Recommendation for backyard scope?

Garrett · Guest

Hello!

I know zilch about optics, but I would like to get the best scope that $120 (or less) will buy for these primary goals (amusement only, no serious hobbyist stuff):

- Up-close viewing of birds and wildlife at 20-40 ft
- Viewing activity in nearby canyon at 1/4-1/2 mile
- Seeing somebody waving from the top of a peak at 3.5 miles

Other nice-to-haves would be:

- Easy to pack up and take camping
- Compact enough to fit in a day pack would be even better
- Some ability to look at the night sky

I know my budget won't get me highest quality results and I don't expect them. But I know I can make out figures on the 3.5 mile mountain with a tiny pair of shirt-pocket binoculars, so I figure a scope should at least let my wife recognize me when I hike over there and wave back to her at the house.

Can you recommend 2 or 3 products that fit my budget and goals?

And some general questions...

(1) I assume that my goals of viewing between 20ft and 3.5 miles would suggest a zooming scope. Is that best, or not necessary?

(2) I would like to primarily use this scope on a small balcony where a floor-standing tripod would be awkward. Is there such a thing as a clamp-mount where I can clamp it to my railing and sill have the controls of a tripod?

(3) I think an angled eyepiece would be most convenient on the balcony. In this low-price range, does an angled eyepiece compromise optical quality at all, or is it just the same as a straight eyepiece?

(4) Final question... is it possible to rig a point&shoot digital camera to such an inexpensive scope? Not expecting professional results, but I ught it would be fun to occasionally snp a shot of what I can see in the scope.

Thanks!
Garrett in San Diego

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:38 am Post subject:

Hi

You will never see that kind of detail at that distance (3.5 miles) with any instrument due to the effects of atmospheric turbulence and instability.

$120 won't buy you much in a spotting scope these days, but the Bushnell Trophy 20-50x50, http://www.opticsplanet.net/bush-ss-trophy-wp-787325.html will certainly work for birding in the backyard as will the Bushnell Natureview, http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-natureview15-45x60.html

You can attach virtually any digital point and shoot camera to any spotting scope by using a universal digital adapter such as the Radian, http://www.opticsplanet.net/radian-universal-spottingscope-digital-camera-adapter.html
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