Review for Vortex Sandpiper 15-45x65mm Angled Spotting Scope Stokes Birding Series SBS-SPR65-A

Author: raymn {!} from Wane, PA on Nov 12, 2008
Would recommend:  no

raymn wrote:

I read quite a bit of review on various models and this one got rave review from Cornell University's (compared with other samples they tested). The catch is the ones they compared, not that many within this price range in the first place, I later realized. The construction is good, focus a bit too loose, I like some friction and resistence for the solid feel. Eye cap easily get lost once. But the biggest problem is optical quality. Lots of light fringing around tree leave edges looking outside the window. It literally makes me dizzy after about one minute. Take it to the rifle range, I can spot 223 holes at 100 yards, but the guy next to me got a cheap NcStar, his can resolve the edge of duct tapes overlaying the holes! Mine can not. A big disappointment dawned upon me at that point. This one has longer eye relief, life-time warranty, etc. but it doesn't mean much when optically it can't even compare with a sub-100 dollar NcStar. Actually I've found a fix to the short eye relief problem on NcStar and Barska scopes (both have very clear view), if you wear glasses, take them off and compensate by turning the scope focus and you can get clear view. I tried and it worked perfect. I've sent this scope back for exchange of a Barska Blackhawk, no more milky, dizzy, muddy view as from this scope. Plus it's a lot cheaper. Customer service at OP is very good, they made the exchange without restocking fee even I opened the box for inspection (I kept all the packaging and everything neat and clean).