The Beginner's guide to RIFLESCOPE Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 The Beginner's guide to NIGHT VISION Chapter 1 Chapter 2 The Beginner's guide to BINOCULARS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 What Type of Binoculars Do I Need? Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 |
CHAPTER 5: Spotting Scopes Review – A Buyers Guideby: OZScopes – The Australia Telescope Experts What are Spotting Scopes, anyway?Spotting scopes are essentially compact telescopes designed and optimized for land (a.k.a. terrestrial) viewing. Spotting scopes are generally more powerful than binoculars, and binocular enthusiasts add a spotting scope to their collections when they need a scope with more power or magnification. Common uses for spotting scopes are to look at boats in the bay from your deck, being able to get better views of the panorama of your apartment, surveillance and hunting. In addition, spotting scopes are more durable than astronomical telescopes. They've been designed to be portable, and hardy enough to be carried around when camping, hunting or on trips. This means that - unlike many astronomy telescopes - they don't require re-collimation or re-alignment after use or transport. In fact, spotting scopes require little to no user-related maintenance to keep them in tip-top shape, other than merely keeping the lens clean. They're also commonly waterproof and fog-proof, which adds to their rugged capability. This an example of what a refractor style spotting scope looks like - this is a Celestron Ultima 100 22-66 x Straight Spotting Scope
This an example of what a reflector style spotting scope looks like.
Angled Spotting Scopes and Straight Spotting Scopes – What's the difference?This an example of an Angled Spotting Scope :Meade Wilderness 20-60x100 Angled Spotting Scope This an example of a Straight Spotting Scope :Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80 Straight Spotting Scope
Straight and Angled spotting scopes – basic differences in viewingWith a straight scope, your eyes are in a straight line with the object you're looking at. Angled spotting scopes, on the other hand, allow you to look down into the scope while observing, or – if you twist the eyepiece – will allow you to look from one side. An angled spotting scope will also allow you to do birdwatching at different heights by turning the scope to any side. With a straight scope you will have to adjust the height of the tripod according to how you're standing.
A Note on TripodsAll spotting scopes have been manufactured to fit onto any standard tripod - you won't have to purchase any additional accessories to fit them on a tripod. You can definitely use a standard camera tripod if you so choose, but just be wary - most spotting scopes are heavier than the standard camera, and the tripod might not be able to take the weight of your new spotting scope. When you first put your spotting scope on a tripod, check to see that it's stable and that it doesn't tip - once it hits the floor it's sure to damage the internal optics of your scope! How far will I be able to see with my spotting scope?This is a common question we get asked - but it's not quite possible to answer it! It really is like asking - "How far can you see with your eyes?" It depends on how much clarity and visibility you want to be able to observe. A more accurate way of describing (and understanding) distance with spotting scopes are to consider what's called it's Field of View. Field of View (FoV) refers to the width of the observable world you're able to see through your telescope. Your FoV changes whenever you change the power (or magnification) of your spotting scope's eyepiece.
For example, with the Acuter Nature Close 20-60x80 Angled Spotting Scope, you can find the FoV of this (any any of our) spotting scopes under the "Specifications" tab on its product page, which is just next to the "Product Description" tab. In the case of this Ultima 80, the linear FoV at 1000 yards (914m) is 105ft (32m) @ 20x magnification, and 53ft (16m) @ 60x magnification. Will I be able to take pictures with my camera through my spotting scope?In short? Yes. I have a dSLR camera. How do I connect my camera to my spotting scope?Keep an eye out to see if your telescope comes with what's called a "Built-in T-thread on Eyepiece". All the spotting scopes in the Celestron Ultima range of spotting scopes come with a built in T-thread on their eyepieces. This means that you will only need to puchase a T-Ring that's suited to your camera. They're manufactured according the the brand of your camera, and you can see our range of T-Rings here - we have them for Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax. If your spotting scope doesn't have a built-in T-thread - such as with any of Celestron's Cassegrain style spotting scopes - you will also have to purchase what's called a T-Adapter. This adapter fits into your telescope in lieu of an eyepiece (remove the eyepiece and slot in the T-Adapter instead). Your T-Adapter will then attach to the T-Ring which is on your camera. Voila! Your camera is now attached to your telescope! The one you need will be what's called a Celestron Universal 1.25 inch T-Adapter. If you've got a telescope with a 1.25 inch eyepiece, you're good to go with the Celestron Universal T-Adapter – 1.25”. This T-Adapter will fit most telescopes, especially if it is a reflector or refractor style telescope. I have a standard digital (point and shoot) camera. How do I connect my camera to my spotting scope?So if you own a standard point and shoot camera (e.g Cannon IXUS) there are still options for you to get some great astrophotography shots. Getting started requires just one tool (a lot simpler huh!) a Universal Digital Camera adapter. In terms of variety of choice you have 2 options, one being the Saxon Universal Digital Camera Adapter and the Celestron Universal Digital Camera Adapter. With the Celestron, you do pay a little bit more, but you get the associated brand-name, after sales service, and a slightly superior build. |