Compact Spotting Scopes: Which One Is Right for You?

In this ultimate compact spotting scope comparison, I put 12 of the top small and ultralight spotters to the test! Whether you're a backcountry hunter, birder, or hiker, this review covers the pros, cons, and performance of each model to help you decide which compact scope is right for your adventures.

Scopes reviewed include:

Swarovski STC 17-40x56
Kowa TSN 55 Prominar
Maven S.2 12-27x56
Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56
Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50
Vortex Viper HD 11-33x50
Vortex Crossfire HD 12-36x50
Hawke Endurance 13-39x50
Leupold Gold Ring 10-20x40
Kowa TSN 501
Celestron Hummingbird ED 9-27x56
Hawke Nature Trek 9-27x56
Find out which one delivers the best performance, clarity, portability, and value for your specific needs.
👉 Drop a comment if you’ve used any of these or have a favorite I didn’t cover!

#spottingscope #backcountrygear #birdinggear #huntinggear #vortexoptics #swarovskioptik #mavenoptics #kowaoptics #leupold #hawkeoptics #celestron #gearreview #opticsreview #lightweightgear #backpackinggear

00:00 – Intro & What to Expect
01:33 – Why Choose a Compact Spotting Scope?
02:55 – How I Tested These Scopes (And Why My Reviews Differ)
03:39 – Compact vs. Micro Spotting Scopes
04:05 – Compact vs. 65mm Full-Size Spotters
05:53 – Swarovski STC vs. Kowa TSN 55: The Top Two
08:25 – Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56
10:48 – Maven S.2 12-27x56
12:18 – Vortex Viper HD 11-33x50
13:49 – Hawke Endurance ED 13-39x50
16:10 – Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50
16:59 – Vortex Crossfire HD 12-36x50
17:43 – Leupold Gold Ring 10-20x40
18:11 – Kowa TSN 501 20-40x50
18:29 – Hawke Nature Trek 9-27x56
19:10 – Celestron Hummingbird ED 9-27x56
19:34 – Objective Lens Size Comparison
21:12 – Close Focus Distance Comparison
22:48 – Exit Pupil Breakdown
26:26 – Field of View (FOV) Comparison
29:42 – Price Breakdown
32:23 – Eye Relief Comparison
33:21 – Focusing Systems: Barrel vs. Dual Focus
36:33 – Size and Overall Length
37:53 – Weight Comparison
39:14 – Warranty Overview
41:02 – Resale Value Considerations
43:06 – Build Quality & Durability
44:55 – Tripod Threading and Plate Compatibility
45:24 – Final Thoughts & My Personal Picks
46:16 – Outro & Stay Connected to the Wild