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Spotting Scope Magnification for 1,000 Yards: A Buyer’s Guide
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Table of Contents
Introduction
There are innumerable uses of scopes that it may be impossible to list all of its applications. However, basically, a scope may be used to get a better visual of a distant image. Luckily, technology has evolved so much that scopes can be used as is, or they can be connected to a smartphone in order for the owner to take pictures. If you are reading this, it is probably because you are curious as to how to shop for a spotting scope magnification for 1000 yards.
There are several advantages of using a scope over the naked eye, such as having a magnified and enhanced view of a distant object. Scopes are not only meant to be attached to smartphones but they are mostly attached to rifles that are used in hunting. When it comes to spotting scopes, apart from answering how to shop for a spotting scope magnification for 1,000 yards, prospective buyers also ask about the magnification that is the most suitable for their viewing range. This article will explore some tips and some need-to-know information.
Factors to Consider
Before choosing a spotting scope, you should look at and understand certain features and specifications. One of the main considerations you should factor in is your budget. Scopes can cost a couple of hundred dollars or a couple of thousand dollars, depending on the quality that you are looking for. It will also sometimes depend on where you plan to use the scope for, and under what conditions you are going to use it. Nonetheless, below, you will find some of the essential and basic things that you need to look for when buying one.
Magnification
If you want to have a spotting scope that offers the best view of images that are 1,000 yards away, you need to consider its magnification. Magnification refers to how much larger or smaller an image will be viewed compared to its original size. If you want to be able to look at images that are 1,000 yards away, you will need to purchase a scope that has a zoom power that is 30x and up. Anything that is lower will not allow you to see images at that distance clearly.
Spotting scope magnifications are usually listed in ranges. So, for instance, the product’s features may list it as having a magnification of 20 to 60x. This is a good magnification for looking at objects that will be about 1,000 yards or more away. However, the numbers are sometimes written like 20 to 60×80. In this instance, the 20 to 60 represents the magnification and power range, while the 80 represents the lens size in millimeters. Thus, be mindful of that as you might be looking at the lens size instead of the magnification power.
Glass
Although magnification does play some importance in selecting the scope, what is even more important is selecting the best quality of glass. According to experts, the glass should at least be BAK-4 that is made from fluoride. It should also have high definition and low dispersion.
In addition, at high magnification, chromatic aberration is inevitable because the quality of the scope’s glass will determine whether it is bad or good. With that said, it is important to examine what the manufacturer says about the glass’s brightness, clarity and sharpness.
Brands like Zeiss, Swarovski, Leica, and Nightforce, for instance, will allow you to see a thousand yards away, whereas some other types of lenses will only allow you to see a couple of hundred yards away. However, a better quality glass could mean that you need to shell out more money.
Field of View
When choosing a scope for 1,000 yards, you also need to consider the field of view. It is a term used to describe how wide of a distance you can see through your scope. A good field of view to have for a 1,000 yards distance is between 130 and 170 feet. This is ideal for moving objects, especially when hunting.
Weight
While weight may not be seen as an important consideration, it should never be overlooked. The weight of the scope that you will choose will depend on the activity that you will do, or you usually do. For instance, a heavy scope may not be the most appropriate choice for a person who intends to use their scope on the move. Nevertheless, it will not be an issue if you are stationary and do not plan on doing a lot of travel. A thing to note, though is that there is sometimes a correlation between the size of the scope and the power it possesses.
Other Specifications
The ideal specifications for using a scope to view objects as far as 1,000 yards will vary between manufacturers. However, as a guide, you should try to buy a scope that also has the following specifications:
• Coated optics as well as coatings that are water-repellent and hard.
• The objective lens should have a range of 80 millimeters or more.
• For sharper images and clarity, a dual or fast focus system is recommended.
Conclusion
While there are other factors to consider when choosing a spotting scope for 1,000 yards distance, magnification plays a significant role in the performance of your scope. The overall quality of the scope’s design including its weight, quality of the glass used and the field of view will also make the scope a masterpiece. Remember, though, that scopes intended for use for a 1000-yard distance are not necessarily cheap. So, if you intend to invest in a scope, you should invest in a good one, and make the best use of it.
Also, when buying a scope, there are some additional things to consider, like, just because the scope is big, it does not necessarily mean that it is better. In addition, a higher zoom capability might also have some setbacks. For instance, having a zoom of 60x can decrease your field of view, as well as the image brightness and quality. Likewise, as your image becomes larger, the instability also increases.
With all those things in mind, before buying a scope that has a big zoom capacity, you should look at the other features specified above to ensure that there is a balance between fixed and zoomed images.
