Best Spotting Scope For Backcountry Hunting
Backcountry hunting is popular because it is less noisy and is home to large boars and rams, making it both challenging and exciting! Nothing can keep you from having a successful backcountry hunting trip if you have the right hunting equipment. Backcountry hunters should invest in a good spotting scope.
A spotting scope can also help you spot targets that are too far away to be seen with other optics, such as binoculars. As a result, it’s a must-have for any serious hunter’s field gear. As a result, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best models on the market right now.
Best Spotting Scope For Backcountry Hunting
Leupold SX-5 Santiam 27-55x80mm HD Spotting Scope Angled (175911)
Leupold has a long history of producing high-quality scopes, and the Santiam 27-55x80mm HD Spotting Scope only adds to that legacy. This spotting scope is designed specifically for hunters. It performs well in the most difficult conditions, making it a good choice for backcountry hunters. It also has better low-light performance, which most hunters appreciate.
Leupold’s Professional-Grade Optical System offers unmatched light transmission in even the harshest lighting conditions, industry-leading glare reduction for a clear image in harsh, direct light, and the resolution and clarity required by professional guides and hunters in the field.
It’s high-definition, with calcium-fluoride lenses that deliver outstanding clarity at all magnification levels. With a 1/4-20 rotatable tripod adapter port built in, mounting to a tripod is a breeze.
It’s also armored, with an easy-grip rubber armor coating that ensures a secure grip in any situation. DiamondCoat 2, an ion-assist lens coating, is applied to the exterior lens surfaces for the highest level of light transmission and abrasion resistance we’ve ever offered. It’s fogproof, waterproof, and comes with Leupold’s legendary customer service.
Features
- Provides superior resolution, depth, and color fidelity
- Durable lightweight aluminum and polycarbonate housing shrouded in a rubber armor coating
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System
- Superior low-light performance
- Premium edge-to-edge clarity
- Waterproof, fogproof, and built to perform for life
- Max Magnification: 55x
- Weight (oz): 68.70
- Length (in): 15.70
- Eye Relief (mm): 16.6 – 19.2
- Linear FOV (ft/1000 yd): 105 – 73
Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes
Sizes
- 11-33×50 – Angled/Straight
- 22-48×65 – Angled/Straight
- 27-60×85 – Angled/ Straight
The Vortex Razor HD Spotting Scope is your best bet for a backcountry hunting spotting scope that is ultra-compact, easy to pack, and portable. Because it is small and light, it is ideal for backcountry hunting.
This scope’s variable magnification will allow you to get closer to distant targets. The adjustable eyecups fold up and down to accommodate all users, glasses or no glasses, and the zoom eyepiece aids in smooth magnification adjustments.
The Triplet Apochromatic lens, combined with the high-density, extra-low dispersion glass, delivers unrivaled color fidelity and resolution. In addition, the lens has XR plus anti-reflective coatings, which provide bright, clear images in low-light situations. It also includes a smooth focus wheel for fine-tuning your images.
Another advantage of the spotting scope is its long-lasting construction. It has a rubber armor that increases durability and provides a comfortable, non-slip grip even when wet. It has an Armortek coating that protects the exterior lens from dirt, oil, and scratches and is O-ring sealed and argon purged for all-weather reliability.
Features
- Ultralight, small, and transportable
- Eyecups that can be adjusted
- Rubber armour that is tough to break.
- Fog-free and waterproof
- Anti-reflective lens coatings on the XR
- Glass with a very low dispersion
- Apochromatic triplet lens
- There are two focus dials: a fast and a fine focus dial.
Athlon Optics Argos HD 20-60×85 Spotting Scope
The Argos HD 20-6085 Spotting Scope is one of the best spotting scopes for wilderness hunting for the money. This is a good option if you’re on a tight budget. It is not only inexpensive, but also of high quality. It is loaded with high-end features to give you the best hunting experience possible.
This spotting scope is ideal for beginners. It’s simple to use and light enough to carry around. It also has a wide field of view for easy target identification and enough magnification for long-distance hunting.
The scope’s HD glass and high-quality lens coatings allow it to transmit more light, resulting in brighter images even in low-light situations. Not only that, but there’s more. It’s argon-purged for improved thermal stability, and it’s completely waterproof, so you can use it in any weather. It’s also compatible with regular camera tripods for comfortable glassing, and it has an integrated sunshade that reduces glare when hunting in direct sunlight.
Features
- HD Glass gives you better light transmission, brighter, and sharper image
- Argon purged
- Waterproof to protect the product in the harshest weather conditions
- Tripod mountable
- Rotating tripod mounting ring
- Built-in extendable sunshade that minimizes any unwanted flare and reflection
- Lifetime warranty
- Lightweight composite chassis
Leupold GR 15-30x50mm Gold Ring Compact Spotting Scope
The Advanced Optical System from Leupold provides tried and true light transmission for long glassing sessions, best-in-class glare reduction in harsh light, and the resolution and clarity that recreational sportsmen and women demand. Also features a fully multi-coated lens system for maximum brightness, contrast, and color fidelity.
A tough magnesium housing protects the optic during fast-paced action, making it lightweight but tough as nails. DiamondCoat 2, an ion-assist lens coating, is applied to the exterior lens surfaces for the highest level of light transmission and abrasion resistance we’ve ever offered.
Features
- Superior low-light performance
- Premium edge-to-edge clarity
- Waterproof, fogproof, and built to perform for life
- Durable lightweight carbon fiber construction shrouded in a rubber armor coating
- Max Magnification: 20x
- Weight (oz): 15.80
- Length (in): 7.50
- Eye Relief (mm): 18.5-17.2
- Linear FOV (ft/1000 yd): 199 – 13
Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 Spotting Scope, 30-60x85mm
This Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 spotting scope is packed with features and has a compact and lightweight design that makes it ideal for hunting. It’s simple to use and suitable for beginners.
This scope’s 60x magnification makes it easy to spot distant targets. The wide-angle field of vision allows you to smoothly track moving targets for precise target acquisition. Even better, the scope has a close near-focus setting for observing smaller objects, as well as a sighting line on the objective bell that makes it easier to find your targets.
You can add your favorite eyepiece for different magnifications, or remove them to create a longer eye relief if you only wear one eyeglass, thanks to the removable eyepiece.
Each optical surface has been coated to improve light transmission while reducing light loss due to reflection. Even when the sun sets, this results in images that are bright, crisp, and sharp. Furthermore, the lens has a LotuTec coating that repels dirt, oil, fingerprints, and moisture for crystal clear vision at all times.
Above all, this high-performance spotting scope is O-ring sealed for reliable waterproof performance and nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging on the internal optic surfaces due to temperature and humidity changes.
Features
- 30-60x zoom eyepiece
- Compact roof prism optical path
- Fully multi-coated high-density (HD) lens system: T* and LotuTec coatings
- Removable eyepiece allows use of compatible, optional eyepieces for different magnifications
- Sighting line on objective bell makes finding objects faster and easier
- Nitrogen filled for fogproof performance even when moving between extreme temperature changes
BARSKA Colorado Waterproof Spotting Scope Black
The powerful and versatile 20-60x magnification of the BARSKA Colorado Waterproof Spotting Scope spotter allows for easy targeting and then zooming in for a more detailed look. The BK-7 prism, fully-coated optics, and 60mm objective lenses in this spotting scope provide bright and crystal clear views.
The spotting scope is fogproof, waterproof, and shockproof, with a straight body for easy use. The included tripod ensures steady viewing in any situation, and the integrated tripod mount fits standard tripod mounting screws.
The lightweight spotter comes with a soft carrying case for easy storage and transport, and it’s completely waterproof and fogproof.
Features
- 20-60×60 Magnification
- 60mm Objective
- Waterproof / Fogproof Construction
- Fully Coated Optics
- Straight-Body Eyepiece Viewing
- Glass: BK-7
- Field of View (ft @ 1000yds): 91 @ 30x-45 @ 60x
- Close Focus: 7m
- Eye Relief: 18.1-15.2mm
- Exit Pupil: 3-1mm
- Weight: 30 oz
Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scopes 16-48×65 – Angled
In the world of optics, Vortex is well-known. The Diamondback HD Spotting Scope is another example of the company’s high-quality optical instruments. For long-range hunting, this scope has the muscle you’ll need. It has excellent optical performance in low light conditions and clear views even at the highest magnification setting.
When shooting targets uphill or downhill, the scope’s angled eyepiece design allows for more comfortable viewing angles. The built-in sunshade minimizes glare and protects the objective lens from rain, snow, and other weather elements, while the adjustable eyecup twists up and down to accommodate eyeglass wearers.
This scope is sealed with O-rings to keep water, dirt, and other contaminants out, as moisture is one of the greatest enemies of optics. It has an Armortek coating on the outside to protect it from scratches and dirt, and it’s argon purged on the inside to prevent internal lens fogging caused by rapid temperature changes. The product’s durability is enhanced by a non-slip rubber armor that protects it from shock, accidental falls, and impact.
Features
- Streamlined exterior for a sleeker profile
- HD optical system delivers exceptional resolution
- Multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces increase light transmission
- Adjustable eyecups twist up and down for comfortable viewing
- Built-in sunshade reduces glare and shields the objective lens from raindrops and snow.
- Scope is tripod adaptable
- O-ring sealed and argon purged, the scope delivers waterproof and fogproof performance
- Armortek coatings protect the lenses from oil, scratches, and dirt.
- Rubber armor enhances both durability and grip for the user.
See Also:
Choosing the Best Spotting Scopes For Backcountry Hunting
Magnification
When looking for the best spotting scopes for backcountry hunting, magnification is an important factor to consider. Binoculars have a lower magnification power than spotting scopes. They usually pick up where full-size binoculars leave off, allowing you to easily spot long-range targets.
The majority of spotting scopes have variable zoom powers that are suitable for hunting at various distances. If you’re hunting in wide-open spaces, a spotting scope with a magnification of 20x to 60x will suffice.
Weight
When looking for backcountry hunting spotting scopes, another important consideration is weight. If you’re going to be trekking for miles in search of game, get the lightest scope you can. You’ll have an easier time carrying it with your other hunting gear this way. It’s also simple to use a lightweight spotting scope.
If you have a tripod, you won’t have to be concerned about the scope’s weight. A tripod relieves the weight from your hands, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable hunting trip. If your spotting scope is heavier than 3 pounds, you should get a tripod.
Straight or angled
The eyepiece of an angled scope is set at a specific angle. During long hunting sessions, angled spotting scopes provide comfortable viewing. Without straining your neck, you can move the eyepiece around or look down on it. Angle scopes, on the other hand, are difficult to use, especially for beginners.
Straight spotting scopes, on the other hand, are fairly simple to operate. It’s much easier to aim a straight scope and zero in on your target whenever you see it and want to see more detail of it.
Durability
Choose a spotting scope that is tough and durable enough to withstand the harsh conditions of the backcountry. Top-tier spotting scopes are constructed with high-quality materials to ensure that they last for many years. A spotting scope made of aircraft-grade aluminum, magnesium alloy, or polycarbonate is the best choice. These scopes improve durability without adding extra weight.
Ensure that the spotting scope has rubber armor for added durability. Rubber armor protects the scope from the elements, increasing its durability. Also, make sure the spotting scope you’re considering is completely waterproof and fogproof for all-weather use.
Cost
Last but not least, there’s the financial consideration. How much you should spend on a spotting scope for backcountry hunting depends on your budget and hunting habits. Spotting scopes of poor quality can be difficult to use, especially in challenging field conditions. Invest in a high-end, high-quality model if you can afford it. A high-quality pair of binoculars is a better option if you’re on a budget.
FAQs For Best Spotting Scope For Backcountry Hunting
How important is a spotting scope for hunting?
A spotting scope is a tough telescope that produces images with the clarity hunters require to identify the life forms, gender, and size of an animal. They’re excellent for detecting targets at a distance.
Is a spotting scope worth it?
Spotting scopes are ideal for setting up and getting a long-range shot in when hunting large game in the West or in wide-open areas. A pair of high-quality binoculars will be more suitable in wooded and confined areas, or when doing spot and stalk hunting that requires more movement on the part of the hunter.
Conclusion
Backcountry hunting is a thrilling experience that any avid hunter would relish. With the right spotting scope, your backcountry hunting will be more than just another hunting activity.
Use our buyer’s guide to find a spotting scope that will make your backcountry hunting trips more enjoyable.