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hi guys anybody got any good advice on a telescope for me,i donot want to watch the starts ,but watch out over the field a mile away from my house,what sort and size scope will i need,theres some great wildlife out there but ,im after the right scope please,thanks
Ive got one Astronomy, Solar and Deep Space, but for what you want try here: http://stargazerslounge.com/
or here: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/
Both are very helpfull places.
However, given what you want it for you dont need a large apeture scope, just something thats portable and light with decent magnification.
Perhaps this would do: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/guidescopes/skywatcher-startravel-80-ota.html
Whatever you do, dont buy one from anywhere that is not a specialist shop. That would be like going to Halfords for a bike, go to First Light Optics for example, who stock a range. You need to be thinking about the field of view you need and things like eye relief etc.
Its not that stright forward, and often people assume they need magnification, whereas in reality you need you will need portability and a clear image. You dont need to spend much if you dont want to look at the stars. Mine is for astronomy and cost about 3 grand, but you could spend 300 and get something amazing.
What you want is a spotting scope, something along the lines of this puppy:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002862UW/ref=asc_df_B0002862UW9388401?smid=AWK1Q6AQWBW6H&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B0002862UW
http://www.binocularsonline.co.uk/guides/default.asp?A10PAGE=GUIDE_SPOTSCOPES
http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=286
EDIT - for 1 mile away you need good kit. The forum above has exceptional kit for sale, but by the sound of it you are not sure what will suit you, so you need to try it out for yourself, as with a bike purchase.
This is the bear minimum you want. Im a bit of a spotter (wildlife), but dont tell anyone!
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http://www.at-infocus.co.uk/opticron.html#telescopes
Choose the Opticron GS665, its the best 'budget' wildlife spotting scope on the market. As with bikes its worth going to a shop and trying them first.
Great help thanks guys for the advice
Hi,
I am a keen bird / wildlife spotter and I use Kowa scopes - you do def get a better scope the more you spend... I was watching ospreys and peregrines only yesterday as I am too post viral to ride my bike !
A bigger objective lens ( lens at the front ) = more light and better viewing in less than ideal lighting - ie most of the time in the uk... however they are heavier to carry a 66/77 lens is a good compromise re weight cost etc... dont forget a tripod - you will need one of these...
The eyepiece is the bit that determines magnification / field of view - an adjustable one is convenient but expensive but you can lose out on quality etc that said I use a 20-60x eyepiece and its superb - use the wider 20/30 for scanning and then zoom in with the higher mag...
Be warned you may well end up using it with a camera and you enter the world of digiscoping...
I am happy to discuss more if youe mail me etc
paul
snowpaul at hotmail co uk
Have a look on birdforum alwaysa few scopes for sale on there
aldi had some cheap spotting scopes recently bit wouldnt think the top end of the zoom wpuld be much good and aldi have a returns policy iirc
If you have any rspb reserves of bird watching centres nearby have alook there and a ask for a squint thrpugh a couple of scopes
Youll need a tripod as well or a hide clamp
Let me look into it for you and I may get back to you if I find anything of interest...
THanks guys for all your help