Spotting scopes- range + Star gazing?

[zeepool]

I've never looked through telescope before but is there a star gazing telescope that can be used at the range (300 yards). We have great night sky. But I need spotting scope for range too. Just wondering if any celestron type of scope (orion apex?) would bridge the gap between both areas of interest. Yea OK I'm trying to go cheap... an not buy two scopes. Thanks for any replies. Looking at 80mm for range...

 

[ms6852]

Do your research here at this sight, read the article than check out the forum.

http://www.opticsplanet.net:80/spotting-scopes-for-target-shooting.html

 

[sniper5]

We have a small cat (Cassegrain) scope from Orion that we use for a spotting scope for whale watching and also for stargazing. The problem with using for range use is that those type of scopes are generally relatively delicate and bulky and have to be handled gently. Also, the mount is a problem for stargazing. We have a X-Y axis mount and an equatorial mount. For starwatching an equatorial mount is set up so that the scope moves along the same path as the earth rotates. An X-Y mount will drive you crazy trying to keep the stars in aligment while the earth is rotating.

Given the right combinations of mounts and a small scope, though, range use would certainly be possible. Personally, I use something smaller and lighter that fits in the range bag.