Internally the spotting scope features blackened parts.  With a large 60-MM objective, allowing maximum light gathering and multicoated lenses, the blackened interior improves image quality by eliminating light loss and concentrating it toward the viewer.   The multicoated lenses also ensure that vivid colors are sharp and crisp as they reach the eyepiece.  What does it mean by  multicoated?  Well I wondered a little about this and thought is it really all what it is cracked up to be.   The optical elements of the spotting scope are chemically coated to reduce internal light loss and glare.  This ensures even light transmission, which means greater image sharpness and contrast.  Now there are different types of coatings out there, which range from: coated -- fully coated, multicoated and fully multicoated.  Coated lenses are basic with the lowest quality and are a thing of the past.  This model Multicoats the most critical areas to keep the cost down so you get a great product without the exorbitant cost. 

Other integrated features include a water-resistant body for those not so perfect hunting/scouting days.    And for those bright sunny days a sunshade will work twofold.  First it will virtually eliminate glare as well as reflected glare that can be recognized by game.  There is nothing more frustrating than having game alerted to your position from unwanted glare.  This fault seems to ruin a stalk or hunt before it has even began.  I once had two whitetail bucks alerted to my hunting blind for just this reason.  I tried to get a closer look through my binoculars.  When I brought them up the sun was at an angle that reflected off the lens alerting them of my position.  I will never forget the sight of a nice drop-tined buck changing directions and returning to his safe haven of the tangled brush.  The sunshade is built on a sliding action.  To use, firmly grip and pull until it clicks into position.  Built into the sunshade is also a retaining hole that the objective lens cap hood plugs in to.  This feature keeps the cap from getting misplaced or dangling aimlessly in the way.

Using the spotting scope is simple and easy.  I also use a lightweight tripod allowing me to setup quickly.  I start by making sure that the scope is set to its lowest power of 15.  This allows you to acquire your target much faster.  By starting on a higher power you limit and greatly reduce your field of view.  Once my target is acquired I begin turning up the magnification.  The power of magnification depends on the distance.  When adjusted for a suitable magnification you can then fine-tune the scope for sharpness.  This is accomplished by using the focus knob located on the upper middle housing of the scope.  There are a couple of things that I really like about the knob. First, it doesn't take a lot of adjusting to focus for a clear, crisp view.  Within a quarter to a half turn the object is focused.  The key is to focus the object when starting out on a low power.  The second is the knob is located in the middle of the scope.  When secured on my tripod, I place the lower palm of my hand on the scope to steady and use my finger to roll the focus back and forth.  This is possible because the focus knob has just the right amount of tension.  You don't have to use a power grip, which may cause the sight lose of your viewing object, and not too loose as for unwanted dial movement. 

Decked out in high definition Realtree Hardwoods Green it is just one of many features that set it apart from other spotting scopes in its class.  Nikon backs each with a 25-year limited warranty that includes their no-fault policy.  If anything should happen under normal circumstances simply return the scope for replacement or repair.  This truly indicates that Nikon is serious when it comes to manufacturing quality optics. 

Finally the lightweight and compact design fits nicely into my backpack.  Or as an option you can tote it conveniently with the supplied soft case with shoulder strap.

My scope came supplied with a 15 to 45 power zoom.  Other eyepiece lenses are available and come in fixed powers of either 20X or 25X.  Nikon also offers a complete line of spotting scopes that range from a 60 MM to 80MM with straight or angled body types.

Design / Engineering - 4.5 out of 5 
The compact design combined with the large objective lens of 60MM makes for a great all around spotting scope.  For scouting it fits easily into a backpack and can be easily combined with a compact tripod for a great all around spotting scope.  Small features, such as the sliding sunshade offered a big plus for bright days.

Clarity - 4 out of 5 
The multicoated lens and blackened interior provides high quality, sharp, crisp images, which are even apparent in low lighting dusk and dawn situations.  You can look through these for hours and not feel the effects of eyestrain or fatigue.

Price - 4 out of 5
For around four hundred bucks the Nikon Realtree Spotting Scope has features found on more expensive models.  For the high quality of lens I don't see how you can go wrong.  The scope performed well for me in all situations.  I didn't get to really use it much in a really wet (downpour) environment and the definition of water-resistant somewhat scares me.  But I can say that it held up fine to my hunting and scouting conditions.

For information on this or any other Nikon product contact:

Nikon Inc.
1300 Walt Whitman Rd
Melville, NY 11747-3064
http://www.nikonusa.com