Spotting scopes for bird watching

I'd ideally like to observe birds and wildlife at quite a distance, possibly beyond the range of my binoculars. How do I do this?

This is a pretty common question we get asked here at BINTEL.

We've talked about selecting different binoculars sizes and even about using image stabilising binoculars. (You can read the articles here.)

However there comes a point where standard hand held binoculars no matter what the size simply don't have enough magnification. This might be due to a number of reasons. 

You could either be trying to observe birds at a distance where you can't get any closer, or where you wish to stay a little further away for example, when they're nesting and don't wish to disturb them.

Another situation is trying to observe shorebirds, where they're often beyond the distance you'll see them clearly using standard binoculars. 

That's when a spotting scope might help. 

What's a spotting scope?

A spotting scope or spotter as many call them looks like one side of a big pair of binoculars and this is because that's what they basically are! They often have a larger main lens, a larger body and most importantly for viewing at a distance, offer higher magnifications. 

Most spotting scopes come standard with zoom eyepieces. The allows you to look around to find an object of interest and then with a quick twist, zoom in for a closer view. 

How are spotting scopes measured?

Spotting scopes are measured in much the same way as binoculars, IE the magnification and then aperture in mm.  The common zoom eyepieces are given as a range of magnifications instead of a single number.   

For example, if a pair of binoculars are said to be 8x42, this means they 8 times magnification their front lenses are 42 mm across in size.  If spotting scope such as the Celestron TrailSeeker listed above is 20-60x80 it means its magnification goes from 20 times to 60 times and has a front lens 80mm across. 

Much the same general advice about binoculars also applies to spotting scopes.  Larger main lenses will mean more light gathering for brighter and wider views. They also increase the cost and size.  Working out the best sized spotting scope for your needs is something BINTEL can assist with.

Are they any downsides to spotting scopes?

There's two and they're both related to their increased magnification offered. First of all, many have a narrower field of view compared to binoculars. You won't be able to see as much side to side. 

This makes it a bit hard to spot and locate wildlife or birds, especially if they're flying. 

Due to their larger size and higher magnification, they're much holder to hold still. To keep them steady you will generally need to use a tripod.  While this is an extra piece of gear to take into the field, it will ensure steady viewing for longer and easier observing sessions. 

Spotting scopes will fit onto any standard photographic tripod with a head that allows it to side to side and up and down. You can use both full height or tabletop tripods. 

Can you get compact spotting scopes?

Yes. Just like you can get compact binoculars, you can also buy compact spotting scopes such the Kowa TSN-501 and the Celestron Hummingbird.  You might be able to use these hand held at their lower magnification but are likely to need a tripod for higher power when zoomed in.

Can I take photos through a spotting scope?

Yes. This is often called "Digiscoping" and refers to attaching a either a phone or a DSLR camera to the eyepiece of the spotting scope to take photos. A low cost and popular digiscoping gizmo is the Celestron NexYZ:

Celestron NexYZ Phone Adaptor

What are other common uses for spotting scopes?

Spotting scopes are not just for bird watching.

If you're looking to view something in the distance, or you'd like to observe for extended periods of time, a spotting scope might be a better option than binoculars. Many BINTEL customers use spotting scopes for whale watching from the shoreline, scenery and cityscape views and even Lunar and Milky Way viewing. 

What are some of the brands of spotting scopes that BINTEL sells?

Many companies known for the binoculars also make spotting scopes, including Swarovski, ZEISS, Nikon, Kowa, Vortex and others.

Bottom line: what's better? A spotting scope or binoculars?

There's no real answer to this as they perform different tasks. The portable viewing at close to medium distances, binoculars are ideal. For longer distances or getting in close to medium distance views with minimal disturbances, a spotting scope could be a great solution. It's quite common for bird watchers to have both!

If you have any questions about your best choice for birding optics, our friendly team here at BINTEL are always happy to have a chat. 

Cheers,

Earl White

BINTEL

14th November 2025