Best for Extended Long Distance Viewing - Spotting Scope or Telescope?

[Kestrel]

I have deer that regularly come into my back yard (waaaay back, unfortunately). Usually it's in the early morning or early evening. Only very occasionally in the afternoon. I'm looking for something to be able to watch them, without much fatigue. I've tried watching them with binoculars (just cheap Nikon 7x20s) and a camera with telephoto lens. Both are tiresome for any extended time and have a limited field of view.

I would like to find something to be able to mount on a tripod or something, so I don't have to hold it the whole time. It would be nice to be able to keep it focused back there and be able to look occasionally. I'm thinking about a telescope or a spotting scope. Which of these would be better? Since it usually happens when it's darker, which would gather light better? (I don't really know how to tell what the magnification power of a telescope is, when it is listed as something like a "Six Inch" mirror, etc.)

Would a pair of approx. 20x binoculars on a tripod work better?

Also, any brand recommendations would be welcomed.

Thanks!

 

[dakotasin]

nikon 15-45 sky and earth should fit your bill nicely. around $250-300 w/ a serviceable tripod (not the little joke ones on winchester and burris).

there is also the camo version (team realtree), but it is the same exact thing, wrapped in camo and runs a little extra. same-same, should work nice for ya.

 

[Kestrel]

dakotasin,

Thanks. What is it - a spotting scope?

Thanks.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

Spotting scopes usually go up to about 60x - 75x power.

Telescopes usually START at 200x power and the smaller ones are still around 500x power.


Here is one you can check out. It is a Spotting Scope/Telescope and its magnification power can vary depending on what eyepeices you use (from 48x to 129x)

http://www.telescopes.com/products/...e_Eyepiece_Package_-_UHTC_Coatings_12222.html


High power binoculars would most likely be the least fatiguing for what you are talking about.

 

[dakotasin]

steve- sorry, its a spotter. it is the lowest-end scope (read: least expensive) i would consider for anything (range, animal watching, hunting, whatever). great scope for the money... not a swaro or kowa, but a good 'un.

 

[Kestrel]

aardvark,

Is that Meade a good quality telescope? I'm looking for something with quality.

Thanks for all the info here.

Steve

 

[BigG]

Steve, unless I have forgotten, a Spotting Scope has a very limited field of view plus mirage, etc. I don't think it would be good for watching deer. You might do better with a telescope or a 15 or 20 X Binocular. I have a pair that I think goes up to 15 X and it is pretty good to scan at 8 power and zoom in once you find something of interest. HTH

 

[Coltdriver]

I have a fairly serious telescope. You can use it for what you are talking about, however, the magnification is great enough that on a warm day or a windy day the clarity of what you are looking at will diminish greatly. And unless you can keep it really still the slightest movement will drive you nuts for earth bound objects.

The Nikon Sky Binoc's are frequently used for star gazing and work great on a tripod.

You may have a problem with the spotting scope giving you far too narrow of a field of view at a distance, plus the magnification will amplify small movements.

I'd vote for the Nikon Sky Binoc's.

 

[JohnKSa]

Gotta be careful buying astronomical telescopes for spotting scope use. Sometimes the image is upside down.

 

[sscoyote]

Here's a link to a pic. of my favorite non-portable spotter--
They're right around $800.

http://www.predatormastersforums.co...hp?Cat=0&Number=52134266&an=0&page=0#52134266

I was wondering if they were gonna be worth the investment, but after 6 months use now, i can say it's the best $800 i've spent in awhile.

 

[Kestrel]

sscoyote,

Are you referring to the picure of the huge binoculars? Wow. What brand are they and where do you get them? How is the optical quality? Can the tripod base or adapter seen in the picture be bought from the same place?

More details! Those things look industrial. (I've attached that picture here.)

Thanks

 

[Polishrifleman]

That is quite the custom set up. Two spotters with a custom mount all alluminum, great to have if you are sitting but a pain to haul around. Steiner makes the Senator Observer that are actual bino's. Here's a link with picture etc. to another spotting scope bino set up. Check the links at the bottom. The Swarovski will only set you back a small car.

http://www.riflescopes.com/gallery/entry241.htm

 

[sscoyote]

Man those Swaro's are nice-- no doubt, but more than 2 custom guns?? Not for me. The Big Eyes i have r 2 Bushnell Spacemasters (22X WA) put together by Darryl Cassel out of PA. 1 of the more serious long-range shooters in this country. Send me an e-mail, and i'll hook u up with him if interested. The optical quality is great, and if u have $800 just laying around they're not a bad investment. Oh, and the tripod was SWEET-- but not mine unfortunately. The guy that we borrowed it from got the durn thing at an auction for just a couple bucks, believe it or not. I have 2 nice tripods-- 1 is a big Slik, that really lives up to its name, and the other is the big Leupold model, which is a little smaller, but handles the weight just as well, so it seems. I actually use these things for spot and stalk coyotes off high mesas in the winter, and will be using them for some big game as well. Of course they'd be right at home for pr. dogs also.

 

[Kestrel]

I guess I didn't look closely enough at the picture - I thought they were binoculars!

 

[sscoyote]

"home-made binocs"-- sort of