​Spotting the Right Spotting Scope​​

There are often moments when using a pair of binoculars is not enough to view an object or a target from afar. There are times that with a pair of binoculars, some details of the subject can be unclear when there is around 200 yards or more distance in between the viewer and the object being viewed.

For this viewing limitation, a spotting scope can pick up where binoculars leave off. For outdoor activities that entail looking at a subject from a distance, bringing a viewing instrument such as a spotting scope is necessary.

If one is interested in buying such a product, it is important to go for the best spotting scope that one’s budget would allow. But before beginning a search, it is likewise important that the spotting scope is understood properly.

So the basics of the spotting scope will be discussed in this article.

An Introduction to the Spotting Scope

A spotting scope is a portable and small kind of a telescope that is often utilized for the observance of terrestrial objects. The spotting scope has add-on optics that enable the viewing instrument to produce an erect or upright image – the opposite of the upside down or reverse images that are often produced by telescopes.

Aside from observation of terrestrial objects, the spotting scope is also known to be used for other various outdoor activities. Using the spotting scope for bird watching, viewing boat racing, hunting, and target shooting are just a few of the several ways of using the spotting scope.

Moreover, spotting scopes offered in the market now are classified into two main groups, namely: the prismatic spotting scope and the catadioptric spotting scopes. A simple refractor as well as a lens that can be found at one end of the scope while an eyepiece on the other end is what makes up the prismatic spotting scope.

On the other hand, the catadioptric spotting scope is a mix of mirrors and lenses. If a prismatic spotting scope has an erecting porro prism system that makes the images being viewed to be upright, the catadioptric spotting scope likewise has a prism that makes it possible to view an object at a 45-degree angle.

Spotting Scope vs. Binoculars

Both a spotting scope and binoculars provide magnification for viewing an object from a far distance. A spotting scope has a single optic with one eyepiece for viewing while the binoculars are made up of two optics being paired together to accommodate both left and right eyes.

When it comes to portability, binoculars are more portable than spotting scopes because they are usually smaller and lighter in weight. When it comes to magnification, the spotting scope wins over the binoculars because it has built-in zoom lenses in its construction.

A spotting scope has a variable magnification ranging around 20x to 60x whereas a pair of binoculars has a static magnification which could either one of the three options: 10x, 15x or 20x.

When it comes to the objective lens size, the spotting scope normally has a wider lens diameter which starts at around 60mm while binoculars have a lens diameter somewhere below 50mm. When it comes to viewing distance, binoculars can work well around 100 yards or more but when it reaches more than 200 yards the spotting scope is better in magnification.

When it comes to being mobile while using the instrument, binoculars can be usable even in motion while the spotting scope should be positioned on a stable ground to work effectively. When it comes to performing in low light, the spotting scope works fine, depending on the aperture of the instrument, but binoculars are ineffective in such a situation.

For specific activities, which of the two is better would depend on the preference of the user and the surrounding circumstances. For bird watching, distance should be factored in. If the creatures are far, it is bets to use a spotting scope.

However, if one needs to change places to spot a mobile bird, binoculars are easier to handle. For hunting, the size and distance are important to know which one to use.

For large to medium and close targets, binoculars are enough to do the work. But for far targets and small creatures, using a spotting scope is better and more practical. For target shooting, a spotting scope is known to be superior over binoculars for the fact that the spotting scope can be mounted on a tripod and the target can be easily viewed using few movements of the angled lens.

While when one uses binoculars, there is still a need to let go of the weapon in order to keep the device steady using two hands.

Features of a Spotting Scope

Before searching for the best spotting scope, it is necessary to be familiar with the key features of a device. So here are the things to take note of when it comes to looking for the best spotting scope:

Magnification

When it comes to magnification, there are two points to consider in determining the needed magnification for a particular spotting scope. The first is the viewing condition or the atmosphere of the surroundings.

There is a tendency to have a poor image quality when the spotting scope is adjusted to a high atmosphere where there is wind, air currents, dust, glare, heat waves and humidity interfering. A general rule in magnification is that high magnification is needed for high altitude and dry weather while low magnification is important to low altitude areas and wet atmosphere.

Also, the atmosphere also determines the amount of details one can see from a distance. The second factor is the optical system.

As a rule, the more expensive the spotting scope is, the higher the quality of its optical system. The quality of the image is reduced every time magnification is increased and it is the optical system that determines how fast the lowering of the quality takes place.

Objective Lens

The larger the objective lens is, the more detailed and better the image quality it produces at high magnifications. However, the size of the objective lens is not the only gauge for the quality of the lens is also important.

Between the size and quality, always go for the quality of the objective lens in order to have a better image quality.

Image Quality

As a rule of thumb, the price of the spotting scope is equal to the quality of the image it produces. If high performance is being expected, low and medium priced spotting scopes will not make the cut.

Eye Relief

This pertains to the distance between the eyes and the eyepiece while being able to view the entire field. Eye relief is important for those who use eye glasses.

A typical eye glass wearer would need 14mm eye relief and the value goes up the thicker the glass lens becomes.

Lens Coatings

This can either be fully coated, multi-coated, and fully multi-coted – the last giving the best output. The lens coating improves the light transmission at high magnification.

Looking for the best spotting scope can be a bit difficult task so it helps to look for product reviews and recommendations to keep the search rolling.