Leupold $ Steven Inc. developed a range of spotters that delivers maximum satisfaction in glassing experiences. The Leupold Spotting Scopes reviews we give you will help you choose one that suits both your budget and need.
Spotting Scopes are upgraded versions of telescopes and binoculars. Spotting scopes are designed with enhanced features that suit users’ changing needs, considering mobility, compactness, durability, adjustments, image quality and clarity.
Spotting scopes are ideal where a higher degree of focus is needed than that which binoculars offer and are suitable for most glassing adventures.
Some of the upgraded features include the use of multi-coated lenses for clearer and brighter images, varying zooming ranges, higher magnifications, and objective lens for more light gathering and ability to perform in low light.
Though these features come with a higher price, they are considered to be worth their monetary value.
Our Top Leupold Spotting Scopes Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Gold Ring (GR), 20-60X80 Spotting Scope |  Top Pick |
| Check Current Price |
| 2. SX-4 PRO Guide HD 20-60×85mm Spotting Scope |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 3. SX-5 Santiam HD, 27-55X80mm Spotting Scope |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 4. SX-1 Ventana 2, 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 5. Mark 4, 12-40x60mm Tactical Spotting Scope |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 6. Gold Ring (GR), 12-40X60 HD Spotting Scope |  |
| Check Current Price |
1. Gold Ring (GR), 20-60X80 Spotting Scope
This spotting scope is built with military sniper teams in mind. It is a tough and durable device that can survive all weather conditions while in battle, hunting or competition.
This is our recommended Leupold spotting scope because of its performance and the technology behind it.
Specs
- 20-60 magnification range and 80mm objective lens size
- Angular field of view of 30 – 0.80
- Linear field of view of 121- 52 ft at 1000 yards
- Eye relief range of 30.0mm – 30.0mm
- Weighing 61.80oz (1752g)
- Length 15.50(in), 394(mm)
- Twilight Factor 69.40 – 40.0
- Close focus distance 25.0 (ft), 7.5 (m)
Pros
- Produces great image quality with edge to edge clarity and brightness
- Great zooming capability
- Compact and built with Leupold Folded light path system to reduce weight
- True to life image colors
- Fully multicoated lens with abrasive resistance for good light transmission
- Durable and rugged due to magnesium rubber armor
- Water, shock and fog resistance. Hence, good for all weather conditions
- Nitrogen filled tubes to provide maximum protection
Cons
- Less Compact and lightweight
- Not quite budget-friendly
Rating – 4.6/5
2. SX-4 PRO Guide HD 20-60×85mm Spotting Scope
This spotter is made for every business-minded shooter or hunter because of its ability to view more in less lighted conditions. It is simply an essential device for all shooters.
This Leupold scope offers one of the biggest lens sizes, hence provides a great field of view and clarity of image. Also, because it is built with Leupold’s unique Twilight Max HD glass, the scope delivers superior image quality even in very low light.
On the downside, the spotting scope may not be suitable for close focus distance viewing which some other Leupold scopes offer.
Specs
- 20-60X magnification range and Objective Lens size of 85mm
- Angular field of view of 8 – 1.0
- Linear field of view of 91.7 – 50.6 ft at 1000 yards
- Eye relief range of 19.0mm – 17.8mm
- Weighing 78.2oz
- Length 18.1
Pros
- Sturdily built with anti grip surface
- Wide field of view due to lens size of 85mm.
- Great light gathering capacity due to lens size
- High image clarity and brightness with reduced glare on direct light
- Multi-coated lens with HD glass for high resolution and clarity
- Ideal for working under low light conditions with edge-to-edge clarity
- Rubberized and magnesium body that provides 100 percent waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Very rugged and durable
Cons
- Short eye relief compared to other Leupold’s spotting scope
- Increased weight due to lens size and may not be very convenient for users who desire lightweight
Rating – 4.4/5
3. SX-5 Santiam HD, 27-55X80mm Spotting Scope
This spotter is specifically built for high performance in all weather conditions due to its capacity to enable the user to view more in less light.
This spotting scope also comes in straight and angled eyepiece design. We recommend it for its ability to deliver quality performance for every viewing experience due to its high twilight Hd factor. Also, the scope is quite suitable for all viewing purpose
However, its zooming range is not so great in comparison to its lens size.
Specs
- 27-55X magnification range and Objective Lens size of 80mm
- Angular field of view of 0 – 1.4
- Linear field of view of 105 – 73 ft at 1000 yards
- Eye relief range of 19.2mm – 16.6mm
- Weighing 68.7oz
- Length 16.4
- Twilight Factor 46.5 – 66.3
- Close focus distance 11 (ft), 3.4 (m)
Pros
- Good field of view
- Eye friendly as well as comfortable for use for those wearing glasses
- Fog proof and waterproof
- Great light transmission capacity due to its multilayered Diamondcoat 2 coated lens
- Guard Ion coated for strong lens surface
- Works well at extreme weather conditions
- Crisp and edge to edge clarity of image due to it’s HD glass lens.
- Great focusing adjustment and large eyepiece for comfort and less strain
Cons
- Heavy due to lens size
- The price value is relatively on the high side
Rating – 4.5/5
4. SX-1 Ventana 2, 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope
With its efficient and effective body shape, this spotter delivers high performance. The options of straight or angled eyepiece coupled with exceptional image brightness make this spotter a must-have for every serious shooter.
We like this scope because it is one of Leupold’s affordable spotting scopes that still delivers maximum performance. It is built with a polycarbonate aluminum body that keeps it light despite the lens size.
However, the close focus distance of 24 ft can be said to be poor for customers who want a longer range focus and which some other products offer.
Specs
- Linear field of view of 89- 47 ft at 1000 yards
- Eye relief range of 26.4mm-24mm
- Weighing 37oz
- Length 16.4 (in)/20 (cm)
- Twilight Factor 40.0 – 69.0
- Close focus distance 24.90 (ft), 7.5 (m)
Pros
- Increased eye relief for more comfort and less strain
- Efficient in light gathering and transmission
- Strong and durable
- Very smooth focusing wheel
- Sharp and bright image due to its high magnification range
- Fog proof, shockproof and waterproof. Hence works perfectly under harsh conditions
Cons
- Does not produce great image quality when used in low light condition
- Lens is not much of great quality compared to other Leupold scopes
- Heavy due to lens size
Rating – 4.5/5
5. Mark 4, 12-40x60mm Tactical Spotting Scope
This spotter is mainly designed for military-grade shooting, sniping, and other tactical uses even in adverse weather conditions. It is waterproof, fog-proof and can absorb as much shock as possible. It is a relentless device that has been trusted by so many military teams over the years… so why shouldn’t you?
We like this scope due to its unique design for tactical use as it is developed to deliver maximum performance at every degree of magnification.
On the contrary, this spotter may be expensive for some customers who don’t really need its military-grade specifications.
Specs
- 20-60X Magnification and 80mm refractor objective lens
- Straight eyepiece style
- Linear field of view of 121- 52 ft at 1000 yards
- Eye relief range of 30.0mm – 30.0mm
- Weighing 37.02oz (1049g)
- Length 31.5cm
- Twilight factor 26.80
- Close focus distance 66ft (11m)
Pros
- 100 percent waterproof, shockproof and fog proof
- Wide field of view and large-sized eyepiece that ensures less strain
- Built for use under extreme weather conditions
- Great light gathering capacity for image clarity
- The mil-dot reticle provides high accuracy for range estimation and focuses on a target. Hence best used for tactical operations
- Extremely rugged and durable
- Great eye relief of 30mm. Hence, very suitable for eyeglass wearers
- Fully multicoated lens
Cons
- Not so suitable for bird watchers and photographing due to unnecessary visual obstruction caused by the reticle
- Most expensive of all Leupold spotting scopes
- Built for high range distance, hence close focus is poor
Rating – 4.6/5
6. Gold Ring (GR), 12-40X60 HD Spotting Scope
The Gold Ring HD spotting scope is simply a top-notch device. It provides a clearer image due to its high definition lenses at the highest magnification.
This is among Leupold’s special series of spotting scope that features their HD characteristics. It is uniquely designed for digiscoping with a camera. We equally like it because of enhanced features for premium performance made from Leupold’s unique Twilight Max Light.
On the other hand, the product tends to have mild image distortions at maximum magnification despite its HD feature which is a downer.
Specs
- 12-40 magnification range and 60mm objective lens size
- Angular field of view of 20 – 1.00
- Linear field of view of 168 – 52 ft at 1000 yards
- Eye relief range of 30.0mm – 30.0mm
- Weighing 37.0oz (1049g)
- Length 12.4(in), 315(mm)
- Twilight Factor 48.90 – 26.8
- Close focus distance 36.0 (ft), 10.9 (m)
Pros
- Delivers great image clarity and brightness due to its great contrast and high-resolution feature
- Great field of view and best Leupold eye relief range
- Very durable and reliable
- Fully multi-coated lens with Leupold Diamondcoat 2 for abrasion resistance
- Magnesium rubberized amour body
- Maximum focus capability with twist-up eyecup for easy adjustment
Cons
- Requires great tripod stability to perform at maximum magnification
- Not so light and compact
- Not so budget-friendly
Rating – 4.5/5
Summary
Leupold spotting scopes have been reviewed by users as one of the best in the optic aid market. Though they may come at highly valued prices, they possess characteristics that give users a good run for their money. The product comes with extra accessories to suit users needs
About the Leupold Brand
Leupold & Stevens Inc. is a giant manufacturer of optical devices since 1907 and has lived through four generations of the original family. Its headquarters are located at 14400 Greenbrier Parkway, Beaverton, Oregon, USA and are known for their craft in developing spotting scopes as well as rifle scopes, binoculars, range finders, and other optical devices.
Leupold’s spotting scopes are well known for their great quality and offering one of the best guarantee policies on products with a lifetime warranty on all range of spotting scopes. They offer total replacement and repairs without proof of ownership or time-lapse.
While Leupold spotters can be used for all glassing activities, they are ideally suited and preferable to users who are into hunting, target shooting, sniping and tactical or military expeditions as they are designed with exceptional features in mind to suit the target customers.
Leopold spotting scopes are built to withstand all weather conditions from their use of magnesium and rubberized amour body. The tubes are nitrogen-filled to make the scopes waterproof, fog proof and shockproof. Their spotting scopes come in both straight and angled eyepiece designs to suit different glassing positions.
With great zooming capability, all Leupold spotters are made from multicoated lenses that strong glass surface for durability and image clarity. Their objectives lens has high light gathering capabilities ranging from 40 to 85 which enables adequate light transmission for maximum performance and perfect for working under low light conditions.
The lenses of their gold ring spotters are coated with Diamondcoat 2 to provide abrasive resistance to the lens while others are coated with Leupold’s Guard Ion for stronger glasses.
Reasons to Choose Leopold Spotting Scope
Field of View
Users who wish to obtain a wider field of view and have great image quality from a farther distance will be looking to acquire Leupold’s spotting scope with bigger objective lens size and higher magnification ranges.
Eye Relief
The varying eye relief among Leupold’s spotters gives those wearing glasses and those who do not the opportunity to choose what suits their eye best.
Options for Straight and Angled Spotters
Not so important but one may want to consider whether a straight or angled eyepiece spotting scope will be better suited especially considering the height of objects and stationary positions.
Quality
The Leupold brand does not have as many models of spotting scopes as other manufactures because they have focused on not compromising quality, and have developed spotters that stand the test of time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to buy a top-grade spotting scope, Leopold has produced a few you’d definitely want to try out. Among the lot, the Gold Ring (GR) 20-60×80mm HD stands out with its superior design and groundbreaking optical technology. This spotting scope also represents a brilliant value deal when you consider its pocket-friendly price.
