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Bushell spotting scopes: Great for bird watching and nature observation

Bushnell spotting scopes combine the ease and convenience of binoculars with the power of a small telescope. Designed primarily for terrestrial viewing, Bushnell spotting scopes deliver clear, crisp and stable images to bird watchers, naturalists, hunters and land surveyors. Spotting scopes are also used to follow the action at sporting events at close range. Here is some information about spotting scopes that will help you make an informed purchasing decision.

The optical system in a spotting scope is usually one of two types: refractor or catadioptic. In a refractor scope, lenses are used exclusively. Catadiopter scopes use a combination of lenses and mirrors. Refractors offer "straight through" viewing. Usually simple in design, Bushnell spotting scopes of the refractor type have a lens (objective) at the front of a tube and an eyepiece for viewing the image at the back of the tube. Since images are delivered upside down and reversed right to left, a prism between the objective and the eyepiece corrects the image.

Reflector scopes generally have short focal lengths with wide fields of view for terrestrial observing. Eyepieces are interchangeable for versatility; there are even zoom eyepieces for some Bushnell spotting scopes. Zoom eyepieces will give you variable image magnification in the range of 15 to 60x -- 15 to 60 times greater than if seen with the naked eye. The refractor scope has practical, physical limits due to the cost and weight of the objective: 100mm is the usual limit for lens diameter. Refractors are the most popular types of spotting scope for birding, hunting and sporting events.

Catadioptic scopes use a lens and two mirrors to deliver the image to the eyepiece. With longer focal lengths and shorter fields of view, catadiopters also use prisms to correct the image. Catadiopter Bushnell spotting scopes support interchangeable fixed focal length eyepieces but zoom eyepieces are rare. Since these instruments perform at higher magnifications and have narrower fields of view, they usually have a low-power finder scope to help center the scope on a distant object.

Bushnell spotting scopes of this type are typically used for astronomy, long distance viewing and telephotography. They are suitable for use at fast-paced sporting events. The optical design, however, does allow for close focus, as close as 5 to 15 feet. Catadiopters are not as durable as refractors but tend to have less distortion.

To learn more about Bushnell spotting scopes or to view complete specifications and comprehensive descriptions, click one of the links below.

 
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About The Author:

Rita Liotta is a successful author and publisher at www.1st-at-binoculars.com.  Recommending binoculars, telescopes, rifle scopes, night vision, spotting scopes, laser sights, range finders & night vision goggles. 20-05-04