Choosing the Right Spotting Scope
A survey conducted in the 1980s among a group of avid birders revealed that more than 80 percent of them used spotting scopes. That says something about a spotting scope’s utility. While binoculars are fine for general birding and sightseeing, a spotting scope is essential for viewing very distant subjects, or getting in tighter to study intricate details. Its higher magnification greatly extends your visual range.
When choosing a spotting scope, quality optics are the main consideration. Beyond that, portability is important. For example, if you hike to your scenic spots, you’ll want a compact spotter that fits in a day pack and weighs a pound or two at the most.
How much magnification do you need?
20X to 25X is fine for most situations. Pushing the power to 40X or even 60X will get you “up close and personal”, but at the expense of a narrower field of view and a dimmer image. Also, at higher powers the stability of your tripod becomes more critical to keep the image steady. Zoom models will give you the best of both worlds.
Do you need a weather-worthy scope?
If so, there are now a number of waterproof models available to choose from. How about photography? If you want the ability to take pictures through your spotting scope, select one that allows attachment of a 35mm camera body.