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I've been doing a load of research lately for a decent pair of binoculars but a friend of mine mentioned the other day about checking out a decent spotting scope with an aperture of 80mm and a possibility of 60X.

What do you think to this suggestion?

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What are you planning to look at? Hand-holdable binoculars are far superior to spotting scopes for widefield views and the ability to move rapidly from one target to another. Spotting scopes are clearly superior to binoculars for high-power viewing.

For terrestrial use, binoculars are great for most birding, but spotting scopes are much better for distant waterfowl or viewing birds in nests.

If you're planning to use the spotting scope primarily for astronomy, I strongly recommend getting a conventional refracting telescope instead. More versatile and cheaper.

Most amateur astronomers own both one or more binoculars and one or more telescopes. They have slightly overlapping functionality, but basically binoculars and telescopes complement each other's capabilities.

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Tony Flanders

eyeglasses
6x15 and 8x32 monoculars
8x25, 7x35, 10x30 IS, 10x50, and 15x70 binoculars
70mm and 100mm achromatic refractors
4.5", 7", and 12.5" Dobs

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