Hi all,
Just wondering about recommendations for a spotting scope. Never looked into one and was just wondering if there are any things to look for.
Thanks,
Mitch
spotting scope recommendations
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Mitch Booth
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:23 am
- Location: Akron, OH
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 0
2013 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 2 fledged
2014 - 0
2015 - 1 pair, 5 died during week of rain
2016 - 0
2017 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2018 - 4 pair, 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2020 - 17 pair
2020 - 17 pair 77 eggs 69 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2018 - 4 pair 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2017 - 1 pair 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2016 - 0 only visits
2015 - 1 pair 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 dead on days 6-7
2014 - 0 only visits
2013 - 1 pair 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged
2012 - 0
2019 - 7 pair
2018 - 4 pair 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2017 - 1 pair 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2016 - 0 only visits
2015 - 1 pair 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 dead on days 6-7
2014 - 0 only visits
2013 - 1 pair 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged
2012 - 0
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DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
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Trio-Jedi
Depends upon what all your uses for it will be and how far away you plan to have it. You can spend up to $5k on one if you want. Personally for the $ I would get a super zoom camera until you start getting into the mid level scopes that start at the $1000 range. the super zoom "bridge" cameras offer optics at a level you can't buy dollar for dollar in a pure scope. Plus you get the functionality of a camera too.
I spent $2.5k on my scope but I use it for birding also and it is a top level device.
If you do buy a scope get a phone adapter for it so you can take photos.
I spent $2.5k on my scope but I use it for birding also and it is a top level device.
If you do buy a scope get a phone adapter for it so you can take photos.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
A 20-60 power scope is valuable. I bought one through Cabela's for hunting. It was $400.00. It was made by Vortex. Yes, you can spend 1000s. I cannot. I use it now that we have been banding martins for the past two years and it is invaluable. Find a store that sells optics. They will have many to try out. Different quality lenses make a difference. Try several out and find one that works for what you need and can afford.
At 60 power for hunting it is fine because I am not looking for great detail. At 60 power for reading bands, motion, even the wind, can cause difficulty because of the size of the numbers on a very small band. I can sit with the scope on a tripod 40 feet away from my gourds and easily read a band. I usually have the scope set at about 30-40 power.
For most of my bird watching I use 40x50 Nikon binoculars to initially locate the bird or whatever. If needed, I then use the scope to zoom in. Scopes are for targets that are sitting still. It took me several days to read the bands on a returning SY martin this spring. I could see that it was banded with my binoculars, I just could not read them. After the bird finally sat still and I was lucky enough to focus quickly, I could easily read #55 on my red band. If I could have gotten real close with the binoculars, I maybe could have read that band.
Try many brands. They vary greatly.
At 60 power for hunting it is fine because I am not looking for great detail. At 60 power for reading bands, motion, even the wind, can cause difficulty because of the size of the numbers on a very small band. I can sit with the scope on a tripod 40 feet away from my gourds and easily read a band. I usually have the scope set at about 30-40 power.
For most of my bird watching I use 40x50 Nikon binoculars to initially locate the bird or whatever. If needed, I then use the scope to zoom in. Scopes are for targets that are sitting still. It took me several days to read the bands on a returning SY martin this spring. I could see that it was banded with my binoculars, I just could not read them. After the bird finally sat still and I was lucky enough to focus quickly, I could easily read #55 on my red band. If I could have gotten real close with the binoculars, I maybe could have read that band.
Try many brands. They vary greatly.
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sheila&dwayne
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:17 pm
- Location: Bonnyville,Alberta,Canada
The Vortex viper HD is what we use. It comes with a lifetime warranty.