Featured Zeiss Apia 20-50×65 Compact Spotting Scope [FIRST LOOK] David Lane April 8, 2026 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. NEW from Zeiss comes a spotting scope designed and built for the hunter! Compact, lightweight, and priced to be affordable, the new Apia compact spotting scope puts Zeiss quality in your hand and on your hunt. We got the chance to test-drive the Apia in Oklahoma, and this is one impressive little spotter. ZEISS APIA 20-50×65 SPOTTING SCOPE SPECS: Light Tranbsmission: 87% Magnification: 20-50x Zoom Ratio: 2.5x Lens diameter: 65mm Field of view (Feet, 1,000 yards distance): 144’-81’ Exit pupil: 20x: 3.2mm, 50x: 1.2mm Exit pupil distance: 17mm Subjective field of view: 54-71 degrees Close focusing distance: 11.5-feet Length: 11.7” Weight: 47.6 oz MSRP: $1,500 SPOTTING LONG RANGE SHOOTING IN OKLAHOMA Spending two days on the 1,000 yard range shooting and testing new gear is always a great way to spend your time, and Outdoor Solutions in Oklahoma is one of the best spots to do it at. Hosted at the Cross Bell Ranch, Outdoor Solutions offers a 1,200 yard KD range and 1,000 yard field conditions to really push you and your limits. On the rifles was something exciting that we can’t talk about (yet), but behind the line was the new Zeiss Apia 20-50×65 spotting scope! From 50 yard .22 LR targets to steel at 1,000 yards to wild horses crossing the field 2,000 yards away, Zeiss glass performs outstandingly well. Not only spotting hits and misses on steel, but also calling wind adjustments based on the exact bullet impact mark left on the 1,000 yard steel isn’t something your average spotting scope can do. But the Apia had no trouble. Sitting on glass for hours at a time can strain your eyes, making you tired, causing your eyes to not focus well, and even give you a headache. For me, it can even trigger a migraine. Quality of glass and design go a long way to relieve eye strain, and the Zeiss is at the top of the game. Everything about the Apia felt and performed way above the price point. While $1,500 MSRP isn’t cheap my any means, you normally get exactly what you pay for with optics. It’s rare to find a spotting scope that punches above it’s price class, but the Apia does. Side-by-side testing will have to wait until we get our hands on an Apia at home, but running it through the gauntlet in Okalahoma was a great start. One interesting feature that is worth noting is the fact that the Apia has a removable eyepiece. That’s all we’re allowed to say on that subject, but we’ll say it with a wink and a nudge. Another great tool we got hands-on with is the Zeiss Digiscoping adaptors that connect your smartphone with the Apia eyepiece to get crystal clear video. While expensive, $250 for the two-piece kit, this is by far the best iteration of this style of adaptor we’ve seen. Metal construction, hugely adjustable, easy to set up, powerful magnetic connection, and the Digiscoping isn’t just built for the Apia but will fit a range of spotting scopes and eye pieces. THE FUTURE OF ZEISS Quietly announced earlier this year, Zeiss is spinning off the hunting and optics part of the business into it’s own separate brand. This comes with new ownership and new goals, but the same core ethos. Great optics built for people that use them most, with a bigger focus on the North American sporting market. All of the working pieces are remaining in place. Designers, engineers, and manufacturing aren’t changing just because the name on the checks changed. So far, this sounds promising for the brand and the products that are in the pipeline. From what we’ve seen and gotten a sneak peak at, the quality and Zeiss glass are keeping their high standards. LOOSE ROUNDS A $1,500 spotting scope that is compact, high quality, and actually works is an amazing thing to see happen. While not budget-priced by any means, this is a much more accessible price point than Zeiss has previously offered. Zeiss coatings aren't just marketing to sell you optics, Zeiss performs outstandingly well in low-light and shadows to show contrast that you might have otherwise missed. It’s also great for spotting bullet trace and adjusting shots. This isn’t all Zeiss has been working on. This is just the start of a big year. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. 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