Selection dilema

TBC · Guest

Hi,

I am into birding, stuck between these choices and need your expert's opinion.

1) Brunton Eterna 20-60X80 Spotting Scope 9080EDWA
2) Bushnell Elite 20-60x80 ED Glass Spotting Scope 780080
3) Celestron Ultima 100mm ED 52253

Also, I intend to match the scope with Vixen Piggyback 1/4"-20 Fine Adjustment Unit DX AM-FA-3562, is there any compatabilty with any of the above scopes in terms of thread size?

Thanks

tgrif · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 6 Location: columbus, ga

http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard/viewtopic.php?t=11159

Go to this thread and read it. It might help.
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Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5517

Hi

Good tip on the post.

Price is always a reliable indicator of qulaity and performance in a spotting scope. Of these, the Brunton tested out well on top in terms of optics, followed by the Bushnell. The Celestron Ultimas, standard and ED models, all suffer from a mediocre eyepiece. You will never reap all the benefits of an ED objective with a cheap eyepiece.
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TBC · Guest

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5517

Hi

All spotting scopes use standard 1/4x20 photo thread. If there is any issues with the Vixen, it will be on your tripod, not your scope. These fine adjustments controls sometimes create balance problems with large scopes, simply becuase they sit the scope higher up off the tripod head.

You can check optics on any scope with an optical test target, if one is available, or take it out under the stars and do a star test. Stars should appear as pinpoint sources of light with no coma, flares, or color rings and in a good optic, this will be all the way to the edge of the field. Most scopes in this price range, though, will have some loss of image quality at the edge of the field, as well as some minor issues with the above. No way to predict until you get an individual scope out under the stars.
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TBC · Guest

Hi Joanie,

One last question,

I know that ED lens are good for digiscoping, but what about looking through it? Does the average user notice anything different from non-ED lens say looking at plummage of a bird's feather?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5517

Hi

Visually, ED will improve resolution and color rendition, principally at magnifications over 40x. You can see a difference, yes. Photographically, ED will give you better pics at any magnification.
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Guest · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:32 am Post subject:

Thanks a lot Joanie

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5517

You are very welcome.
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