Trusted performance for birders and outdoor enthusiasts. When you need to bring distant details into crystal clear view, you need optics you can count on. That’s where bushnell spotting scopes come in. They’ve been a reliable companion for years, helping you identify that rare warbler or glassing a ridge line for game. Their reputation is built on delivering bright, sharp images when it matters most.
But with so many models available, how do you choose the right one for your adventures? We’ve spent hands-on time with their popular scopes to see if they live up to the hype. Let’s break down what makes them stand out and where they might fall a bit short for your specific needs.
Product Comparison Table: 9 Best Bushnell Spotting Scopes
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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SVBONY SV28 Spotting Scopes with Tripod, Angled 25-75x70mm Spotter…
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9.5 |
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SVBONY SV28 100mm Angled Spotting Scope for Target Shooting,…
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9.3 |
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Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scopes (16-48×65 Angled)
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9.2 |
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Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scopes (20-60×80 Angled)
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9.0 |
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Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scopes (20-60×80 Straight)
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8.8 |
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Gosky Flagship 25-75×80 Spotting Scope – Spotting Scopes with…
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8.6 |
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Gosky Flagship DiamondEdge 20-60×80 Spotting Scope with Tripod, Carrying…
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8.4 |
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Nexiview 25-75×80 HD Spotting Scope with 64in Tripod and…
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8.3 |
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Gosky 20-60×85 Spotting Scope with Full Size Tripod, Phone…
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8.1 |
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Quick Review For Top 9 Bushnell Spotting Scopes
SVBONY SV28 Spotting Scopes with Tripod, Angled 25-75x70mm Spotter Scope with Phone Adapter, Waterproof Fogproof Spotting Scope for Bird Watching, Target Shooting, Wildlife Viewing
The SVBONY SV28 Spotting Scope with Tripod is designed for anyone who wants to get a closer, clearer look at the world around them. Whether your intrest is in bird watching, checking your shots at the range, or observing wildlife during a camping trip, this angled scope aims to be a straightforward and reliable tool.
Its core feature is the 25x to 75x magnification zoom.
This range gives you flexibility; you can start at a wider view to locate your subject, then zoom in for intricate detail. The focusing is designed to be intuitive, making it a solid option if your new to using optics like this. You won’t have to fiddle with complicated dials when you just want to watch a bird or take in a scenic view.
A key to a bright image is the size of the lens that gathers light. The SV28 has a 70mm objective lens, which is sizable for a scope in its class.
This means it pulls in more light, leading to a brighter and clearer view, especially in those early morning or late afternoon hours when wildlife is most active. The built-in extendable sunshade is a thoughtful addition, helping to cut down on glare and improve contrast on sunny days.
Being outdoors means dealing with the elements. This scope is built to be waterproof and fogproof, protecting its internal optics from sudden rain or humidity shifts.
SVBONY SV28 100mm Angled Spotting Scope for Target Shooting, 25-75x Spotter Scope with Tripod for Long Range Viewing, FMC HD Optics with Soft Carrying Case & Phone Adapter, Scopes for Shooting
The SVBONY SV28 100mm Angled Spotting Scope is designed for clarity and comfort in long-range observation. Its core feature is the large 100mm objective lens, which gathers a significant amount of light. This results in brighter, sharper images and a wider field of view, crucial for discerning fine details on distant targets or wildlife, particularly during dawn, dusk, or in overcast conditions.
The 45-degree angled eyepiece allows for a more relaxed viewing posture, especially when the scope is mounted on a tripod, reducing neck strain during extended sessions.
Versatility in zoom is provided by the 25x to 75x magnification eyepiece. This range lets you start with a wider perspective to locate your subject, then zoom in closely to inspect minute details, whether its a bullet hole on a target paper or the features of a bird across a field.
The optics are fully multi-coated (FMC), meaning every lens surface has anti-reflective coatings. This technology maximizes light transmission, reduces glare, and ensures the image you see is contrast-rich and color-true.
Durability and user-friendly design are integral. The twist-up eyecups can be adjusted to fit your eye position perfectly, blocking stray light and providing comfort whether you wear glasses or not.
Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scopes (16-48×65 Angled)
The Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scope (16-48×65 Angled) is built for the hunter or shooter who needs reliable, high-definition glass without breaking the bank. It’s designed to be a workhorse tool for the field, offering the clarity and durability you need for making those critical long-range observations, whether your counting tine points or assessing a target. At its core, the HD optical system is what makes this scope stand out.
It uses select glass elements to maximize resolution and color fidelity while minimizing chromatic aberration. The result is a bright, sharp image across the entire field of view, even at higher magnifications. This edge-to-edge sharpness is crucial when you’re scanning a hillside or glassing a field for extended periods. Every air-to-glass surface also has anti-reflective coatings, which boosts light transmission for better performance in dawn or dusk conditions.
The wide field of view helps you cover ground quickly and get on target faster. The 16-48x magnification range gives you great versatility, letting you zoom in for fine detail or pull back for a wider perspective. Focusing is handled by a smooth helical focus ring, allowing for both rapid adjustments and fine-tuning to get the perfect crisp image. The adjustable eyecups twist up and down easily, making it comfortable to use whether you wear eyeglasses or not.
Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scopes (20-60×80 Angled)
The Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scopes (20-60×80 Angled) is built for hunters and shooters who need reliable, high-performance glass without the intimidating price tag. It’s designed to be a powerful, time-counting tool for the field, offering a balance of optical clarity and rugged dependability that you can count on season after season. At its core, the HD optical system utilizes select glass elements to minimize chromatic aberration and maximize resolution.
This means you get outstanding color fidelity and edge-to-edge sharpness across the entire zoom range, from 20x to 60x magnification. The 80mm objective lens gathers plenty of light, and when combined with anti-reflective coatings on every air-to-glass surface, it ensures bright, clear images even during those crucial low-light periods at dawn or dusk. The wide field of view helps you chew up ground quickly, making taget acquisition faster when scanning a landscape. Usability is a major focus.
The angled body design provides more comfortable viewing over long periods, especially when spotting from a fixed position. The helical focus mechanism allows for both fast coarse adjustments and precise fine-tuning to get your subject perfectly sharp. Adjustable eyecups twist up and down, so whether you wear eyeglasses or not, you can achieve a full field of view without vignetting.
Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scopes (20-60×80 Straight)
The Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Spotting Scope (20-60×85 Straight) is designed for the observer who needs serious performance without the intimidating price tag. It’s built to be a reliable, high-definition eye in the field, whether your focus is on long-range shooting, wildlife, or any other detail-oriented viewing. At its heart is a fully multi-coated HD optical system.
This isn’t just marketing speak; it means select glass elements and anti-reflective coatings on every lens surface work together to maximize light transmission. The result for you is a bright, clear image with exceptional color fidelity and sharpness that holds up well towards the edges of the view. Chromatic aberration, those frustrating color fringes on high-contrast edges, is significantly reduced.
This clarity is crucial when you’re trying to distinguish fine details, like antler tines or bullet holes on a distant target, especially in the low-light conditions of dawn or dusk. The 80mm objective lens gathers plenty of light, and the 20-60x zoom magnification gives you the flexibility to scan a wide area or zoom in tight on your subject. A built-in sunshade helps shield the objective lens from glare and the elements, protecting your view.
Gosky Flagship 25-75×80 Spotting Scope – Spotting Scopes with Tripod, Carrying Bag and Quick Phone Holder BAK4 Waterproof Spotter Scope for Bird Watching Target Shooting,Upgraded Version
The Gosky Flagship 25-75×80 Spotting Scope is a versatile optical tool designed for serious outdoor enthusiasts. As Gosky’s upgraded flagship model, it represents a proven balance of performance and reliability, having been trusted by over half a million users worldwide since 2019. It’s often considered an ideal high-end entry point into quality observation.
At its core, the scope features a 25-75x magnification range paired with a large 80mm objective lens.
This combination, enhanced by BAK4 prism and fully multi-coated optics, is key to its performance. You get bright, clear images with excellent color fidelity, even in lower light conditions. The included 23mm eyepiece is notably larger than many competitors, contributing to a wider field of view so you can track moving subjects like birds more easily.
Durability is built-in for real-world use. The scope is nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed, making it both waterproof and fogproof.
This means you can use it confidently in rain, humidity, or rapid temperature changes without worrying about internal moisture damage. The exterior is rubber-armored for a secure grip and added protection against bumps. Its body can rotate, allowing for comfortable viewing angles whether you’re looking down at a target range or up into the trees. A retractable sunshade helps manage glare on bright days.
Stability is crucial at high magnification.
Gosky Flagship DiamondEdge 20-60×80 Spotting Scope with Tripod, Carrying Bag and Quick Phone Holder – BAK4 High Definition Waterproof Spotter Scope for Bird Watching Wildlife observing,Green
The Gosky Flagship DiamondEdge 20-60×80 Spotting Scope is a versatile optical tool designed for anyone who wants to see distant details with clarity. It combines powerful magnification with a suite of practical accessories, making it a ready-to-use kit for various outdoor activities. At its core, this scope offers a powerful 20x to 60x zoom. This range lets you start with a wide view to locate your subject, then zoom in for an incredibly close look.
Whether your watching a bird in a tree or checking a target downrange, the smooth focus system helps you get a sharp image quickly. The large 80mm objective lens is key to its performance. It gathers ample light, which is especially important in low-light conditions like dawn or dusk. Combined with the fully multi-coated lenses and the BAK4 Porro prism, the veiw is bright, contrasty, and sharp across the entire zoom range, with a field of view from 82.9 to 48 feet at 1000 yards.
Durability is built in. The scope body is nitrogen-filled, making it both waterproof and fog-proof. This means internal lenses won’t fog up with sudden temperature changes, and a sudden rain shower won’t be a problem. The rubber armor provides a secure, non-slip grip and adds a layer of shock resistance. A retractable eyepiece shield helps block stray light and protects that lens when not in use. A standout feature is the included smartphone adapter.
Nexiview 25-75×80 HD Spotting Scope with 64in Tripod and Upgraded Phone Adapter, Clear Image with BAK4 Prism Spotting Scopes for Target Shooting, Bird Watching, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing（Green）
The Nexiview 25-75×80 HD Spotting Scope with Tripod and Phone Adapter is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable, high-magnification viewing. This package combines the core optical instrument with essential accessories to get you observing right away. At the heart of the system is the 25-75×80 spotting scope itself. The 25x to 75x zoom magnification gives you significant flexibility.
You can start with a wider view at 25x to locate your subject, whether its a distant target or a bird in a tree, and then zoom in to 75x to bring fine details into close-up view. This range is particularly usefull for activities like target shooting, where seeing precise bullet holes or markings is critical. The large 80mm objective lens is a key feature for image clarity.
It gathers more light than smaller 60mm or 70mm lenses, resulting in a brighter and clearer image, especially in low-light conditions common during dawn or dusk hunting trips. Inside the scope, the BAK4 prism is responsible for the quality of the view you see. This prism material is known for its high light transmission, which minimizes brightness loss and ensures a sharp, high-contrast image across the entire field of view, right to the edges.
Gosky 20-60×85 Spotting Scope with Full Size Tripod, Phone Adapter and Cleaning Kit, Spotting Scopes for Bird Watching, Wildlife Viewing，Portable with Carrying Bag
The Gosky 20-60×85 Spotting Scope is a comprehensive optical tool designed for serious outdoor enthusiasts. It’s built to bring distant subjects into sharp, brilliant focus, making it a reliable partner for bird watching, wildlife observation, or scenic viewing. The package includes nearly everything you need to start, which is a significant advantage right out of the box.
At its core, the scope features a powerful 20x to 60x zoom magnification.
This range is versatile, letting you scan a wide area at lower power or zoom in to study fine details like feather patterns or an animal’s expression. The field of view adjusts from 101 feet down to 48 feet at 1000 yards, meaning you can keep track of moving subjects more easily than with many high-power optics. You won’t feel like your looking through a tiny tunnel.
Image quality is paramount, and the 85mm objective lens is key here.
It gathers a lot of light, which is enhanced by the BAK4 prism and fully multi-coated lenses. This combination delivers bright, clear, and color-accurate views. It makes a real difference during the low-light hours of dawn or dusk, when wildlife is most active but many optics struggle. The view remains immersive and crisp, reducing eye strain during long sessions.
Stability is just as important as magnification.
Bushnell Spotting Scopes Buying Guide
Bushnell spotting scopes offer a renowned blend of value and performance. Whether you’re scanning a distant ridgeline for game or watching shorebirds at the marsh, the right scope makes all the difference. This guide will help you pick the perfect model for your adventures.
Magnification & Objective Lens
This is the core of any scope. Magnification (like 20-60x) determines how close things appear, while the objective lens diameter (in mm) controls light gathering. A larger objective (e.g., 80mm) provides a brighter, clearer image in low light, but it’s heavier. For most versatile use, a zoom range like 15-45x or 20-60x on a 60mm or 65mm body is a fantastic balance.
Optical Quality & Coatings
Glass quality and lens coatings are where Bushnell often shines for the price. Look for terms like “Fully Multi-Coated” for the best light transmission and color fidelity. This reduces glare and provides a sharper view, especially during dawn or dusk when wildlife is most active. It’s the difference between a flat, hazy image and a crisp, lifelike one.
Durability & Weatherproofing
Your scope will face the elements. A rugged, rubber-armored body provides grip and shock resistance. More crucially, ensure it is waterproof and fog-proof. O-ring seals and nitrogen purging keep moisture out, so internal lenses won’t fog up when you move from a warm car to a cold field. This is non-negotiable for reliable, year-round use.
Angled vs. Straight Body
Do you prefer looking straight ahead or looking down? A straight-through eyepiece is intuitive for quick, horizontal scanning. An angled eyepiece (usually 45°) is often easier on the neck for prolonged viewing, especially if you’re sharing the scope with others of different heights. It also allows for a lower, more stable tripod setup.
Consider the Eyepiece
Some Bushnell scopes have fixed eyepieces, while others use interchangeable ones. Fixed are simpler, but interchangeable eyepieces offer flexibility—you can swap for different magnifications or a more comfortable eye relief if you wear glasses. Always check the eye relief spec (the distance your eye can be from the lens); longer relief (18mm+) is much more comfortable for eyeglass wearers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bushnell Spotting Scopes
What makes Bushnell spotting scopes a good choice?
Bushnell offers great value. Their scopes provide clear, bright optics for teh price. They are known for being durable and user-friendly, which is perfect for birders, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts just starting out or on a budget.
What do the numbers like 20-60×65 mean on a spotting scope?
These numbers tell you the magnification and lens size. The first part (20-60x) is the zoom range. You can magnify from 20 times up to 60 times. The second number (65) is the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters. A larger lens usually gathers more light for a brighter image.
Do I need a tripod with my spotting scope?
Yes, you almost always do. At higher magnifications, even tiny hand movements make the image shake alot. A steady tripod is essential for clear viewing, especially during long observation sessions.
What’s the difference between angled and straight body styles?
An angled eyepiece bends upward at 45 degrees. It’s more comfortable for looking at things high up, like birds in trees, and allows for a shorter tripod. A straight body is often easier to point at targets quickly, like wildlife on the ground. The choice is really about personal comfort.
Are Bushnell spotting scopes waterproof?
Most Bushnell spotting scopes are built to be waterproof and fog-proof. They use special gas purging and sealing to keep moisture out. This protects the optics in rainy or humid conditions, so you can use them in various weather.
Can I use my smartphone with a Bushnell spotting scope?
Many newer Bushnell models are digiscoping-ready. This means you can attach a smartphone adapter to the eyepiece. It lets you take photos or video through the scope, which is a fun way to share what you see.
How do I clean the lenses properly?
Always use a soft lens brush or air blower first to remove dust. Then, use a microfiber cloth and special lens cleaning fluid made for optics. Never use household glass cleaner or your shirt, as this can scratch the delicate coatings.
Conclusion
Bushnell offers reliable performance for your outdoor viewing needs. Whether you’re watching wildlife, checking a target downrange, or enjoying a scenic vista, you can trust their optics to deliver a clear, bright view. The variety of models means there’s a scope to match your specific activity and budget, from compact options for hikers to powerful models for serious observation. You get a tool built to handle the elements and provide years of service.
When it’s time to choose your gear, consider what matters most for your adventures. For many enthusiasts, the balance of quality, durability, and value found in Bushnell spotting scopes makes them a standout choice. They help you see the details you’d otherwise miss, bringing you closer to the action. Grab one, head outside, and enjoy a better view of everything you love. Its a simple upgrade that makes a big difference.