The best spotting scopes for hunting in 2026: 3 field picks
Quick answer: the Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 (around $1,000) is the best spotting scope for hunting if you carry your glass. Vortex lists the angled body at 28.6 oz and 10.4 inches, with APO lenses, so it goes in the pack instead of staying in the truck; read our full review. The Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 (around $700) is the mid-price HD step for the hunter who glasses near the truck: HD glass, a 15x low end and the Vortex VIP lifetime warranty, but at 58.8 oz it saves no weight. The Athlon Talos 20-60x80 (around $180) is the budget pick: the biggest objective here for low light, an angled body at 38.5 oz, and a table-top tripod and soft case in the box. Glassing from a truck, a bench or a fixed knob instead? Our best spotting scope guide covers full-size 80 to 85 mm scopes.
Hunting is where a spotting scope earns its place: you glass open country, judge a rack or a ram before committing to a stalk, and keep looking as the light fades at the edges of the day. That asks different things of a scope than a bench does. A weight you are willing to carry, an image that holds up in low light, and a body you can glass through uphill for hours matter more than the last few power of zoom, so the three picks below are ranked on those.
How we reviewed them: a research-based roundup comparing the makers' published specifications, warranty terms, owner reviews and pricing on OpticsPlanet. We have not used these scopes ourselves; scores are our editorial opinion, and owner ratings are shown attributed to their source. See how we evaluate.
Hunting specs side by side
| Pick | Magnification | Objective | Body | Weight | Length | Eye relief | Close focus | Exit pupil, low / high power (our arithmetic) | Warranty | Owner rating (OpticsPlanet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 Spotting Scope | 13-39x | 56 mm | Angled | 28.6 oz | 10.4 in | 15.0 to 17.8 mm | 9.2 ft | 4.3 mm at 13x / 1.4 mm at 39x | Vortex VIP: unlimited, unconditional, lifetime | 5.0/5 from 9 reviews |
| Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65mm Spotting Scope | 15-45x | 65 mm | Straight (angled V500 on the same listing) | 58.8 oz | 14.6 in | 17.8 to 19.6 mm | 23 ft | 4.3 mm at 15x / 1.4 mm at 45x | Vortex VIP: unlimited, unconditional, lifetime | 4.6/5 from 16 reviews |
| Athlon Optics Talos 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope | 20-60x | 80 mm | Angled (45 degree) | 38.5 oz | 16.5 in | 0.6 to 0.7 in (about 15 to 18 mm, our conversion) | 19.7 ft | 4.0 mm at 20x / 1.3 mm at 60x | Not published | 4.5/5 from 19 reviews |
Specs are for the body we card: the angled Razor HD (RS-56A), the straight Viper HD (V501) and the green angled Talos. Exit pupil is the objective divided by the magnification, our arithmetic, not a maker figure; the Talos listing prints 1.22 to 3.3 mm, which does not match its own 80 mm objective at 20x to 60x. The Talos eye relief in millimeters is our conversion from the listed inches. Check price and availability on OpticsPlanet.
Best for hunting: Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 Spotting Scope
13-39x · 56mm objective · HD optical system with APO lenses · angled body · 28.6 oz · Vortex VIP lifetime warranty
around $1,000exact price on OpticsPlanet
If you carry your spotter, this is the one to carry. Vortex lists the angled body at 28.6 oz and 10.4 inches, the lightest and shortest scope here by a wide margin, with a 56 mm objective, APO lenses and an HD optical system. Owners take it hunting: the most helpful review on OpticsPlanet comes from an Alberta sheep hunt, and five of the 9 reviews mention hunting. The angled eyepiece suits long sessions glassing from a seated position on a hillside. The trade-offs are real, though. The zoom stops at 39x, and the smaller objective gives a smaller exit pupil than the 80 mm Talos at the same power, so the first and last light of the day is where it gives up the most against a bigger scope. It carries the Vortex VIP lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Vortex lists the angled body at 28.6 oz and 10.4 in, light and short enough to ride in a hunting pack instead of the truck
- HD optical system with APO lenses, XR Plus lens coatings and dielectric prism coatings (Vortex)
- Angled eyepiece for long seated glassing sessions, argon-gas purged and O-ring sealed: waterproof, fogproof and shockproof (Vortex)
- The Vortex VIP unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty
Cons
- The zoom stops at 39x, and the exit pupil is about 1.4 mm there (56 divided by 39, our arithmetic)
- A 56 mm objective gathers less light than the 80 mm Talos, so it gives up the most at dawn and dusk
- Vortex says "Tripod adapter may be required." and lists no tripod or adapter in the box
- Premium money for a compact scope, and only 9 owner reviews so far
Best for: the hunter who carries the spotter on foot and glasses mostly at moderate power. Skip it if you glass from a vehicle and want 60x or the brightest image at dawn and dusk: the Talos here has the bigger objective, and our best spotting scope guide covers full-size scopes.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Vortex |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 13-39x |
| Objective lens | 56 mm |
| Glass | HD optical system, APO lenses, XR Plus lens coatings, dielectric prism coatings |
| Body | Angled (RS-56A); the same listing also sells the straight RS-56S |
| Eye relief | 15.0 - 17.8 mm |
| Field of view | 168 - 89 ft at 1000 yds |
| Close focus | 9.2 ft |
| Weight / length | 28.6 oz / 10.4 in |
| Sealing | Argon-gas purged, O-ring sealed; waterproof, fogproof, shockproof |
| Tripod | Tripod adaptable; "Tripod adapter may be required." (Vortex) |
| Included | Lens covers, neoprene case, lens cloth (Vortex) |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP: unlimited, unconditional, lifetime |
“Super compact, great for the shooting range, and perfect for backpack hunting.”
Mark, verified owner (CO) via OpticsPlanet
Best mid-price HD: Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65mm Spotting Scope
15-45x · 65mm objective · HD optical system · straight body (angled V500 on the same listing) · 58.8 oz · Vortex VIP lifetime warranty
around $700exact price on OpticsPlanet
This is the step from a budget scope up to HD glass without paying for the Razor. Vortex lists an HD optical system with XR Plus lens coatings and dielectric prism coatings, and the zoom starts at 15x, where Vortex lists a 137 ft field at 1,000 yards, a wide look at a hillside before you zoom in. Owners describe the glass as clear and bright, and one verified owner in Texas brush country bought it to judge bucks at 100 to 250 yards. Be clear about what it is not: Vortex lists the straight body at 58.8 oz, heavier than the 80 mm Talos on this page and about the same as a full-size 85 mm Vortex Diamondback HD, so this is not a weight pick, and several owners call it heavy. Its case is the HD glass, the 15x low end and the price. We card the straight V501; the angled V500 sells at the same price on the same listing, and a hunter who glasses uphill may prefer the angled body.
Pros
- HD optical system with XR Plus lens coatings and dielectric prism coatings, and owners repeatedly describe the image as clear and bright
- A 15x low end, where Vortex lists a 137 ft field at 1,000 yards, for scanning country before you zoom in
- Arca-Swiss adaptable for a tripod or car window mount (OpticsPlanet), and owners like that the body rotates on its mount
- The Vortex VIP unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty
Cons
- At 58.8 oz (Vortex, straight body) it is heavier than the 80mm Talos here, and several owners call it heavy
- The zoom tops out at 45x, and one owner notes it loses a bit of sharpness at full power
- The straight body we card is less comfortable for long uphill glassing; the angled V500 is the alternative on the same listing
- No tripod in the box, only lens covers and a fitted cover
Best for: the hunter who wants HD glass and a lifetime warranty at a mid price and glasses mostly near the truck or after a short walk. If you carry your scope far, the Razor HD 13-39x56 is about half the weight; if budget comes first, the Talos is lighter and includes a tripod.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Vortex |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 15-45x |
| Objective lens | 65 mm |
| Glass | HD optical system, XR Plus lens coatings, dielectric prism coatings |
| Body | Straight (V501); the same listing also sells the angled V500 |
| Eye relief | 17.8 - 19.6 mm |
| Field of view | 137 - 68 ft at 1000 yds |
| Close focus | 23 ft |
| Weight / length | 58.8 oz / 14.6 in |
| Sealing | Argon gas purged, O-ring sealed; waterproof, fogproof, shockproof |
| Mount | Arca-Swiss adaptable (OpticsPlanet) |
| Warranty | Vortex VIP: unlimited, unconditional, lifetime |
“The only downside I can find with the scope is the weight. It is a little on the heavy side, but I will always make sure I have this in my pack.”
Levans (WA) via OpticsPlanet
Best budget: Athlon Optics Talos 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope
20-60x · 80mm objective · fully multi-coated K9 prisms · table-top tripod and case included · 38.5 oz
around $180exact price on OpticsPlanet
If you want a complete hunting kit on a budget, this is it. It has the biggest objective here, 80 mm, so at the same magnification its exit pupil is the largest of the three by our arithmetic, which is what counts in the last light of the day: 4.0 mm at 20x against 2.8 mm on the Razor at 20x (the listing itself prints a 3.3 mm maximum). It is an angled 45 degree body for glassing uphill, it weighs 38.5 oz, lighter than the Viper HD, and it comes with a table-top tripod and soft case. Owners report calling splash out past 1,000 yards. The honest limits for hunting: the listing says it has no ED glass, and it dims toward the top of the zoom; the included tripod is light-duty; eye relief is listed at 0.6 to 0.7 in (about 15 to 18 mm, our conversion), close to the Razor HD 13-39x56; and the composite chassis is light rather than rugged.
Pros
- A complete kit: a full 80mm objective plus a table-top tripod and soft case in the box for under $200
- Lighter than the Viper HD here at 38.5 oz, easy to carry and pack, on a waterproof, fogproof gas-purged chassis
- Punches above its price: one reviewer could count .22 holes at 100 yards and found it matched a far pricier Leupold for resolution
- Fully multi-coated glass with K9 prisms gives a bright, usable image for range and general spotting
Cons
- The included table-top tripod is light-duty; a sturdier tripod is worth adding for serious use
- The listing says it has no ED glass, and it dims toward the top of the zoom
- Eye relief is listed at 0.6 to 0.7 in (about 15 to 18 mm, our conversion), which eyeglass wearers should try before buying
- The composite chassis is light rather than rugged, so it suits bench and range use more than hard field abuse
Best for: the budget-first hunter who wants a complete angled 80mm kit with a tripod under $200, and the biggest objective here for low light. Step up to the Viper HD for Vortex's HD optical system with XR Plus lens coatings, or to the Razor HD if you need to carry less weight.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Athlon Optics |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 20-60x |
| Objective lens | 80 mm |
| Glass | Fully multi-coated, K9 prisms; listed as HD glass, not ED |
| Body | Angled (45 degree) |
| Eye relief | 0.6 - 0.7 in (about 15 - 18 mm, our conversion) |
| Field of view | 1.5 - 0.9 degrees |
| Close focus | 19.7 ft |
| Weight / length | 38.5 oz / 16.5 in |
| Included | Table-top tripod and soft case |
| Sealing | Waterproof, fogproof (gas purged) |
“Good spotting scope for the money. Took it on a recent range trip and was able to accurately see splash at 1760 yards and call corrections. Within 1000 yards this is an excellent option for affordable nice clear glass.”
AB0731 (OH) via OpticsPlanet
What a hunting spotting scope actually needs
- A weight you will actually carry. The best spotter is the one you bring. Vortex lists the Razor HD angled body at 28.6 oz, the Talos is 38.5 oz, and Vortex lists the straight Viper HD at 58.8 oz, about the same as the 61.3 oz full-size 85 mm Diamondback HD on our best spotting scope guide. Buy the Viper for its glass, not to save weight.
- Low light, and why the objective matters. Game moves at first and last light, and the exit pupil (objective divided by magnification) is the simplest guide to how bright the image can be. At the same 20x, the 80 mm Talos gives 4.0 mm, the 65 mm Viper about 3.3 mm and the 56 mm Razor 2.8 mm (our arithmetic). By our arithmetic each pick gives about 4 mm or more at the bottom of its zoom (the Talos listing prints 3.3 mm), so zoom down when the light goes. Exit pupil is only the geometry: the Vortex picks list an HD optical system, and the Talos listing says it has no ED glass.
- An angled body for long sessions. Glassing uphill for hours is more comfortable through an angled eyepiece on a shorter tripod. The Razor HD and the Talos are angled. We card the straight Viper HD; the angled V500 sells at the same price on the same listing, and a hunter who glasses uphill may prefer it.
- Enough power to judge, not the most power. The tops of these zooms are 39x, 45x and 60x, and every one of them is the dimmest setting on its scope, at 1.3 to 1.4 mm of exit pupil. One Viper owner notes it loses a bit of sharpness at full 45 power. Use the top end to confirm detail in good light.
- A tripod that holds still. The Talos includes a light-duty table-top tripod. Vortex lists the Razor HD as tripod adaptable and says "Tripod adapter may be required."; OpticsPlanet lists the Viper HD as Arca-Swiss adaptable. Neither Vortex comes with a tripod. See our best spotting scope tripods.
Not carrying the scope? If you glass from a truck, a bench or a fixed knob, weight matters less and a full-size 80 to 85 mm scope is the better tool: see our best spotting scope guide. If you want the smallest scope you can find, see our best compact spotting scopes. Glassing is only half the system: pair a spotter with our best binoculars for hunting to find game first, then confirm it through the scope.
FAQ
What is the best spotting scope for hunting?
The Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 is our pick for hunting because it is the one you will carry: Vortex lists the angled body at 28.6 oz and 10.4 inches, with APO lenses and a 56mm objective. The Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 is the mid-price HD step, but at 58.8 oz it is not a weight saver. The Athlon Talos 20-60x80 is the budget pick, with the largest objective here and a table-top tripod in the box.
How heavy a spotting scope can you carry hunting?
That depends on how far you walk, so compare weights before anything else. Vortex lists the Razor HD 13-39x56 angled body at 28.6 oz, the Athlon Talos 20-60x80 is 38.5 oz, and Vortex lists the straight Viper HD 15-45x65 at 58.8 oz, about the same as a full-size 85mm Vortex Diamondback HD. If the scope rides in a pack for miles, the Razor saves the most weight; if it rides in the truck, weight matters less and a full-size 80 to 85mm scope is an option.
What magnification do you need in a spotting scope for hunting?
Enough to judge an animal, not the most the box says. The picks here run 13-39x, 15-45x and 20-60x. The top of any zoom is the dimmest setting: divide the objective by the magnification and the exit pupil is about 1.4 mm at 39x on the Razor, 1.4 mm at 45x on the Viper and 1.3 mm at 60x on the Talos (our arithmetic). Glass at the low end of the zoom in poor light, and save the top end for confirming detail in good light.
Angled or straight spotting scope for hunting?
Angled is the usual choice for hunting: it is more comfortable for long sessions glassing uphill or from a seated position, and it works on a shorter tripod. A straight body is quicker to point at something you have already found by eye. The Razor HD 13-39x56 and the Athlon Talos here are angled. We card the straight Viper HD 15-45x65, and the angled version sells at the same price on the same listing, so a hunter who glasses uphill may prefer it.
Do you need a spotting scope for hunting, or are binoculars enough?
Binoculars find game and a spotting scope judges it. For a whitetail from a stand, good binoculars are enough. For open-country hunting, glassing miles of country and judging a rack or a ram before a long stalk, a spotting scope resolves detail binoculars cannot. Many hunters carry binoculars to search and a spotter to confirm. See our best binoculars for hunting for the search half of that pair.
Prices move, so check price and availability on OpticsPlanet before you buy.
More: best spotting scopes · Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 review · best binoculars for hunting · best hunting rangefinders.