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10 Best Spotting Scope For Phone 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Gosky 20-60x80 Spotting Scope with Phone Adapter, Dual Focusing Waterproof Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting Bird Watching Hunting Wildlife Safari Viewing, BAK4 FMC Spotter Scope with Carrying Case

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,407
Magnification
Eye Relief
Phone Adapter Compatibility

Most important from
296 reviews

Magnification
The new scope offers more clarity from close and long range, with a brighter image even at 400 yards.
Eye Relief
The eyepiece has been enlarged, reducing eye strain during prolonged use and making it easier to align with the object.
Phone Adapter Compatibility
The new smartphone adapter is a significant upgrade, fitting larger phones and making it easier to capture quality photos.

The Gosky 20-60x80 Spotting Scope is a versatile choice for those interested in bird watching, target shooting, hunting, and more. One of its main strengths is its powerful magnification range from 20x to 60x, allowing you to zoom in on distant objects with clarity. The 80mm objective lens combined with the BAK4 prism ensures a bright and clear view, even when observing targets up to 200 yards away. Users will appreciate the dual focusing system, which offers smooth and precise adjustments for clearer images at high magnifications.

The IPX7 waterproof and fogproof design makes it reliable in various weather conditions, and the durable frame with rubber armor provides a non-slip grip and extra protection. Additionally, the included phone adapter is a handy feature for capturing photos and videos, and the carrying case and lens protection covers add convenience for transport and maintenance.

However, the scope is relatively heavy at 3.4 pounds, which might be a consideration for those needing a more portable option. While its dimensions are compact, the equatorial mount may require some setup time. Despite these minor drawbacks, its performance, robust construction, and additional accessories make it a solid choice for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a high-quality spotting scope compatible with smartphones.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,407
Magnification
Eye Relief
Phone Adapter Compatibility

Most important from
296 reviews

Magnification
The new scope offers more clarity from close and long range, with a brighter image even at 400 yards.
Eye Relief
The eyepiece has been enlarged, reducing eye strain during prolonged use and making it easier to align with the object.
Phone Adapter Compatibility
The new smartphone adapter is a significant upgrade, fitting larger phones and making it easier to capture quality photos.
#2

MAGVIEW Digiscoping S1 Spotting Scope Universal Phone Adapter

Rating
8.2
Eye Relief
Phone Adapter Compatibility

Most important from
80 reviews

Eye Relief
The adapter’s weight can influence the positioning if the scope’s eye relief viewfinder is loose, requiring some adjustment.
Phone Adapter Compatibility
The adapter delivers secure and reliable attachment, ensuring the phone stays firmly in place when aligned correctly with the eyepiece.

The MAGVIEW Digiscoping S1 is a phone adapter designed to work with spotting scopes that have eyepieces between 51mm and 60mm in diameter, making it a versatile choice if you have a scope with eyepieces in that range. There's also a smaller S1 Mini version for eyepieces between 38mm and 49mm. This adapter helps you attach your smartphone securely to your spotting scope for taking clearer images or videos through the scope’s lens, which is great for birdwatching, wildlife viewing, or outdoor photography.

It’s built in the USA and made from plastic, with a sleek black finish and an ambidextrous design that suits both right- and left-handed users. This adapter isn’t compatible with phones that have wireless charging cases, so you might have to remove the case for use. It fits well with scopes that meet the specified eyepiece size range. The adapter is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry in the field.

Most users find it reliable, but if you need detailed optical enhancements or waterproof features, you’ll have to rely on your spotting scope’s quality rather than the adapter. This adapter helps you capture images through your spotting scope with your phone, especially if your scope’s eyepiece size matches, but it won’t improve the scope’s optical performance on its own.

Rating
8.2
Eye Relief
Phone Adapter Compatibility

Most important from
80 reviews

Eye Relief
The adapter’s weight can influence the positioning if the scope’s eye relief viewfinder is loose, requiring some adjustment.
Phone Adapter Compatibility
The adapter delivers secure and reliable attachment, ensuring the phone stays firmly in place when aligned correctly with the eyepiece.
#3

SVBONY SV41Pro 80mm Mak Spotting Scope, Compact Spotter Scope, 28-84X Zoom Eyepiece, 1.8kg Lightweight, Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting, Bird Watching, for Both Terrestrial and Astronomical Use

Rating
7.9
Magnification
Eye Relief

Most important from
38 reviews

Magnification
The dual focuser is incredibly handy at high magnification and is a must-have for astronomy or photography.
Eye Relief
The included zoom eyepiece is impressive, offering decent eye relief and clarity, even allowing for detailed views of Saturn's rings.

The SVBONY SV41Pro spotting scope offers a versatile option for those interested in bird watching, target shooting, and even astronomy. With a zoom range of 28-84x, it provides substantial magnification that can help you observe distant subjects with clarity. The 80mm large objective lens allows more light to enter, producing brighter and clearer images, which is beneficial for both terrestrial and celestial observations. The FMC coating on the lens enhances this light transmission, improving the image quality.

The scope is lightweight, weighing only 1.8 kg, and compact with a tube length of 280mm, making it easy to transport with its included carrying case. Its compatibility with phone adapters means you can easily attach your smartphone for digiscoping, capturing photos and videos, although a specific adapter type isn't directly included. A key feature is the dual-speed focus, which simplifies the focusing process, ensuring that you get clear views quickly. However, a finderscope for quick object location is not included, which might be a minor inconvenience for users new to spotting scopes.

The scope boasts waterproof and fogproof features, enhancing durability and usability in varying weather conditions. While it doesn't offer night vision capabilities, this scope is still a strong contender for those interested in daytime observations. The eye relief of 16mm suggests comfort over longer viewing sessions, though some users might find this slightly limiting if they wear glasses. If you're looking for a spotting scope that balances power, portability, and functionality for both terrestrial and astronomical use, the SVBONY SV41Pro is worth considering, especially if you aim to engage in phone-based digiscoping.

Rating
7.9
Magnification
Eye Relief

Most important from
38 reviews

Magnification
The dual focuser is incredibly handy at high magnification and is a must-have for astronomy or photography.
Eye Relief
The included zoom eyepiece is impressive, offering decent eye relief and clarity, even allowing for detailed views of Saturn's rings.

Buying Guide for the Best Spotting Scope For Phone

Choosing the right spotting scope for your phone can greatly enhance your outdoor adventures, whether you're birdwatching, hunting, or simply enjoying nature. A spotting scope allows you to see distant objects with clarity and detail, and when paired with your phone, it can capture stunning photos and videos. To make the best choice, you need to consider several key specifications that will determine the performance and compatibility of the spotting scope with your phone. Here are the most important specs to look at and how to choose the right one for your needs.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the object will appear through the spotting scope compared to the naked eye. This is important because higher magnification allows you to see more detail. Spotting scopes typically offer magnification ranges from 15x to 60x. For general use, a magnification of 20x to 40x is usually sufficient, providing a good balance between detail and stability. Higher magnifications, like 50x or 60x, are great for long-distance viewing but can be harder to stabilize and may require a tripod.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the spotting scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is crucial because a larger objective lens allows more light to enter the scope, resulting in brighter and clearer images, especially in low-light conditions. Common sizes range from 50mm to 100mm. For most users, a 60mm to 80mm lens provides a good balance of brightness and portability. If you plan to use the scope in very low light or want the brightest possible image, consider a larger lens, but keep in mind that it will be bulkier and heavier.
Field of ViewField of view (FOV) is the width of the area you can see through the spotting scope at a specific distance, usually measured in feet at 1,000 yards. A wider FOV makes it easier to locate and track moving objects, which is particularly useful for birdwatching or observing wildlife. Spotting scopes with a lower magnification typically offer a wider FOV. If you need to follow fast-moving subjects or scan large areas, look for a scope with a wider FOV. For detailed observation of stationary objects, a narrower FOV with higher magnification might be more suitable.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance from the eyepiece to your eye where you can still see the full field of view. This is especially important for eyeglass wearers, as insufficient eye relief can make it difficult to see the entire image. Eye relief typically ranges from 12mm to 20mm. If you wear glasses, look for a spotting scope with at least 15mm of eye relief to ensure comfortable viewing. For those without glasses, shorter eye relief may be acceptable, but longer eye relief can still provide a more comfortable experience.
Lens CoatingLens coating refers to the special coatings applied to the lenses to reduce glare and improve light transmission, resulting in clearer and brighter images. There are different levels of coating: single-coated, fully-coated, multi-coated, and fully multi-coated. Fully multi-coated lenses offer the best performance, providing the highest light transmission and the clearest images. If image quality is a priority, opt for fully multi-coated lenses. For casual use, fully-coated or multi-coated lenses can still provide good performance at a lower cost.
Waterproof and FogproofWaterproof and fogproof features ensure that your spotting scope can withstand harsh weather conditions and prevent internal fogging caused by temperature changes. These features are important if you plan to use the scope in various outdoor environments. Look for scopes that are nitrogen or argon purged and have O-ring seals to ensure they are fully waterproof and fogproof. If you will be using the scope in wet or humid conditions, these features are essential to maintain clear and reliable performance.
Phone Adapter CompatibilityPhone adapter compatibility refers to the ability of the spotting scope to connect with your smartphone for taking photos and videos. This is crucial if you want to capture and share your observations. Some spotting scopes come with a phone adapter included, while others require you to purchase one separately. Ensure that the adapter is compatible with your specific phone model and that it securely attaches to the scope. If you frequently use your phone for photography, a scope with a high-quality, easy-to-use adapter will enhance your experience.

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