We had another perfect spring evening out here in Idaho, so we lined up some of the top backpack spotting scopes of 2024. We wanted to give you a detailed, real-world comparison of these scopes—especially to see how they perform as the light starts to fade. Whether you’re looking for something budget-friendly or the best money can buy, we’ve got everything covered in this lineup.
The Lineup: 2024’s Best Backpack Spotting Scopes
We tested a diverse group of spotting scopes, ranging from compact to full-size models, from Vortex, Kowa, Swarovski, Athlon, and Leica. Let’s dive into how each of these scopes performed under ideal conditions and their pros, cons, and use-cases.
Vortex Razor 56mm (13-39x)
- Key Features: This compact scope is perfect for lightweight backpacking trips. The Vortex Razor 56mm offers a 13-39x magnification and comes at a price point around $1,000. It’s the smallest scope in the lineup, which makes it very easy to carry, but there are some compromises in optical quality.
- Performance: The Vortex Razor 56mm delivers solid center resolution, but the edge clarity starts to drop off. It holds up well in ideal conditions but struggles with low-light performance compared to other scopes in this field.
- Weight: 28.5oz
- Pros: Lightweight, compact, and budget-friendly.
- Cons: Falls short on edge clarity.
- Ideal Use: Best for hunters who want to save on weight and money. Great for day hikes or situations where portability is key.
Check Vortex Razor 56mm on S&S Archery
Kowa 55mm (17-40x)
- Key Features: The Kowa 55mm has an upgraded TE11WZ eyepiece that delivers excellent image quality. With a dual-focus mechanism, it’s easy to get a sharp image quickly, which is critical during those early morning or late evening hunts.
- Performance: Optically, this scope shines. The color fidelity and edge-to-edge sharpness make it an excellent choice for a compact scope. It performs well even in fading light, thanks to its high-quality coatings and premium construction.
- Weight: 34.1oz
- Pros: Lightweight, dual focus knobs for precise control, and great overall clarity.
- Cons: tough to find a con.. maybe price?.
- Ideal Use: Perfect for those who need a high-quality, portable scope for extended backcountry hunts.
Check Kowa 55mm on S&S Archery
Swarovski ATC 56mm (17-40x)
- Key Features: The Swarovski ATC is compact, features Swarovski’s legendary optical clarity, and has a 17-40x magnification. While it lacks the dual-focus knobs found on the Kowa, the overall image quality is right there with the Kowa 55mm.
- Performance: It stands out with bright, crisp images, but the single focus wheel can be a bit of a drawback when making fine adjustments. The ATC gives excellent edge clarity and performs well in both bright and low-light conditions.
- Weight: 35.7
- Pros: Incredible clarity, lightweight and portable.
- Cons: The single focus wheel isn’t as intuitive for fine adjustments.
- Ideal Use: Ideal for hunters who value crystal-clear optics and are willing to make minor compromises on focus adjustment for a lightweight option.
Check Swarovski ATC on S&S Archery
Athlon Ares G2 (15-45x)
- Key Features: The Athlon G2 offers a surprising level of performance at a very attractive price point—around $650. It features a 65mm objective and a 15-45x magnification range, offering excellent versatility.
- Performance: During our tests, the Athlon G2 competed closely with much more expensive scopes. It provided sharp images and good contrast, making it a fantastic budget option. The eyepiece is also very comfortable, which helps during long glassing sessions.
- Weight: 46.5oz
- Pros: Outstanding value, comfortable eyepiece, and solid center clarity.
- Cons: Lacks dual-focus functionality, which can make fine adjustments challenging.
- Ideal Use: Best for those just getting into spotting scopes or for hunters on a budget who want quality optics without breaking the bank.
Check Athlon Ares G2 on S&S Archery
Vortex Razor 65mm (22-48x)
- Key Features: The Vortex Razor 65mm features a 65mm objective lens and offers magnification from 22-48x. It’s equipped with dual focus knobs, providing smooth, precise focusing.
- Performance: This scope is a solid performer with good clarity and brightness, though it doesn’t quite match the edge sharpness of some competitors like the Kowa 66. In optimal conditions, the Vortex Razor 65mm delivers good resolution, but it falls short under tougher light conditions.
- Weight: 55.6oz
- Pros: Dual-focus knobs, durable construction, and reasonable price for a mid-sized scope.
- Cons: Edge clarity and low-light performance could be better for the price.
- Ideal Use: A good mid-level option for hunters who want decent optical quality without the added bulk of a larger scope.
Check Vortex Razor 65mm on S&S Archery
Swarovski ATS 65mm (25-50x Wide-Angle Eyepiece)
- Key Features: The Swarovski ATS 65mm features the 25-50x wide-angle eyepiece, which allows for a broader field of view compared to traditional eyepieces. It’s lightweight, making it a great option for backpack hunting.
- Performance: The wide-angle eyepiece is a game-changer, offering an expansive view that’s great for scanning wide areas. Optically, the ATS 65mm provides excellent clarity and is easy to use, with a solid focus mechanism.
- Weight: 49.7
- Pros: Wide-angle eyepiece, lightweight design, excellent optical quality.
- Cons: The 20-60x version doesn’t perform as well, and we’d suggest avoiding that in favor of the 25-50x.
- Ideal Use: Great for hunters who need a scope that can quickly scan large areas and offer an immersive viewing experience.
Check Swarovski ATS 65mm on S&S Archery
Kowa 66 (25-60x)
- Key Features: The Kowa 66 has a dual-focus system and offers magnification from 25-60x. It’s one of the most balanced options in terms of weight, optical performance, and ease of use.
- Performance: The Kowa 66 excels in edge-to-edge clarity, and its brightness makes it perfect for use even in challenging lighting conditions. It’s lightweight enough to carry on a backcountry hunt but still offers premium quality.
- Weight: 53.1oz
- Pros: Great clarity across the entire field, easy dual focus, and solid construction.
- Cons: More expensive compared to similar-sized models, but well worth it.
- Ideal Use: Best for hunters looking for a versatile, high-quality scope that’s easy to pack without sacrificing performance.
Kowa 88 (25-60x)
- Key Features: The Kowa 88 features an 88mm objective lens, providing maximum light-gathering capacity. It’s ideal for low-light conditions or those times when you need absolute clarity at higher magnifications.
- Performance: This scope provides incredible brightness and edge-to-edge clarity, even in challenging conditions. It’s a bit on the heavy side, but if optical performance is your main concern, the Kowa 88 outshines all the others.
- Weight: 65oz
- Pros: Unmatched brightness and resolution, superior low-light performance.
- Cons: Large and heavy—less ideal for long treks.
- Ideal Use: Best for glassing in stationary setups, or when you’re looking to cover long distances with the utmost precision and brightness.
Other Scopes We Tested:
Swarovski ATX 65mm:
- We’ve had mixed feelings about the Swarovski ATX 65mm. While it does well in some conditions, it seems to fall short of its competitors in others. It underperformed compared to expectations, especially when looking at edge clarity and honestly it just feels grainy compared to others in this field. This isn’t the first time we have been disappointed with this spotter, which is surprising considering the ATX 85mm is arguably one of the best performing spotting scopes on the market.
- Weight: 56.4oz
Leica 65mm:
- The Leica 65mm has good glass, but the focus mechanism isn’t as smooth as the Kowa’s. It’s still a great option, especially if you already have a preference for Leica, but it didn’t quite hit the top of the list.
- Weight: 55.3oz
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Scope for Your Needs
- Budget Hunters: If you need an affordable, high-performing scope, the Athlon Ares G2 is the way to go. It punches well above its price point and competes with much more expensive models.
- Backpack Hunters: The Kowa 66mm is my top recommendation for backpacking. It strikes the perfect balance between weight, performance, and ease of use, making it a great companion for longer treks.
- Low-Light Champions: For low-light conditions, there’s no competition—the Kowa 88mm takes the lead. With its large objective lens, it gathers plenty of light, providing bright and clear images when the sun is low.
- Compact and Portable: The Swarovski ATC and Kowa 55mm are ideal if you need a compact, high-performing scope. Between the two, the Kowa 55mm has an edge in usability thanks to its dual-focus knobs, making it easier to get that perfect shot without much hassle.
Honorable Mention
- Swarovski ATS 65mm: The 25-50x wide-angle eyepiece makes the Swarovski ATS a fantastic option for those wanting a broader field of view. It’s lightweight and delivers excellent performance, making it a great middle ground between the compact models and the bigger heavyweights.
- Vortex Razor 65mm: The Vortex Razor 65mm is a strong performer at its price point but doesn’t quite have the edge clarity or brightness of the Kowa 66. However, it is still a good choice if you’re looking for a solid, mid-sized scope.
Final Recommendations
We live in a time where there are countless great optics options out there, and any one of these scopes would serve you well in the field. If you’re trying to decide, consider your budget, how much weight you’re willing to carry, and your typical hunting scenarios. If budget is less of a concern and you want the best performance, go with the Kowa 88mm. If weight matters, the Kowa 66mm or Swarovski ATS are fantastic choices. And for those who are just starting out or are on a tight budget, the Athlon Ares G2 offers exceptional value.
As always, if you need more help deciding which scope is right for you, feel free to reach out to us at S&S Archery. We’re more than happy to talk through your needs and help you make an informed choice.
Thanks for reading, and happy hunting!
