Review for Alpen 20-60x80mm Angled Spotting Scope w/ Tripod and Travel Case

Author: happygolfer {!} from Sugar Land, Tx on Aug 10, 2011
Pros:  Bright, Clear & Bright images at low as well as Hi-Power. Focus knobs work nicely
Cons:  a bit heavy for the included Tripod. Tripod center stem is a bit long to sit it very low on the shooting table.
Would recommend:  yes

happygolfer wrote:

Have tried it to shoot up to 200 yards and it performs very satisfactorily. Still need to try it longer distance than that. Although included table-top Tripod is adequate, the size and weight of the scope mean that it will always wobble in windy conditions. Have tried it on full sized telescope tripod with good results. Tried it side by side with a Meade ETX-90 telescope in the night sky.(August summer sky near a BIG city with LOTs of ambient lighting). Anything beyond the Moon against the Meade (with its multiple super Plossl eye pieces)is not fair comparison of course.But I was very pleased to see how clear & crisp the features (and shadows) on the moon are through the Aspen 788! Very impressed. I bought the 788 only for use as a spotting scope for long distance shooting. It is very adequate for the use I intend to use it for. The rotating ring thumb screw no longer interferes with the focus knob (as reported in a 11/2010 evaluation). Seems like Aspen have been responsive to feedback which in my view is a good thing. Will definitely look at Aspen products too, for future Optics needs.