Swarovski ATS80-HD, an angled, typical high-end 80 mm spotting scope

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. Other common features include: my own (not very good) photo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... my own (not very good) photo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Magnification is the process of enlarging something only in appearance, not physical size. ...

• somewhat "rugged" or rubber-armoured design
• convenient mounting for attaching to a tripod
• ergonomically designed and located knob for focus control
• tethered elastomeric lens cap
• a range of eyepieces to give different magnifications, or a variable "zoom" eyepiece to give a range of magnifications (e.g. 20-60X)

The light gathering power of a spotting scope is determined by the width of the objective lens, typically between 55 and 80 mm. All else being equal, the larger the objective, the more heavy and expensive the telescope. Look up tripod in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Ergonomics (or human factors) is the application of scientific information concerning humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for human use (definition adopted by the International Ergonomics Association in 2007). ... An objective lens is the lens in a microscope, telescope, camera or other optical instrument, that receives the first light rays from the object being observed. ...

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. Straight-through scopes are easier to use from inside a vehicle while angled scopes are more comfortable for tall people^{[citation needed]} and more easily shared by people of different heights. A collection of different types of eyepieces. ...

The choice of the eyepiece lens determines the overall magnification. The best magnification is decided by a number of factors. Magnifications of less than 20X are unusual,^{[citation needed]} as (much cheaper and lighter) binoculars or monoculars can provide this. Magnifications of more than 60X lead to poorer brightness and, even on a tripod, shake can be a problem.^{[citation needed]} The field of view is also limited. Porro-prism binoculars with central focusing Binocular telescopes, or binoculars, (also known as field glasses) are two identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes (binocular vision) when viewing distant objects. ... A monocular is a modified refracting telescope used to magnify the images of distant objects by passing light through a series of lenses and prisms; the use of prisms results in a lightweight telescope. ... The field of view is the part of the observable world that is seen at any given moment. ...

Usually for birdwatching, 20X or 30X is favoured.^{[citation needed]} This gives a good field of view and a bright image. 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. Other users might employ the same slang term. Birdwatching or birding is the observation and study of birds. ... Aircraft spotting or Plane spotting is the enjoyment, observation and photography of aircraft: gliders, powered aircraft, large balloons, airships, helicopters, and microlights. ...

Spotting scope manufacturers fall into several groups. At the top end of the market, it is generally accepted^{[citation needed]} that three manufacturers compete strongly for the ultimate in quality: Swarovski are the most expensive of all^{[citation needed]}, closely followed by Leica, and Zeiss.^{[citation needed]} Several manufacturers produce scopes that are generally thought to be of almost equal quality to the top three, but at about half the price, among them Kowa, Nikon, and Pentax.^{[citation needed]} Swarovski is the luxury brand name for the range of precision-cut crystal glass products produced by companies owned by Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, near Zürich, Switzerland. ... Leica is the name of several cameras produced by a German company of the same name. ... Carl Zeiss in middle age. ... Kōwa (弘和) was a Japanese era of the Southern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts lasting from 1381 to 1384. ... For other uses, see Nikon (disambiguation). ... Pentax Corporation ) (TYO: 7750 ) is a Japanese company founded in 1919 as Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co. ...

See also

• Telescope
• Binoculars
• Monocular

This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Porro-prism binoculars with central focusing Binocular telescopes, or binoculars, (also known as field glasses) are two identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes (binocular vision) when viewing distant objects. ... A monocular is a modified refracting telescope used to magnify the images of distant objects by passing light through a series of lenses and prisms; the use of prisms results in a lightweight telescope. ...

External links

• Birding Scopes
• How to choose Spotting Scopes