Our Top Picks - Best Spotting Scope for Birding In 2023
WINNER
Swarovski Optik
Vortex VPR80S
Nikon 6975
Alpen 786KIT
- 1 Our Top Picks - Best Spotting Scope for Birding In 2023
- 2 Winner - Swarovski Optiks Spotting Scope
- 3 Vortex Viper Model VPR80S High-density Spotting Scope for Birding
- 4 Nikon Model 6975 Spotting Scope for Birding
- 5 Alpen Model 786KIT Spotting Scope for Birding
- 6 What Is The Best Spotting Scope For Birding In 2023?
As a Birder, with the next chase (or twitching, if you prefer) coming up it may be time to purchase, upgrade, or simply replace that spotting scope.
There is no reason not to search for the best spotting scope for birding, after all what will save the day out there will be the quality and durability of your optics.
These scopes have the power and the clarity that you need for birding in order to see every detail and get an exact identification on that one bird that needs to be ticked off your list.
Winner - Swarovski Optiks Spotting Scope
Swarovski is one of the best spotting scopes for birding for a number of reasons, but the primary is that they never leave quality to chance. This 80mm high-density scope can be bought with the eye piece lens such as a 20-60 from Swarovski Optik (kind of like a package deal,) however, normally the eye piece and the scope are purchased separately (so you can choose the right lens for the right application.)
The brilliantly clear and high-resolution fluoride lens (this matters to birders because it will reduce chromatic aberration, also known as color fringing, which frequently happens when you turn up the power.) The large 80 mm objective lens will let you see even in failing light. This, one of the best spotting scopes for birding, will make identifying and locating the next bird and, well, anything for that matter, rather easy.
The 80 mm scope and the eye piece have a limited lifetime warranty. The spotting scope is rubber armored, waterproof (submersible to 13' of water, for those adventures in birding that sometimes get a little too adventuresome, perhaps.) There is no question on the quality of this scope: it's a Swarovski, it is one of the greatest spotting scopes for birding.
Vortex Viper Model VPR80S High-density Spotting Scope for Birding
This Vortex Viper straight spotting scope has low dispersion due to its high-density lens which improves your view and gives you clarity. The Model VPR80S comes with Vortex's own patented XR reflective coating (this helps reduce lens flash) on its multicoated 20-60X80mm lens.
This Vortex Viper Model is fully waterproof and fogproof for those days when the weather isn't quite as cooperative as you may have liked or for when you are just close to the surf and spray. Vortex has put an unconditional lifetime warranty on this model and it comes with its own custom designed case. And at 4.8 pounds, this is a great birding spotting scope.
Nikon Model 6975 Spotting Scope for Birding
Nikon Prostaff 5's 20-60X82mm spotting scope for birding is built with Nikon's legendary toughness standards. This is a very nice scope, it is waterproof and fogproof with O-ring seals to further keep out dust and moisture. The housing is nitrogen purged to further protect the scope from fogging.
The brilliant optics are multi-coated and maintain true color retention. The model 6975 has a built-in retractable sunshade which helps reduce glare in bright sunlight conditions and also helps keep the rain off the lens. One of the really nice things about the Nikon is that it comes digiscope ready to help you get that shot. There are a lot of benefits to this spotting scope for birding.
Alpen Model 786KIT Spotting Scope for Birding
The Alpen 20-60X80mm birding spotting scope is a good choice for a couple of factors. Its large objective lens allows more light in during those lower light conditions and its fully multi-coated lenses also allow more light through and give some protection from dust. By having a BAK-4 prism and its large objective, at the lower power you will have big views that will narrow as you increase the power.
The model 786KIT is fully waterproof and fogproof and has a nitrogen-filled housing which will help you on those days when the weather is so pleasant or during those times when the weather turns on you. The heavier design has inherent durability built-in. This spotting scope for birding comes with an aluminum foam filled case, a table top tripod, and a lifetime warranty.
What Is The Best Spotting Scope For Birding In 2023?
Deciding on the best spotting scope for birding of this round was really a tough choice for us. The quality level is rather high on all of these spotting scopes for birding, but the Swarovski Optiks Spotting Scope wins with their extreme dedication to quality and their brilliant optics leave little to chance, in this case. Their spotting scopes are more expensive, however, you will never need another one or a replacement and probably your children or grandchildren will still be using it decades from now, as what has happened in the past.
But, in the end, the choice of which spotting scope you choose is up to you. Birding can be a very rewarding and often times you will want to do some digiscoping, so it is important that you look carefully at the spotting scope that you are considering. That way, if you need a universal digital camera adapter or perhaps the exact adapter for your optics, you can also acquire those pieces needed to fit your equipment at the same time.
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