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The advantages of the spotting scope over binoculars
For an avid birder, his outdoor equipment can make the difference between a
hit and a miss; a breathtakingly beautiful sight or a missed golden moment that
can never be recreated! Small wonder then that spotting scopes are fast gaining
popularity among regular outdoors enthusiasts. The spotting scope is a compact
telescope designed largely for terrestrial observing and is used in applications
that involve magnifications beyond the range of a typical binocular. Compact
and powerful, these optical instruments ensure that you are spot on - always!
There are many instances when a pair of usual 7x to 10x binoculars can be
inadequate either because of lack of magnification or clarity. This is where
a spotting scope comes in handy. Spotting scopes offer more magnification than
binoculars and can help you locate targets at extreme distances that can be
missed by observers with binoculars. Generally sold with zoom type eyepieces
in either 15-45x or 20-60x magnifications and used with a tripod for stability,
these will allow you to identify or observe birds at distances beyond the reach
of your binoculars.
Uses of spotting scopes
Spotting scopes are perfectly suited for activities like long distance bird
watching and nature study, telephotography, hunting, scenic observing, long
distance microscopy, beginning astronomy and surveillance. Depending on the
type and design of the spotting scope, the magnification can range from about
10X to 250X, using either fixed or zoom eyepieces. Whether you use it to identify
a trophy buck at long range, observe migrating crane in the winters or spot
bullet groups at the range, a spotting scope will augment your pleasure in the
outdoors.
Types of spotting scopes
In addition to magnification, spotting scopes can also vary depending upon
their design. There are two basic body designs – straight and angled. With straight
scopes, the barrel and the eyepiece are parallel, while in angled scopes the
eyepiece is 45º from the barrel axis so as to bend the light path. Each design
has its own pros and cons and the choice of scope boils down to how you want
to use it. Here are the advantages of each design:
Angled Spotting Scope
Easier to share with a group
Higher eye point means you can use a shorter tripod
Better for spotting soaring or nestled birds.
Straight Spotting Scope
Easier to aim for beginners
Easier for viewing birds on the ground or water or below a cliff
Less strain on your neck for level viewing
Advantages of using spotting scopes
Though there are many advantages of spotting scopes over binoculars, one of
the primary one is that a scope allows you to observe sensitive species such
as cranes and eagles from friendly distances. As more and more people take to
the field, it is becoming increasingly important to watch in ways that are minimally
disruptive and stressful to wildlife. The magnification of spotting scopes allows
you to do that and makes scopes ideal for any nature activity in wild!
Finding a bird in a large flock
Imagine locating a Curlew Sandpiper just coming into breeding plumage among
thousands of birds in the wild or the Spotted Redshank nestled among thousands
of Yellowlegs, Dowitchers, and other shorebirds! Finding it using binoculars
is can be a trying task, and there’s no guarantee that you might finally be
able to see it at all. But with a spotting scope, simply by virtue of its higher
magnification, you can easily spot the elusive bird. Chasing rarities with these
scopes is a pleasure!
Locate a bird in its hiding place
Some birds visit certain places only for a few hours or days in a year and
are often on the move. Never staying still they are constantly pushing ardent
bird watchers to the edge. Equipped with spotting scopes, you can spot a movement
on the ground or air, from even as far as 200-300 yards away, and capture that
mysterious bird in your scope, before it flies away, never to be seen for a
long time.
Distinguish between similar species
The simplest way to spot different species of birds in the wild is by some
color distinctions. However on a dark, overcast day, when the colors are nonexistent,
poor lighting means that you will be not be able to spot the differences without
close proximity. A spotting scope with its clarity and magnification can make
this assignment successful and memorable. You can observe the birds without
getting too close to scare them away!
Identifying look-alike birds
Distinguishing between look-alike birds can be a daunting task, especially
for newer birders. Sometimes different species have such similar coloration
and patterns that’s it is absolutely essential to zoom to the closest possible
frame to make the distinction. And once again, spotting scopes have a definite
edge over binoculars. With unbelievable clarity, scopes offer much better results
than binoculars!
In other words, spotting scopes can help you spot a bird in a large flock,
trace where it is hiding, spot distant birds, distinguish between similar species,
and identify look-alike birds. In addition, spotting scopes can also be used
for recording images and not just plain viewing. One of the most popular uses
of spotting scopes in addition to spotting is telephotography.
Telephotography
We all love bright, high-contrast images with true-to-life colors. To capture
your sightings for years, nowadays most models of spotting scopes offer the
capability to use the spotting scope lens as a telephoto lens. The optical design
and configuration of the scope and the available accessories determine its performance
and effectiveness for this purpose. As opposed to a camera telephoto lens, spotting
scopes usually operate at much higher magnifications and at a fixed aperture
or f/number, and need more stability and a higher speed film plus slower shutter
speed options for correct exposure.
Digiscoping
Imagine capturing wildlife in its purest form, and being able to save it for
later viewing! Now you can - digiscoping is here. Defined as a spotting scope
with a digital imaging system, this remarkable spotting scope has a built-in
imaging system and optical beam splitter for simultaneous visual and electronic
monitoring. All images are output to a standard RGB signal that lets you view
images on a TV, camcorder, computer, LCD viewing screen or a digital camera
in amazing detail. Simply put, digiscoping is perfect for recording list birds
or tracking the trophy elk you've been pursuing for years.
Though spotting scopes have many advantages over binoculars, yet some birders
avoid spotting scopes because they find these more complex to use than binoculars.
Scopes do offer a higher magnification but at the cost of the field of view.
Plus, the discomfort of one-eyed observing can make them a little difficult
to use at first. But with a little practice all these obstacles can be mastered.
Any birder who can use binoculars can learn to use a spotting scope and trust
us, the views will be worth it!
TIP: Generally, the best way to use a spotting scope while birding is as a
back up to your binoculars. Use the binoculars to find the bird, and the scope
to identify what you've found but cant make out clearly. Try not to use your
scope as your primary glassing tool since this may tire you out too soon, especially
if you are a novice. Remember when using your scope, it's much easier to initially
find things in the image by turning the power down to its lowest point and using
the widest possible field of view.
Picking the right spotting scope
A spotting scope is a sure way to open new birding opportunities for you. Whether
you observe in the great wide open or locally at your city park, a spotting
scope will add a new dimension to your birding. If you anticipate any field
use of the scope, investing in a waterproof scope would save you a lot of hassle.
Hardcore birders also appreciate strong construction and preferably nitrogen
filled optics so they won't fog up.
Plus, always remember that usability is equally important in spotting scopes.
A good birding scope should live up to the elements but it shouldn't be too
heavy to carry. Furthermore, it should be easy to focus and usable on a car
window mount, for those times when you dare not step out of the vehicle and
disturb the natural world. Built-in, slide-out sunshades and easy-to-use lens
caps will also help a lot. Last but not least, a good scope needs a good tripod
to help you keep steady.
There is no doubt that with spotting scopes, magnifying is perfected. Spotting
scopes have mastered the task of bringing distant objects closer and even storing
them as photographs or digital images. Not only do they range widely in capability
and price, but also offer more steadiness and clarity than a binocular with
the style of a telescope. Here’s wishing you lots of amazing and extraordinary
sightings with yours!
About the Author:
Garima Sharma is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions
for consumers regarding binoculars,
telescopes, night
vision, spotting scopes,
night vision
goggles and binocular.
Her many articles give information and tips to help people save money and make
smarter decisions.
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