Mid-Range Birding Scope Recommendations

larryu · Guest

Hello again, Joanie. I've been previously looking at scopes in the sub-$500 range, but I'm now having second thoughts and am considering a more substantial investment. What are your recommendations for a spotting scope and zoom eyepiece combination in the $500-$900 range? I want a waterproof, angled-eyepiece scope with the best possible optical quality, a great warranty, and long-term value. Rather than having to replace something in a year or two, I think I'd rather bite the bullet now, spend the money up front, and have something that will last me into the forseeable future.

Two scopes that look interesting are the Pentax PF-80ED-A with 20-60X Zoom Eyepiece and the Bushnell Elite 20-60x80mm ED Angled. How would you compare these two combinations? Are there any others that I should be considering?

Sorry to be a pain, but this is a big investment for me and I want to make the best possible choice.

- Larry

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:18 am Post subject:

Hi

Those two are great values in a premium grade scope or at least honorable mention premium grade. They didn't score quite as well as the Swarovski, Leica, Fieldscope, Zeiss or Kowa, but they are definitely high performance scopes and a big step above anything at the $500 price point. You won't do better until you move into the big five listed above. Good choices.
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