Spotting Scopes
A spotting scope is built for daylight: sealed and nitrogen-purged against weather, correctly oriented so the world is not upside down, and compact enough to carry on a hike. Many are perfectly capable on the Moon and the brighter planets as well, which makes them a reasonable dual-purpose instrument. David Astro carries spotting scopes in Canada, in stock here and shipped without customs delays for Canadian buyers.
Objective size, prism type and eyepiece angle are the choices that matter. Tell us what you will watch and from where and we will narrow it down.
Filters
Celestron Hummingbird 9-27x56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope
9-27x zoom magnification 56mm Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) objective lens Compact and lightweight at 20.8 oz Waterproof and nitrogen-purged for all-w...
View full detailsCelestron LandScout 12-36x60mm Spotting Scope with Basic Smartphone Adapter
Versatile 12-36x zoom magnification 60mm objective lens for bright images Includes smartphone adapter for easy digiscoping Lightweight and compact...
View full detailsCelestron Regal™ M2 100ED Spotting Scope
100mm ED Objective Lens 22-67x Zoom Magnification Celestron XLT Coated Optics Magnesium Alloy Body - 74.1 oz Dual-Speed Focuser Mechanism Waterpro...
View full detailsCelestron Regal™ M2 65ED Spotting Scope
65mm ED Objective Lens eliminates chromatic aberration XLT Fully Multi-Coated Optics increase light transmission 16-48x magnification with include...
View full detailsCelestron Regal™ M2 80ED Spotting Scope
80mm Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) Objective Lens 20-60x Zoom Magnification Range Magnesium Alloy Body Reduces Weight by over 14% Dual-Speed Focuser f...
View full detailsCelestron TrailSeeker 100-45 Degree Spotting Scope
100mm Objective Lens 22-67x Zoom Magnification Proprietary XLT Fully Multi-Coated Optics Dual-Focus Mechanism Waterproof and Nitrogen-Purged Rotat...
View full detailsCelestron TrailSeeker 65-45 Degree Spotting Scope
16-48x Zoom Magnification 65mm Objective Lens Celestron XLT Fully Multi-Coated Optics Dual-Speed Focuser Mechanism Waterproof and Nitrogen-Purged ...
View full detailsCelestron TrailSeeker 80-45 Degree Spotting Scope
80mm Objective Lens 20-60x Zoom Magnification Celestron XLT Fully Multi-Coated Optics Dual-Speed Focuser Waterproof and Nitrogen-Purged Body Rotat...
View full detailsCelestron Ultima 100 - 45 Degree Spotting Scope
100mm Refractor Objective Lens 22-66x Zoom Magnification Angled Viewing Eyepiece Fully Multi-Coated BaK-4 Prisms 18mm Eye Relief Waterproof and Ni...
View full detailsCelestron Ultima 65 - 45 Degree Spotting Scope
18-55x Zoom Magnification 65mm Refractor Objective Lens 45° Angled Viewing Fully Multi-Coated BaK-4 Optics Waterproof and Nitrogen Purged 18mm Eye...
View full detailsCelestron Ultima 80 - 45 Degree Spotting Scope
80mm Objective Lens 20-60x Zoom Magnification Angled 45° Eyepiece Fully Multi-Coated Optics BaK-4 Prisms Waterproof and Nitrogen Purged 18mm Eye R...
View full detailsCelestron Ultima 80 - 45 Degree Spotting Scope with Smartphone Adapter
80mm Objective Lens 20-60x Zoom Magnification Angled Viewing Eyepiece Fully Multi-Coated BaK-4 Optics Waterproof and Nitrogen Purged Smartphone Di...
View full detailsCelestron Ultima 80 - Straight Spotting Scope
80mm Objective Lens 20-60x Zoom Magnification Straight-Through Viewing Design Fully Multi-Coated BaK-4 Prisms 18mm Eye Relief Waterproof and Nitro...
View full detailsSVBONY SA401 20-60x85 Spotting Scope
85mm Objective Lens Diameter 20-60x Magnification Range Apochromatic (APO) Double ED Glass 20-18mm Eye Relief IPX5 Waterproof Rating Descriptio...
View full detailsSVBONY SA401 25-75x100 APO Spotting Scope
100mm Apochromatic Double ED Objective 25-75x Zoom Magnification Includes 2.1MP SONY IMX662 WiFi Camera Records 1920x1080 Video to TF Card IPX5 Wa...
View full detailsSVBONY SA412 20-60x80 Spotting Scope
80mm Objective Lens 20-60x Zoom Magnification 18mm Eye Relief IPX4 Waterproof Rating Detachable 1.25" Eyepiece Description FAQ Specifications I...
View full detailsSVBONY SV13 20-60x80 Spotting Scope
Magnification: 20-60x Zoom Objective Lens: 80mm Diameter Prism System: H-K9L Porro Prism Field of View: 82.9ft - 48ft at 1000m Eye Relief: 17...
View full detailsSVBONY SV28 25-75x70 HD Spotting Scope
70mm Objective Lens 25-75x Magnification Zoom Range Porro Prism Optical Design IPX4 Waterproof and Fogproof 45° Angled Eyepiece Multi-Coated Optic...
View full detailsSVBONY SV28A 20-60x80 Spotting Scope
80mm Objective Lens 20-60x Zoom Magnification Fully Multi-Coated (FMC) Optics 4-Element, 3-Group Eyepiece Design Complete Kit with Tripod and Phon...
View full detailsSVBONY SV28A 25-75x100 Spotting Scope
100mm Objective Lens 25-75x Zoom Magnification Fully Multi-Coated (FMC) Optics 4-Element, 3-Group Eyepiece Design Includes Tripod and Phone Adapte...
View full detailsSVBONY SV401 20-60x80 Spotting Scope Army Green
20x-60x Zoom Magnification 80mm Objective Lens Diameter Fully Multi-Coated Optics IPX4 Waterproof & Nitrogen Purged Porro Prism Design 14.5mm ...
View full detailsSVBONY SV406 20-60x80 HD Spotting Scope
80mm Objective Lens 20-60x Zoom Magnification Dual-Focus Mechanism IPX7 Waterproof & Nitrogen Filled Standard 1.25" Eyepiece Barrel 21mm-16mm ...
View full detailsSVBONY SV406 25-75x100 HD Spotting Scope
100mm objective lens for superior light gathering Variable 25x to 75x magnification range Dual-speed focusing system for fast and fine adjustments...
View full detailsSVBONY SV406P 20-60x80 ED Spotting Scope
80mm Objective Lens with Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) Glass 20x to 60x Zoom Magnification Dual-Speed Coarse/Fine Focus Mechanism IPX5 Waterproof and ...
View full detailsSpotting Scope Specifications
A spotting scope is a small telescope with an erecting system and weather sealing, and the compromises reflect field use rather than astronomy.
- Objective diameter: 60 to 65 mm for portability, 80 to 100 mm for maximum detail and low-light performance. Larger objectives cost weight that matters on a hike.
- Angled versus straight eyepiece: Angled is more comfortable for extended viewing, for sharing across different heights, and for anything above the horizon. Straight is more intuitive to aim quickly.
- Zoom versus fixed eyepieces: Zoom offers convenience across a magnification range; fixed focal length eyepieces generally give a wider true field and slightly better image quality at a given power.
- ED and fluorite glass: Reduces chromatic fringing at high magnification, which becomes very visible on high-contrast subjects such as a bird against a bright sky.
- Weather sealing: Nitrogen or argon purging prevents internal fogging in temperature swings, which is essential for Canadian field use.
- Astronomy suitability: Most work well on the Moon and bright planets; deep-sky use is limited by aperture and by the erecting prism's light loss.
Why Choose David Astro for Spotting Scopes
We sell astronomy optics, which means we can tell you honestly where a spotting scope stops being useful.
- Dual-use expectations set clearly: We explain what a spotting scope will show astronomically — the Moon well, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons — and what it will not.
- Tripod recommended with the scope: Above roughly 30x, a photo tripod that is adequate for a camera is not adequate for viewing. We specify the two together.
- Cold-weather sealing: We favour properly purged instruments, since a scope that fogs internally on a winter morning is unusable for the rest of the outing.
- Authorized dealer: Genuine optics with full manufacturer warranty, in Canadian stock.
- Ships from Canada: No duties or brokerage fees for Canadian orders.
Spotting Scopes in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a spotting scope for astronomy?
- Yes for the Moon, bright planets and brighter deep-sky objects. Aperture and the erecting prism limit faint object performance, so it is a supplement to a telescope rather than a replacement.
- Angled or straight?
- Angled for astronomy and for anything above eye level, and for sharing between people of different heights. Straight is faster to aim at a moving subject and more intuitive for beginners.
- Is a zoom eyepiece a compromise?
- Modern zooms are very good, though a fixed eyepiece typically gives a wider true field at low power. For general field use the convenience of a zoom usually wins.
- What tripod do I need?
- A more substantial one than for photography. At 40x and above, small vibrations are magnified enormously, and a fluid head makes tracking a subject far easier.
Field and sky use?
Tell us how you will use it and we will match the scope and tripod. Domestic shipping, expert support.