Nocs Provisions’ Lite View and Long View spotting scopes are excellent for birdwatching, wildlife watching, or just taking a closer look at the surrounding wilderness. You can use them anywhere, and they’re built to last with rugged and water-resistant construction.

I just got back from visiting family in northern Georgia, and it was fantastic. My Aunt — who I was visiting — lives in the country and one of the things she loves to do is place bird feeders, baths, and smaller wildlife accoutrements throughout her property. You already know I love a good cigar and to relax, so we’d sit outside and watch the birds come and go.

As we observed, we used a free app from Cornell University, Merlin Bird ID, to identify the birds by their calls. A downside to birdwatching is that most birds are shy or finicky, so if you get close, or try to, they’ll fly off. If you move too much or make too much noise, even with bird feeders, they’re gone in an instant. I found myself wishing we had a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope to view them up close. Enter Nocs Provisions, which makes exactly those kinds of devices.

With birdwatching and wildlife observation exploding in interest — there are about 96 million birders in the U.S. and the activity is growing fast among younger audiences — it makes sense that Nocs Provisions would launch gear that’s more accessible to all. Two new devices, or spotting scopes, just dropped, called the Lite View and the Long View, both rugged and outdoor-friendly but with varying observation distances. Lite View is, as the name implies, smaller and more lightweight, so it’s backpack and portable friendly. Long View, on the other hand, is more substantial for dedicated wildlife watchers who want something with serious power.

What’s the difference between Nocs Provisions’ Lite and Long View spotting scopes?

The biggest difference between the two models is the size of the device and the power it offers. The Lite View is lightweight, backpack-friendly and has a 9x to 27x zoom with a 56mm objective lens. It also delivers ultrawide distortion-free views with a rich color clarity, and it’s compatible with a tripod — if you want to mount it to a stable base. It’s also water-resistant versus waterproof.

The Long View, meant for more serious professionals and enthusiasts, has a 20x to 60x zoom with an 85mm lens and a “pro-grade” 10-element optical design. The latter allows the viewing scope to work wonders even in low light conditions, like in the evening. The Long View is waterproof and fog-proof with an IPX7 rating. Plus, the multi coated lenses provide anti-reflection and anti-scratch properties for bright, crisp imagery.

Again, both are tripod-compatible, which is an optional accessory from Nocs.

It should also be noted, because it’s commendable, that Nocs Provisions offers a “no-matter-what” lifetime warranty on both products. It encourages you to get out and explore, even when you’re afraid something might happen to the equipment. “This warranty provides comprehensive coverage for any defects in materials or workmanship, guaranteeing that your NOCS will be repaired or replaced at no additional cost” and it applies “no matter where or when you received your gear from.”

Who is it for?

Outdoor adventurers, explorers, travelers and birdwatching fans. The Lite View and Long View spotting scopes are the best way to see wildlife up close.

Where to buy?

MSRP: $350 Lite View | $600 Long View