Most rural citizens that are concerned about personal and property defense own at least one rifle or shotgun.
They realize that time spent training at the range with the long guns goes quickly with much of it wasted because of having to walk downrange to check targets.
A good spotting scope can help alleviate the wasted time at the range as well as assist in visually patrolling the perimeter of your rural property. The new Lucid SC9 Compact Spotting Scope does both and at 21 ounces, it’s also light enough to pack easily and tote between home, field, or range.
For a compact spotting scope, the Lucid SC9 puts up some big-time specs. Magnification is variable, from 9x to 27x using a 57mm objective lens. The lens can focus from infinity down to 8-10 feet.
The optics on this little scope are world class; the prism is ground from BAK-4 Barium Crown glass, which has a top-tier refractive index of 1.569. This gives a brighter viewed image than most spotting scopes, which are generally rated BK-7. The SC9 captures and transmits 92% of light with a 127 foot field of view at 1000 yards.
The SC9 is not just a range accessory either, as author Scott W. Wagner explains in his article “Lucid SC9 Compact Spotting Scope: Handy Size, Optimal Performance” at USConcealedCarry.com:
“The SC9 is an optic that is designed for real-life, hard-use conditions in the field. That means wet conditions. The SC9 is IPX-8 waterproof-rated. It can withstand total submersion under conditions identified by the manufacturer. The SC9 is also fogproof due to its Nitrogen Purged interior” (Read more at USConcealedCarry.com)
Using the Lucid SC9 is a fairly straightforward operation. The zoom and focus controls are easily adjusted with one hand. A rubberized protective coating makes using the controls a cinch, especially in cold or wet conditions. The tripod mount is located where the eyepiece joins the main body.
A busy state highway isn’t the normal setting for a spotting scope, but it makes a great testing ground. Vehicle makes and models can be identified at distances up to 3 miles, while moving at 60+ mph toward the SC9. For stationary spotting, the SC9 easily picked up small detailed lettering on the rear of parked vehicles at a distance of 100 yards. At the range, identifying grouping at just about any distance shouldn’t present a challenge for the Lucid SC9.
You also shouldn’t limit the SC9 to firearm activities, however. Its small size and light weight make it ideal for bird watching and other wildlife observations. It can also be used as an impromptu telescope for viewing near-Earth objects. While the MSRP on the Lucid SC9 is $499, it can be found for less at various online sites.