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Capturing pictures of distant objects and wildlife is one of the main reasons for buying a phone adapter for your spotting scope. When you are enjoying the use of the scope, you may want to bring home images of what you’ve seen to share with your family and friends.
This reviews guide features seven of the best phone adaptor mounts for use on your spotting scope. There are pros and cons of each item, so it can take some time to determine which one is best for you. The buyer’s guide offers considerations to remember when making your final decision.
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Best Overall | Gosky QHAP021 |
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Best Value | SVBONY FUSW2546A |
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Premium Choice | SOLOMARK |
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Vankey Bluesky V1 |
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Celestron 81035 |
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The Gosky Universal adapter fits many smartphones on the market, from the iPhone X to Samsung S8. It is compatible with binoculars, spotting scopes, and other scopes with an eyepiece diameter from 28mm to 47mm. The only thing it won’t work on is a rifle scope because the camera is placed too close to the eyepiece.
It is made from metal and high-strength PA plastic, which increases the durability significantly. There is a steel bolt that clamps the phone in place instead of a spring. When you place your phone in the adapter, it is protected by high-density EVA pads with the screen exposed. We found that you need to be careful when tightening the clamps in place so you don’t inadvertently press the side buttons.
On the downside, there is a learning curve to learning how to set it up effectively for good results. But once you learn, then the process is easy.
The SVBONY is the best phone adapter mount for spotting scopes for the money because it can be used with many different phones and is offered at an affordable price. It fits eyepiece diameters from 25mm to 48mm. It is ideal for spotting scopes, and the shell is made from an aluminum alloy, so it is lightweight yet sturdy.
The clamp is made from high-strength PA plastic and uses a steel bolt for securement. Once the phone is in the adapter, the edges are protected by EVA pads, while the front of the phone is exposed so you can operate it. On the downside, it takes time to open and secure the eyepiece and phone mount screws, which is why the SVBONY sits in the number-two spot on our list.
For an easy-to-use adapter, the SOLOMARK is a great option. However, it is pricier, which is why we listed it as number three on our reviews list. This is ideal for eyepieces with an outer diameter from 32mm to 68 mm, and it fits most brands of smartphones with or without the case.
You can line up the camera with the scope in a matter of seconds. The holder is lined to protect the edges of your phone while the screw locks hold it in place so you can adjust the alignment. We like that it is lightweight and appears to be durable.
The Vankey adapter mount works well with spotting scopes, and you can use it with other scopes if you wish. There are a variety of phones that it is compatible with, so make sure your phone will fit before you purchase the adapter. The eyepiece outer diameter range is 28 to 47mm, which allows for a wide variety of scope sizes.
The body is made from aluminum alloy with EVA padding on the inner pieces to protect your phone. The clamp is made from PA plastic, which isn’t as strong as a steel clamp but works well nonetheless. The company offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, with a one-year warranty.
On the downside, this doesn’t work as well with some phone cases, so you may have to make adjustments to get it to fit correctly.
This adapter is compatible with most telescope eyepieces, including a spotting scope. However, it won’t work on rifle scopes. The outside diameter needs to be from 29mm to 45mm for it to fit. The body is made of metal and has a simple design. It is ideal for most smartphones but won’t work with many phone cases, especially the folio style cases.
On the downside, we found that it is not that user friendly and takes time to figure out how to get it aligned correctly. Once it is aligned, the adapter stays in place securely, and it is easier to align after you’ve practiced a few times.
The F. Dorla is an affordable option for an adapter mount. It is compatible with spotting scopes as well as many other scopes; you can even use it on angled eyepieces. It will fit an outer eyepiece diameter of 25mm to 48mm and fits most smartphone devices. It is made from metal, with inner EVA pads for protection and a PA plastic phone clamp, so the adapter is durable and lightweight. On the downside, phones that have the camera located in the corner rather than in the center are more difficult to adjust, and the clamps may push on the side buttons of certain phones. But on the upside, it will fit most phones that have a case.
Our final review is the BoneView Optic mount adapter, which is ideal for spotting scopes and fits iPhone and Android phones the best. Keep in mind that it may not work as intended if used on certain rifle scopes. The eyepiece size is 31.75mm to 63.5 mm and is made from aluminum and ABS plastic. There are inner foam pads that protect your phone, and it fits smartphones up to 3.9 inches wide.
It takes time to set up and align correctly, but once you have done it multiple times, it becomes easier. The design is compact and lightweight enough that you can easily carry it when backpacking, hiking, or hunting.
When looking for a phone adapter mount for your spotting scope, there are a few things to consider so you can find the ideal adapter for your situation and one that fits your smartphone. The right adapter will turn your spotting scope into a lens for your phone so you can capture great images and/or video.
You will want an adaptor that is built from quality materials so it can withstand the elements and remain reliable. You can find one that is high quality and still lightweight. If it’s too heavy, then it will be difficult to mount on your scope.
Most mounts consist of the phone holder and an eyepiece adjustor. The clamp models are adjusted with a screw that will loosen or tighten, with the inner portions that touch the phone covered with a protective rubber or EVA pads. The eyepiece area also has a screw for adjusting, which is the area that gives people the most trouble. Make sure the eyepiece size fits your phone and your particular scope. The exception is rifle scopes, as not many adapters will fit these.
If you can’t get the adaptor on and off easily, then it defeats the purpose of having one because you will most likely become frustrated and not want to use it. There is a learning curve to the adaptors because you have to take the time to adjust and become comfortable with it. But once you have used it a few times, it should be a simple process from that point forward.
Price is always a consideration when you are buying something. You can find decent adapters at affordable prices; just make sure they will fit your phone and are ideal for your expectations. For example, if you need one for backpacking and hunting, you will probably want one that is lightweight, compact, and easy to use.
Buying a phone adapter mount for your spotting scope can be a daunting task because there are many on the market. To ease your frustration, we put together this reviews list of the top seven. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s up to you to find one that meets your expectations.
Our top pick is the Gosky universal mount, which is made from quality materials yet remains lightweight and dependable. The best value is the SVBONY, with its sturdy and durable design at an affordable price. The premium choice is the SOLOMARK, which is a great option if the price isn’t a concern, because it has a simple, compact design that is easy to use.
We hope that our reviews list helps you find the ideal adapter so you can get out and enjoy capturing images when using your spotting scope.
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Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.
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