Spotting scopes are small telescopes designed to be used during the daytime. Hunters use them to view game at long distances where the naked eye or even binoculars cannot see clearly. While expensive and somewhat heavy, spotting scopes are popular for Western big game hunters who need to scan vast sections of land in hopes of finding an animal they want to pursue.
“How to Glass More Game in Open Country” by Ron Spomer
Spotting scopes are expensive. Really expensive. This article from Gohunt.com covers major considerations for purchasing your first spotting scope.
In general, there are three tiers of glass. Alpha level glass will cost $2000-$4000 and be in scopes made by Swarovski, Zeiss, and Leica. The highest quality glass tends to come from Austria or Germany, and Japanese glass can be excellent as well.
FURTHER READING “Spotting Scopes 101” — An online primer in spotting scope terms and features from Optics Planet
PRO TIP As with most consumer products, spotting scope quality ranges from cheap to extravagant, and for the most part you get what you pay for in hunting optics. Cheap spotting scopes are not worth the money. You are better off investing in premium 10x or 12x binoculars and attaching them to a tripod then buying a $100 spotting scope. Online auction sites like eBay or Gunbroker.com are good sources for used optics. You can also find great deals in the classified section of online forums such as Rokslide and SnipersHide. Buyer beware, there are scammers and imported knock offs out there, so make sure to deal with trusted sellers only.