The Hummingbird spotting scope shares many qualities with its namesake bird. In the wild, hummingbirds are known for their very small size, their agility (they can fly in most any direction at will), and their ability to travel long distances (many migrate between South and North America). The Celestron Hummingbird is the world’s first “micro” spotting scope well suited for hikers, birders, and other wildlife watchers on the go. Standard spotting scopes tend to be large and/or heavy, making them inconvenient to carry long distances in the field. The Hummingbird will shatter your expectations for how lightweight and compact a spotting scope can be, so you’ll take it places you never thought possible. You can easily hold this spotting scope in one hand, place it in a pocket, or pack it along in your carry-on luggage without compromising space. Although it is small, Hummingbird does not compromise on quality. All air-to-glass surfaces are fully multi-coated with high transmission optical coatings. The result is maximum light transmission for bright, sharp and contrast images. The prism is phase-coated BaK4, which increases contrast and resolution for sharper, more detailed images. The durable body of the Hummingbird works to keep the spotting scope protected against bumps and jolts both during transport and in the field. It’s also fully waterproof and nitrogen-purged, so you can use the scope worry-free in downpours, humid conditions, and other environmental challenges. The Hummingbird 9-27x56 spotting scope features a close focus of 10 feet, making it perfect for viewing birds, butterflies, plants, or other nearby subjects. The magnification of the 9-27x56mm spotting scope spans the standard magnification ranges of both a binocular and a spotting scope. No matter how you choose to observe, this versatile spotting scope is an excellent all-around performer. Unlike most spotting scopes, Hummingbird is so small that you can use it handheld at the lowest magnification level for a quick view of your subject. Travelers who want to save space can replace both their binocular and their spotting scope with this one optic. But the scope is also tripod adaptable, so you can secure it to a stable platform for comfortable long-duration or long-distance viewing. Hummingbird provides plenty of eye relief for use with or without eyeglasses. For use while wearing eyeglasses, leave the twist-up eyecup in the lowered position. For use while not wearing eyeglasses, twist the twist-up eyecup into the extended position.