A
spotting scope is a portable
telescopeA telescope is an instrument designed for the observation of remote objects by the collection of electromagnetic radiation. The first known practically functioning telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 17th century...
, optimized for the observation of terrestrial objects. The
magnificationMagnification is the process of enlarging something only in appearance, not in physical size. This enlargement is quantified by a calculated number also called magnification...
of a spotting scope is typically on the order of 20X to 60X. Other common features include:
- somewhat "rugged" or rubber-armoured design
- convenient mounting for attaching to a tripod
Tripod is a word generally used to refer to a three-legged object, generally one used as a platform of some sort, and comes from the Greek tripous, meaning "three feet". A tripod provides stability along the side-to-side and up-and-down Coordinate axis of motion and provides a large amount of...
- ergonomically
Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability....
designed and located knob for focus control
- tethered elastomeric lens cap
- a range of eyepieces to give different magnifications, or a variable "zoom" eyepiece to give a range of magnifications (e.g.
A
spotting scope is a portable
telescopeA telescope is an instrument designed for the observation of remote objects by the collection of electromagnetic radiation. The first known practically functioning telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 17th century...
, optimized for the observation of terrestrial objects. The
magnificationMagnification is the process of enlarging something only in appearance, not in physical size. This enlargement is quantified by a calculated number also called magnification...
of a spotting scope is typically on the order of 20X to 60X. Other common features include:
- somewhat "rugged" or rubber-armoured design
- convenient mounting for attaching to a tripod
Tripod is a word generally used to refer to a three-legged object, generally one used as a platform of some sort, and comes from the Greek tripous, meaning "three feet". A tripod provides stability along the side-to-side and up-and-down Coordinate axis of motion and provides a large amount of...
- ergonomically
Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability....
designed and located knob for focus control
- tethered elastomeric lens cap
- a range of eyepieces to give different magnifications, or a variable "zoom" eyepiece to give a range of magnifications (e.g. 20-60X)
The light gathering power of a spotting scope is determined by the width of the objective lens, typically between 55 and 80 mm. All else being equal, the larger the objective, the more heavy and expensive the telescope.
There are three types of scope: "straight-through" (the eyepiece is on the same axis as the body of the scope), "angled" (the
eyepieceAn eyepiece, or ocular lens, is a type of lens that is attached to a variety of optical devices such as telescopes and microscopes. It is so named because it is usually the lens that is closest to the eye when someone looks through the device. The objective lens or mirror collects light and brings...
is at an angle of about 45 degrees to the body of the scope), and, rarely, a more complex, shoulder-mounted design. Straight-through scopes are easier to use from inside a vehicle while angled scopes are more comfortable for tall people and more easily shared by people of different heights.
The choice of the eyepiece lens determines the overall magnification. The best magnification is decided by a number of factors. Magnifications of less than 20X are unusual, as (much cheaper and lighter)
binocularsBinoculars, field glasses or binocular telescopes are a pair of identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes with binocular vision when viewing distant objects. Most are sized to be held...
or
monocularA monocular is a modified refracting telescope used to magnify the images of distant objects by passing light through a series of lenses and prisms; the use of prisms results in a lightweight telescope...
s can provide this. Magnifications of more than 60X lead to poorer brightness and, even on a tripod, shake can be a problem. The
field of viewThe field of view is the angular extent of the observable world that is seen at any given moment.Different animals have different fields of view, depending on the placement of the eyes. Humans have an almost 180-degree forward-facing field of view, while some birds have a complete or...
is also limited.
Usually for
birdwatchingBirdwatching or birding is the observation and study of birds with the naked eye or through a visual enhancement device like binoculars. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are more readily detected and identified by ear than by eye...
, but spotting scopes are popular when used in longrange hunting mounted on a lightweight hunting
tripodTripod is a word generally used to refer to a three-legged object, generally one used as a platform of some sort, and comes from the Greek tripous, meaning "three feet". A tripod provides stability along the side-to-side and up-and-down Coordinate axis of motion and provides a large amount of...
s. 20X or 30X are favoured for birdwatching. 20x-60x variable powers are used for longrange hunting if combined with solid mounting platforms. This gives a good field of view and a bright image. Spotting scopes are also used on many target ranges to avoid walking to the target to verify the placement of hits.
Amongst
aircraft spottersAircraft spotting or plane spotting is the observation and logging registration numbers of aircraft: gliders, powered aircraft, balloons, airships, helicopters, and microlights....
the term "pole" is used as a shorthand expression meaning telescope. The related verb "to pole-off" therefore means reading some identification marks of an aeroplane by using a telescope. Other users might employ the same slang term.
Spotting scope manufacturers include:
SwarovskiSwarovski is the luxury brand name for the range of precision-cut lead crystal glass and related products produced by Swarovski AG of Wattens, Austria.- History :...
,
LeicaLeica is a camera produced by, or under licence of, a German company of the same name. The company, formerly Ernst Leitz GmbH, is now three companies: Leica Camera AG, Leica Geosystems AG, and Leica Microsystems AG, producing cameras, geosurvey equipment and microscopes, respectively...
, Zeiss,
KowaKōwa was a Japanese era name of the Southern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts after Tenju and before Genchū. This period spanned the years from 1381 to 1384. The Southern Court emperors in Yoshino during this time-frame were and...
,
Nikon , also known as Nikon or Nikon Corp., is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan specializing in optics and imaging...
,
Pentaxwas a Japanese optics company, producing cameras, sport optics , etc. The company was merged with and into Hoya Corporation on March 31, 2008...
and
VixenVixen is a Japanese company that makes telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and accessories for their products.They have created two unusual varieties of catadioptric telescopes both with open tube design, rather than the usual meniscus-shaped lens....
.
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