Best Spotting scopes for Backcountry Hunting.
Backcountry hunting is as challenging as it’s exciting. With the right hunting gear, nothing can stop you from making your backcountry hunting trip a success. A good spotting scope is a valuable gear for backcountry hunting. It helps bring the distant game closer so you can see every tiny detail that you could otherwise not see with your naked eyes.
A spotting scope will also help you spot far-off targets where other optics such as binoculars can’t. This makes it a vital addition to every avid hunter’s field kit.
If you are looking for the best spotting scope for backcountry hunting, here is our detailed review of the best models available on the market today. Let’s have a look.
Best Spotting Scopes for Backcountry Hunting-Our Top Picks
Leupold SX-5 Santiam 27-55x80mm HD Spotting Scope
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Leupold has a long-standing reputation for making high-quality scopes and the Santiam 27-55x80mm HD Spotting Scope cements this reputation. This spotting scope is made with hunters in mind. It provides excellent performance in the toughest conditions which makes it a good option for backcountry hunters. It also delivers a superior low-light performance which most hunters find handy. The oversized eyepiece gives you a generous eye box for snug viewing and reduces eye strain and fatigue during long glassing sessions. Thanks to the ultra-smooth focus, the scope delivers incredibly sharp images. The exterior lenses are scratchproof and dirtproof to give you clear views all through. This spotting scope features the legendary Leupold ruggedness. It features an aluminum and polycarbonate housing which is wrapped in a rubber armor coating. This offers great durability that withstands the roughest hunting conditions. The scope is also waterproof and fog proof for all-weather reliability. Key Features
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Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scopes
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Sizes
If you are looking for a backcountry hunting spotting that is ultra-compact, simple to pack, and portable, the Vortex Razor HD Spotting Scope is your best option. It’s ultralight, portable, and convenient for back-country hunting. Featuring a variable magnification, this scope will help bring far-off targets closer. The zoom eyepiece helps you make the magnification adjustments smoothly while the adjustable eyecups fold up and down to accommodate all users, with or without eyeglasses. The Triplet Apochromatic lens paired with the high-density, extra-low dispersion glass provide unmatched resolution and color fidelity. The lens also features XR plus anti-reflective coatings which provide bright and clear images in critical low-light conditions. It also features a smooth focus wheel that helps you fine-tune your images. Another good thing about the spotting scope is the durable construction. It has a rubber armor that enhances both durability and comfortable, non-slip grip even in wet conditions. It’s O-ring sealed and argon purged for all-weather reliability and comes with an Armortek coating that protects the exterior lens from dirt, oil, and scratches. Key Features
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Leica APO-Televid 82 Spotting Scope
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The Leica APO-Televid spotting scope features an extra-large 82mm objective lens which collects optimum light needed for bright and clear images even in unfavorable lighting conditions. This makes it suitable for hunting at dusk or dawn. It is on our best spotting scope for backcountry hunting review for its high-end features and performance. This scope features an AquaDura lens coating which sheds off dirt, oil, and water droplets to give you clear views all through. This spotting scope is made to adapt to any viewing situation. The high-quality lenses provide excellent image clarity, while the dual-focus system delivers rapid and precise adjustments. The magnesium housing enhances durability without adding any unnecessary weight, while the rubber armor provides a secure, non-slip grip. To top it all, the scope is fully waterproof so you can use it in any weather conditions. Key Features
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Zeiss Conquest Gavia 30-60x85mm Spotting Scope
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Backcountry hunting gets better with a quality optic such as the Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 Spotting Scope. This feature-rich spotting scope has a compact and lightweight design which makes it convenient for hunting. It’s easy to use and beginner-friendly too. Featuring 60x magnification, this scope helps you spot far-off targets smoothly. The wide-angle field of vision lets you keep track of moving targets smoothly for accurate target acquisition. Better yet, the scope comes with a close near-focus setting for observing smaller objects and a sighting line on the objective bell which helps you find your targets faster and easier. Thanks to the removable eyepiece, you can add your eyepiece of choice for different magnification, or remove them to create a longer eye relief if you put one eyeglass. Each optical surface is coated to increase light transmission and reduce light loss due to reflection. This results in the production of bright, crisp, and sharp images even when the sunsets. Moreover, the lens has a LotuTec coating which sheds dirt, oil, fingerprints, and moisture for clear views all the time. Above all, this high-performance spotting scope is O-ring sealed to provide reliable waterproof performance and nitrogen filled to prevent fogging on the internal optic surfaces caused by extreme temperature and humidity change. Key Features
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Roxant Blackbird Compact Spotting Scope
If you are just starting your backcountry hunting hobby, you should get the Roxant Blackbird Spotting Scope. This scope provides brilliant performance and reliability. It’s amazingly affordable yet quality. It’s also easy to use, comfortable to hold, and powerful as well. This spotting scope is renowned for its excellent optical performance. It features high-quality optical glass with a BAK-4 prism that delivers superior optical clarity. The fully multi-coated lenses guarantee outstanding light transmission for bright and clear viewing from dawn till dusk. Not to mention the TRUE 12-36x zoom which provides clear color viewing which makes this ROXANT Blackbird Compact Spotting Scope one of the best spotting scopes for backcountry hunting. Thanks to the 45-degree angled eyepiece, you are assured of comfortable viewing even during long hunting sessions. The eyepiece also extends and retracts to fit eyeglass wearers. The compact and lightweight design makes the scope easy to carry in the field and you can even mount it on a tripod and take its weight off your hands. This handcrafted spotting scope is toughly built to last long. It has a non-slip armored housing and a smooth-glide, textured focus ring which makes it extremely hard for slippage to occur. Above all, the scope is fully weatherproof so you can use it in any weather condition. Key Features
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Choosing the Best Spotting Scopes for Backcountry Hunting
Magnification
Magnification is an important factor to consider when shopping for the best spotting scopes for backcountry hunting. Spotting scopes have a higher magnification power than binoculars. They tend to pick up where full-size binoculars leave off so you can be able to spot long-range targets with ease.
Most spotting scopes offer variable zoom power suitable for hunting at varying ranges. If your hunting takes place in wide, open spaces, a spotting scope with say 20x to 60x magnification will suffice.
If your hunting doesn’t need such a high magnification power, then you should consider getting a full-size binocular instead of a spotting scope. Too much magnification can be overkill in hunting.
Objective Lens Size
Objective lens size is essentially the diameter of the spotting scope’s objective lens measured in mm. Lightweight and compact backcountry hunting scopes might have a smaller objective lens of about 40mm. Such scopes are suitable for hunting during the day only.
When it comes to backcountry hunting, a bigger objective lens is generally better, especially in low light conditions. Go for a spotting scope with an objective lens that’s 50mm or more. This way you’ll have an easy time identifying your targets regardless of the lighting conditions. A bigger objective lens also means a larger eyepiece which makes tracking moving targets easy.
Weight
Weight is the other important factor you should look at when looking for backcountry hunting spotting scopes. If you are trekking miles as you search for game, go for the lightest scope possible. This way, you’ll have an easy time carrying it together with your other hunting gear. A lightweight spotting scope is also easy to operate.
If you have a tripod, you don’t have to worry too much about the weight of the scope. A tripod takes the weight off your hands so you can have a snug hunting expedition. If the spotting scope weighs more than 3 pounds, you should consider getting a tripod.
Straight Vs Angled
Spotting scopes have two distinct eyepiece orientations: straight or angled. In an angled scope, the eyepiece is set at a particular angle. Angled spotting scopes provide snug viewing during long-hunting sessions. You can move the eyepiece around or look down onto it without straining your neck. However, angles scopes are difficult to use especially for beginners.
On the other hand, straight spotting scopes are pretty intuitive to use. Whenever you spot your target and you want to see more detail of it, it’s pretty simpler to aim a straight scope and zero in on it.
These scopes are also better when hunting targets downhill. It’s easier to get your eye in the correct position without moving the eyepiece around.
Durability
Go for a durably-made spotting scope that’s tough and durable enough to withstand the harsh backcountry conditions. Top-tier spotting scopes are made with high-quality materials to ensure that you get many years out of them. Look for a spotting scope that’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum, magnesium alloy, or polycarbonate. Such scopes enhance durability without adding unnecessary weight.
For added durability, make sure that the spotting scope comes with rubber armor. Rubber armor enhances the scope’s durability by protecting it from weather elements. Also, ensure that the spotting scope you are eyeing is fully waterproof and fog proof for all-weather performance.
Price
Last but certainly not least is price. How much you should spend on a spotting scope for back-country hunting depends on your budget and hunting habits. Low-tier spotting scopes can be frustrating to use especially in harsh field conditions. So, it’s important that you invest in an expensive and good-quality model if you can afford one. If you are on a budget, it’s better that you invest in a top-tier pair of binoculars instead.
Are Spotting Scope for Backcountry Hunting Worth it?
Absolutely. Spotting scopes have a higher magnification power and larger objective lens which makes them suitable for backcountry hunting. They help you spot long-distance targets that full-size binoculars can’t see. You can also use them for regular hunting and other outdoor activities, not just backcountry hunting.
Is a Sunshade Important for a Scope?
Yes, it is. When you are hunting in broad daylight, you will be exposed to bright sunlight. In such a situation, a sunshade comes in handy in reducing glare. Besides, if the scope comes with a retractable/fold-down sunshade, it won’t be necessary to put on sunglasses. Plus, the images you get will be flare-free.
Final Thoughts
Backcountry hunting is truly adventurous and every avid hunter would love to experience the thrill that comes with it. If you have the right spotting scope, your backcountry hunting will be more than the normal hunting activity you are used to.
Use our buying guide above and get yourself a spotting scope that will certainly transform your backcountry hunting expeditions for the better.