60mm or 80mm Spotting Scope

Ernest One · Guest

I'm more confused than ever about what to buy for a spotting scope. After reading a number of responses here and evaluating an Eagle Raven and Denali, I'm not sure what size objective lens I should buy. I plan to use the scope for bird watching and want feather sharp optics. I'd like a sealed scope with angled eyepiece. It seems like the 80mm scope at maximum magnification has a very narrow angle of view and difficult to use as an eyeglass wearer. I'm wondering if I should be considering the 60mm scope rather than an 80 or 100mm or get an 80 and not use it at maximum magnification? My price range is under $500.

Also if I were to visit your business do you have a way for me to evaluate different scopes in your show room?

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:07 am Post subject:

Hi

The size of the objective has nothing to do with the field of view. This feature is determined by the magnification and the design of the eyepiece. The field of view always decreases as magnification goes up, regardless of the model.

In general terms, the larger the objective, the higher the magnifcation the scope can handle and still provide good image quality. However, other factors are equally or even more important. Performance is also very much a matter of lens quality, eyepiece design, lens coatings and optical alignment. There is no hard and fast rule here.

Also keep in mind weight. Larger scopes are heavier and require heavier tripods. This is a big factor if you plan to take a spotting scope out in the field. A jumbo 100mm scope is about impossible to lug arounf for birding. An 80-85mm is tough enough. I think more birders would benefit from a smaller 60-65mm scope, but it's hard to convince people to sacrifice a little performance to save weight. Even so, a good 60-65mm scope and tripod is worth a whole truckload of 85mm scopes left in the trunk of the car because you got tired of carrying one.

No scope at $500 will be as sharp at 60x as it is at 20x. If you want that kind of performance, you will need to spend twice that or more. There are
some good choices in this neighborhood, though. Any of these will do a nice job for birding and handle all but the most extreme situations.

Nikon Sky&Earth 20-60x80, http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-20-60x80-outfit.html

Swift Nighthawk 20-60x80, http://www.opticsplanet.net/swift-20-60x80mm-nighthawk-angle-view-scope-849u-sze.html

Vixen Geoma 67, http://www.opticsplanet.net/vixen-geoma-pro-67a-spotting-scope.html
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Ernest One · Guest

Thank you Joanie for your helpful response. I should have mentioned my interest in occasionally using an SLR and digital SLR camera with the scope. I'm aware of the problem with the Nikons not accepting anything but a Nikon camera. What about the other two recommendations you made? Camera adaptable?