This I think would have been a nice feature. The way I play the game is relying on stealth, my character isn't the most powerful so going for a sword fight against multiple opponents is gonna get me killed, quick. I like to take high ground and scout the area, try and find out where the enemy is and attack to my advantage.

I just think they missed a trick not implementing this into the game. The use of binoculars in FNV just added to the game and the RP. Granted not everyones cup of tea, but if added people who don't like the idea don't have to pick up the item. It's a shame this will never come to fruition.

Sounds like a new Dwemer technology....guess I'd like to try a mod that makes this possible. Complete with quest to "mine" the purified silica needed to make the lenses.
I just found this mod, that lets you construct Dwemer robots:

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=10442

A Dwemer-like telescope (example):

http://www.dreamstime.com/old-telescope-1-thumb17364414.jpg

I'll post your request in the mod-comments (in case you play on PC/Steam)...maybe the author wants to implement a new Dwemer Construct in the next version.
Anyway, I like the idea.

I wouldn't say a Dwemer technology, I mean the people of Tamriel can construct lighthouses, so constructing a telescope would be hard for them to do.

Well I came up with Dwemer, because it will be a very rare item in the game-world...you're the only one having it.
Sort of an excuse so it doesn't feel like a cheat.

lighthouses = telescopes? You're off by about 2000 years of developement.

The Dwemer constructed plenty of telescopes. None of them small enough to carry as far as I know. But most of the secrets of the Dwemer are lost, it is doubtful any of the lenses survive and with no understanding of how they work, who could make another?

None of the lighthouses in Tamriel use lenses, they are all just bonfires on top of towers.

Eagle Eye perk from Archery tree. Zoom in, scout the environment, sheathe.

Already have that, not the same as a restricted close-up view through a telescope....and it costs you stamina.

i could say, for a fact, that at least one mage in mundas got the idea in his head to try to make a smaller version of dwemer telescopes and got it to work (this had to have happened to someone reaserching the dwemer)

Large telescopes are rediculously more finicky and difficult to make than smaller ones. The lens accuracy required increases by the lens diameter, overall "stubbiness", and magnification. Large telecopes tend to require all three. Long narrow telescopes are fairly easy to get sharp images with less lens accuracy. So, now you see it is much easier to make a long thin telescope if the lense is only an couple of cm.

Ergo, if big scopes are in, then smaller handheld telescopes should be in the game yo.

This looks like something a Thief type character or Assassin might use. Or, even a Redguard for some reason, I can imagine them sailing on their boat with one.

http://static.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/209606-bigthumbnail.jpg

A periscope would be easier, technologywise...just two mirrors in a box.

If I had a telescope.... I'd want to be able to tie it to my bow for scope....

Light houses were in use for a long, long, long time without any sort of lens. All you need is fire on an elevated platform. If you want to get fancy, put a reflector behind it to stop so much of the light going off into the sky above or the land - no need to focus the light in any way to do that.

Anyhow, on PC you can simulate a telescope (or microscope, or just focusing your attention) by using the FOV console command with a rather low numbers (10-25) as the parameter. Sorry if that doesn't work for you ... but then, DLC or mod would also likely not work for you, so...