Better Spyglass
by Peatral
Better Spyglass lets players hold the spyglass in a belt slot, a pocket or the offhand, then trigger it with a key instead of holding the use button.
What it does
The mod changes how the spyglass is carried and triggered. Once the spyglass sits in a belt slot, it can be used through a dedicated key, which is bound to R by default. The key binding can be changed, and players should check it for conflicts with other mods before relying on it.
Support for belt slots comes from Curios API on Forge and Trinkets on Fabric, so the spyglass fits wherever those slots exist. The mod is meant to be used in multiplayer as well, letting a player look through the spyglass while others watch. Both Architectury API and Cloth Config API must be installed alongside it.
Better Spyglass runs on client and server, so both the server and every player need it. Files are published for Fabric, Forge and NeoForge, and the code is open source under the MIT License. Builds cover 1.20.1 – 1.21.1 across eight release versions.
Key features
Belt slot use
A spyglass placed in a belt slot stays available and can be used without taking it out of the inventory.
Dedicated trigger key
A key binding starts the spyglass, set to R by default and adjustable in the controls menu.
Pocket and offhand storage
The spyglass can also be kept in a pocket or the offhand slot, whichever the player prefers.
Multiplayer spying
A player can look through the spyglass while others are watching, which works on multiplayer servers.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 2
Optional 1
Use cases
Keeping the spyglass ready
A player who scouts often can keep the spyglass on a belt and trigger it at any time.
Multiplayer scouting
Players on a shared server can use the spyglass for lookouts without holding it in the main hand.
Who it’s for: Players who use the spyglass often and want quicker access to it, and server owners running multiplayer worlds where the spyglass is part of play.
How it compares
Spyglass key is a Fabric-only client-side mod for 1.21.1 – 26.2 under the MIT License, and it changes nothing on the server side. Useful Spyglass is open source under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only, runs on client and server, and covers 1.18.2 – 1.21.1 on Fabric, Forge and NeoForge. Traveler Tool Belt is also client and server, with All rights reserved and files reaching 26.3.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Spyglass | Fabric, Forge and NeoForge | 1.20.1 – 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-04-28 |
| Spyglass key | Fabric | 1.21.1 – 26.2 | Client-side only | 2026-08-22 |
| Useful Spyglass | Fabric, Forge and NeoForge | 1.18.2 – 1.21.1 | Client and server | 2026-06-06 |
| Traveler Tool Belt | Fabric, Forge and NeoForge | 1.20.1 – 26.3 | Client and server | 2026-10-05 |
Questions
Does Better Spyglass need Architectury API?
Does the server need Better Spyglass installed?
Can the spyglass key conflict with other mods?
Which versions does Better Spyglass support?
In the catalog
Better Spyglass is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.
More from Peatral
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What the author says
I have struck once again! Use your spyglass from your pocket, inventory offhand, belt slot or whatever you want! Even on forge AND fabric! But most importantly: While you are spying with your little eye, your friends can actually watch you in multiplayer. Yes, this is seriously my USP. This mod might have less…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/better_spyglass
- Owner
- Peatral
- Published
- 2025-08-22
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-04-28
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15