Spotting Scope Selection
Birding spotting scopes are available with a variety of features and in
a wide range of prices ($100 to $2,000). The more expensive
units have a larger
objective lens (for gathering more light) and specially coated optics.
There are many variables to consider when purchasing a spotting
scope. These include the size of the objective lens, eyepiece
alignment, total magnification, and budget. Visit the
Spotting Scope section for a detailed analysis of spotting scopes and
the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's most recent review of the scopes from individual
manufacturers.
Eyepiece Design:
Give special attention to the angle of the eyepiece. Scopes
with an approximately 45 degree eyepiece allow the tripod to be
positioned lower, making it more stable. This is an
important consideration for reducing vibration.
If you do a lot of birding from your car (and cars do make excellent
blinds) the straight-on design may be preferable. A variety
of window mounts is available for mounting the spotting scope to your
car window.
Magnification:
Many birders prefer to use a scope with a zoom eyepiece. The zoom allows the user to quickly change from a lower magnification,
say 20x, to a higher magnification, often as much as 60x. In general, the higher the magnification the less light that can be
collected by the system and the lower the quality of the
image. Because of the increased effects of vibration,
higher magnification can result in poorer quality images.
High quality scopes use special optical glass and coatings to maintain a high image quality at high magnification.
The best photographic results will usually be obtained at the 20x
level, but 60x can produce very usable images for bird
identification. Remember, the digital camera can add a 3x
multiplier to the total magnification.
Adaptor Choices:
Many manufacturers offer digital camera adaptors designed specifically for their own line of scopes. Check prices for the adaptors before purchasing your scope, as the adaptors can be expensive.
