Spotting scopes are freqently used for birdwatching.
For many birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, a spotting scope is a valuable piece of equipment. Offering better long range viewing capability than binoculars, in addition to the ability to connect the scope to a digital camera, spotting scopes are a valuable addition to any outdoor explorer's set of tools. When selecting a spotting scope, a number of different considerations must be made in order to select the right tool for your purpose and budget.
Instructions
1. Determine how much you are willing to spend. Spotting scopes can be much more expensive than a set of binoculars, with models in 2010 ranging anywhere from $200 to above $2,000. When determining the amount of money you are willing to spend on a spotting scope, consider your intended use of the scope. If you are looking to purchase a spotting scope for occasional birdwatching, you will likely not need to spend as much as a person needing a spotting scope to take high-quality digital photographs of wildlife.
2. Choose the size of spotting scope you wish to purchase. The larger outer lens of a spotting scope, referred to as the "objective lens," will determine how much light is gathered by the spotting scope. Therefore, scopes with larger-sized objective lenses will gather more light in the image, and can somewhat offset the lower image quality offered by less-expensive scopes. When using a scope to take photographs, larger objective lenses are valuable due to the increased light gathered in the photograph.
3. Select the magnification power. A magnification range of 15 to 60 times is desired, as anything below 15 is not significantly more powerful than binoculars, and ranges above 60 narrow the field of view too much. The magnification range of a spotting scope is determined by the eyepiece of the scope. Eyepieces come with either fixed or zoom capabilities, affecting the magnification range of the scope. Many scopes will offer the ability to change eyepieces, offering both a fixed and zoom-capable pieces. Fixed eyepieces will generally allow higher image quality than zoom eyepieces, but will not allow for zooming in on far-away subjects.
4. Select the overall shape of the spotting scope. Scopes come in either angled or straight shapes. Many birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts choose angled scopes for ease of viewing for people of different heights, in addition to increased ease for photography use. Primarily a personal choice based on comfort and usability, the shape of the spotting scope does not affect the overall performance of the device.
Tags: spotting scope, magnification range, than binoculars, eyepieces will, image quality