O/T Drone or Spotting Scope?

[WBA1955]

My wife asked me which i would like for Christmas. Now that i no longer work i spend a lot of time in the local farm fields and woods taking photos of wildlife.
I have three sets of binoculars, one 10x20 small set which i bought in America 20 years ago, another 10x20 and a pair of 16 x 50 i got for free off someone on the council.
The 16x magnification is good but a spotting scope starts at around 20 magnification and goes up to 80x.

Then i think of the fun i could have with a drone.

Anyone have a scope or a drone?

[mickd1961]

Drones are the work of the devil.

Nothing more irritating than some geek buzzing your back garden.

For most people an unnecessary item and potentially dangerous as well when they can fall out of they sky and hit a child or indeed anyone.

Stricter regulation needed and “pilots” to be fully trained and drones registered.

Stick to binoculars you old perve!

[SCOOP115]

Stricter regulation needed and “pilots” to be fully trained and drones registered.

https://www.heliguy.com/blog/2019/10...e-regulations/

[WBA1955]

Drones are wonderful gadgets.
On a Coseley site i use someone put on photos of Coseley from the air using a drone, it gave a 360 degree view of the area. If you do it seasonally you will see the subtle changes of the trees and plants, or long term you will see buildings appear and others disappear.
An old factory of about 90 years stood in Coseley and it has recently been demolished for housing. Before it was demolished a drone was sent in and i saw the inside of a place i had walked past countless times as a schoolboy, but neve saw inside.
Of course they need to have strict regulations on who owns them as they can cause mayhem as we saw at the airports, or used by burglars to spot weaknesses of premises, but they aren't instruments of the devil.
Like fierce dogs they are a product of idiots who own them, the dogs and drones are good in the right hands.

I used to watch stuff like Stingray and Thunderbirds as a kid and augh at people talking to others on a screen that fitted into the palm of their hand.
If you live long enough it's amazing what you will see.

[Dubbag]

Have a spotting scope which I use out by the sea and for night time astronomy, when I don't want to set up the full telescope.
Wildlife and countryside with a scope are ideal.....Drones not for me and have a friend who thinks they are great...Not interested in them...When in the countryside or farm lands...quite is always best....my view...

[WBA1955]

I will go for the Scope, i am not very technical minded and would probably get into all sorts of trouble with a drone.
Scopes come in at all prices from 50 quid to 3k, any recomendations?
I might also look for a 500 or 600mm lense for my Nikon.

[Dubbag]

If you have time on your hands then use it wisely....and get a decent scope not a cheap one......Cheap is nasty.....
Celestron do reliable gear and affordable quality.....
Celestron 52250 80 mm Ultima Spotting Scope 45 Degrees ....this may be right for you Des...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002CTZ...ottingscope-21

[WBA1955]

If you have time on your hands then use it wisely....and get a decent scope not a cheap one......Cheap is nasty.....
Celestron do reliable gear and affordable quality.....
Celestron 52250 80 mm Ultima Spotting Scope 45 Degrees ....this may be right for you Des...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002CTZ...ottingscope-21

Cheers Dubbag, that looks the business. The magnification, 80mm lens and price are something come under what i wanted.
Let you know how i get on.