• We should now be fully online following an overnight outage. Apologies for any inconvenience, we do not expect there to be any further issues.

Spotting scope for birding?

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,896
33,992
136
Been thinking about getting a spotting scope for birding and general wildlife viewing. I don't plan to backpack it so weight and size aren't a big deal. I don't want to go stupid on price but maybe. Anyone here have a scope that they really, really like? Any design features that you didn't think about until you started using it?
 

Six

Senior member
Feb 29, 2000
523
34
91
I was in your position once and try as many scopes as I could get my hands on. I ended up buying the Barska blackhawk 20-60x60 on eBay for $80. Have fun "bird watchi."

Pointers:
-you can always buy better, but the returns are very diminishing.
-there's a limit to how much you can zoom in due to shimmering heat waves.
-reflecting scopes will give you a much dimmer picture.

EDIT: Got home and saw I actually got the Pursuit Spotting Scopes 16-48x65mm.
 
Last edited: