Peer through the crowd with your personal periscope

	The Sportscope gives the viewer both magnification and height. Click photo for larger image.

I picked one up for $80 at the U.S. Open merchandise shop in Oakmont on the last day of last month's tourney. I didn't want to miss the action of the top golfers with the large crowd of spectators. Once I looked through the eyepiece, I was kicking myself for not having purchased it earlier.

This technological marvel brings the action into perfect view -- and then, a bonus, you use the zoom adjustment to bring the image closer, just like a telephoto adjustment on a digital camera.

I stood on the first hole in the crush of a crowd as the golfers teed off. I raised the scope and boom: perfect view. The Sportscope gives an additional 28.06 inches of height advantage when fully extended. As the little ones strained to see the golfers, they stared at me and said, "Hey, what's that?" When I put it to their eye, the response was the same every time: "Wow!" I gave a lot of youngsters their first glimpse of Tiger Woods through the scope that day.

The best part: I sat in the grass in the shade behind the ropes and spent a good part of the afternoon with a perfect view.

I also tried the Sportscope out at other venues. First up, Pittsburgh CLO's "Oklahoma." I purchased the cheapest seat available at the Benedum Center and ended up in the second tier, about 10 seats from the top. I turned the scope sideways so it wouldn't block anyone's view, and it worked perfectly. I was able to see the actors close up, zoomed out for the group numbers and even zoomed in on all of the fancy tap-dancing feet.

It was even better at the Sinead O'Connor concert at Allegheny Landing next to PNC Park. The extension was so great, even the pop-up chairs around me didn't provide an obstruction when I was sitting on a blanket.

The Sportscope is sold by the Mickelson Group, which is operated by Phil and Mary Mickelson, parents of golfer Phil Mickelson. It weighs 18.5 ounces and comes with a carrying case. It focuses 8 feet to infinity and can zoom the image you are looking at from 4 to 9 times closer. It also has a hook to carry on your belt if you want.

There is a cheaper model without the zoom available ($54.50), but springing for the extra $25 on the zoom is worth it. Just make sure you put your name on this gadget and enjoy the great view.

Order by calling 1-800-246-6285 or visit mickelsongroup.com.

Rosa Colucci can be reached at rcolucci@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3859.