Spotting Scopes

[Dave Torr <>]

Also remember that a scope needs a tripod and these can also be heavy to carry around. Flimsy tripods tend to be of little use when it is windy.

Another factor to consider is whether you want a "straight through" or angled eyepiece - both have their advocates!

As with all optics you need to try them out to see what suits you - unfortunately this is becoming increasingly hard to do as few shops now stock them (at least in my part of the world) - the tendency of people to go to shops, test out the scopes/bins/cameras in the shop and then buy them cheaper online probably has something to do with this?

I agree with Bill - a scope is rarely useful on "the bush" as it takes time to set up the tripod by which time the bird has gone. Seawatching and wetlands are the place you need a scope and can usually use it easily - very high magnifications in my experience are of limited use, but a zoom eyepiece is as you can find the bird at low mag (with a wide field of view) and then increase the magnification.

On Thu, 24 Oct 2019 at 09:42, Bill Stent <> wrote:

If you’re interested in spotting scopes, I’d have a few tips – especially if you’re relatively new and don’t want a scope that’s going to cost you thousands.

 

First, smaller scopes (say 65mm) that magnify above 60 are only useful when you have strong sunlight from behind you shining on the bird. The image normally degrades to the point where you can hardly make out what you’re looking at. (Again, before Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica, etc. owners argue, I’m talking about scopes that cost less than the premium ones.)

 

Second, if you’re going to be hiking with the scope into the bush you want a small one. The big ones get very heavy.

 

Third, for sea-watching you will be using the higher magnification. Those Albatrosses can be a long way away.

 

I guess what I’m saying is that a large and heavy scope (80 or 100mm) is good for sea watching, and you should take your binoculars (which are 8-10x magnification) into the bush.

 

Bill

 

 

From: Drew Davison

Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2019 9:07 AM

To: New birding-aus

Subject: [Birding-Aus] Spotting Scopes

 

Hello all,

 

I was hoping that someone may be able to provide some advice on the following questions about spotting scopes – I was looking into buying one for the purposes of bush-birding and seawatching:

 

1. What magnification on a spotting scope would be good? Is a spotting scope that starts at 10x magnification and can zoom to 30x magnification better than a spotting scope that starts at 20x magnification and zooms to 60x magnification?
2. Is scope worth the money?
3. Any other general tips or recommendations for spotting scopes?

 

Thank you for your help.

 

Thanks again,

Drew Davison

 

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