Nikon 20-60x82mm ProStaff 5 Fieldscope Spotting Scope Review

The Nikon 20-60x82mm ProStaff 5 Fieldscope Spotting Scope with Eyepiece, with Tripod + Monopod + Kit is an entry-level addition to Nikon’s ProStaff series of spotting scopes. At a affordable price, the scope is clearly meant for amateur or occasional birders and shooters with some changes in design and optics when compared with the RA III series of fieldscopes that came before the ProStaff.

Objective lens:

The 82mm objective lens gives you a balance between size and brightness. The larger the lens, the brighter is the image but the scope gets heavier. 82mm is good enough for low light viewing, and to support the 60x magnification without making the Prostaff 5 too heavy. It’s also good enough for some digiscoping.

Prism:

The prism used is a Porro prism, which is rarer (and less expensive) than a roof prism today but dollar for dollar gives you better quality of images. In the Porro prism, the objective and eyepiece are offset instead of in a straight line, which is what gives the scope its elongated S-shape. The prism makes the scope light-efficient and offers a good contrast of images.

Optical coating:

The scope lens and prisms are not made of Nikon’s excellent ED glass used in the brand’s premium fieldscopes, but they are fully multi-coated to give good clarity and brightness. To compare, some of the best quality fieldscopes and spotting scopes (often priced over $3000) use the superior ED (extra-low dispersion) glass or HD (high density) glass for better image quality. The Porro Prisms are barium crown glass (BAK4), which is the highest quality that is available today.

Field of view:

Using the included 20-60x82mm eyepiece, the fieldscope’s field of view at 1000 yards is 104.8 feet (or 32m) at 20x magnification. To put this into context, you will find some of the more expensive scopes have a field of view of 37 meters at 1000m. Note that field of view is essentially the width of the image you see through the scope.

Focusing:

With a focal length of 377 mm, the ProStaff 5 fieldscope has a close focusing distance of 6.1m, which is a bit better than the best (high premium spotting scopes have minimum focusing distances of 5m).

Eye Relief:

The scope has an eye relief of 16.5mm, which is pretty good and should be enough for people who wear glasses.

The kit comes with the following accessories – eyepiece, Nikon’s 60-inch tripod, a Kodak M720 Monopod for use on the go, a Nikon FogKlear Cleaning Cloth, PD Spudz Microfiber Cloth and the Nikon Lenspen Mini for cleaning your lens system. All these accessories make a fine kit that is a great addition to your travel scoping and digiscoping needs.

The scope has a zoom eyepiece with a magnification of 20x-60x. If you’re using it as a rifle scope, you will be able to clearly see the staples holding a target 200 yards away, and the grouping is clear at 300 yards. Birding clarity is great at 20x to 30x. When approaching max zoom, however, there may be a slight loss in clarity.

The Final Word

Overall, this is a good scope for its price: lightweight, cost-effective, and offering high magnification with trustworthy Nikon lens clarity. If you are an occasional or amateur birder, this is good enough. The image clarity at high magnifications may not be the best for heavy digiscoping. It is a good enough rifle scope as well if you buy the mount for it.

Celestron LandScout 60MM Spotting Scope Review

Whether you are a bird watcher, hunter, target shooter or a participant in activities that require enhanced vision, a spotting scope should be your perfect investment. You will be happy to learn that Celestron LandScout 60MM Spotting Scope Backpack Kit Green (52325) comes with everything you need for your outdoor activities. It’s the current or updated version of Celestron 52324 LandScout 10-30×50 Backpack Kit (Olive Green). This article covers everything you would like to know about this spotting scope backpack kit and touches on some of the differences between the two kits.

Key Features of Celestron LandScout 60MM Spotting Scope

Body Design

Angled-Shaped

All Landscout spotting scopes available in the market are angled shaped. The 12-36 spotting scope’s eyepiece is positioned at 45degrees angle. This makes it easier to look up into the sky or share the scope between individuals with different heights.

Furthermore, you don’t need a tall tripod to raise the spotting scope up to your eye level, as in the case of a straight scope.

Compact and Lightweight Design

This scope is designed as a great backup option when you don’t want to carry a larger and heavier scope. Lens and chassis are smaller and contributes to its low weight, which is only 18.1oz (513g). However, if 18.1oz is not lightweight enough for your needs, you can buy the older version, Celestron 52324 LandScout 10-30×50 Backpack Kit (Olive Green) that comes with Celestron Landscout 50mm Scope, which weighs 14.2oz (403g).

Smaller Dimension to Full Sized Versions

Celestron Landscout 60mm scope has a length of 10.75inches (27.3cm), which is shorter than the measurements of the full-sized spotting scopes. If you are looking for a more tiny scope, then Celestron 50mm scope will be a good option as its length measures only 8.75inches (22.2cm).

Great Exterior Design

The exterior of this spotting scope features rubber coatings which cover most parts, except a few on the mounting collar and the eyepiece. The coatings give you a more secure surface that to hold onto and also offers protection to the scope.

Objective Lens

The 60mm objective lens is permanently set deeply within the end of the barrel with an approximate depth of 2.5cm. This scope produces an exit pupil of 5mm in diameter, (60/5=12) at 12X magnification which is large enough to supply the eye with adequate light even in poor light conditions. However, when using higher magnifications, the exit pupil reduces up to 1.7mm at 36X (60/36=1.7), and this can be less than ideal in low lighting conditions.

BK7 Prism Glass

Celestron 60mm scope uses roof prism that turns around the image once it passes through the objective lens. The prism is made from BK7 glass, which is common with the cheaper scopes.

Fully Coated Optics

When the light comes into contact with any scope, it’s likely to reflect some of it away, or direct it to an unwanted direction, leading to a less bright or distorted final image. Celestron 60mm scope is fully coated to reduce these problems. All the glass surfaces have at least a layer of anti-reflection materials added to them.

Rotating Tripod Mount

The mounting plate measures (9.5cmx 2.6cm), offering a steady platform to work from. You will be able to set up your eyepiece in a perfect position once you mount the scope on the included tripod. A small circular section appears around the rubberized standard sized thread that increases the level of grip. The tripod mount rotates fully, (360 degrees), meaning that your eyepiece will also be able to move a full 360 degrees once you set it up.

Large Focus Wheel

All the Celestron Landscout Spotting scopes feature large focusing wheels that wrap around the body. The focus ring features a rubberized track that allows you to adjust it, even if you are wearing winter gloves. It is easy to reach from any position, and you can control it with either your left or right hand. You will enjoy a smooth action, without sticking points.

The scope also features a 12-36X eyepiece which is fixed to the scope’s body. You will be able to adjust the magnification from 12X to 36X and get close to the action by simply rotating it.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

The warranty covers repairs and replacements of the spotting scope for its usable lifetime. It’s effective in cases of defective components, but this does not include damages from normal wear and tear.

Optical Stats

Eye Relief

If you put on glasses, the eye relief of this scope will allow you to view the image without having to remove your glasses. Its eye relief ranges from 18mm at 12X magnification to 14mm at 36X magnification.

Field of View

The field of view is based on the magnification you use, but this scope offers a very wide field of view. At 1000 Yards the field of view goes from 157ft (52m) wide at 12X magnification to 84ft (28m) wide at 36X magnification.

Close Focusing Distance: The close focusing distance is 33ft/10m away.

Other Items That Comes With Celestron LandScout 60MM Spotting Scope Backpack Kit Green (52325)

1. Camouflage Backpack: The backpack carries and safely secures all the elements. It features multiple accessory pockets, buckles to carry the tripod, PALS compatible webbing and internal straps that will help you keep the items organized and in place. The adjustable chest/waist straps and the shoulder-padded straps, make it comfortable to carry the backpack.
2. Tripod: The tripod heads and metal legs are steady, and provide added stability that allows you to use the spotting scope for extended periods.
3. Objective Lens Cap: Protects the objective lens
4. Eyepiece Cap: Protects the eyepiece.
5. Soft Carrying Case: The well-made case features an adjustable shoulder/hand strap that’s un-padded as well as a long zip that allows you to access the interior.

Final Impression

I always try to give you details of the product. What I usually do just suggest you what fit your bill. This scope is good in respect of its price.

Best Spotting Scope For Target Shooting

The best spotting scope is which that leaves you satisfied by a single shot and wins the game. It is evident that shooting with bare naked eyes is subjected to errors that can cost you in losing the game and the target altogether. The idea is to have that single shot.

Features for target shooting

Magnification and zooming

The magnification and zooming the target makes it easy for you to achieve the set standard. Distance should never be a bother as the scope will entirely deliver at long last.

Easy to install

A good featured spotting scope should be easy to install into the riffle, be compatible and provide the user with almost clarity and accuracy. The magnification range and the objective lens should be wide to provide the user with maximum coverage. The eye is the subject and the defining phenomenon and thus the cups should never hurt, but provide a maximum eye relief in aiming the target.

Water, dust and fog proof

The lens ought to be dust, water and fog proof and not to trigger the target or provide any slight objection while aiming as it is calculated as a miss.

 Light weight

The light weight provide an easy and more flexible, handling mechanisms as the user doesn’t feel the added weight to the riffle. It makes it easy to run with and go for quite a distance without tiring.

Light and the direction of the sun won’t make your targeting hard. A better spotting scope for target is excellent at any light condition high or low. Image clarity at any given light condition is the most observed features by most buyers as it is the core reason why they intend to purchase a spotting scope for target.

How can a person enjoy target shooting?

Without doubt shooting is the most amazing game that is gaining popularity in the recent days. It brings much pride especially when one wins and is able to hit the target as many times as possible, leaving the competitors with a gap to sweat and fill. It is also exciting when pouching in the field, as it gives you no trouble in bringing down the target and neither will you run around chasing the animal.

The scope does all the work for you and amazingly the only required characteristics is you and the trigger. With the naked eyes it is a straining job and requires a lot of concentration that at most leaves you tired and worn out. The scope used for shooting making the whole work easier.

You will certainly enjoy shooting when you can zoom and magnify the target with ease from any position and distance. The exciting thing is that you shoot as the animal grazes unexpectedly, or when running for safety and as you are highly positioned brings it down.

Conclusion

There are many scope variety in the market and it requires you as the user to identify the best spotting scope basing with magnification and zooming. Identifying the best features in correspondence with the use is the best thing to consider. The whole purpose is the accuracy and bringing the target close. With the best scope in place spotting the target is and will always be seconds away.

Best Spotting Scope For Birding

Bird watching is generally fun especially if you love nature and birds in particular. There are different kinds of birds that one can enjoy watching all year long and get to know their behaviors that are quite interesting to discover. If not watching birds from your backyard but from a long distance, then you will definitely need to have a best spotting scope for birding and target shooting so as to bring your feathered pal closer for greater viewing. Spotting scopes are mostly used to target scores at varying distances and they offer magnificent viewing compared to the normal binoculars.

Features of a birding spotting scope

Eye relief

This is necessary since you do not want your eye too close to the eyepiece; this feature is mostly for those people who wear glasses. Bigger eye relief also helps one with thick glasses to see the full image without any hitches. For those without glasses, a minimum of 15 mm of eye relief is recommended on the spotting scope for one to enjoy great views.

Magnification

The whole issue of having a spotting scope is so as to have a good magnification on the image you want to see and that’s the more need of having a scope that will relay reasonable images. High quality scope has a magnification of 30x-40x though the higher the magnification the more the quality of the image.

Image quality at times get distracted by the atmosphere changes like humidity, wind, dust and glare and they end up producing low quality images. To get the best quality images, get higher magnifications spotting scope for areas with high altitude and have dry climate and low altitude and wet areas, a low magnification scope will produce a clear picture.

Water and fog proof

To always get the best images from your spotting scope, you will need it to be in good condition for long. When out taking shoots atmospheric changes like fog and rain water may ruin your scope if it does not have the ability to keep the humid conditions at bay. Get one that has seals to keep of water and dust and debris at the same time to continue enjoying the views.

Digiscope

This where the scope can be used together with a camera to get long distance pictures like from a mountain top. Always make sure that the scope is compatible with the camera to be able to get clear and full view pictures.

Objective lens

High quality objective lens with high performance glass is very much needed when settling for the best spotting scope. A large lens with high magnification will produce great images than one with a smaller lens but with high magnifications.

Love birds and bird watching? With the specific features for a good scope, you can now go and enjoy bird watching with the best spotting scope for birding and target shooting and get the very best views and images to carry along with you from the beautiful scenery of your feathered friends.

Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope Review

Vanguard Company is a renowned company that has over 25 years’ experience in the manufacturing of quality spotting scopes. The Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope is one of their quality products, which is ideal for a hunter who is looking for a compact and lightweight scope for distance spotting.

This scope is made out of durable and high-quality materials that ensure that it performs perfectly even after a constant or prolonged use. The Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope come with a zoom spotting scope as well as a soft bag, aluminum carrying case and a tripod as part of its kit.

Body Style of Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope Review

The Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope features waterproof, magnesium and rubber armored body that has an integral side out sunshades. The scope also features a fast and fine focus knob that helps you to focus on the object. In addition, a large tripod mounting foot comes with a standard threaded socket placed below the main tube. At the back of the main tube, there are threads that accommodate the camera adapter.

In addition, the Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope is sealed and is nitrogen filled to make it 100 percent foolproof. In addition, the scope is submersible.

You are also provided with rear and front caps raincoat carrying case as well as a carrying strap, making is a very portable device. These features also keep secure when being transported. To enhance its protection as well as the user convenience, the carrying case has snaps and zippers that will allow you to access all the controls fully so that you do not have to remove the scope from the case when using it.

With its design, you can use this scope for more than just hunting. You can use it for bird watching in addition to spotting strikes of targets at the shooting range. The handicapped can also benefit from this scope since they can use it to watch birds by means of a car window mount.

Objective lens

The Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope comes with an impressive objective lens. It’s 82 mm objective lens makes it clear that the scope is made for premium spotting. The lenses give it an impressive grasp of light, actually, the light grasp is as big as that found in some astronomical telescopes.

The scopes also provide excellent eye relief that allows even the eyeglass wearers to use it comfortably. The scope also features a bayonet mounted 3:1 zoom ratio eyepiece that allows for a quick chance. This feature is very impressive and when we consider its twist-up eyecup, we find it very convenient because of the objective’s pull out lenses hood.

Prism

The Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope comes with BaK4 roof prisms that are 100 percent water resistant and shock resistant. The prism has an extendable sunshade and fully coated lenses. In addition, the phase-corrected BaK4 prisms have the ability to maximize light transmissions and produces images that are color faithful as well as rich with contrast.

Optical coating

When it comes to optical coating the Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope comes with an impressive BaK4 roof prism as well as fully coated lenses. The nature of these features makes this scope to provide quality optic to help the hunter to take the full advantage in the area where they hunt. The optical coating provided in this HD model enhances the clarity and increases the magnification, creating the ideal environment for hunters who are hunting in plans, which are further apart.

To increase the clarity, this scope comes with an extendable eyecup that is covered with rubber. In addition, there the scope offers you an impressive eye relief even if you have set it at the highest zoom settings. This makes it provide a very impressive field f view. There is also an inbuilt sun shield that eliminates the glare from direct sunlight.

Optical Statistics

The optics of the Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope makes the images appear sharp, contrast and do not have any form f color fringing. The scope also provides a very good edge-to-edge sharpness. The lens flare and internal reflections of the endeavor HD scope are suppressed by the fully multi-coated optics as well as the completely blackened interiors of its magnesium body. In addition, the coma, distortions, as well as other optical aberrations are well controlled.

A stacked dual focus mechanism employed by vanguard also makes the user make fine coarse adjustments. The extra low dispersion glass elements, as well as the BaK4 prisms, also enhance the clarity of the images.

In addition, the 2.1 to 1.0-degree angle of view is wide enough to enable the user to detect animals moving from a long distance. The optics of this scope are also enhanced by the 19.7 ft close focus s] distance that is delivered at 20x.

Magnification

The Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope features a 20-60x zoom eyepiece that has a rubber zoom dial. In addition, there is a 1:3 zoom ratio as well as 2.1-1.0 degree angle of view that is complemented with the a 19mm eye relief as well as rubber eyecup that helps in providing additional viewing comfort especially if the user use it for prolonged periods. The scope also comes with impressive 82mm objectives that provide a very good field of view.

Strengths

The Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope is impressive hunting equipment that has superior features that are ideal for users who need a compact yet powerful tool to help them in their daily use.

Portability

The portability of this scope is enhanced by its protective carrying bag. This bag is very useful especially where the user carries it to a tree stand for example or another area where the operation of the scope works well without the use of the car window mount or a tripod.

User friendliness

Looking at its user friendliness, we can say that this product deserves a five star. First, the tool delivers impressive results to the user and has more than one uses. Although it is built for premium hunting spotting, Bird watchers and naturalists will also love the clear images this scope delivers.

Durability

As previously mentioned the Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope is made with durable and high-quality materials that ensure that it remains in top working condition even after being used constantly for a prolonged period.

Cost-effectiveness

Although the product is highly priced, looking at the features it has to offer it is definitely worth every penny. When you purchase this tool, you also do not have to worry about any breakages or purchasing additional accessories since it comes with a complete kit. This means that you do not have to buy a carrying bag or a tripod.

Warranty

One thing you have to look at when purchasing a product is the warranty offered by the company. If the warranty period is long, it means that the company trusts their products. The company offers an extended warranty meaning that the product is durable and of high quality.

Weakness

The only negative comment that relates to this scope is the weight. Some customers believe that the company could have made the scope a little lighter than it is. However, some customer said they would prefer caring a heavier tool than a tool that is manufactured with low-quality materials in a bid to cut its weight.

Accessories

The Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope comes with a number of accessories. First, there are front and rear lens caps that will protect the lenses from excess light and shield them from extreme weather condition such as rain and extreme sun.

There is also a carrying strap that enables the user to carry the equipment easily and securely. In addition, there is a raincoat carrying case. The raincoat bag will obviously protect the coat from getting into contact with water. Although the scope is well coated, the raincoat bag will protect it from becoming wet.

Most hunters find carrying scopes a burden because they fear damaging them. No one would want to carry the scope if they are not very sure that it is completely safe.

The raincoat carrying case also has snaps as well as zippers that allow the user to access all the controls without having to remove the scope from the case. This makes sure that the scope can be used anytime, regardless of the weather.

Final word

Looking at the features of the Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope, we can recommend it to anyone who is looking for a durable yet effective best spotting scope. This scope is actually better than most shooter need for the rifle range. Its impressive optics will help you to view clear images that are more than 200 yards away. What is more, you can use this scope comfortably while still wearing glasses!