Best Spotting Telescope 2025

When it comes to finding the best spotting scope - the word “best” can mean different things to different people. 

Whether you're a birder chasing wedge-tails in the bush, a hunter glassing for sambar in Victoria, or a target shooter fine-tuning your shots, your ideal spotter scope will depend on your specific needs/preferences.

The key to getting it right? Know your purpose and priorities. Once you've got that sorted, picking the right glass becomes a whole lot easier.

In this guide, we’ll break down what to look for across birdwatching, hunting, and target shooting—plus our top picks for 2025, tailored for Aussie hunters.

First Things First - What Are You Using It For?

Birdwatching

Birders need the full package: crisp optics, wide field of view, and a scope that doesn’t break your back on a bushwalk. Aussie bird watching often means long walks in unpredictable weather to get to your favourite birding spots, so portability and ruggedness count.

Typically a sweet spot for magnification around 15x to 60x is great, but don’t overdo it or you may lose field of view if you go with any magnifications higher than 60x. We reckon a 60-85mm objective lenses hits that golden balance of clarity and optical transmission without being too chunky.

And don’t forget glass quality. Good ED, HD or fluorite coated lenses give you vibrant colour, high contrast, and less image fringing around the edges. In short, if you’re hiking out to find fairy-wrens or wedge-tails, you want optics that are light, tough, and sharp as a tack.

Hunting 

Out hunting? Then you know how tough Aussie terrain can be—from dense bush to red-dirt flats. Your spotting scope needs to be equally tough, with excellent light transmission for that magic hour just around dusk/dawn.

A robust and durable body along with a waterproof, fogproof and a shock resistance build is essential. 

A 20x to 60x magnification range works well, but you’ll want to keep that field of view wide enough to scan without tunnel vision. Balance is key.

Scopes with 50mm to 65mm objective lenses are our go-to for most hunting applications—enough light-gathering power without weighing down your pack.

A decent, easy to set up tripod and smooth magnification/focus rings are a blessing —because who wants to fiddle with gear when there’s a deer in sight?

Target Shooting 

Target shooters are after a different beast altogether. Here it’s all about magnification, resolution, and stability—you want to see those bullet holes from 200 metres away without guessing.

Look for 20x to 80x or higher zoom ranges, backed by high-end glass for tack-sharp detail. Every fraction of clarity matters when you’re dialling in a tight group.

A rock-solid tripod is a must, along with smooth focus controls and a rugged build to cope with sunny ranges, windy days, or the odd knock on the bench.

As you are in a stationary position most of the time, don’t be afraid to go a bit larger and heavier for increased optical performance. 

Priorities Matter: What’s Most Important to You?

Now that you’ve got a general idea of what to look for in a spotting scope, it’s worth asking yourself: What do I actually need this scope to do? Everyone’s got different priorities, and the best scope for you might not be the one with the biggest lens or the highest price tag.

For some, it’s all about image quality—crisp visuals, solid low-light performance, and true-to-life colour. For others, portability is the dealbreaker, especially if you’re hiking through steep country or covering big distances on foot.

If you’re the mobile type—bouncing between ridgelines, ducking through thick scrub, glassing as you go—you’ll want something light, compact, and tough. A scope that’s “good enough” optically but won’t let you down in the bush.

On the other hand, if most of your spotting happens from a fixed position—whether that’s a hunting blind, your 4WD camp, or down at the range—you’ve got room to carry a bit more weight. A larger objective lens can give you sharper detail and better light transmission, especially at first or last light.

That extra weight can really pay off when looking at the finer details like color fidelity and image fringing. But again, it boils down to what matters most to you: top-tier image clarity, or kit that won’t have you swearing halfway up a ridge.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—just the right balance for your style of hunting, shooting, or birdwatching. Once you’ve figured that out, choosing a scope gets a whole lot easier.

Price is a big consideration too. The good news? There are plenty of solid options that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. And if you’re into photography, digiscoping compatibility might shoot to the top of your list.

Now that you know what you’re after, let’s dive into the best scopes for the new year. We’re a hunting-focused crew, so our picks lean that way—but we’re always happy to chat if you’re into birding or precision shooting too. Contact us for an obligation free chat.

Our Pick Best Spotting Scope Overall: Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85

If you’re after one scope that does it all, the Razor HD 27-60x85 is hard to beat. It’s a favourite amongst hunters, offering top-tier glass and heaps of versatility.

The image quality is superb—bright, colourful, and sharp edge to edge—perfect for spotting that buck at first light or tracking your shots downrange.

The 85mm objective lens delivers outstanding low-light performance and a generous field of view. It’s tough as nails too—waterproof, fog-proof, and built to take a beating.

The built-in Arca-Swiss foot makes it a breeze to mount to modern tripods, but at 1.85kg, it’s not exactly ultralight. Still, for what you get, it’s worth carrying.

Pros:

• Top-shelf HD optics with excellent colour fidelity and contrast
  

• Rugged build, fully weather-sealed and tripod-ready
  
  

• Massive 85mm objective lens ideal for low-light and long-range use
  
  

• Versatile zoom range (27x–60x) 
  

Cons:

• At 1.85kg—it is a little bit on the heavier side compared to other similar alternatives
  
  

• Starts at 27x magnification, which might be a bit difficult to manage for close-range glassing - where we would much prefer something like a 20x
  
  

• Premium price tag—but you’re paying for serious performance
  

Best Spotting Scope Australia For the Money: Athlon Cronus G2 UHD 20-60x86

The Cronus G2 hits that sweet spot of price and performance. It’s got the clarity and ruggedness you want in the bush without costing an arm and a leg.

It comes with an 86mm objective lens and a magnification range that’s perfect for glassing over vast open areas or zeroing in on distant targets.

Premium UHD glass keeps things crisp, and the magnesium chassis keeps it sturdy without turning it into a boat anchor.

Just keep in mind it’s only available in an angled version and slightly heavier than some other competing brands—but at this price, it's a bargain.

Pros:

• Excellent ED coated glass for crisp, high-contrast images
  
  

• Solid, rugged build that’s waterproof and fog-proof
  
  

• Smooth zoom and focus knobs—feels great in the hand
  
  

• Great bang for buck in the premium class
  

Cons:

• A bit on the heavier side (2.08kg)
  
  

• Narrower field of view than some other scopes (37-20m @ 1000m)
  
  

• Only comes in angled—sorry, straight-scope fans!

Best Spotting Scope for Birding and Hunting (Compact): Kowa TSN-553 15-45x55 Prominar

Need premium optics in a scope that fits in your daypack? The TSN-553 is small but mighty, with Kowa’s legendary fluorite crystal delivering jaw-dropping clarity.

Weighing under a kilo, it’s a dream for hunters who value portability without compromise.

The 15x to 45x zoom range covers a lot of ground, and despite the compact 55mm lens, the image stays sharp and colourful even at full magnification.

Weather-sealed and built to last, this little ripper handles the Aussie elements with ease—just be prepared to pay a premium for it.

Pros:

• Stunning optics from Kowa’s fluorite crystal lens
  
  

• Ultralight and compact—great for travel or backcountry use
  
  

• Surprisingly good low-light performance for its size
  
  

• Waterproof and fog-proof for all-weather reliability
  
  

Cons:

• Smaller 55mm objective limits light-gathering in extremely dim conditions
  
  

• On the pricier side for such a compact unit

Final Wrap: What’s the Best Spotting Scope for You?
At the end of the day, the best spotting scope is the one that suits your needs. If you’re into all-round performance, the Vortex Razor 27-60x85 gives you everything in one durable, high-end package.

If you’re chasing value without giving up image quality, the Athlon Cronus G2 is hard to fault—especially for serious hunters who don’t want to break the bank.

For those on the move who still want crystal-clear views, the Kowa TSN-553 is a lightweight powerhouse that punches well above its weight.

Whatever your pursuit—birding, hunting, or shooting—there’s a perfect bit of glass out there for you. And if you’re still unsure, we’re always here to chat.