Nikon Spotting Scopes

More Information  · Supplied Accessories  · Recommended Accessories  · Images of Some Features Price $399.95 List Price $570.95 Magnification 16-48x Field of view 1000 yards 126' @ 16x Near Focus 13.1' Eye Relief 15.2mm @ 16x Exit Pupil 4.06mm @ 16x Twilight Factor 32.25 @ 16x Weight 38 oz. Aperture 2.6" Length 13.9" Armored Yes Waterproof Yes Warranty “No-Fault” 25 Years Limited

The straight-through viewing ProStaff uses precisely-engineered crown and flint glass optics that are fully multicoated with proprietary Nikon high-transmission antireflective coatings for the highest possible light transmission and contrast. Its 65mm objective lens gathers over 17% more light than the more common 60mm scopes, often resulting in the ability to make positive identifications in low light when smaller scopes have trouble even seeing the bird.

Whether you’re looking to extend your life list at remote birding hot spots, or just looking at the feeders and nests in your backyard, the Nikon ProStaff 65 WP gives you superb optical performance in a lightweight and easily-handled package at a very attractive price. And the images are typically Nikon – sharp, detailed, and very lifelike.

Optical features of this scope . . .

• Crown and flint glass doublet lens: Time-tested and proven crown and flint glass achromatic optical system, with image-erecting prisms of costly high light transmission BaK-4 glass. The doublet objective lens uses environmentally-friendly lead- and arsenic-free Eco-Glass. The result is high light transmission with low and well-controlled chromatic aberration that most observers don’t even notice, much less find objectionable. In addition to more than 17% higher light gathering than a 60mm scope, the 65mm aperture also provides 8% higher resolution (the ability to see fine detail) than a 60mm scope.

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

• Internal light baffles: Multiple light baffles are molding into the interior of the optical tube. They combine with the blackened interior to block off-axis light and provide high contrast images with a minimum of unwanted scattered light.

• Zoom eyepiece: The standard equipment 16-48x 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 bayonets into the scope body and locks securely into place. A pushbutton on the scope body unlocks the bayonet so that eyepieces can be changed in seconds. An optical glass window at the rear of the ProStaff’s body, just inside the eyepiece port, seals the porro prism optics against moisture and dust which might eventually cause damage. The eyepiece comes with a rubber eyecup that can be tethered to the eyepiece. This lets you keep the eyepiece protected when traveling, while easily slipping the protective cap off when observing without fear of losing the cap.

• Good eye relief: The eye relief is specified as a quite good 15.2mm at 16x. 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. The eye relief at 32x and 48x are not specified by Nikon, but typically measure about 10mm. There will be some vignetting of the field for eyeglass wearers, particularly at higher powers. At 16x the field of view is a wide 126’ across at 1000 yards.

• Other eyepieces available: The supplied 16-48x zoom eyepiece is very sharp and high in contrast. Its visible quality is such 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 the zoom eyepiece can provide at higher powers, Nikon has several optional fixed magnification eyepieces available. There is a 20x with over 30mm of eye relief for those who must wear glasses while observing. There are also wide field 20x and 30x models, plus a 20x and a 16-48x zoom designed for digiscoping.

• Good close focusing: The scope close focuses down to a quite good 13.1’ This makes it very usable for viewing backyard feeders, although the field is little more than 8" wide at 16x at this short a distance. Through the scope, looking at a bird at the closest focus at 16x would effectively be the same as looking with your unaided eye from only about 10" away.

• Armored body: The rugged ProStaff’s body is made of durable injection-molded reinforced plastic to keep the scope weight down. The body is then clad in dark green and black rubber armor for improved shock resistance and to provide a comfortable and sure grip during hot or wet weather. A self-storing lens shade slides out from the front of the body to improve visual and photographic contrast and help keep the objective lens dust- and moisture-free. There is a flip-down tethered rubber dust cap attached to the front of the lens shade. The dust cap can be folded back and secured to the underside of the lens shade to keep it from flopping around when moving the scope. If desired, the rubber dust cap can be completely removed from the scope when out in the field.

• Fully waterproof: The ProStaff’s body is O-ring sealed and dry nitrogen purged to be totally waterproof and fogproof in all weather and temperature conditions, from rain forest to desert, from Arctic to equator. 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.

• Handy focusing knob: For focusing, the Nikon ProStaff uses a ribbed rubber knob at the top right of the prism housing. The knob is partially recessed into the scope body so it won’t snag on clothing. It can be operated with either hand, even while wearing gloves. The focus moves smoothly from the horizon down to a good 13.1’ close focus in a little less than four turns of the focus knob, significantly faster than most other spotting scopes in its size and price range.

• Two ways to find your subject: The Nikon ProStaff has the usual rifle-type sighting line molded into the prism housing for quickly centering the scope on a distant subject. This method is similar to that found on many other spotting scopes. The sighting line is off-set slightly to the right of the scope body, so that the eyepiece (which is itself off-set slightly to the left to keep the scope profile low) does not interfere with using the sight. In addition, however, a small unity power (1x, or non-magnifying) optical finder is located on the left side of the scope body. This finder has a 9.5° field of view (498’ at 1000 yards) and displays a V-notched sighting post within the field as an aid to centering the scope on your subject. The finder eye relief is a very long 43.1mm, allowing use with eyeglasses. A rubber eyecup on the finder keeps eyeglasses from getting scratched by the finder in the heat of the birding moment. The unity finder simply snaps into place in a groove in the scope body and can easily be removed if desired. A decorative plug slides into the groove to hide it if the unity finder is not being used.

• Straight-through viewing: The ProStaff’s straight-through design is generally better for quickly locating birds in the field than a 45° viewing angle model. With a straight-through scope, you can sight over the barrel to center in on the bird before trying a high power eyepiece view that often has a confusingly narrow field. It is difficult to sight over a 45° viewing barrel, as the prism housing and eyepiece can block the view. In addition, a straight-through design is more useful for photography, as it handles more instinctively like a telephoto lens when a camera is attached. On the other hand, a 45° viewing angle is generally more comfortable than a straight-through scope for watching treetop activity or for extended observing from a blind or back porch. You won’t get a crick in your neck from crouching over to look through the scope as you often have to with a straight-through model on a too-short tripod. A 45° model is also more convenient for couples of varying heights who must share a single scope, as there’s little need to constantly raise and lower the tripod to a comfortable height for each observer. The Nikon ProStaff #N65AZ is such a 45° viewing model, should that style be more convenient.

• Photo tripod mounting: The 65mm ProStaff mounts on any photo tripod having a standard 1/4"-20 thread mounting bolt.

• Supplied accessories: Tethered, but removable, protective rubber 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 on a tripod. A separate soft eyepiece carrying case that attaches to the scope case is also standard equipment.

• 25-year warranty: In addition to the 25-year limited Nikon USA warranty, the 65mm ProStaff is also covered by Nikon’s unique no-fault warranty. If anything happens to the ProStaff 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 ProStaff 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.