We love a good gear review. There’s something exciting about seeing optics get their time in the spotlight, and we tip our hats to the many passionate writers and photographers who are helping more people discover the beauty of birdwatching and wildlife observation.
But as with anything online, it’s always worth reading reviews with a critical eye—especially when the gear in question can cost more than your first car. I had the opportunity to read an article outlining what the author thought to be the best spotting scope options for various tasks. After reading it, I was compelled to write a cautionary note about the importance of verifying the information you digest!
Let’s Talk Low Light Performance
In the article mentioned, there were a couple of key points that caused me to raise an eyebrow. The first two examples were from the article I mentioned above.
The first example:
The article listed the Zeiss Harpia as the “best for low light.” Don’t get us wrong—it’s a great scope, no doubt about it. But calling it the best in low light? That’s a bit of a reach. Here’s why:
- The Gavia 85 shares the same glass as its big brother, the Harpia, which has about 25% more lens surface area. That translates to more light-gathering power—meaning a noticeably brighter image in dusk, dawn, or shadowy forest conditions.
- And if you're really chasing the best possible low-light performance, scopes like the Kowa TSN-99 or the Swarovski ATX/STX 115 take things to another level. They're bigger, brighter, and purpose-built to handle those marginal lighting situations.
The second example:
The article went on to discuss what the author felt was the best scope for digiscoping (taking digital photos through their spotting scope or binoculars.
The article gave the Vortex Razor HD 85mm top marks for digiscoping. Again, great scope—especially for the price—but calling it the best for attaching a camera might give the wrong impression.
Why? Because in digiscoping, brightness is king. A brighter image lets you use faster shutter speeds, which is crucial for avoiding blur from camera shake or subject movement. That’s where scopes from Swarovski, and Kowa pull ahead. Not only do they deliver brighter images, they also offer dedicated adapters for mirrorless and DSLR cameras—designed specifically for their optical systems.
We’re not knocking the Razor—it punches well above its weight for the money. But if you’re comparing it to $4,000+ professional-grade glass, that price difference matters, and it should be clearly stated in any serious review.
The last example was from an article published in 2023 by a very well known organization (and still sticks in my mind!)
This article put several binocular options at various price points against each other in a battle royal for what they felt to be the best option at each price point. One particular brand (we will call it Brand-X) came out on top at every price point that they had an offering in. It was a brand that we had carried in the past and aside from one stand out model, each of their other binocular offerings very rarely found themselves on top when being compared in store by our team or our customers!
This left our team scratching our heads. Until we scrolled to the bottom of the article and found “This review was generously sponsored by Brand-X.” That’s when things started making sense.
It’s Not About Calling Anyone Out
To be clear: we’re not here to put anyone down. The reviewer(s) in question clearly have a love for wildlife and optics, and we’re always glad to see more people spreading the word about birding gear. But if you're shopping for serious optics, you deserve the full picture. (Read about How We Choose the Best Binoculars & Scopes for our store).
That’s why we always recommend reading reviews with a bit of skepticism:
✅ Check who’s sponsoring the content.
✅ Look for objective specs, not just personal opinions (and verify those specs).
✅ Compare across product lines—not just within a brand.
Need a Second Opinion? Just Ask Us.
We’ve been living and breathing optics for decades. Whether you’re shopping your first scope or upgrading your 10-year-old binoculars, we’re happy to give you honest, no-strings-attached advice. We don’t push one brand over another—we just want you to get the best possible view for your budget and your needs.
Reach out any time. We love talking gear.
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Pelee Wings Outfitters
Canada’s Binocular and Spotting Scope Experts
📞 519-326-5193
📧 info@peleewings.ca