Understanding Field of View: 100-60 ft/1000 Yards

When shopping for a spotting scope, you’ll often come across specifications like "Field of View: 100-60 ft/1000 yards." Here's what this means and why it matters for your viewing experience:

What Does "Field of View" Mean?

The Field of View (FOV) refers to the width of the area you can see when looking through a spotting scope at a set distance. A wider FOV is beneficial for tracking moving subjects or scanning large areas without needing to move the scope.

Interpreting "100-60 ft/1000 yards"

In this example:

• 100-60 ft/1000 yards: At a distance of 1000 yards (about 914 meters), the FOV ranges from 100 feet to 60 feet, depending on the magnification setting.
  • 100 feet is the FOV at the lowest magnification.
  • 60 feet is the FOV at the highest magnification.

The higher the magnification, the narrower the FOV becomes. For instance, if you have a 20-60x60 Spotting Scope:

• At 20x magnification, you’ll have a FOV of 100 feet at 1000 yards.
• At 60x magnification, the FOV narrows to 60 feet at 1000 yards.

Why FOV Matters

The FOV helps you gauge how much of a scene you can see at various magnifications. Wider fields make it easier to locate and track objects within that area, while higher magnifications are best for focusing closely on details within a smaller, more confined field.

In short, understanding FOV can help you choose the best settings for your needs, whether scanning a landscape or zooming in for finer details.