Swarovski Spotting Scopes: Best Optics for Hunters
Key Takeaways
Swarovski
Leopold
Zeiss
20x60 Power
80mm objective lens v. 60 mm objective lens
Vortex Tripod
Backpacking vs. tabletop
Transcript
Hi folks, Tim Sundles here again with my beautiful wife Kim behind the camera, although you won’t see her in this video. We're going to talk about spotting scopes today. By the way, the boots you see here are from a video we just shot about different types of boots and their applications. I’m not moving them, so let’s dive into spotting scopes.
These are the only two spotting scopes I use, aside from an older Leupold scope I keep on my shooting bench. Both of these are Swarovski, and I believe they are 20x60 power. One has an 80mm objective lens, and the other has a 60mm, which makes it a bit lighter for backpacking, though probably not enough to make a huge difference. I also use a simple, lightweight Vortex tripod that collapses nicely into my backpack.
These Swarovski spotting scopes are the best I’ve been able to find. They’re not cheap, but in the outdoor world, you get what you pay for. I prioritize high-quality equipment—ammo, rifles, boots, clothing, binoculars—because I don't want my gear to fail on a critical hunt, whether it’s across the world or just a few hundred miles away. If I had to get a second job to afford good equipment, I would. In my experience, high-quality gear rarely lets me down, and if it does, it’s usually my fault for using it improperly.
Back to the scopes: you’ll notice one is an upright model, and the other is flat. If you’re a sniper, the upright style isn’t ideal because you have to lift your head to look through it. Even if you’re elk hunting and looking from a quarter mile away, lifting your head could be enough for the elk to spot you at 440 yards. Personally, I prefer the flat model for my style of hunting. It’s lighter, folds up easily, and fits into my pack. I don’t like to be seen in the mountains, whether by people or animals.
Swarovski scopes are a lifetime investment. You can use one for 30 years, and even if optics improve slightly, these are still incredibly sharp. You can check them out at places like Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops, and you’ll see what I mean. They’re simply the best spotting scopes I’ve ever used, and while there are other options out there, these are my go-to tools.
During hunting season, I keep one of these scopes on my picnic table and use it to watch elk and deer. If I spot a big deer, I’ll go after it. From my house, I can easily see 100 elk a day, along with moose, wolves, and bears. Living at the base of the Continental Divide, we don’t have neighbors—nobody wants to drive this far up, and I’m fine with that.
These are the spotting scopes I recommend. I don’t suggest anything I haven’t personally used, and I’ve put these Swarovski scopes through the wringer. Thanks for tuning in, and I hope this video was helpful. See you in the next one!
