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More Information  · Supplied Accessories  · Recommended Accessories  · Images of Some Features Price $1,299.95 List Price $1,810.95 Magnification 20-60x Field of view 1000 yards 105' @ 20x Near Focus 16.4' Eye Relief 14mm @ 20x Exit Pupil 3mm @ 20x Twilight Factor 34.64 @ 20x Weight 47 oz. Aperture 2.4" Length 12.75" Armored Partial Waterproof Yes Warranty “No-Fault” 25 Years Limited Photographic Focal Length 800mm Photographic Focal Ratio f/13.3

A review on the on-line review site Better View Desired named the 60mm Fieldscope III ED their “Reference Standard" among 50mm to 60mm spotting scopes. The review said, among other complementary things, “The image quality of the Nikon Fieldscope III ED has to be seen to be believed. This scope is sharp! Colors are clean and pure. Contrast and color differentiation are excellent. Every detail of the bird is easily visible right out to the limits of whatever power you are using . . . the 60mm Nikon Fieldscope III ED is clearly the Reference Standard for 60mm scopes. Given the optical and mechanical quality, the wide range of excellent eyepieces, and the compact size, there is nothing else on the market that comes close to it."

The ED (extra-low dispersion) glass optics virtually eliminate color fringing in the image. Colors are pure and saturated, allowing you to easily identify subtle field marks that are often masked by poor color fidelity in lesser scopes. The optics are fully multicoated with proprietary Nikon high-transmission antireflective coatings that increase both light transmission and contrast to levels rarely seen in a 60mm scope. Some observers swear that the 60mm Nikon is as bright as, or brighter than, some competitive 65mm and larger scopes.

The review in Better View Desired said “The image is bright and easy to look at. Only in direct comparison to an exceptional 80 or 85 mm scope will you see any improvement in brightness . . . in 95% of birding situations, an exceptional 60 mm scope will show you all there is that you need to see. In a very few situations (dirty air, unstable air, or fog) the 60mm scope will actually outperform the bigger scopes at equivalent powers."

Optical features of this scope . . .

• ED glass: The extra-low dispersion ED glass element in the Nikon’s 60mm doublet objective lens combines high light transmission with very low chromatic aberration. This gives markedly reduced color fringing at the edges of the field when compared with conventional crown and flint glass optics, plus excellent color fidelity and saturation across the field.

• Fully multicoated: The optics are fully multicoated with Nikon’s proprietary high transmission antireflection coatings for an excellent light transmission that complements the excellent color fidelity of the ED objective lens.

• Zoom eyepiece: The standard equipment 20-60x multicoated zoom eyepiece has a rubber-rimmed eyecup that twists up, shielding the eye from ambient light for better contrast when observing with the unaided eye. The eyecup twists back down to provide greater eye relief for eyeglass use. The eyepiece threads securely into place and can be changed in seconds. An optical glass window at the rear of the Fieldscope’s body, just inside the eyepiece port, seals the porro prism optics against moisture and dust which might eventually cause damage. At 20x the field of view is 105’ across at 1000 yards. At 40x the field at 1000 yards is 61’ across, dropping to 52’ at 60x.

• Good eye relief: The eye relief is specified as 14.1mm at 20x. While this is technically correct, the actual usable eye relief will typically measure a mm or two less due to the recessing of the eyepiece lens to protect it from being scratched accidentally when the eyecup is in the down position for eyeglass use. A somewhat shorter eye relief than specified is typical of all spotting scopes. There will be some vignetting of the field for eyeglass wearers.

• Other eyepieces available: The supplied premium quality 20-60x zoom eyepiece is so exceptionally sharp and high in contrast that many birders see no reason to buy individual single magnification eyepieces. For those who wear eyeglasses, however, or for those who want wider fields of view than any zoom eyepiece can provide, Nikon has a wide range of optional eyepieces available. There are long eye relief 30x, 40x, and 60x fixed magnification wide angle models with an eyeglass-friendly 17mm or better eye relief. There are also 24x, 40x, and 60x eyepieces designed for digiscoping.

• Good close focusing: The scope close focuses down to a good 16.4’, making it usable for viewing backyard feeders, although the field is little more than 6" wide at this short a distance. Through the scope, looking at a bird at this distance at 20x would effectively be the same as looking with your unaided eye from only about 10" away.

• Fully waterproof: The rugged Fieldscope’s die-cast body is O-ring sealed and dry nitrogen purged to be totally waterproof and fogproof in all weather and temperature conditions. This allows the scope to survive sudden showers as well as full monsoon conditions, and to resist internal fogging, no matter how cold the air temperature or how high the humidity. A rubber-armored self-storing lens shade slides out from the front of the body to improve visual and photographic contrast. Light rubber armoring around the prism housing helps protect the optics from unexpected bumps and thumps.

• Handy focusing collar: The Nikon Fieldscope uses a wide knurled rubber focusing collar around the barrel that can be operated with either hand, even while wearing gloves. The focus moves from the horizon to a good 16.4’ in a mere three-quarters of a turn of the collar. Focusing is smooth, although it can get a little stiff during long sub-freezing observing sessions.

• 45° viewing: The Fieldscope’s 45° viewing angle is generally more comfortable than a straight-through model for watching treetop activity or for extended observing from a blind or back porch. It is also more convenient for those couples of varying heights who must share a single scope, as there is little need to constantly raise and lower the tripod to reach a comfortable observing height for each observer. If you are tall, you won’t have to crouch over to see through the Nikon Fieldscope, as you would a straight-through scope, thus saving you from a possible literal pain in the neck. On the other hand, a straight-through design is more useful for photography, as it handles more instinctively like a telephoto lens when a camera is attached. A straight-through design is also quicker at locating birds in the field than a 45° viewing angle. With a straight-through scope, you can sight over the barrel to center on a distant bird before trying to find it in a high power eyepiece that often has a confusingly narrow field. The Nikon #N60ESWZ is such a straight-through viewing model, should that style be more convenient.

• Photo tripod mounting: The 60mm Fieldscope mounts on any photo tripod having a standard 1/4"-20 thread mounting bolt. It converts to a Nikon-quality 800mm f/13.3 telephoto lens when used with optional four-element photo adapter #1317 (for use with Nikon cameras only, with no T-ring needed).

• Supplied accessories: Protective dust covers are provided for both the objective lens and the eyepiece. A soft water-resistant carrying case of Cordura-type nylon (with adjustable length shoulder strap) is standard equipment. The case is the stay-on type that allows you to mount the scope on a tripod with the case still on the scope. Fold-back flaps give you full access to all controls so you can use the scope while it is still in its case. A separate soft zippered carrying case for one or two additional eyepieces that attaches to the shoulder strap is also standard equipment.

• 25-year warranty: In addition to the 25-year limited Nikon USA warranty, the 60mm Fieldscope is also covered by Nikon’s unique no-fault warranty. If anything happens to the Fieldscope that’s not covered by Nikon’s normal 25-year warranty, it costs you only $10 and return shipping and handling to get it fixed or replaced! Whether you drop the Fieldscope out of a canoe, drive off with it on the roof of your car, or loan it to a clumsy friend who uses it to drive tent pegs, there’s no need to worry. If you can send back the pieces, you’re covered by Nikon’s no-fault warranty.