scope buyer checklist (1 Viewer)

Although I can make one...anyone see a spotting scope checklist as one compares a scope to the other. This might be somewhat personal as we all bring the table different needs etc...just curious, jim

This is horrible difficult since it's so personal. To me viewing comfort is probably the most important.
Viewing comfort includes several factors, such as:

* Exit pupil size (bigger is generally better)
* Eye relief (must be tested, varies over zoom range, preferably >= 15 mm)
* FOV (> 2.4° at 25x-30x is nice)
* AFOV (i.e. tunnel vision if to small,should be at least > 55° at 25x, or > 60° at 30x)
* Sharpness (center and edge, I think edge sharpness i more important for scopes than binoculars)
* Depth of field (mostly depends on magnification)
* Contrast (modern lens coatings are better)
* Brightness (objective lens size and transmission)

Other important image quality factors are

* Resolution (Larger obj.lens gives generally a higher resolution)
* CA-control (center and edge, HD/ED/FL lenses are mandatory in my opinion)
* Color rendition (differs between makes, I prefer a neutral rendition)

I also find the handling and focus adjustment very important, including factors as:

* Type of focus adjustment (top focuser or helical focuser, single or double knobs)
* Type of zoom adjustment (on EP or on body)
* Weight
* Balance (smaller scopes tend to be back heavy)

Other factors that may be considered are:

* price/value for money
* warranty
* service level
* ruggedness/build qual. (rubber armor, waterproof etc)
* min. close focus distance
* size
* max magnification
* min magnification (a lower min.mag. can be useful in bad conditions as low light or hot air)
* light transmission (more important in a smaller scopes)
* accessories (digiscoping etc)

A nice set...

I sat around last night and made a list.... You have much of what I thought although I missed AFOV, contrast, and Sharpness to the edge.

But what I want to add is looking at 'focus' of birds at various distances and under sunny and cloudy conditions.

When you speak of focus wheel placement etc...also depending on where you live, it is nice to uses with gloves 'on and off'....

One other thing might be if a person is into digiscoping and does the scope have digiscoping ease or is it a mix of what others have etc..

So a good list going here, jim

Vespobuteo said:

This is horrible difficult since it's so personal.
To me viewing comfort is probably the most important.
Viewing comfort includes several factors, such as:

* Exit pupil size (bigger is generally better)
* Eye relief (must be tested, varies over zoom range)
* FOV (> 2.4° at 25x-30x is nice)
* AFOV (i.e. tunnel vision if to small,should be at least > 55 at 25x, or > 60 at 30x)
* Sharpness (center and edge)
* Depth of field (mostly depends on magnification)
* Contrast (lens coatings)
* Brightness (objective lens size and transmission)

Other important image quality factors are

* Resolution (Larger obj.lens gives generally better resolution)
* CA-control (center and edge, HD/ED/FL lenses are mandatory)
* Color rendition (differs between makes)

I also find the handling and focus adjustment very important,
including factors as:

* Type of focus adjustment (top or central focuser)
* Type of zoom adjustment (on EP or on body)
* Weight
* Balance (smaller scopes tend to be back heavy)

Other factors that
may be considered are:

* price/value for money
* warranty
* service level
* ruggedness/build qual. (rubber armor etc)
* min. close focus distance
* size
* max magnification
* min magnification (a lower min.mag. can be useful in bad conditions as low light or hot air)
* light transmission (more important in a smaller scopes)

Click to expand...

A couple of more.

Straight or angled.
If angled, How easy to find a bird.
Waterproof?