Many people think that spotting scope and telescope are the same things. Though both are used to view distant objects, they are quite different in terms of functionality. Unlike telescope, spotting scopes are used for seeing things on land, and not something outside earth. Spotting scope has fewer features than that of telescopes. So, the spotting scope is simple to use. These are also portable, unlike most telescopes. So, what is a spotting scope used for?

Features of a spotting scope

There are some important features in a spotting scope. You should have good knowledge about these to use it properly.

Magnification

A spotting scope has higher magnification compared to binoculars. So, you can view wildlife, bird, scenery, etc. beyond the range of a binocular. The magnification depends on the atmosphere. If you are viewing things in windy and dusty weather, for example, then you will need higher magnification.

Objective Lens

The larger the objective lens, the more detail you can see distant objects. The quality of the objective lens should be good to see a high-quality image.

Eye relief

Eye relief is the distance between your eye and eyepiece that is required to see the whole field of view. You need minimum 14mm of eye relief if you are wearing eyeglasses.

When you decide to buy a spotting scope, you should consider these features. You can read reviews of various spotting scopes to find the best one.

What are spotting scopes used for?

For wildlife viewing, spotting scopes are very effective. Spotting scopes are often overlooked due to the availability of binoculars. Most people assume that spotting scope and binoculars are similar. So, those who have binocular don’t want to by spotting scope. However, spotting scope has advantages over binocular.

A spotting scope can give more glass clarity and viewing distance than a binocular. Spotting scope has a bigger objective lens, and so you can use it in low light as well. Spotting scopes are used for the following purposes.

Target shooting

By using a spotting scope, a target shooter can focus on a specific point. You will get a clear view even at high magnifications with a spotting scope. You need to buy a spotting scope of high-quality glass for target shooting. It will allow you to see the bullet holes in the target. Along with a spotting scope, a single press reloader can be useful for a target shooter.

Hunting

If you are a hunter, you will know how difficult it is to target your prey. Once you have seen your prey, you need a high-quality spotting scope to prepare yourself for hunting. A spotting scope can provide clear image of the prey at a distance. Binoculars will give a fuzzy image when you try to identify one animal from the herd. You will get a better view of your prey by using a spotting scope.

Birding

For birding, spotting scopes are very useful. As a birder, you need to keep a log of all the birds you spot. The glass clarity in spotting scopes will let you recognize the bird you see. You can even spot birds that are far away using a spotting scope. You can zoom it upto to sixty times what you see with your naked eye.

Astronomy for beginners

For astronomy, a telescope is used. But if you are a beginner, you can use a spotting scope. You can use it to look at sun, moon, stars, etc. casually.

Surveillance

Spotting scope can be used for surveillance. You can set up the scope in a particular position and then watch that position using the spotting scope. It is used by the police to catch criminals. You can even keep an eye on your property using the scope. Surveillance scopes are small and portable. They have minimum 15X magnification.

Other uses

You can use a spotting scope to view distant sports events like mountain climbing and boat races. You can also use it as a long distance microscope to conduct a close-up study of beehives, hornets’ nests, etc.

Spotting scopes have great magnification power, so you can see things that are at a distance up close. It is a great instrument to use during harsh weather conditions. You should always use a spotting scope on a tripod. Learn how to use a spotting scope properly by reading blogs or viewing online tutorials. A spotting scope can give you a better experience during hunting, birding and target shooting.

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Hey I’m Dilfaza Arefin. I’m an aspiring Entrepreneur, successful writer and blogger on Smarthomepick. The topics that I cover ranges from: healthcare, home improvement, personal finance, art, fitness and many more. I hope I can continue this journey of self-fulfillment and self-discovery and keep providing value to people’s lives.