Spotting Scopes
Choosing the right scope
Binoculars
are best for close-up birding, but for distant birds you'll be amazed
at what a difference a spotting scope makes. You'll be able to find
more birds, and you'll distinguish field marks on distant waterfowl,
shorebirds, and hawks that may be impossible to see with binoculars.
And at closer ranges you'll admire intricate plumage details you never
saw before.
As with binoculars, there are a number of optical and design
characteristics to keep in mind when you're considering buying a
spotting scope. We'll cover some important ones here, and give you
shopping tips to help you make the best choice.
Scope features to consider:
Scope features 1:
Magnification power, zoom lenses, glass quality, light-gathering capacity
Scope features 2:
Eyepiece placement, eye relief, focusing mechanism
Scope shopping tips
Scope review article
Read the latest spotting scope review article Scoping for Optics
from Living Bird magazine, winter 2008.
