What have you always used when you are doing some birdwatching? You may say that you have always used your binoculars. Your binoculars are great but if you have the right optics scope, you will be surprised by the difference it will make.
An optic scope will allow you to see some markings on the bird. You will be able to determine what type of bird it is based on the small details that you will see if you are using binoculars. Using your optics at a closer range will even let you see plumage details. It can be enough to excite you.
Features to Consider to Choose the Best Optics
Different optics are available in the market. It can be confusing to choose because there are so many available. Some basic features may help you in making the best choice:
- Magnification – Optics will usually come with different magnifications. You can choose a scope with 15x if you want something simple. You can choose something that comes with more than that for something more intense.
- Zoom Lenses – This will help you fix the magnification power depending on what you are searching for. Those that come with simple adjustments will be more ideal especially if it’s your first time using optics.
- Capacity to Gather Light – Some will be able to gather light more than the others. You can check out the size of the objective lens. Most lenses will be between 50 mm to 100 mm.
There are still other features that you can consider such as the eyepiece placement. Can you imagine buying optics that will not be comfortable to use? It will make you want to go back to using your binoculars again. This is not your main objective when buying the right optics.
Night Vision Optics
Do you know that while birdwatching can be fun when the sun is up, there are some birds that you can only see at night? Let us say that you want to watch the Kakapo. This is a bird that will not require night vision optics anymore in order to see. Their sight is very clear at night. The flightless bird will still be a sight to behold.
Another bird that you may want to see at night is the Frogmouth. This is a type of owl that also comes with amazing night vision. If you want to see this bird well, you need to choose the best night vision optics as well. The question is, how will you pick the right one?
The first thing that you have to remember is to choose what type of night vision device you want to use. Do you want to use monoculars? You may want to use goggles too. Most people would use scopes because they can place them on their other devices.
There are two types of night vision scopes to choose from:
- Weapon sight – This will be similar to the usual scopes that you can place on your regular rifle scope.
- Monocular – This can just be placed on the eyepiece of the regular rifle scope that you are using.
It will depend on your preference and what will be easier for you to use. Ease of use will always be important. You may not have enough light to read the manual or the instructions when you are trying to watch birds at night.
Some Tips in Making the Best Choice
These are some more tips to help you choose the right optics for your needs:
- The zoom lens is considered to be more versatile. Choose optics that has this feature if you want something easy to use.
- Remember that poor- quality optics will tend to melt when you expose them to extreme heat. Buying quality optics is important.
- The objective lens should be about 60 mm in diameter so that it will make a difference when you are using it.
Conclusion
Birdwatching is one of the activities that you have always wanted to enjoy. With the right optics, there are a lot of details that you will not miss anymore. You will gain a better appreciation for the activity that you may want to do it more often.
