A long-range optical device has at least one tube in which an optical system is positioned and has at least one image stabilization unit which moves at least one optical assembly of the optical system relative to the at least one tube. The device has at least one signal processing unit which actuates the at least one image stabilization unit in one mode of a plurality of modes where a respective movement situation of the long-range optical device is assigned to each mode. The device also has a mode detection unit that determines the mode and ascertains at least one comparative value from a respective location derivative value of a trajectory formed from a first movement and a second movement of the long-range optical device and compares the at least one comparative value to a respective limiting value.