A spotting scope is a compact high-power

telescope A telescope is a device used to observe distant objects by their emission, absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation. Originally meaning only an optical instrument using lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination of both to obse ...

optimized for detailed observation of distant objects. They are used as portable optical enhancement devices for various

outdoor activities Outdoor recreation or outdoor activity refers to recreation done outside, most commonly in natural settings. The activities that encompass outdoor recreation vary depending on the physical environment they are being carried out in. These activiti ...

such as birdwatching,

skygazing Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers ...

and other naturalist activities, for

hunting Hunting is the human activity, human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, or killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to harvest food (i.e. meat) and useful animal products (fur/hide (skin), hide, ...

and

target shooting Shooting sports is a group of competitive and recreational sporting activities involving proficiency tests of accuracy, precision and speed in shooting — the art of using ranged weapons, mainly small arms ( firearms and airguns, in forms suc ...

to verify a marksman's shot placements, for tactical ranging and

surveillance Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, many activities, or information for the purpose of information gathering, influencing, managing or directing. This can include observation from a distance by means of electronic equipment, such as ...

, and for any other application that requires higher

magnification Magnification is the process of enlarging the apparent size, not physical size, of something. This enlargement is quantified by a calculated number also called "magnification". When this number is less than one, it refers to a reduction in si ...

than ordinary

binoculars Binoculars or field glasses are two refracting telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes (binocular vision) when viewing distant objects. Most binoculars are sized to be held ...

(typically 20× to 60×). The

light-gathering power An optical telescope is a telescope that gathers and focuses light mainly from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, to create a magnified image for direct visual inspection, to make a photograph, or to collect data through electro ...

and resolution of a spotting scope is determined by the diameter of the objective lens, typically between . The larger the objective, the more massive and expensive the telescope. The optical assembly has a small

refracting In physics, refraction is the redirection of a wave as it passes from one medium to another. The redirection can be caused by the wave's change in speed or by a change in the medium. Refraction of light is the most commonly observed phenomeno ...

objective lens, an internal image-erecting system, and an

eyepiece An eyepiece, or ocular lens, is a type of lens that is attached to a variety of optical devices such as telescopes and microscopes. It is named because it is usually the lens that is closest to the eye when someone looks through the device. The ...

that is usually removable. The image-erecting system may use relay lenses, prisms such as

Porro The porro is a musical style and dance from the Caribbean region of Colombia. It is a Colombian cumbia rhythm that developed into its own subgenre. It was originally a folkloric expression from the Sinú River area that evolved into a ballro ...

or roof prisms, or a

catadioptric system A catadioptric optical system is one where refraction and reflection are combined in an optical system, usually via lenses ( dioptrics) and curved mirrors ( catoptrics). Catadioptric combinations are used in focusing systems such as searchlight ...

of the Schmidt or Maksutov design. Spotting scopes may have a ruggedized design, a mounting interface for attaching to a

tripod A tripod is a portable three-legged frame or stand, used as a platform for supporting the weight and maintaining the stability of some other object. The three-legged (triangular stance) design provides good stability against gravitational loads ...

, and an ergonomically designed and located control knob for focus adjustment. Some spotting scopes also have in-built reticles for stadiametric rangefinding. Spotting scope eyepieces are usually interchangeable to adapt for different magnifications, or may have variable zoom to give a range of magnifications. Magnifications less than 20× are unusual, as are magnifications more than 60× since the latter can lead to poorer image brightness, a narrow

field of view The field of view (FoV) is the extent of the observable world that is seen at any given moment. In the case of optical instruments or sensors it is a solid angle through which a detector is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. Human ...

and too much image shaking, even on a tripod. The eyepiece mount layout can be "straight-through" (the eyepiece is on the same axis as the scope body), or "angled" (the eyepiece is at an angle to the scope body—usually 45 degrees). The high magnification of spotting scopes makes them prone to image disturbance from vibrations, so they are often stabilized with

s or (less commonly) monopods, which provide a stationary and steady platform. Tripod heads can be used to control any required movements of the scope.

Gallery

File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-P014590, Rossitten, Vogelwarte.jpg, An

ornithologist Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the "methodological study and consequent knowledge of birds with all that relates to them." Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and th ...

uses a spotting scope at Rossitten Bird Observatory in 1939. This spotting scope has no zoom eyepiece, but three interchangeable eyepieces with different magnifications File:US Navy Seals fires M-91.JPEG, A spotter (right) uses a spotting scope to assist a marksman. Spotting scopes are used on target ranges to avoid walking to the target to verify the placement of hits File:2018-01-06 IBU Biathlon World Cup Oberhof 2018 - Pursuit Men 70.jpg, Biathlon coaches use spotting scopes to verify and optimize competitors shot placement File:Aufgebautes Spektiv.JPG, Spotting scope on its tripod

References

External links

{{Commons category, Spotting scopes
Birding Scopes

Ask-a-Biologist - Advanced Birders Guide - Spotting Scopes
Binoculars Optical telescopes

Gallery

See also

References

External links