A spotting scope may be used while bird watching.
A spotting scope is a small telescope that has been adjusted for daytime use and is often used in hunting, bird watching, surveillance and viewing distant objects.This type of scope is more powerful than binoculars, as it allows you to view objects at a greater distance than conventional binoculars. Spotting scopes have distinctive features that telescopes do not, such as being resistant to water and fog.
The Eyepiece
A good spotting scope will include a quality eyepiece that offers eye relief. Spotting scopes may have removable eyepieces that are interchangeable, for use with different activities. A scope that has a close-focus feature is a plus, if you are going to be using you scope with a camera. A zoom eyepiece is the type of eyepiece that is preferred by spotting scope users because it is convenient, states Optics Planet.net. A zoom eyepiece offers the advantage of allowing you to change magnifications quickly. Atmospheric conditions often change without notice, and a zoom eyepiece allows you to change magnifications with the changing conditions. A high-quality zoom eyepiece can be a costly addition to your spotting scope, as many of these eyepieces are expensive.
The Porro Prism
The porro prism spotting scopes are the most popular type of spotting scope available on the market today. According to Optics Planet.net, this is because the porro prism design is efficient in terms of optics and is the least expensive to make. The porro prism spotting scope lens is often made with Bak-4 glass and is used in all spotting scopes, except the very cheapest models. Bak-4 glass is a crown glass that has a higher index of refraction than other types of glass. Another type of spotting scope is the roof prism scope. This type of spotting scope is small and compact, but does not offer the added features of the porro prism design such as interchangeable eyepieces. A Maksutov spotting scope is another type of scope that is used in astronomical telescopes and is a good choice for those wishing to use their scope in the daytime and at night.
Objective Lens
According to Optics Planet.net, the larger the objective lens, the more clearly you will be able to see objects from afar. When looking at the lens of a spotting scope, it is important to go for lens quality over lens size, because a mediocre quality large lens will not give the clarity and detail of a smaller, higher quality lens.The performance of a scope also may be enhanced by adding special quality glass, such as high definition(HD) or fluorite glass. This is a more expensive addition to a spotting scope; however, it will greatly enhance the detail and quality of the image seen through the scope. The best type of lens on a spotting scope is a large objective lens made with high-performance glass.
Tags: spotting scope, spotting scope, porro prism, zoom eyepiece, Optics Planet, type spotting