Spotting scope with 60mm objective lens and anti-glare lens coating

What are the differences between a large and small objective lens?

• Larger lens = More detail, better image quality at higher magnifications, larger field of view
• Smaller lens = Smaller, more compact scope, lighter weight, more affordable

But the quality of your spotting scope depends on more than just the size of the objective lens. A large lens does not automatically trump a smaller lens. The quality of the objective lens also depends on the quality of the glass used to make the lens. A small objective lens with high performance glass (such as ED, APO, HD, or Fluorite) can deliver a higher quality image than a large objective lens with standard glass.

The higher the magnification, the more important it is to have a high quality objective lens for sharper image quality and detail. At lower magnifications, a smaller and more affordable objective lens should suit your needs just fine.

The quality of the objective lens can also be improved by special coatings added to the glass. For example, the anti-glare lens coating used on the KillZone scope reduces distortion and focuses the light rays for a crisper, brighter image. Special coatings ensure a quality image in less-than-ideal light conditions. Keep in mind that the use of high performance glass and lens coatings will increase the cost of the spotting scope.

Use a tripod to steady the spotting scope.

1. Choose a good spotting location where you can get a good view of your surroundings. Make sure the view is unobstructed in the direction you will be looking.
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2. Set up the tripod and scope on as level ground as possible. Adjust the tripod legs as needed. The use of a tripod is necessary because of the high magnification settings of a scope. Binoculars you can hold steady in your hand, but with the higher magnification power of a scope, you will need a stable base (tripod) in order to view a steady, focused image through the eyepiece. With a spotting scope, even small movements (such as the barely noticeable shakiness in your hands) will cause you to lose the focus on your target.
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3. Adjust the magnification power to the power you need. Generally, you want to start at the lowest power setting to locate your target and then increase the magnification as needed. The lower the magnification setting, the larger your field of view will be.
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4. Locate your target through the scope. Use binoculars to help you find your target, if needed. Once you have zeroed in on your target, make any fine tune adjustments to the scope to see the image clearly and at the correct magnification.
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5. Rest your eyes often. Looking through the eyepiece of the scope for long periods of time can quickly tire out your eyes. Take regular breaks from looking through the scope to give your eyes a rest.

This KillZone Spotting Scope has a
magnification of 20x to 60x.

Spotting scopes allow hunters, bird watchers, and others to view wildlife at a higher magnification range than most binoculars will allow. The scope is mounted on a stand for steady viewing at these higher magnifications.

The magnification of a spotting scope is limited by two things: the atmosphere and the optical system.

1. Atmosphere and Spotting Scopes

The range of viewing during the daytime is smaller than at night. Telescopes are built to much higher specifications than spotting scopes, yet telescopes are too powerful for daytime use. The heat waves, dust, humidity, glare, wind, and air currents during the daytime limit the image quality of distant objects.

In ideal conditions, a spotting scope may return a clear image at up to 80x magnification, but rarely do they work well over a magnification of 60, and rarely do hunters need that much power and image quality.

Don’t make the mistake of purchasing a scope with magnifications over 60 times to 80 times just to find out that these magnifications are not practical for daytime use. A scope with up to 60x magnification is all the power you need.

The less ideal that atmospheric conditions are, the lower the image quality will be. Some days, it will be difficult to see anything over 30x magnification. On clear, calm days, you may be able to see clearly up to 60x.

High altitudes and dry climates are more favorable for higher magnification ranges. Humid, low-altitude climates are less favorable. Atmosphere also affects the amount of detail you are able to decipher at great distances.

2. Optical Systems and Spotting Scopes

The optical system also affects the magnification and clarity of a spotting scope. The higher the magnification is, the lower the image quality will be. A premium quality scope will retain the most image quality at higher magnifications. Low quality scopes lose image quality quickly as the magnification power increases. Very few spotting scopes can retain the same image quality at 60x as they do at 20x, and these scopes come at a high price.

Fortunately, most spotting is done in the lower ranges of magnification and does not demand the quality of a premium scope. All good quality, affordable spotting scope will perform accurately for your hunting or wildlife spotting needs without breaking your budget.

Continued from Waterfowl Hunting 101 – Part 1.

Another way to scout an area is to ask local residents what they’ve seen around the area. Even mailmen or others who frequent the area may be able to give you some tips.

Study the flight path and typical landing areas of the waterfowl you hunt. Find out where the birds want to be, so that when you come back to hunt, you set up in their favorite spot. If you choose the wrong location and try to call the birds to where you want them to land, all your calling and pleading may fail if the birds choose to land just out of shooting range.

Despite all your best scouting efforts, changes in weather or a sudden shift in the birds’ habits can turn a hot spot into a cold one, so be prepared to change your strategy if necessary.

If you hunt on public land, try to find spots with less hunting pressure. These areas are generally harder to get to, but they will be worth the effort, and fewer hunters will attempt to take over your spot if it’s cumbersome to reach.

To beat the hunting pressure, you can also try arriving earlier or staying later than other hunters, or you can use the opposite strategy of your competition—for example, set out more or less decoys than other hunters in the area.

Spotting scopes let you observe from a distance.

The best way to scout for waterfowl is to find the birds’ roosting area and feeding grounds. The feeding grounds may change every few days as the food supply in the area becomes scarce or picked over by the birds, so don’t wait too long to hunt after scouting out a feeding area. Birds tend to feed fairly close to the roost, so even if they move on you, most likely they haven’t gone too far.

Keep yourself as hidden and unobtrusive as possible. A spotting scope allows you to keep a safe distance away but still get a good look at the game. After the birds clear the area, you can move in for a closer look. Note the exact location of the birds by looking for feathers, scat, and other telltale signs of your prey.

A good hunter knows his prey. Find out which senses are keenest and adjust your strategy accordingly. Cover your scent and stay downwind as much as possible. Conceal yourself with camouflage, don’t make any sudden moves, and use adequate cover.

Know the habits of the game birds that you’re hunting. Know their feeding times, movements throughout the area, and what they consider home base. Know their fears and hesitations as well.

…Continued in Waterfowl Hunting – Part 2.

Summary of Advantages:

Spotting Scopes have higher clarity and magnification than binoculars.

• Magnification range of 15-45x or 20-60x
• Tripod stands for added stability
• Observe from a greater distance without alerting game of your presence
• Easily identify species, special markings, gender, and other details

A spotting scope is a modified telescope designed for use during the day. Spotting scopes generally come with a magnification range of 15-45x or 20-60x. Binoculars, on the other hand, only offer 7x or 10x magnification. Spotting scopes also come with tripod stands for added stability. The higher the magnification, the more important it is to keep the scope steady for a clear view.

The advantage of spotting scopes over binoculars is that they allow you to observe deer, waterfowl, or other wildlife from a greater distance without alerting game of your presence. Since spotting scopes offer higher magnification than binoculars, you can easily identify species, special markings, gender, and other details from a discreet distance.

The increased clarity of spotting scopes means that you can see birds and animals in greater detail than with binoculars. You can locate and identify targets at greater distances without straining your eyes or making guesses about distant, look-alike animals.

For the most accurate scouting and shooting, use your spotting scope. Or bring both binoculars and a spotting scope for the best of both worlds.