FS III v FS IIIED?

[tallgrass]

I have had my FS III for several weeks now and am still pleased with it. Yet everything I read on the net about FS III's relate to the ED version. I am beginning to think I have opted for a lesser scope in choosing a non-ED model. Could someone please give their unbiased opinion regarding the differences between ED & non ED. Is the contrast significantly higher with ED optics, is resolution better with ED optics and is chromatic aberration better controlled with ED optics - oh and I do not mean fractionally better, the sort of better that can be measured in the lab, I mean stark staringly better - in the real world! :eek!:

[william j clive]

the sort of better that can be measured in the lab, I mean stark staringly better - in the real world! (quote)


Absolutely!

[amh2029]

I have had my FS III for several weeks now and am still pleased with it. Yet everything I read on the net about FS III's relate to the ED version. I am beginning to think I have opted for a lesser scope in choosing a non-ED model. Could someone please give their unbiased opinion regarding the differences between ED & non ED. Is the contrast significantly higher with ED optics, is resolution better with ED optics and is chromatic aberration better controlled with ED optics - oh and I do not mean fractionally better, the sort of better that can be measured in the lab, I mean stark staringly better - in the real world! :eek!:

Hi tallgrass,
Comparing the two scopes is like comparing apples and pairs really - better to compare scopes in similar price ranges. ED glass is just better than non ED glass, end of story. You pay more for ED glass. If you want top of the range scopes you will have to pay - in the case of the fieldscope III - an extra £300. The non-ED scope gives great views, but they will be slightly dimmer than the ED version and there will be slightly more distortion. Who was it who said 'thy shalt not covet thy neighbour's scope - be content with what thou hast got'? - and then show me a birder who's ever paid such wise words the slightest attention! ;)