Spotting Scopes for Bird Watching: How to Pick the right one for you!
Bird watching is a pursuit that combines patience, skill, and the right equipment. While binoculars are great for general viewing, a spotting scope can take your bird-watching experience to the next level as they not only do they offer greater magnification but also clarity, and detail for a better bird-watching experience.
Whether you're scanning the skies for raptors or observing shorebirds from a distance, a spotting scope can bring the intricate beauty of birds into sharper focus. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right one for you? This guide will explore the key features to consider when selecting the right spotting scope for bird watching.
The how-to:
Using the expert knowledge of our team here at South West Optics, we have put together some key things you should look at when trying to decide on the right spotting scope for you.
Keep reading to find out the best options for you!
1. Magnification Power: Finding the Right Balance
Magnification power is one of the most critical factors when choosing your spotting scope. Spotting scopes typically offer magnification ranges from 15x to 60x, however despite what you might believe, the higher the magnification doesn’t always mean a better choice. So here are a couple of points to consider when looking at the magnification:
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Variable Magnification: Ideally you want to look for a spotting scope with variable magnification, it will often show as something like: 20-60x. This will allow you to zoom in for a detailed view, as well as have the benefit of being able to zoom out to make finding your subject more easy.
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Balance with Clarity: When you choose a spotting scope with a higher magnification, this can sometimes result in a loss of image clarity, especially in poor lighting conditions. this is why It's essential for you to find a scope that maintains clear, bright images even at higher magnifications. Premium brands offer better results above 40x power which lower qulity brands start to show a lack of brightness and clarity more readily.
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2. Objective Lens Size: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
This may surprise you! However, the objective lens size, measured in millimetres, determines how much light the scope gathers, which affects image brightness and clarity, meaning the bigger the objective lens is on your spotting scope, the more light it will let in!
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Optimal Sizes: Common sizes range from 50mm to 80mm. While larger lenses (80mm and upwards) gather more light and provide brighter images, which can be ideal if you are planning on heading out in low-light conditions, however, do be aware that they will also make the scope heavier and less portable. For many bird watchers, a 60-80mm objective lens offers a good balance between brightness and portability. Check out the new Kowa and Swarovski travel scopes for incredible performance at 55mm and 56mm objective respectively. With their modern coatings and wholistic approach to optimal system design, they compete well above their punching weight for light transmission and brightness.
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Consider Your Environment: If you often bird-watch at dawn, dusk, or in dense forests, a larger objective lens might be beneficial. For sea watching also, consider a larger objective for ultimate resolving power at distance.
3. Lens Coating: Clarity and Color Fidelity
The quality of the lens coating can significantly impact the clarity, brightness, and colour fidelity of the image you see through your scope, meaning it is something you should fully research and consider before deciding on your spotting scope!
- Fully Multi-Coated Lenses: ideally you should look for a spotting scope with fully multi-coated lenses. This means that all air-to-glass surfaces have multiple layers of coating, which reduces glare and improves light transmission, resulting in a sharper, more vibrant image for you! Making it ideal for heading out and watching wildlife!
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Colour Accuracy: High-quality coatings also help maintain accurate colour reproduction, which can be crucial for bird identification, where subtle differences in plumage colours matter.
4. Body Design: Straight vs. Angled
There are two main body types for Spotting scopes: straight and angled. The choice between them depends on your bird-watching habits and preferences.
- Straight Body: In straight scopes, the eyepiece is in line with the objective lens. This scope design makes for an easier quick target acquisition, particularly for some who are digiscoping and sea-watching.
- Angled Body: Angled scopes have an eyepiece set at a 45-degree angle to the body. This design is more comfortable if you plan on a more prolonged viewing session, especially if you are looking at birds in trees or the sky. It's also more convenient when multiple people of different heights are sharing the scope. It also allows for a lower viewing height which helps mitigate wobble on a tripod in windy conditions at any given height compared to a higher seated straight scope for equivalent height use.
5. Eye Relief: Comfort for Extended Viewing
Eye relief refers to the distance between your eye and the eyepiece lens while still being able to see the full field of view. It's particularly important if you happen to wear glasses.
- Adequate Eye Relief: Look for a spotting scope with at least 15-20mm of eye relief. This ensures that even with glasses, you can comfortably see the entire field of view without straining your eyes.
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Adjustable Eyepieces: Some spotting scopes offer adjustable eyepieces, which allow you to customise the eye relief for maximum comfort, making it a more versatile option for you!
6. Field of View: Seeing the Bigger Picture
The field of view (FOV) is the width of the area visible to you through the scope at a specific distance, typically measured in feet at 1,000 yards.
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Wide Field of View: A wider FOV allows you to spot and follow birds more easily, especially fast-moving species. Scopes with lower magnification tend to have a wider FOV, which can be beneficial for scanning large areas.
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Consider Your Target Birds: If you're focusing on observing large flocks or scanning wide-open spaces, a scope with a wider FOV is ideal. For observing stationary birds or those at a great distance, a narrower FOV with higher magnification might be more useful.
7. Portability and Durability: Built for the Field
Bird watching often requires you to move through various terrains, meaning your spotting scope needs to be both portable and durable. So with that in mind here are a few things to consider, when trying to decide on a scope:
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Weight Considerations: While larger scopes provide better image quality, they can be cumbersome to carry. Consider the weight of the scope, especially if you'll be hiking long distances or if you prefer a more mobile bird-watching experience.
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Weatherproofing: Ensure that your spotting scope is waterproof and fog-proof, with nitrogen or argon gas purging. This protection is essential for outdoor use, preventing moisture from compromising the internal optics.
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Durable Construction: Look for scopes with rubber armour or other protective coatings that can withstand bumps and drops during field use, as you never know what kind of terrain you will be climbing over!
8. Tripods and Accessories: Enhancing Stability
A stable set-up is crucial for getting the best images for your bird watching, especially at higher magnifications. A good tripod is just as important as the scope itself.
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Sturdy Tripod: Choose a tripod that is sturdy yet lightweight enough to carry easily. Ideally, you want to look for a tripod with adjustable legs and a fluid head, as this will allow you to plan for smooth panning and precise adjustments.
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Digiscoping Adapters: If you're interested in digiscoping (photographing through the spotting scope), ensure that your scope is compatible with a camera or smartphone adapter. This will allow you to capture stunning close-up images of the birds you observe.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Bird-Watching Adventures
Choosing the right spotting scope for bird watching is about finding the right balance between magnification, clarity, comfort, and portability. By making sure you consider factors like magnification power, lens size, body design, and durability, you can select a scope that enhances your bird-watching experience and suits your specific needs.
Remember, the best spotting scope is one that fits your personal preferences and the environments in which you typically observe birds. Take the time to research and, if possible, test different models before making your decision. With the right scope, you'll be able to observe birds in greater detail and clarity, bringing your bird-watching adventures to the next level!
Check out a couple of customers enjoying their lightweight set-up, weighing in less than 2kg each! In this picture, they are using the Leofoto Mr.O LO-224C Tripod, the Kowa TSN 55A and the Swarovski ATC!
If you want to find the perfect set-up for you contact us, and come visit our showroom for further advice and try these optics in person!
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