Hawke Nature Trek Spotting Scope Review 2026: Worth Buying?

You want to see a deer bedded on a far ridge. You want to read bullet holes at 200 yards without walking downrange. You want to watch a kingfisher without scaring it away. A good spotting scope does all three, and the Hawke Nature Trek has been quietly doing this job for years at a price that does not hurt.

This review covers the Hawke Nature Trek 20 to 60×80 spotting scope in detail. I look at the unboxing, the glass, the focus wheel, the weak points, and the real world performance at dawn and dusk.

I also cover the smaller Nature Trek models and three strong alternatives. By the end, you will know if this scope fits your eyes, your budget, and your hunting or birding style in 2026.

In a Nutshell:

• Price and value: The Nature Trek 20 to 60×80 lists around $409 at Hawke US, and street prices often land near $350 to $370. For an 80mm scope with fully multi coated glass and a stay on cover included, that is fair money, not bargain money.
• Optical quality: Images stay sharp and bright from 20x to roughly 40x. Above 45x, sharpness softens and some color fringing shows up. This scope has no ED glass, so expect honest mid tier performance rather than alpha glass clarity.
• Build and weather sealing: The body is nitrogen purged, waterproof, and fog proof. It weighs 48.1 ounces and measures 15.7 inches long, which is short for an 80mm porro prism scope.
• What comes in the box: Hawke includes a stay on soft cover, objective cover, eyepiece covers, carry strap, lens cloth, and manual. No tripod is included, and you will need one.
• Warranty: Hawke backs the body with a No Fault Lifetime Warranty, with the eyepiece limited to two years. That safety net adds real value over no name brands.
• Best fit: Target shooters, casual birders, and hunters who glass from a truck or a fixed spot. Backpack hunters should look at the smaller 56mm or 65mm Nature Trek models instead.

Hawke Nature Trek Spotting Scope 20 to 60×80 Overview

Last update on 2026-09-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

The Nature Trek 20 to 60×80 sits in the middle of the Hawke optics lineup. It uses an 80mm objective lens, a BAK 4 porro prism, and a fully multi coated optical system that Hawke calls System H2.

The zoom eyepiece runs from 20x to 60x. Field of view measures 108 feet at 1000 yards on the low end and drops to 60 feet at full zoom. Eye relief sits at a generous 20mm. Close focus is 18 feet, which is fine for general nature watching but too long for butterfly or dragonfly watchers.

The body rotates on a tripod collar, so you can angle the eyepiece sideways for comfortable viewing from a chair, a bench, or a prone position. A pull out sunshade protects the front lens from rain and glare. The scope is digiscope compatible, so phone adapters and camera brackets fit without drama.

Unboxing Experience and First Impressions

The box feels serious. My unit arrived in a sturdy carton with dense foam cradling the scope, and older retail runs shipped inside an aluminium reinforced hard case. You lift the scope out and the first thing you notice is the weight. Three pounds does not sound heavy until you hold it in one hand with a tripod in the other.

The green rubber armor feels grippy and dry, not sticky. The stay on cover is already fitted, which saves a fiddly first setup. I like that Hawke ships the cover attached, because most people never bother putting it on later.

Pulling the sunshade out gives a satisfying click. The zoom ring turns with firm, even tension. Nothing on this scope feels loose or rattly, and that matters at this price. My only unboxing gripe: the eyepiece covers are a loose press fit and fall off easily in a pack.

Build Quality and Handling in the Field

Hawke built this scope to be short rather than slim. At 15.7 inches, it is noticeably more compact than many 80mm competitors, which makes it easier to pack into a truck or a blind. The rubber armor covers the full barrel and absorbs small knocks well.

The rotating tripod collar is the standout feature. You loosen one knurled ring, twist the body, and lock it again. This single feature makes the scope far more comfortable than fixed body models, especially when you glass uphill or share the scope with someone shorter.

Balance is good once mounted. The twist up eye cup holds its position and does not creep down under pressure. Eyeglass wearers get a real advantage here thanks to the 20mm eye relief. One honest note: the zoom ring sits close to the eye cup, so gloved hands sometimes catch both at once.

Optical Performance in Good Light

In bright daylight, the Nature Trek performs above its price class. At 20x and 30x, images snap into focus with strong contrast and natural color. Field testers have read manufacturer name plates on farm machinery at 400 yards at these settings, and that matches my experience on steel targets and road signs.

Edge sharpness holds up better than I expected for a non ED scope. The center stays crisp through roughly 40x to 45x. Past that point, resolution falls away and the image dulls slightly.

Color fringing shows on high contrast edges such as dark branches against bright sky. This is normal for a fast achromat objective without ED glass, and it does not ruin the view. For target shooters, .22 caliber holes at 100 yards are readable at 30x on a clean white backer, and .30 caliber holes read easily at 200 yards in good light.

Top 3 Alternative for Hawke Nature Trek Spotting Scope

Last update on 2026-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

Celestron Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope

Last update on 2026-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

Athlon Optics Argos HD 20 to 60×85 Spotting Scope

Last update on 2026-09-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

Athlon Optics Talos 20 to 60×80 Spotting Scope

Low Light and Dusk Viewing

The 80mm objective gathers plenty of light, and that shows in the first and last hour of the day. The exit pupil measures 4mm at 20x and shrinks to just 1.3mm at 60x. That number explains the scope’s behavior perfectly. At low magnification, the view stays usable well past sunset. At full zoom, the image goes dim and muddy fast.

My practical advice is simple. Drop to 20x or 25x once the sun hits the horizon. You will see more detail at lower power than you ever will at 60x in poor light.

Compared to ED glass scopes costing twice as much, the Nature Trek gives up maybe fifteen minutes of usable glassing time at each end of the day. For most hunters, that gap is noticeable but not deal breaking. For serious trophy judging in fading light, the gap matters more.

Zoom Range, Field of View and Image Shake

The 20x to 60x range sounds flexible, and it is, but you will live in the lower half of it. At 20x, the 108 foot field of view at 1000 yards makes finding and tracking animals easy. At 60x, that drops to 60 feet, and locating a moving subject becomes frustrating.

Image shake is the real limit at high power. Every tiny vibration multiplies. Wind, a flimsy tripod, or even a hand on the focus wheel will blur the view at 60x. This is physics, not a Hawke flaw, but buyers often blame the scope.

You also need to refocus every time you change magnification. The zoom is not parfocal. Expect a small focus tweak after each power change. Once you learn the rhythm, it takes a second and stops feeling like a chore.

Focus Wheel, Eye Relief and Comfort

The focus knob sits on top of the barrel and turns with lovely, controlled resistance. There is no slop and no backlash. You can dial in sharpness with fingertip pressure, which is exactly what you want at high magnification. Reviewers consistently call this focus action silky, and I agree.

The twist up eye cup gives three usable positions. With glasses on, I keep it fully down and still see the full field. Without glasses, two full twists give a comfortable blackout.

The 20mm eye relief is one of this scope’s best features. Long sessions behind the eyepiece cause less eye strain than cheaper scopes with cramped eye relief. The angled body helps too, since you look down into the scope rather than craning your neck sideways. Comfort keeps you glassing longer, and longer glassing finds more game.

Weather Sealing, Durability and Warranty

Hawke nitrogen purges the Nature Trek and seals it against water. It survives rain, snow, and sudden temperature swings without internal fogging. I have used mine in steady drizzle with the sunshade extended and found no moisture issues.

The rubber armor handles the usual abuse: bumping a truck door, resting on gravel, riding in a pack. Nothing about this scope feels fragile in your hands.

The warranty deserves attention. Hawke offers a No Fault Lifetime Warranty on the body, which covers damage even when you cause it. The eyepiece carries a shorter two year limit, which is worth knowing before you drop the scope on the eyepiece end. This warranty puts Hawke in the same conversation as Vortex and Athlon for customer support confidence, and that peace of mind is a genuine part of the value here.

Digiscoping and Phone Photography

The Nature Trek is digiscope compatible, and phone adapters clamp onto the eyepiece without modification. I tested mine with a universal bracket and got usable photos of perched birds at 100 yards.

Results depend heavily on magnification. The sweet spot for phone photos is 20x to 30x. Push past 40x and vignetting, softness, and shake ruin most frames. Video is harder than stills because every tiny tripod wobble becomes obvious on playback.

Dedicated adapters from brands like Phone Skope or Magview give cleaner alignment than generic clamps. Budget around $40 to $100 for a good one.

Honest expectation setting: this scope will not produce magazine quality wildlife photos. It will produce clear documentation shots, shareable bird records, and fun range videos. Buy it to see, not primarily to photograph.

Tripod Choice Matters More Than You Think

Hawke does not include a tripod, and this is where many buyers go wrong. A cheap tripod will waste this scope’s optical quality. One reviewer found that a lightweight tripod flexed enough to cause visible image shake above 40x, and that matches what I see with budget aluminium legs.

Plan to spend $100 to $250 on a stable tripod with a fluid pan head. Carbon fiber helps if you walk far. For bench shooting, a short table tripod works perfectly and costs less.

The scope mounts with a standard quarter inch twenty UNC thread, so almost any camera tripod fits. Add an Arca Swiss plate if your head uses one.

Treat the tripod as part of the purchase price, not an optional extra. A $350 scope on a $40 tripod performs worse than a $200 scope on a $200 tripod.

Hawke Nature Trek 13 to 39×56 Compact Option

Last update on 2026-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

If 48 ounces sounds like too much, Hawke makes smaller Nature Trek models that solve the weight problem. The 13 to 39×56 compact weighs around 20 ounces and measures under 8 inches, which changes how you carry it completely. It slips into a daypack side pocket.

The tradeoff is light gathering. A 56mm objective cannot match an 80mm at dusk, and the top magnification stops at 39x. For backpack hunters and travel birders, that tradeoff is usually worth it.

There is also a 16 to 48×65 model that splits the difference between size and brightness. Reviewers praise the compact versions for sharpness relative to their size, with some noting the small body feels light enough to use handheld in a pinch.

Pick the 80mm for stationary glassing. Pick the 56mm for walking.

What the Hawke Nature Trek Does Not Do Well

Honest reviews list the failures, so here they are. The glass is not ED glass. Chromatic aberration appears on high contrast edges, and you will see purple or yellow fringing on dark branches against bright sky.

Usable magnification stops well short of 60x. The top third of the zoom range is marketing more than function in anything other than perfect light.

Close focus at 18 feet is poor for anyone who watches insects or feeder birds at short range.

The eyepiece warranty is only two years, which is a surprising gap in an otherwise lifetime guarantee.

No tripod is included, and the scope demands a good one.

The eyepiece lens caps fall off too easily. Small issue, real annoyance.

Finally, the zoom is not parfocal, so every magnification change needs a focus correction. None of these faults are dealbreakers at this price, but you deserve to know them before you buy.

Pros and Cons of the Hawke Nature Trek Spotting Scope

Pros

• Sharp, bright images from 20x to 40x with strong contrast and natural color rendition in daylight.
• Rotating tripod collar lets you position the eyepiece at any angle for comfortable viewing from any position.
• Generous 20mm eye relief makes this one of the better choices for eyeglass wearers at this price.
• Short 15.7 inch body packs easier than most competing 80mm spotting scopes.
• Hawke No Fault Lifetime Warranty on the body covers accidental damage, which is rare at this price point.
• Stay on cover, strap, and lens caps included, so you do not need to buy protection separately.

Cons

• No ED glass, so chromatic aberration and softness appear above roughly 45x magnification.
• 60x is largely unusable in anything other than bright, still conditions.
• 48.1 ounces is heavy for anyone who hikes long distances with gear.
• Close focus of 18 feet limits use for insect watching and close range nature study.
• No tripod included, and a cheap tripod will undermine the optical performance.
• Eyepiece warranty limited to two years, unlike the lifetime coverage on the body.

Who Should Buy It and Who Should Skip It

Buy this scope if you shoot at a range and want to read holes at 100 to 300 yards. Buy it if you watch birds from a hide, a car, or a garden. Buy it if you hunt from a fixed glassing position and value a lifetime warranty.

Skip this scope if you backpack for miles and count every ounce. The compact 56mm Nature Trek serves you better. Skip it if you judge antlers in the last five minutes of legal light, because ED glass earns its price there.

Skip it if you need true 60x performance. Nothing in this price bracket delivers that honestly.

For everyone in between, this scope delivers around 85 percent of alpha glass performance for roughly 20 percent of the price. That ratio is why the Nature Trek keeps selling year after year.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth Buying in 2026?

Yes, with clear eyes about what you get. The Hawke Nature Trek 20 to 60×80 is a well built, honest, mid tier spotting scope that performs above its price in its usable magnification range and below premium glass at the extremes.

The build quality impresses. The focus action impresses. The warranty impresses. The glass is good, not great, and Hawke never claimed otherwise.

My rating: 4.3 out of 5. Points lost for the soft high magnification performance and the heavy weight.

If your budget stretches to $700 or more, ED glass scopes will give you sharper images at dusk. If your budget caps near $400, the Nature Trek is one of the safest buys available. Pair it with a solid tripod, keep your magnification between 20x and 40x, and this scope will show you things you have been missing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Hawke Nature Trek come with a tripod?

No. Hawke ships the scope with a stay on cover, objective and eyepiece covers, a carry strap, a lens cloth, and the manual. You must buy a tripod separately. The scope uses a standard quarter inch twenty UNC thread, so most camera tripods fit. Budget at least $100 for a tripod stable enough to handle magnifications above 30x without visible shake.

Is the Hawke Nature Trek waterproof?

Yes. The scope is nitrogen purged, waterproof, and fog proof. It handles rain, snow, and humidity without internal condensation. The pull out sunshade adds extra protection for the objective lens in wet weather. It is not designed for submersion, so do not drop it in a river and expect miracles.

Can I see bullet holes at 200 yards?

Yes for larger calibers. .30 caliber holes read clearly at 200 yards at 30x to 40x in good light. .22 caliber holes at 200 yards are harder and depend heavily on lighting, mirage, and target backing color. At 100 yards, .22 holes are easy to spot.

Does the Hawke Nature Trek have ED glass?

No. The Nature Trek uses fully multi coated optics with BAK 4 porro prisms but no extra low dispersion glass. That is why some color fringing appears on high contrast edges. For ED glass, look at the Hawke Endurance ED or Frontier ED lines, which cost considerably more.

What is the warranty on the Hawke Nature Trek?

Hawke offers a No Fault Lifetime Warranty on the scope body, covering accidental damage. The eyepiece carries a limited two year warranty. Registration on the Hawke website is recommended to keep your coverage straightforward if you ever need a claim.

Which Nature Trek model should I choose?

Choose the 20 to 60×80 for maximum brightness and reach from a fixed position. Choose the 16 to 48×65 for a balance of brightness and portability. Choose the 13 to 39×56 compact if you walk long distances and want a scope under 21 ounces. Your carrying distance should drive the decision more than the magnification numbers.