|
options for bird watching and astronomy
Hi Norm,
I have been birdwatching for a long time and astronomising for a lot less.
Most experienced birdwatchers would say that 7 x 50 binoculars are ideal for an adult, and there are very few who can manage more than 8 x effectively for objects that are moving. Go for a larger aperture pair if your smaller pair has only 25mm or 30mm objectives.
A spotting scope is mainly useful for watching waders or waterbirds etc at longer distances over open beach or water (since they will not let people get close when they are easily visible).
For all other circumstances (including, I would say, introductory astronomy) binoculars around 6 x 40 or 7 x 50 are more versatile if he can manage them, and he can lug them around much more easily than a scope. Also as others have mentioned you would probably need to get a tripod for a spotting scope and a table one will be of very little use for birdwatching.
Has he got a good bird book??
Cheers,
Andrew
|