Hiya Papertiger,
i only differetiated between the two because there are those spotters who, to put it mildly, are not aircraft enthusiasts and are purely there to log the numbers, one such example. i went on a trip with Air Yorkshire, i was walking around the hangar enterence (with permission of course) saw a type i was unfamiliar with and so i asked one of the guys there "what type is that"? the answer "who cares? i got its number, thats all i'm interested in" hmmmm.....(the aircraft turned out to be a Gardan Horizon, i later worked on one) another occasion, was happily chatting with the pilot of a cessna 337 skymonster, he said he was off for a 30 min jolly, would any of us like to go up with him. i was the only one who said yes, the others said there was too many airfields to visit to fit it in. and they wouldn't wait for me to return if i went up so i had to turn down his offer
. that was the last trip i went on with them. admittedly i did start logging numbers when i was about 16 but gave it up about three of four years later, it got in the way of really LOOKING at the aircraft.
on a lighter note,
and this is true, i saw it for myself. fly in at Badminton, spotter on a bicycle riding down the rows of aircraft with a dictaphone in one hand reading off the reggies. and yes, he WAS wearing an anorak!!!
no doubt he took his hobby seriously and doubtless it made him happy but i just had to laugh!!!
all the best.
Greg
ps, i truely and honestly have nothing against aircraft spotters whatsoever, these guys - and girls, can be a mine of useful information.