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. . |
