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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jaymoynihan" data-source="post: 1583385" data-attributes="member: 50493">Generally speaking, in my experience.A very high quality prismatic spotter can do very we on the night sky. The downside, is the low magnification limit, comparatively.A good, "APO" astronomical refractor, or a small Maksutov make for excellent bird views. The downsides are, as noted above, the necessity if a pretty good quality erecting prism in the case of the refractor, and a few of the Maks. Some Maks (ETX 90, Questar) have built in 90 degree diagonals, that if you can get used to the left right reversal it is best to just live with. But since these are usually used at 40x and higher, that will not matter as much.All other things being equal, I have found that as to shear image quality, in the normal spotter mag range, a small APO refractor, will "out perform" a prismatic spotter other than the highest end price-wise, models.The major downsides of the astro scope though are; Mak (not waterproof, and comparatively fragile) or refractor (weight for size, not waterproof, compatative fragility depending on model). For example, my Astro-tech 66mm ED is optically excellent. But without erector prism or eyepiece, comes in at 3 1/2 pounds.</blockquote>