A spotting scope is normally designed for terrestrial observations and is used in situations involving magnifications beyond the range of typical binoculars. It needs to be small and light enough so that it can be easily carried around. However, spotting scopes using the conventional refract objective lens normally have quite a long body size to accommodate the focusing requirement. 

A telescope, on the other hand, is largely designed for planetary and deep sky observation, and is required to grasp more light at low lighting levels. Therefore, traditionally a powerful telescope would have a larger objective lens, with larger body size and heavier weight.

With a new technology, refra-reflect lens, it has now become possible to build a telescope which is not only powerful for long distance observation, but also has compact size so that it can be used as a spotting scope in travel, sightseeing and birding.

A typical example is the Compact 26-78x78 Zoom Telescope/Spotting Scope, with the above-mentioned new design features. 

It has a magnification range from 26x to 78x, an ideal range for observing targets which are located beyond the reach of normal binoculars. Its large 78mm fully multi-coated objective lens lets in more light through to the eyepiece, thus ensuring better image quality over a long distance. Its refra-reflect objective lens makes the instrument much shorter, lighter and non-chromatic aberration than other scopes which adopt conventional refract objective lens. The overall weight of the device is only 900g, and it's just about 240mm long. These new design features makes the instrument ideal for sightseeing, bird/animal watching, hunting, and other long-range viewing during the day, as well as for observing stars and moon at night.

This new system is now available at: Longview UK, with more information.

Note: Advice to the beginners using spotting scope/telescope:

• Stabilise the instrument on the tripod provided. Please do not try to make an observation while holding the instrument by hand, as it can be quite difficult to view an object at such a high magnification power due to hand movement.
• Set the magnification power to the minimum level 26x (by turning the Eyepiece Zoom anticlockwise).
• Aim at a distant object (at least a few hundred yards away - the further the better), and adjust the Focusing Wheel until the image is clear.
• Use the Eyepiece Zoom to enlarge the image as desired.
• Some people use a pair of lower-power binoculars to locate the target first, and then use the higher-power scope to see the target details.
• With some practice, you will find the instrument more efficient and powerful.

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