A spotting scope is a compact lightweight portable

telescope A telescope is a device used to observe distant objects by their emission, Absorption (electromagnetic radiation), absorption, or Reflection (physics), reflection of electromagnetic radiation. Originally, it was an optical instrument using len ...

optimized for detailed observation of distant objects.spotting scope, noun, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, .merriam-webster.com
/ref> They are used as

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 ...

mounted 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 activitie ...

such as

birdwatching Birdwatching, or birding, is the observing of birds, either as a recreational activity or as a form of citizen science. A birdwatcher may observe by using their naked eye, by using a visual enhancement device such as binoculars or a telescop ...

, skygazing and other

naturalist Natural history is a domain of inquiry involving organisms, including animals, fungi, and plants, in their natural environment, leaning more towards observational than experimental methods of study. A person who studies natural history is cal ...

activities, for

hunting Hunting is the Human activity, human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, and killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to obtain the animal's body for meat and useful animal products (fur/hide (sk ...

and target shooting to verify a

marksman A marksman is a person who is skilled in precision shooting. In modern military usage this typically refers to the use of projectile weapons such as an accurized telescopic sight, scoped long gun such as designated marksman rifle (or a sniper ri ...

's shot placements, for tactical

ranging Length measurement, distance measurement, or range measurement (ranging) all refer to the many ways in which length, distance, or range can be measured. The most commonly used approaches are the rulers, followed by transit-time methods and the ...

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 size ratio called optical magnification. When this number is less than one, it refers to a reduction in size, so ...

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 and resolution of a spotting scope is determined by the diameter of the

objective lens In optical engineering, an objective is an optical element that gathers light from an object being observed and focuses the light rays from it to produce a real image of the object. Objectives can be a single lens or mirror, or combinations of ...

, typically between . The larger the objective, the more massive and expensive the telescope. The optical assembly has a small refracting

, 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 Optical telescope, telescopes and microscopes. It is named because it is usually the lens that is closest to the eye when someone looks thro ...

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 ballr ...

or roof prisms, or a

catadioptric system A catadioptric optical system is one where refraction and Reflection (physics), reflection are combined in an optical system, usually via lens (optics), lenses (dioptrics) and curved mirrors (catoptrics). Catadioptric combinations are used in foc ...

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

, and an ergonomically designed and located

control knob {{more citations needed, date=January 2017 A control knob is a rotary device used to provide manual input adjustments to a mechanical/ electrical system when grasped and turned by a human operator, so that differing extent of knob rotation corres ...

for focus adjustment. Some spotting scopes also have in-built

reticle A reticle or reticule, also known as a graticule or crosshair, is a pattern of fine lines or markings built into the eyepiece of an optical device such as a telescopic sight, spotting scope, theodolite, optical microscope or the electronic v ...

s 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 angle, angular extent of the observable world that is visual perception, 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 elec ...

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)

monopod A monopod, also called a unipod, is a single staff or pole used to help support cameras, binoculars, rifles or other precision instruments in the field. Camera and imaging use The monopod allows a still camera to be held steadier, allowing ...

s, which provide a stationary and steady platform.

Tripod head A tripod head is the part of a tripod (photography), tripod system that attaches the supported device (such as a camera) to the tripod legs, and allows the orientation of the device to be manipulated or locked down. Modular or stand-alone tripod ...

s can be used to control any required movements of the scope.

Gallery

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

ornithologist Ornithology, from Ancient Greek ὄρνις (''órnis''), meaning "bird", and -logy from λόγος (''lógos''), meaning "study", is a branch of zoology dedicated to the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related discip ...

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 The biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. It is treated as a race, with contestants skiing through a cross-country trail whose distance is divided into shooting rounds. The shooting rounds are not ti ...

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 Refracting telescopes

Gallery

See also

References

External links