A word on Spotting Scopes

[nagarifle]

A word on spotting scopes.

Here ones is trying to give a basic simple guide to spotting scopes, this article does not try to cover any or every detail rather to depart some basic points to its reader. Any mistakes that is made is a mistake and one should be forgiven for it.

Spotting scopes are not telescopes rather a small version of one. Its purposes are to see details at shorter range thus it has a smaller magnification of X40-x60 any higher is not recommended as one begins to loose clarity etc. If one wants to see the outer rings of Alpha Saturnine then one needs a specialised telescope or an Astor scope.

One is not going into which is the best spotting scope or what is the cost. These two depends on ones budget and the requirement of the scope. Nor is one going into which brand is the best.

What is the purpose of the spotting scope?

This is the most important question one needs to ask, this can be bird spotting (looking at bathroom window house across the street, can and will lead to big trouble and thus not advised) or for shooting . The second question is what the max range one would be looking at ?

Straight or angled spotting scope.

The straight scope is straight without angle and has to be at the eye level to see the object and the angle scope the eye piece angled can be angled at 45dgree or 90 degree angle and have to look down wards and or sideways to see the object. The straight scope can easy be pointed at an object and image can be acquired fast.

An angled scope is used in by the Army snipers etc as this can provide low cover and helps in avoiding getting ones head shot off. However the angled scope can easy be moved off the target and takes time to readjust. One has seen shooter in competition, fiddling with angled scopes and wasting ones time. This said, practice makes perfect.

Some desirable options on spotting scope
coating

A good coating works in the same way as one goes to the opticians and orders a pair of spectacles, they ask what coating one wants which type of lens one wants etc . A coating improves the life span of the lens and eliminates the glare just in the spectacles coating , the better the coating the better the view and life span.

Lenses

A chromatic aberration is caused when difference in light wavelength occurs which is most of the time, in some spotting scopes one can see a colour fringing may be seen around a object. This is due to single lens which can not compensate for the chromatic aberration. So what is the options?
If possible go for a spotting scope with an ED glass [Extra low Dispersion] which compensates for the chromatic aberration which occurs at high magnifications.

Scope Numbers

Sometimes the scope would be 9x12x40 the first two numbers refers to the eye piece magnification range and the last to the front of the scope lens

Magnification

magnification of a spotting scope can be 30x -40x or 60x any higher the image quality will deteriorates.

Objective Size

The quality of the image depends on the size of the objective lens. The larger the lens the better is the image quality. Here one should keep in mind that poorer the quality of the glass will produce poor quality images. Therefore it is recommended that one should if possible go for glass like ED- APO. This will depend on what one can afford.

Waterproofing

It is preferable to have a waterproof scope. The waterproofing seal will also protects the spotting scope form water, dust and dirt this will give a long life to the scope.

Cases

A good storing/carrying case is a must this will take up the knocks of life and prevent damage to the scope.

tripod

comes in many sizes etc. A good sturdy legs with non slip shoes are must. The length would depend on the purpose it is used for. In competition shooting from prone to sitting position would need to be taken in to account, as the leg length will be different. A good foam type cover on the legs will prevent bruises occurring while carry the tripod.

If you read this and wish to add something, please do so, as long as it is of value to someone looking to buy a spotting scope.

[MoA]

Optical quality is a function of price. You can easily get spotting scopes well over 60X with excellent calrity but at a price. I have 'seen' 80x scopes but they cost an arm, a leg and a kidney.

Seeing hits at 1000 is next to impossible, I have not come across any optics that would resolve .30 cal or 6 mm call holes at that range.

Even at 300-500 that can be a tall order.

[sat]

Optical quality is a function of price

With optic you always get what you paid for..

What is a spotting scope? - http://www.opticsplanet.net/what-is-a-s ... scope.html

I did a fair amount of research before buy a vortex razor 8x43mm binoculars which I am very happy with, very sharp, focusing was a little stiff has eased up with use.
The angled Vortex Skyline ED 20-60 X 80mm spotting scope is good in bright sunlight, I always use the eyepiece at 20x zoom setting, images starts softening after 40x, its not usable at 60x, eye placement is very critical at 60x with minimal eye relief. Expected more from a $750 spotting scope.

What great about vortex is they have a Unlimited Lifetime Warranty, fully transferable, no warranty card to fill out, no receipt needed to hang on to. If you do have a problem, ship the scope to them, they replace or repair for no charge.

[nagarifle]

thanks sat for the review, we need more like this for other to make a fair choice in spotting scopes.

[mundaire]

Sat, what is a Leica user doing with a Vortex? I thought that price range was for the hoi polloi like us On a serious note Vortex seems to have earned a good reputation for itself, purveying some really nice value for money optics. In fact at one time I was seriously considering one of their red dot sights, but ended up opting for an Ultradot on a friend's advice - have not regretted the purchase.

The photos above are for a straight spotting scope not an angled one, is this what you bought? Was this for birding or range use? Does this come with a provision to attach a camera?

Have a friend who swears by Vortex, would love to read a first hand review of the binocs you bought (if possible including your dealing with the retailer) - no hurry, whenever you get the time. Thanks

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[rajveer]

Can seniors
kindly Suggest me a spoting scope that can be used for 10m. to 50 m.
Right now I practice at my home range for 10m and occationaly visit range to shoot at 50m.
It will be a great help if I am suggested with model, make and magnification. I tried to order one before this thread was started for pyramdair but they refused to ship saying they dont ship spotting scope to India. As of now I think my only source can be ebay (going to try for the first time). If any alternate is available kindly guide.
on ebay india site few are available like Magnacraft 20-80*70 , Barska BlackBlacHowk 18-36*50 , Barska 20-60*60 and few others but those are out of my bugdet.
Ur expert advise will be a great help.
Regards.

PS: It not that I am lazy that can't walk few steps to check the target but my stance brokes and I don't have a pully system for target at my home range yet.

[goodboy_mentor]

Since I have no experience with spotting scopes, I cannot comment about which manufacturer, model or magnification you should be purchasing. If pyramdair is not shipping to India, there are probably many others who are willing to ship products to India. Moreover if you search the internet, you can find many authorized distributors selling such goods in India itself. If you find some seller close to your location, you may even pay a visit and inspect the product before buying. You may refer the following links:
1) http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1303
2) http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php ... 81#p134380
3) http://nightvisionindia.com/Contact-Us.php

[rajveer]

Thanks alot goodboy_mentor Sir.
Since my scope as far as the spotting scope goes is limited to just 10m to 50m as of now. So that I can view my shot placement at 10m as well as at 50m.
And I think I may get it from ebay in mybudget. And suggest me a spotting scope good only for 10m to 50m. available on ebay india my bugdet for same is up to 7k.
Regards,

[timmy]

I needed a spotting scope because I got very tired of trekking out to the target to see where I had been hitting. However, I also wanted a telescope for occasional star gazing, bird spotting, and general looking about. So I got one of these Bausch & Lomb Discoverer scopes:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=631229

It isn't nearly as short as a traditional spotting scope, however it does work well at the range. I also will set it up on a camera tripod when doves nest around the house. We like to watch the chicks hatch and the scope works great for this. I used to do star gazing with it and it works quite well for this (for an occasional user), but since we now live too close to the advantages of "civilization" (otherwise known as a city), there's too much light pollution for this.

[sat]

Rajveer,

A spotting scope with 20x eyepiece will be suitable for 10m or 50m. Stay away from the zoom eyepieces(unless you are looking at the top end scopes) because these have a very narrow field of view & you can struggle to find your target.

gehmann sells this 20x scope, made in china http://www.gehmann.com/pages-en/detail. ... dline=Zoom

20x33mm Spotting scope


20x & 30x scope


http://www.ebay.com/itm/NG-20-20x33-Spo ... 1516wt_905

http://www.potfire.com.au/products/ngscope.htm

If you are willing to spend have a look at kowa, nikon, pentax..

[sat]

Sat, what is a Leica user doing with a Vortex?

I guess recession effects us all . Vortex scope is for the guest to use..


Excellent reviews of spotting scopes - http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=286

Reviews of binoculars - http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=112

The person looking through the Vortex 20-60x80mm skyline ED is looking for the elusive Lesser Florican. He is very knowledgeable on birds.


Tea break between Florican sightings..

[rajveer]

Thanks alot sat,
for ur valueable information

Regards.