A spotting scope is a portable telescope, optimized for the observation
of terrestrial objects. The magnification of a spotting scope is typically on
the order of 20X to 60X. .The light gathering power of a spotting scope is determined by the width of the
objective lens, typically between 55 and 80 mm.
There are three types of scope: "straight-through" (the eyepiece is on the same
axis as the body of the scope), "angled" (the eyepiece is at an angle of about
45 degrees to the body of the scope), and, rarely, a more complex,
shoulder-mounted design.
The choice of the eyepiece lens determines the overall magnification. 20X or 30X are favoured for
birdwatching. 20x-60x variable powers are used for longrange hunting if combined
with solid mounting platforms. Amongst aircraft spotters 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.
3 manufacturers compete strongly for the ultimate in
quality: but several
manufacturers produce scopes that are thought to be of almost equal quality to the top three, but at about half the price such as:
Alpen ,Barska , Burris , Bushnell ,Carl , Carson Optical ,
Celestron ,
Cstar, Delphi , Eagle Optics , Fuji , Galileo , Galileo
Visions, Inc ,
Kowa , Leica , Lenmar , Leupold, Mead , Meade
Instruments ,
Minox, Night Owl Optics , Nikon, Nikon Sport Optics ,
Op/Tech ,
Orion , Pentax , Remington, Samsonic , Samsonite , Sheltered
Wings ,
Sibir Optics , Simmons, Swarovski , Vanguard , Vitec Group ,
Vixen , Winchester , Yukon Optics , Zeiss , Zhumell , Zhumell,
Inc. . |
