The best straight spotting scopes for birding

Many bird watchers find that straight spotting scopes are more intuitive to use. This is because the scope is pointed directly at the target, instead of looking down into the eyepiece at a 45-degree angle, as with an angled scope.

Before we look in more depth at the main features and pros/cons of straight spotting scopes, let’s take a quick look at our selection of suitable models:

Quick comparison: Best straight spotting scopes for birding

Vortex Viper HD 20-60×85 spotting scope

Solid and durable, this spotting scope offers bright images while being comfortable and convenient to use in all weather conditions.

Best overall straight spotting scope

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Athlon Argos HD 20-60×85 spotting scope

Whether you are beginning birding or looking to fully maximize your budget, Athlon’s Argos scope competes well with a popular zoom range to meet most birders’ general requirements.

Best value straight spotting scope

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Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter Spotting Scope

A top-class piece of kit with a great performance to size/weight ratio.

Best straight scope if money is no object

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Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50

A classy travel option, this compact Nikon is light and versatile, with an eyepiece that can be swapped for different zoom ranges for a wide angle.

Best compact straight spotting scope

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Reviews: Best straight spotting scopes for birding

Here we sum up the main features of the straight spotting scopes that are good for bird watching. This section will also include their best points and not-so-good points. Then we review each model in more depth.

Best overall straight scope for birding

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Vortex Viper HD 20-60×85 spotting scope Overview

Vortex’s Viper HD spotting scope is available as angled or straight, in 15-45×65 or as 20-60×85. While the Viper HD is also available as an angled scope, here we consider the straight version.

Let’s hone in on the 20-60×85 scope, with its large objective lens.

All of the scopes in Vortex’s Viper HD range have generous eye relief of between 17.8mm and 19.6mm. The pleasingly soft and comfortable eyecup is adjustable according to whether or not you are wearing glasses at the time.

It is pretty long. This one measures 18 inches and weighs 76 ounces, which is on the heavy side.

This is worth keeping in mind for carrying purposes. Also, the tripod will need to be able to bear this weight.

ED glass = crisp, sharp images

Image-wise, you are looking at edge-to-edge sharpness thanks to the ED glass. The helical focus ring is large and grippable, placed towards the mid-point of the scope body.

Vortex does a great job of making its optical products feel durable and ergonomically pleasing.

This is due not only to their solid structure but the waterproof armor that they add for use in all weathers. This feels secure and non-slip already, but there is also a stay-on cover for added protection.

The unit is argon-purged and O-ring sealed to keep it fogproof internally. Lenses feature coatings to protect them from scratches.

Convenient rotation and mount features

The objective lens has a cap that is fully detachable and an extendable sunshade. The spotting scope has a plate to attach to the tripod.

You can release a lockable collar on the scope and rotate it on its axis for adaptable viewing. This feature tends to be more helpful for the angled version, but some might use it even on the straight scope.

Best value straight spotting scope for birding

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Athlon Argos HD 20-60×85 spotting scope Overview

Athlon have produced the Argos spotting scope in both straight and angled designs. The eyepiece is not changeable, so the range of zoom runs from 20x to 60x.

This combination of variable zoom power with an 85mm objective lens is fairly common, so we can assume that it will meet most of your general birding requirements.

To adjust the zoom power, the rubberized dial turns firmly but not too loosely. The focus ring, in the center of the body, is easy to manipulate too.

At higher magnifications it pays to be gentle when turning the focus, as too rough re-focusing can jolt the image.

Phase coatings add to light transmission

Field of view at the upper magnification is 48 feet and at the lower powers you can see 102 feet at 1000 yards.

The internal prisms are phase coated, with the lenses being fully multi coated. These additions minimize any loss of light along the path it travels within the scope. This, in turn, aims to provide the brightest possible image.

The exterior of the scope is coated to make it weatherproof. Plus it’s Argon purged and sealed to prevent against internal moisture and fogging.

Well constructed but could be heavy for some

It’s a fairly hefty scope, weighing in at a shade under 69 ounces. This is a thumbs up for construction, but if you’re planning on hiking a long way with it it might be an issue.

For viewing from a vehicle, however, for which many people choose a straight scope, then this could be a good option. In any case, the tripod or mount you use with it will need to be able to support the weight sufficiently.

On the base there’s the ¼ inch thread to attach it to a tripod head or quick-release mount. There’s a built-in sunshade that extends a couple of inches.

Leave-on cover adequate for basic protection

The soft leave-on cover is an extra layer of protection. It has a long strap, short carry handle loops, and unzips around the business ends of the scope.

The drawback is that the case is not all that thickly padded. So it’s probably worth investing in a more hardcore case for transporting the scope if it’s going to get bumped around a lot.

Is this scope going to hold up image-wise against the Zeiss spotting scope or other top-tier names? Possibly not.

But of course it’s in a whole other price bracket – hundreds instead of thousands. For an entry level spotting scope, though, it is a decent bet.

Best straight scope if money is no object

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Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter spotting scope Overview

You’ll notice that the objective size for the Zeiss is of a lesser diameter than for some of our other picks for straight scopes. Really with an optic of this quality, you are losing nothing in terms of the image quality.

It compares extremely well with the spotting scopes of a larger size, despite their additional light-gathering width of glass.

Technically the Dialyt is not a compact spotting scope, but it measures around 15.5 inches in length. The weight is 42 ounces – much less than full size spotting scopes.

The benefit of the smaller dimensions of this straight spotting scope are clear when it comes to traveling to and from your bird watching destination. Its compact solid shape makes it easy to pack and very light.

Impressive sharpness at all magnifications

Eye relief is 19mm, so plenty of room for eyeglasses wearers, along with the rubber eyecup.

Where the Zeiss makes up for the lack of objective lens width is in its components and full multi coatings. These eradicate fringing and chromatic aberration, all the way up the zoom range.

The image remains sharp even at the highest magnification.

Sleek, well-sealed scope

It really is tiny compared to a normal sized spotting scope, but still manages a 45x zoom. The zoom is at the rear of the scope, near the ocular lens, while the focus ring is right at the front, just next to the objective lens.

The body of the Dialyt is noticeably different to the usual design of straight spotting scopes. It’s sleeker, fully waterproof, nitrogen purged and sealed.

It appears almost like some kind of retro flashlight. In any case, it’s very durable, with a rugged non-slip body.

This is of course a pricey piece of kit. In our opinion, it is worth it, with a great performance to size/weight ratio. Hence the inclusion here.

Best lightweight compact straight spotting scope for birding

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Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50 spotting scope Overview

The eyepiece is interchangeable. This will allow you to switch the 13-30x zoom range if you wish.

Really, though, the range that is offered is a great option for general birding and travel use. It’s a good, functional magnification in a small size, which is what you really want from a scope that is going to go long distances with you.

At only 11 inches long, this straight scope’s shortness makes it eminently packable. Its weight matches this convenience, at around 20 ounces.

Its light weight makes it easy to incorporate into your hand luggage when flying. All in all, it’s a top traveler.

Highly portable and practical

A real benefit is that you can handhold it. This negates any need for a tripod and therefore further reduces the weight of your pack.

The further up in power, the more the risk of image shake. So to retain that crisp image, keep the magnification under 15x.

Or for even better results, mount it onto a tripod and enjoy!

Accurate color across the range

The optics are fully multi-coated. These, in addition to the ED glass (extra-low dispersion), are specifically intended in order to allow as much light as possible to be directed to the eye while maintaining color accuracy.

This is able to generate an impressive image. And it is true right at the top end of the zoom range too.

The time when you lose a bit of quality is at low light, due to the comparatively small objective lens. Switching down to around 20x or 25x zoom, though, should ensure the image quality remains as expected.

Single focus knob – simpler but less precise

There is a single focus knob, which makes it simpler to use. Though you do miss out on the fine-tuning that is possible with the dual-focus knob of the Vortex Razor.

At around 13mm, eye relief is rather short. Disappointingly, this spotting scope might not be the best choice for people who wear spectacles or sunglasses while they are viewing.

It might be possible to get away with this at the lower end of magnification.

Versatile, with its interchangeable eyepiece

And remember, the big bonus of the eyepiece on this scope, in comparison to the Vortex Razor. It is interchangeable, giving you the option to upgrade to another eyepiece with longer eye relief.

Durable for travel

As we would expect from Nikon, this compact spotting scope is fully purged and sealed, making it fogproof and waterproof.

The build feels solid and sturdy, easy to grip and manipulate. Whereas the Vortex Razor ditched the sunshade, Nikon has retained it.

The sunshade, as well as being functional in bright conditions, also adds that extra bit of protection to the objective lens.

Criteria to choose the best straight spotting scope for birding

For top tips on how to choose a spotting scope for birding, in whatever configuration, feel free to take a look at this article: How to choose a spotting scope for birding

Best straight spotting scope for birding: Next steps

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the best features offered by some of the straight spotting scopes available on the market.

All of the models that we have suggested include eye relief of at least 14mm, which is at the low end of what is best for eyeglasses wearers.

To ensure that there is enough distance between your eye and the ocular lens through which you look, it could also be worth considering one of these models in The best birding spotting scopes for eyeglasses wearers

When it comes to choosing a straight spotting scope that suits you and your birding, much of the choice is personal preference according to budget and other requirements. But with these suggestions, we hope to have narrowed down your search.

Now you are aware of some of those straight spotting scopes, along with the top features to look for.

This round-up of spotting scopes will provide further options, both straight and angled: Which is the best spotting scope for bird watching?