Want to buy a spotting scope but very confused

elaronndy · Guest

We are now ready to buy a spotting scope to view boats and birds from our house on the Chesapeake Bay. Have a budget of $500, need something simple to use, not really interested in interchangeable eyepieces but would just like to cast an occassional eye to the constellations - but not in a serious astrononomical way. Would love to hear what you recommend

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:04 pm Post subject:

Hi

A conventional 20-60x80 spotting scope on an good phto tripod will do nicely for that application. If you plan to turn the scope skyward at night, an anged eyepiece model will be the most comfortable. In the $500 neighborhood, here are some good choices.

Swift Nighthawk 20-60x80, http://www.opticsplanet.net/swift-20-60x80mm-nighthawk-angle-view-scope-849u-sze.html

Eagle Optics Raven, http://www.opticsplanet.net/eagle-optics-spotting-scopes-raven.html

Nikon Sky&Earth, http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-spottingscope-sky-earth-20-60x80mm.html

Celestron Ultima 80ED, http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-ultima-80ed-spotting-scope.html

Any of these will mount on a conventional photo tripod if you already have one, though you'll want something sturdy to support the weight here. If not, I'd recommend something solid like the Bogen 3180N set, http://www.opticsplanet.net/bogen-manfrotto-3180n-tripod-and-head-kit.html for best results
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Guest · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 7:56 pm Post subject:

Hi is the celestron ultima 80ed you recomended just weather proof or is it fully waterproof with nitogen purging? Also does the celestron have a sliding sunshade in the front?

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:22 am Post subject:

Hi

Celestron has recently upgraded the Ultima to waterproof, though they don't claim it to be nitrogen purged. Most websites, including ours, still describe it as weather-resistant, though it's on our list of things to edit. It does not have a sliding sunshade.
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Your personal optics expert
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Fax: (847) 574-6820

Guest · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:07 pm Post subject:

Hi could you tell me if the celestron 80ed and 100ed are rubber coated? Or are they made of some other kind of materal? Does the scope have alot of cheap plastic parts?

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:01 pm Post subject:

Hi

They are not armored and, sadly, they do have a lot of plastic. If you want a better scope, I strongly recommedn moving up to the Bushnell Elite 20-60x80, http://www.opticsplanet.net/628045.html Optically and mechanically, it will be worth it.
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Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
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Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820

Guest · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:22 pm Post subject:

Well I don't really mind if it is plastic it's just that I was wondering if it feels cheap or does it feel like a $500 spotting scope?

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:46 pm Post subject:

Hi

That's kind of subjective. It does njot have the quality "feel" of yhe Elite, no.
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Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
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Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820

Guest · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 1:27 pm Post subject:

Ok I understand that it doesn't have the quality of the bushnell elite (completely out of my budget)because that scope cost over $700. I was just asking if the celestron feels like a cheap scope.

Guest · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:17 pm Post subject:

well maybe if I am conserned so much about optics and build quality maybe it would be a better choice for me to buy this scope here http://www.opticsplanet.net/kowa-60mm-high-performance-spotting-scopes.html# with this eyepiece http://www.opticsplanet.net/kowa-interchangeable-eyepieces-for-66mm-and-60mm-spotting-scopes.html#
I know that I will be giving up magnifaction and apeture by going with this scope but do you think I could get pretty good results with this eyepiece (Multi-coated 20-40x Zoom Eyepiece).
Just for refrence this scope will be used primaarely for long range observation and birdwatching, and just a little casuel astronomy, nothing serious.

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:41 pm Post subject:

Hi

Buy the Kowa. You will NEVER regret it. The 60mm, non-ED version of the Kowa (601,602) with the Z9B zoom scored higher than any non-ED 60mm class spotting scope I have ever tested. It is optically as good or better than any 80mm spotting scope under $500.
_________________
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Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
http://www.OpticsPlanet.com
Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820

Guest · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:25 pm Post subject:

Ok thats great buy I can't afford the 20x60 like you reccomended. I realy want it but can only afford the 20x40. What is the differentce between these 2. Will the scope still perform any differently using the cheaper eyepiece? If so how much?

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:41 am Post subject:

H

The 20-40 is the od series zoom. It is not as sharp and the eye relief is not as good. If you cannot afford the Z9B 20-60x, go with the fixed 30x wide angle, TSE-14WD, http://www.opticsplanet.net/kowa-interchangeable-eyepieces-for-66mm-and-60mm-spotting-scopes.html . It is an excellent eyepiece and out in the field, will do anythinig the 20-40x zoom will do and do it better. Add the 20-60 zoom zoom later.
_________________
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Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
http://www.OpticsPlanet.com
Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820