWise To Find Locations Worth Spotting

We hope these recommendations are helpful when choosing your next scope. When you invest in a quality spotting scope, you'll maximize its usage by picking the right spot to glass. 

With HuntWise, you can pre-scout public and private land, mark potential hunting spots, and track your hunting activities. We recommend using the 3D topography mapping feature to mark ridgelines and elevated zones where you can put your scope to the test and watch some big animals come into your zone.

HuntWise is a valuable tool for maximizing the use of your spotting scope and planning your hunting strategy. So, if you haven't downloaded it yet, now is the time to get the app and get ready for your next big hunt!

Choose HuntWise Pro or Elite to explore more features – free – for a week! Plus, enjoy bigger discounts on gear as a Pro or Elite user.