I am looking for a recommendation

LookingForAScope · Guest

Here is what I have decided I would like in a scope:

This scope will be used mainly for the ocassional, and recreational, landscape and wildlife viewing while traveling trough national parks and such.

I would like to get the best scope I can for around $250 that will meet these needs. I have been looking at all the scopes you have for a couple weeks and I just seem to make a decision. What would you recommend for me based on my requirements???

Also, I am not looking for a scope that excels at low light viewing. The scope will mostly be used during day light hours. With this in mind; would it really be worth spending more $$$.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

Not going to be a good choice with a rotating tripod collar at that price. Closest I can come to a recommendation is the Celestron Ultima 80. Be well worth the money to spend a bit more on something like the Alpen 788
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LookingForAScope · Guest

How much of a difference will an 80mm versus a 60mm make? Again, I will be using it during the day, and not at night or in real low light conditions.

Also, is the rotating collar really needed? I kept reading and it seams like quite few guys say to get it, but is it really needed???

Would I be better off going 60mm and no collar???

Thanks again,
Dave

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

A rotating tripod collar is a good feature on an angled scope if you are at the shooting bench or if you are sharing a scope with people of various heights. It is not an essential feature by any means.

An 80mm scope will offer more image brightness at higher magnifications, but mostly, an 80mm scope will offer more resolution for better image quality at higher magnifications, all else being equal. However when comparing spotting scopes between different brands and models, all else is seldom equal. I rate optical quality as more important than optical size of an objective. There is nothing auotmatic about getting better optics just by going to a larger objective lens. Price is a better indicator of quality than mere objective size.

In the $250 range, I would look at the Bushnell Legend 20-60x60, even though it is not angled and it would be well worth the extra dollars to move up to a Nikon Prostaff 16-48x65 if you want an angled scope of good quality.
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LookingForAScope · Guest

Thank you very much for your help so far.

I think I have decided to go with the Bushnell legend 20-60x80, but have a question first. Will the Alpen 706 camera adaptor work with this scope? Also, how well will this particular scope work for digiscoping? I do not expect super excellent photos, but using a Canon Powershot A640, can I expect to get decent photos? OR should I move up to the Alpen 788 or Vortex Skyliner if I am looking at digiscoping?

Thanks again,
Dave

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

Glad to help.

The Legend will take as good a pic as any scope at this price and, yes, the Alpen 706 will work fine with that Canon. You probably aren't going to get better pics until you step up to an ED version of the Skyline at $600
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LookingForAScope · Guest

Thanks again.

I will be ordering the scope shortly, along with some Legend Binoculars.

While I am at it (I know this belongs in another forum); what cheap binoculars would recommend for 2 kids (10 & 12)? Something that will give them a decent view, but if they break or lose them, I won't cry because I spent too much money. (I know my kids will do one or the other Wink

)

--
Dave

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

Very welcome.

You could try the special run of the Bushnell Hemisphere 8x32
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LookingForAScope · Guest

Anything even cheaper, or is the optica quality really going downhill from here? Again these are purely for kids. As long as the tubes are properly aligned, I am okay with the optics not being extremely sharp.

--
Dave

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5509

Hi

I wouldn't recommend it. Taking a chance going any cheaper.
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