Home Telescope

[Sir Henry]

I have so much wildlife around me in the fields that I would like to view closer. I have a Celestron RP binocular however it isn’t strong enough and its hand held. I would like something stronger than the 8x42 and one that is on a tripod. It will sit permanently in my living room so if it looked cool that would be a plus.

It’s mainly for viewing 200-1,000 yards and not stargazing.

Any suggestions?

[Rifletom]

Gene, being an optics nut some years ago, I'd look at Celistron Optics and Orion optics. You'll find something there. No doubt. Celistron offers a lot.

[SAGA22]

Try this;
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VD ... =UTF8&th=1
DOC

[markiver54]

I have so much wildlife around me in the fields that I would like to view closer. I have a Celestron RP binocular however it isn’t strong enough and its hand held. I would like something stronger than the 8x42 and one that is on a tripod. It will sit permanently in my living room so if it looked cool that would be a plus.

It’s mainly for viewing 200-1,000 yards and not stargazing.

Any suggestions?

Gene, given your current location, I would not hesitate to get something capable of stargazing as well. Maybe NCG will chime in here. I bet she has that covered.

[markiver54]

Try this;
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VD ... =UTF8&th=1
DOC

This one does look cool though!

[cooperhawk]

Try this;https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VD ... =UTF8&th=1
DOC

I had a Barska binocular that had a built in camera which was neat. However I dropped it and the camera quit.
Otherwise I loved it.

[North Country Gal]

Gene, any spotting scope can do double duty for some astronomy, but the larger the objective (not magnification), the more you will see.

Since portability won't be an issue, I'd go a minimum of 80mm on the objective, that being the last number in the description with the first or first two numbers being magnification. For example, a 20-60x80 is a spotting scope with a 20-60x zoom eyepiece and an 80 mm objective (front lens).

All spotting scopes use standard camera 1/4x20 thread for mounting to a camera tripod, so if you already have a tripod, you're good to go. Remember, though, the bigger and heavier the scope, the heavier and more stable the tripod you'll need. A flimsy tripod will not only be too shaky to use much magnification on the scope, it's also asking for the scope and tripod to take a tumble.

Don't sucker for extreme magnification. For daytime use, 60x is a practical max due to atmospheric issues, though ion some situations I have used more, up to 80x and a bit beyond when the conditions allow, but most of your viewing will be typically around 30 or 40x.

The other issue is optical quality. All spotting scopes look pretty sharp at 20x, but you are going to have to spend some really big bucks to get something that is as sharp at 60x as it is at 20x. Otherwise, most spotting scopes lose image quality as you zoom up in magnification. Your call as to the tradeoff between price and performance. Birders and astronomers tend to be optics fanatics (I'm both) and will spend the money to get the image quality, but most other users settle for something more affordable.

Note that when you get into the premium grade scopes, the spotting scope body and the eyepieces are sold, separately. On the average spotting scope, the price includes the eyepiece.

Note also that zoom eyepieces also have some trade offs, but for wildlife watching, you will want a zoom eyepiece to quickly adjust magnification as needed. Again, just depends on how much you want to spend. High end zoom eyepieces can easily cost more than a cheap scope with eyepiece.

As for specific brands and models, I could write a book on all the possibilities, so just give a price range and we'll go from there.

[Sir Henry]

Gene, any spotting scope can do double duty for some astronomy, but the larger the objective (not magnification), the more you will see.

Since portability won't be an issue, I'd go a minimum of 80mm on the objective, that being the last number in the description with the first or first two numbers being magnification. For example, a 20-60x80 is a spotting scope with a 20-60x zoom eyepiece and an 80 mm objective (front lens).

All spotting scopes use standard camera 1/4x20 thread for mounting to a camera tripod, so if you already have a tripod, you're good to go. Remember, though, the bigger and heavier the scope, the heavier and more stable the tripod you'll need. A flimsy tripod will not only be too shaky to use much magnification on the scope, it's also asking for the scope and tripod to take a tumble.

Don't sucker for extreme magnification. For daytime use, 60x is a practical max due to atmospheric issues, though ion some situations I have used more, up to 80x and a bit beyond when the conditions allow, but most of your viewing will be typically around 30 or 40x.

The other issue is optical quality. All spotting scopes look pretty sharp at 20x, but you are going to have to spend some really big bucks to get something that is as sharp at 60x as it is at 20x. Otherwise, most spotting scopes lose image quality as you zoom up in magnification. Your call as to the tradeoff between price and performance. Birders and astronomers tend to be optics fanatics (I'm both) and will spend the money to get the image quality, but most other users settle for something more affordable.

Note that when you get into the premium grade scopes, the spotting scope body and the eyepieces are sold, separately. On the average spotting scope, the price includes the eyepiece.

Note also that zoom eyepieces also have some trade offs, but for wildlife watching, you will want a zoom eyepiece to quickly adjust magnification as needed. Again, just depends on how much you want to spend. High end zoom eyepieces can easily cost more than a cheap scope with eyepiece.

As for specific brands and models, I could write a book on all the possibilities, so just give a price range and we'll go from there.

$2-4K. As a photographer that learned on a 4x5 view I’m into the heaviest tripod available.

[markiver54]

Gene, any spotting scope can do double duty for some astronomy, but the larger the objective (not magnification), the more you will see.

Since portability won't be an issue, I'd go a minimum of 80mm on the objective, that being the last number in the description with the first or first two numbers being magnification. For example, a 20-60x80 is a spotting scope with a 20-60x zoom eyepiece and an 80 mm objective (front lens).

All spotting scopes use standard camera 1/4x20 thread for mounting to a camera tripod, so if you already have a tripod, you're good to go. Remember, though, the bigger and heavier the scope, the heavier and more stable the tripod you'll need. A flimsy tripod will not only be too shaky to use much magnification on the scope, it's also asking for the scope and tripod to take a tumble.

Don't sucker for extreme magnification. For daytime use, 60x is a practical max due to atmospheric issues, though ion some situations I have used more, up to 80x and a bit beyond when the conditions allow, but most of your viewing will be typically around 30 or 40x.

The other issue is optical quality. All spotting scopes look pretty sharp at 20x, but you are going to have to spend some really big bucks to get something that is as sharp at 60x as it is at 20x. Otherwise, most spotting scopes lose image quality as you zoom up in magnification. Your call as to the tradeoff between price and performance. Birders and astronomers tend to be optics fanatics (I'm both) and will spend the money to get the image quality, but most other users settle for something more affordable.

Note that when you get into the premium grade scopes, the spotting scope body and the eyepieces are sold, separately. On the average spotting scope, the price includes the eyepiece.

Note also that zoom eyepieces also have some trade offs, but for wildlife watching, you will want a zoom eyepiece to quickly adjust magnification as needed. Again, just depends on how much you want to spend. High end zoom eyepieces can easily cost more than a cheap scope with eyepiece.

As for specific brands and models, I could write a book on all the possibilities, so just give a price range and we'll go from there.

Excellent information as I assumed. I will keep these tips for my own use as well. A setup at the cabin would make a lot of sense to me. That is, on a bit lower budget if that's possible.
Good luck to you Gene. These interests/hobbies are what make life fun.

[Rifletom]

That price range opens a lot of options. Try "cameralandny.com" and look at their spotting scope offers. The first two places I mentioned seem to be astronomy geared.

[North Country Gal]

$2-4K narrows it down. You should be looking at brands like Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski and Kowa in the spotting scope world and from the astronomy world, Televue (TV76 and TV85), Takahashi and a few others.

There are some other choices that run less, but are still very good choices.

One plus for using telescope brands like Televue, Tak and others is that they all use standard 1.25" and 2" astronomy eyepieces, so your choice of eyepiece is unlimited. In the spotting scope world, eyepieces are usually proprietary, meaning you're stuck with what the manufacturer offers, but zoom eyepieces from Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski and Kowa are state of the art.

I have owned and used all of these at one time or another, so feel free to ask questions.

[Sir Henry]

$2-4K narrows it down. You should be looking at brands like Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski and Kowa in the spotting scope world and from the astronomy world, Televue (TV76 and TV85), Takahashi and a few others.

There are some other choices that run less, but are still very good choices.

One plus for using telescope brands like Televue, Tak and others is that they all use standard 1.25" and 2" astronomy eyepieces, so your choice of eyepiece is unlimited. In the spotting scope world, eyepieces are usually proprietary, meaning you're stuck with what the manufacturer offers, but zoom eyepieces from Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski and Kowa are state of the art.

I have owned and used all of these at one time or another, so feel free to ask questions.

I was thinking Zeiss, Leica and Swarovski in particular. I’ve owned Zeiss and Leica camera lenses before. It would be nice to be able to attach a camera. That is about my biggest criteria. I’m also not thinking I need anything over 80 power if even that. Having a bigger objective lens would be better for low light as long as it still has contrast.

I’m not hot on buying from Amazon. I would prefer a company that specializes.

[CT_Shooter]

I have owned and used all of these at one time or another, so feel free to ask questions.

You are one of the most fascinating and knowledgeable people I (sort of) know. Glad you're here.

[Sir Henry]

I have owned and used all of these at one time or another, so feel free to ask questions.

You are one of the most fascinating and knowledgeable people I (sort of) know. Glad you're here.

I thought the same thing years ago when she joined and she received a special title, Firearms Adviser, which only two people have on this forum.

[North Country Gal]

Hey, thanks, guys. Nice way to start the day.

Gene, there are camera adapters that allow you to use your spotting scope body as a prime lens, typically a fairly slow 800mm lens or so, but a much more popular way to take pics is digiscoping, which is basically holding a digital camera over the eyepiece by hand (the way I do it) or via an adapter to hold the camera in place. Much more convenient, effective and versatile. You can even get mounts for your digital cam to take movies through the eyepiece. It's the way I do all my long distance bird and wildlife photography these days.

[daytime dave]

We are lucky to have made her acquaintance, that's for SURE!

[CT_Shooter]

North Country Gal ought to have a different text color for her username, identifying her esteemed status on the forum.

I thought the same thing years ago when she joined and she received a special title, Firearms Adviser, which only two people have on this forum.

What can you tell us about the other one, tx gunrunner? Hasn't been here in years. Still crazy after all these years?

This is the second time I'm leaving this forum and the only forum I ever quit once and then now for a second time . I would tell you why but it would get DELETE . So Later .... You can PM me for a couple weeks here then I will remove name from this forum .
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 387#p77387

[Sir Henry]

I met to gunrunner about seven years ago and bought several firearms from him. He had quite the trophy room. Not only was he a great shooter but he was also a machinist and gunsmith. He also liked to race cars. I got to ride in his Terrible Toy!

[North Country Gal]

For sure, he knew guns and could shoot with the best.

[220]

Have a Kowa and it is as good as any glass I have looked through so like NCG has said certainly worth considering.
Before you even get to brand you need to decide on straight or angled eye piece.