The Nikon 7070 Car Window Mount The Vortex Summit Car Window Mount with Quick-Release and Ball Head The Bushnell Car Window Mount The Swarovski Window Mount with Miniball Head

We all go auto touring from time to time: Maybe you’re taking advantage of a refuge’s wildlife drive, searching far and wide for a new seasonal hotspot, or even if you’re driving to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving. But what if you are surprised to find a Northern Hawk Owl along the way? You’ll want to grab your spotting scope from the back seat, and that’s where a window mount will be very helpful in stabilizing your spotting scope – and your camera.

Actually, you can use a window-mount for both your spotting scope and camera; or, better yet, you can be prepared by having a window mount attached and ready for action, one on each optic. Window mounts are essentially a tripod head fitted to a padded clamp that can be quickly tightened onto the top of your lowered vehicle window. Essentially, there is a small “screw head” to affix your spotting scope or camera to, although a couple models have a nice quick-release option.

A window mount is indispensable to most birders who use a spotting scope or a camera fitted with a telephoto lens, especially considering how affordable window mounts are. Window mounts tend to run in the $20 to $60 range, but it’s worth looking at an assortment of window mounts to review the features of each model. Optics4Birders’ website is an excellent place to look at what’s available on the market: that’s where you’ll find window mounts made by a number of companies including Swarovski, Nikon, Bushnell, Vortex, Barska and Leupold.

For a rundown on all the Window Mount models, see https://www.optics4birding.com/window-mounts.html