If you’re a hunter, birdwatcher, or any kind of outdoor expeditionist, the chances are that you’ve wanted to use your spotting scope without getting out of your vehicle or stabilize your optical equipment. Well, that’s why window mounts exist. These babies let you attach your spotting scope to a stable platform without so much as stepping a toe out of your car and in all of 8 seconds!
If you’ve been wondering which window mount to get but the sheer number of models in the market has you overwhelmed, we’ve got your back! Here are reviews of the top window mounts available so that you don’t have to spend hours on research and decision making.
Best Spotting Scope Window Mount
Here are our top spotting scope window mount reviews:
1. PedcoUltraClamp Assembly Mount
Best Overall
Great for mounting cameras, scopes and binoculars alike, the PedcoUltraClamp Assembly Mount is an adjustable clamp that keeps your optic devices stable and steady. At half the price of the previous contender on the list, this window mount is a steal; it’s one of the cheapest options on the market, without compromising on its quality and efficiency. With a durable aluminum body and a secure screw, the mount can hold up devices as heavy as 6 pounds.
Some of its other features include:
- Can attach to flat and round objects that have a maximum girth of 1.5 inches, including car windows, railings, handlebars, tables and roll bars
- Equipped with a ball-and-socket head that lets you easily adjust and position your gear at any angle
- Can fit any device with a tripod screw that’s ¼-20
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
2. Vortex Optics Car Window Mount
Editor’s Choice
Super simple to set up and quick to attach and detach, the Vortex Optics Car Window Mount gives you superior viewing within seconds. Solid and compact, this rugged mount lets you spot your target easily and efficiently, making it a handy tool to have while scouting or birdwatching. The mount supports a maximum load of 5 pounds.
Some of its features include:
- Pan-head mechanism
- A twist-lock design to control the tilt and pan actions; designed to be smoothly operated with one hand
- Height of 3 inches and a weight of 1.2 pounds
3. Optix Pro Car Window Clamp Mount
Best Value
The Optix Pro Car Window Clamp Mount is highly versatile, compatible with bridges, SLR and DSLR cameras, video cameras, binoculars, monoculars, scopes, telescopes and action cameras. This mount is a great option if you intend to indulge in a lot of scope photography, surveillance, safaris and animal-watching. Additionally, despite weighing only around 8.4 ounces, the mount manages to support around 12 times its weight; impressive, we know!
Some of its features include:
- 2-way pan-head for convenient panning and adjustment, with a twisting handle to loosen or tighten joints
- The ability to support 105 ounces (3 kgs)
- Rubber pads on the pan head and clamp jaw for a secure-yet-protective fit
- ¼-inch screw thread with heavy-duty clamp support
4. Vanguard PH-201 Window Mount
With the Vanguard PH-201 Window Mount, you get a window mount that can support up to 4.4 pounds and comes equipped with a 2-way pan-head. This window mount lets you mount your scope, binoculars and your surveillance camera with ease and efficiency, keeping them as steady as a rock, letting you continue your vantaging without any disturbance.
Some of the features include:
- 360-degree rotation
- A tilt range from -60 to +90 degrees
- A non-slip platform that has an adjustable base
- Height of 4.375 inches and weight of 13.9 ounces
5. Bushnell Spotting Scope Window Mount
The Bushnell Spotting Scope Window Mount is specifically designed to be a car window mount and a damn good one at that! Sturdy and reliable, you can easily attach this window mount to your car’s window thanks to its secure-yet-protective non-slip rubber feet and rubber pads. You can also pan up, down, right and left with it for maximum view.
Some of its features include:
- 2-way pan head for convenient panning and easy adjustment
- Can be used with any standard ¼-inch mount and not just car windows
- Features a matte black finish, is 3.5 inches in height and 1 pound in weight
6. Vanguard PH-304 Window Mount
An improvement from the PH-201, the Vanguard PH-304 Window Mount comes equipped with the ability to support more weight, pan more and tilt more than its cousin. Coming from a company that focuses on producing and delivering quality optics accessories, you can rest assured that the Vanguard PH-304 is sturdy and reliable in every sense, keeping your optics stable and bettering your viewing experience. If you don’t mind paying a few extra bucks, this spotting scope mount is a more-than-worthy investment!
Some of its features include:
- 3-way pan-head with a quick-release plate (QS-36)
- Can support up to 8.8 pounds; the product weighs 25.7 ounces and is 5.75 inches tall
- Along with 360-degree rotation, features a tilt range of -60 to +90 and 0 to +90 degrees
- Features an extra-wide adjustable base
7. Ultimate Arms Gear Spotting Scope Window Mount
A great window mount not just for spotting scopes but a range of instruments including cameras, monoculars, binoculars and the like, the Ultimate Arms Gear Window Mount is a great combination of quality, durability and efficiency. To top it off, this window mount is dirt cheap, costing less than $20, so you won’t have to decimate your bank balance for the perfect view! Additionally, with mostly full metal construction, you know this mount’s going to last you for a long time to come.
Some of its features include:
- Rubber surface for secure-yet-protective mounting on your window
- Features an extensive anodic oxidation treatment for increased durability
- Constructed of a combination of plastic and solid metal composite
- Weighs around 8.4 ounces with a height and width of 65 mm and 55 mm respectively and a handle of 160 mm
Spotting Scope Window Mount Buying Guide — All You Need to Know
You may wonder why you need a window mount at all; well, these guys, versatile in nature, let you use your spotting scope in a range of different places. Since one of the best ways to keep a spotting scope steady is to mount it, a mount is a no brainer, letting you use your spotting scope almost anywhere and not just on windows; you can use them on railings, fences and almost any surface with the necessary compatibility.
One of the best uses of a window mount is during hunting and wildlife observation. Window mounts let you digiscope wildlife or observe them without disturbing, especially when you’re driving by, as getting out to observe them is sure to alert them of your presence.
The Features of Good Mount
Naturally, as a mount’s most essential function is to keep a scope stable, look for a mount that provides utmost stability and steadiness. Additionally, look for a rubber coating or a rubber surface so that you can attach it to your window without it slipping; the rubber surface also protects your windows and other glass surfaces against scratches.
Remember, what kind of mount you buy also depends on your preference and budget. The kind of mount you buy may also differ according to the purpose you want to use it for. For example, a mount that you need for mounting camera gear needs to be able to support heavy loads, whereas a mount for scopes need not necessarily be able to. Additionally, a photographer may want a very sturdy mount that can rotate 360 degrees, whereas someone who’s observing wildlife or using a scope for target shooting may not require these features.
It all boils down to what you want and what you’re looking for!
Recommended Reading:
- Best Spotting Scope for Birding
- Best Spotting Scope for Hunting
- Best Spotting Scopes
- Best Compact Spotting Scopes
- Best Spotting Scope for Digiscoping
- Best Budget Spotting Scopes
- Best Spotting Scope Phone Adapters
- Best Spotting Scope Tripods
- Best Spotting Scopes Under $100
- Best Spotting Scopes Under $200
- Best Spotting Scopes Under $500
- Best Spotting Scope for Target Shooting
- Best Compact Spotting Scope for Hunting
- Best Spotting Scope for 100 yards
- Best Spotting Scope for 1,000 yards