When it comes to spotting scopes, big-name brands often dominate the conversation. This Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 spotting scope might not be the first option that comes to mind, but one you’ll want to consider. There’s definitely some high-quality glass from the larger manufacturers, but it typically comes at a significantly higher cost. While there are a lot of variables to consider when shopping for a new spotting scope, looking beyond the well-known labels can absolutely be beneficial.
If you’re like me, you might not have heard much about the Tract Optics name when researching your next optic. However, after discovering and testing the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 spotting scope, I’d say they’re not to be overlooked. While they may be newer to the game, they’re rightfully making a splash in the industry.
Regardless of why you’re in the market for a spotting scope, there are many variables that go into that decision. There are also plenty of questions to answer when deciding on a spotter. Personally, my ultimate goal when buying optics is to get the absolute best value for the dollar – both in quality and performance. This is especially true with optics since they can be one of the more expensive items in your pack.
If you’ve followed us here at Backwoods for any length of time, you probably know that we do our best to review products as objectively as possible. Just because an item has a big, expensive brand name doesn’t always mean it offers the best value or quality on the market.
Check out our MASSIVE SPOTTING SCOPE REVIEW where we lined up 19 of the best spotting scopes we could find and put them to the test. All side by side with volunteer testers, no brand loyalties (at least as much as humanly possible), varied lighting conditions, and 14 guys ranking these things. What an awesome project to put together! This review is a product of over two years of work, research, and testing. You don’t want to miss this!
Dive into the details on every one of the spotting scopes in the review above by becoming a Backwoods Pursuit Member (TOTALLY FREE) and you can download the data we used to put together this review.
Choosing a Spotting Scope – What Matters Most?
What kind of hunt are you planning?
This is one of the first things I think about when deciding which spotter to bring. I’ve been on hunts where the main goal was to fill the freezer – and in those cases, size doesn’t matter as much. You just need to spot animals and catch a glimpse of that grey or brown hide. For that, you might not need top-tier optics or extreme magnification, which can also help save some money.
What kind of image resolution do you need?
Image resolution is one of the most important factors in spotting scopes. A larger size doesn’t necessarily equal better resolution and vise versa. Some compact spotters offer incredible resolution, while some larger ones fall short. Ideally, you want the best glass possible – but better resolution typically comes with a higher price tag.
How much weight are you willing to carry?
Weight is always part of the equation. Bigger spotters generally mean more weight, but they also tend to offer more magnification, better low light performance, and subsequently better resolution – depending on the glass. Personally, if I’m on a trophy hunt, I’m willing to carry extra weight to help decide if an animal’s worth going after, but if not, I’ll often elect to take the smaller, lighter spotter to reduce my pack weight.
What’s your budget?
Optics are typically one of those areas where “you get what you pay for” often rings true. High-end glass is expensive for a reason – it’s just better. That said, there are more and more brands out there in recent years delivering impressive performance without breaking the bank.
Testing: the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 Spotting Scope
We tested this Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 spotting scope during hunts in Idaho and Colorado. This review focuses on how the Tract Toric spotting scope performed on its own, rather than directly comparing it to scopes in the same class. That said, we did pit it against a few premium models from Kowa, including the Kowa TSN 883 and, briefly, the Kowa TSN 55.
Looking for a binoculars? Check out our MASSIVE 26 BINOCULAR REVIEW where we put 26 of the best binoculars side by side!
We didn’t encounter any extreme weather, so we can’t speak to how it handles in those conditions—but based on our experience with other Tract products, we don’t expect any issues.
The Specs: Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 Spotting Scope
At first glance, the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 spotting scope spec sheet might not jump out at you. But don’t let that fool you -Tract wasn’t aiming to wow with flashy numbers. They focused on real-world performance at a solid price.
| Tract Toric 65mm Spotting Scope Specs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnification | 22-45x | |||
| Objective Size | 65 mm | |||
| Field of View @ 1000 yds | 131 ft (22x) / 89 ft (45x) | |||
| Eyepiece Angle | 45° | |||
| Weight | 52 oz | |||
| Eye Relief | 17-16 mm | |||
| Body Material | Aluminum/Polycarbonate | |||
| Dimensions | 5.5” x 3.75” x 14.5” | |||
| Glass | SCHOTT HT | |||
| Tripod Attachment | Yes – Threaded | |||
| Country of Origin | Japan | |||
| Current Price | $1,494 | |||
The standout feature here is the SCHOTT HT glass. Known for its impressive light transmission and excellent color fidelity, this type of glass is typically found in much more expensive optics. It’s a big reason this scope punches above its class in both price and performance.
Eyepiece: the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 Spotting Scope
The eyepiece on the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 spotting scope has a lot going for it, with just a couple of minor drawbacks. The twist-up, multi-position design with click-stops is easy to use and provides firm, tactile adjustments. The rubber coating makes it comfortable for extended glassing sessions.
One small issue is that each click-stop has a bit of play, which could be refined. Also, while the zoom mechanism is smooth, it takes a fair amount of force—which can shift your view and force you to readjust the tripod. A mechanism with less resistance would really improve the experience.
That said, the eyepiece is very comfortable and easy on the eyes – a big win for long days behind the glass. Many spotters can cause eye fatigue, but this one did better than expected.
Focus Wheel: the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 Spotting Scope
The Tract Toric uses a traditional barrel-style focus wheel, which is common on most modern scopes. It’s simple, effective, and smooth to operate. The rubberized grip is comfortable and works well even with gloves.
Our only small complaint is that the wheel of the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 spotting scope is a bit stiffer than we like to see, which can cause some shake while adjusting. This can make those fine adjustments a bit more challenging at longer distances. It’s still smoother than the zoom mechanism, though, and overall feels well-built. After using the dual-focus system on the Kowa TSN series of spotting scopes, we definitely prefer that level of fine control—but the Tract’s focus system still performs admirably.
Weight and Build: the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 Spotting Scope
At 52 ounces, the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 spotting scope sits right in the middle of the pack for spotting scopes in the 65mm range. Some models are lighter, some heavier, but this one strikes a solid balance between portability and performance.
It also features a durable rubber armor coating that protects the body and gives it a rugged, field-ready look. The grey and black color combo looks sharp and functional in the field.
Field of View: the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 Spotting Scope
The field of view on this scope is solid for its size. At 22x, you get 131 feet at 1,000 yards; at 45x, it narrows to 89 feet. That’s a respectable range for a mid-sized scope.
As expected, your field of view narrows at higher magnification, but this scope maintains a wide enough FOV to remain practical and effective.
Resolution and Low-Light Performance: the Tract Toric UHD Spotting Scope
This is where the SCHOTT HT glass that Tract Optics uses really shines. Despite being a compact 65mm scope, this compact Tract spotting scope delivers excellent image clarity and brightness.
We compared it directly to the Kowa TSN 88, knowing that wasn’t a fair apples-to-apples test due to its size and price class, but also knowing that if the Tract Toric 65mm spotting scope held its own up next to this known top performer, we’d be looking at a phenomenal spotting scope. The Kowa’s massive objective lens obviously outperforms it in low light – but the Tract held its own surprisingly well.
In fading light, we expected the Tract Toric 65mm to fall off quickly when next to the larger Kowa 88, but it performed better than anticipated. While some of the edges of objects weren’t quite as crisp in low light, and some of the colors not quite as defined and rich, it wasn’t as dramatic as we expected.
In normal daylight, image resolution and color contrast were exceptional for its size. If I’m on a trophy hunt, I’ll still pack something with a larger objective like the Tract Toric 80mm or the Kowa TSN 88. But for most hunts – where I’m confirming legality or just filling the freezer – the Tract Toric 22-45×65 spotting scope is an excellent, high-performing option that is surprisingly easier on the budget considering it’s performance.
Edge-to-Edge Clarity: The Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 Spotting Scope
Edge-to-edge clarity is another area worth mentioning, and one that the Tract Toric didn’t excel in as much as other categories. Like most scopes, this one loses some sharpness at the outer edges of the field of view.
During our testing we noted that the loss of resolution starts around the outer 20% and gets progressively worse the further you go away from center, especially at lower magnification. As you zoom in, it becomes less noticeable. Overall though, the central 80% of the image is tack-sharp, making this exceptional for it’s price point. While we like to see better edge to edge clarity, this isn’t one of the most important features in a spotting scope, and subsequently one that you will pay a lot more to get.
Tract Optics Warranty
One of our favorite things about Tract Optics is their warranty—what they call the “Tract Trust Assurance.” It’s more of a promise than a traditional warranty. No registration required, no ownership questions, and no time limits.
Of course, it doesn’t cover loss, theft, or intentional damage – but if your product isn’t working as designed, they’ll make it right. This level of customer support is rare and adds a ton of value, especially with expensive gear.
What We Liked – Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 Spotting Scope
After many hours behind the glass, we’re big fans of the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 spotting scope. It offers incredible value and over-delivers for its price. Here’s what stood out:
- Eyepiece is gentle on the eyes and comfortable for extended use
- Focus wheel is smooth, responsive, and well-built
- Field of view is strong across all magnification levels
- SCHOTT HT glass provides excellent resolution and color contrast
- Performs well in low-light conditions
- “Trust Assurance” warranty is one of the best around
- Build quality is rugged and thoughtfully designed
- Overall value is outstanding for the price
What We Didn’t Like – Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 Spotting Scope
As with any piece of gear, there are a few downsides we walked away with after our testing:
- Zoom mechanism is a bit too stiff and can cause the optics to move when adjusting
- Edge-to-edge clarity is solid, but could be better
- Lens caps aren’t attached to the body and are easy to misplace
These are all relatively minor complaints, especially considering the price and performance.
Final Thoughts – Tract Toric Spotting Scope Review
If you’ve made it this far, it’s probably clear – we highly recommend the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 spotting scope. It’s a top-tier option in the mid-size spotting scope category, especially for the price. In a world where finding a spotting scope that actually performs well around the $1000 price point can be a challenge, the Tract Toric 65mm spotting scope stands out in the crowd as just that.
While there are better scopes out there, they come with significantly higher price tags. Tract Optics offers impressive quality, smart design, and a great warranty – without pushing you into “alpha glass” territory.
If you’re looking for a compact, capable, and budget-conscious spotting scope, the Tract Toric UHD 22-45×65 deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Image Resolution
Low Light Performance
Weight
Color Contrast
Edge to Edge Clarity
Overall Value
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