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Ideally, spotting scopes are a special type of medium-range telescopes. Most of these units have a magnification range of about 15x to 60x. Most of these units allow you to vary the magnification. As a tip, you start with lower magnification when scanning an area. From there, you can then increase the magnification to examine the birds you want to see closely. Whether you are shopping for the best affordable spotting scope or a luxurious unit, it is imperative to get a unit that offers decent magnification.

Magnification Power

Spotting scopes are a necessary accessory for birding. Unlike using a pair of binoculars, having a spotting scope allows you to locate more birds and distinguish different species easily. You will enjoy the intricate plumage details offered by this essential birding accessory. When shopping for a spotting scope, there are many optical features to keep in mind. This article shares some shopping parameters that will see you get the right spotting scope.

Zoom Lenses

Zoom lenses are meant to adjust the magnification power of the scope. The good thing about these lenses is that they are designed in a way that allows the user to change the magnification with a simple adjustment. With technology, it is now easy to find a mid-priced unit with superior quality zoom lenses. So if you are planning to buy a spotting scope, see to it that you get a unit with top quality zoom lenses.

Light-Gathering Capacity

Another optical parameter to consider is the light gathering capacity, which is often determined by the size of the objective lens. A unit with a large objective lens (high light gathering capacity) offers brighter images than one with a small objective lens. Most objective lens’s diameter range from 50mm to 10. The only downside with larger lenses is that they tend to be quite bulky and heavy to carry.

Focusing Mechanism

There are two main types of focusing mechanisms employed in spotting scopes. Some units have a focusing collar that requires you to twist the whole barrel to get a better focus. Other design use a fine adjustment knob mounted on the top of the scope. No focusing mechanism is superior, so it is advisable to find your preference.

With a few hundred dollars, you can be sure of getting a good spotting scope. It is therefore imperative to do due diligence on your part to ensure you get maximum value for your money.