Opticron Piccolo 15-45x60

[oldgiteggy]

Thinking of buying the New Opticron Piccolo 15-45x60 as sold here:

http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/opticron_binos/opticron_index_fs.htm

Alot of people are talking about the old cream coloured piccolo, but this is new and only £59. Anyone got any comments about it.

Also, I need a stay-on-case and the only suggestion has been a Nikon case that fits a straight through Piccolo. However, the new Piccolo is angled only. Any suggestions please.

The Oldgit

[Gramayr]

Have been looking at this one myself on the web, no idea what the lenses are like, also it mentions they come with a case and a small tripod.

Being Opticron, do any of the other opticron lenses fit?

[oldgiteggy]

I've been trying to compare the pictures with the new GS that Luke has just got and it's very similar. Opticron aren't much help- this model doesn't even feature on their website.

I've ordered it anyway and let you know if its any good.

[luke]

nice one on ordering! Oh and welcome to the forum uncle steve!! :hi:

[oldgiteggy]

The Piccolo 15-45x60 arrived within 2 days. Excellent service from Sherwoods. Opticron? It doesn't say that anywhere on the scope or the packaging. This is a far certainly cheaper end manufacture, maybe China.

Its a starter kit with a cheap table tripod (plastic steadying device with some positional adjustment) and a case (bag to put the scope and tripod in). No pan, tilt, or stay on case here.

Optics seem excellent for £59 with little distortion and a bright image. Zoom eyepiece is not interchangable but it has a good size subjective lens and a reasonable field of view. Zoom abailty is sharp with good clarity and no real lack of brightness at x45.

The plastic mouldings that are used instead of machined metals do the job well enough. It looks like it is rubber amoured, but it's not. However it is very similar in shape to the GS and has a style to it that is worth showing off.

This is definately a starter kit, but an excellent one. I'll need to spend more time with it, but I feel that for the money, it's very good value.

[Chris Oates]

cheaper end manufacture, maybe China.



China is not cheap - my £220 Berghaus coat came from there.
If China ceased to exist we'd be short of quite a few 'English' brands.

[oldgiteggy]

China is not cheap - my £220 Berghaus coat came from there.
If China ceased to exist we'd be short of quite a few 'English' brands.


Sorry, I'm using information from another Opticron thread:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=40213&highlight=china+japan

"cheaper scopes china.... more expensive scopes Japan."

However, the quality as I explained is very good for the price and you are right; many "British" brands aren't "English" any more. Design is one thing, manufacturing is another. I suppose, by seeking skilled workforce in areas of cheaper production costs, that we can afford such things.

[sammyboy]

Thought I'd 'resurrect' this thread rather than start a new one, any further thoughts on the Piccolo scope? After finding at times my binoculars didn't quite have the magnification on a couple of recent birding trips, I've just bought a secondhand one off Ebay for £36 inc. delivery, includes the tabletop tripod and a bag.

I'm hoping this will be a good little scope for me to start with, to be honest it will probably do for my useage, probably mainly garden use, and perhaps taken on trips to reserves to get a little closer to birds I can't ID, maybe even try my hand at digiscoping!

[2520years]

Thought I'd 'resurrect' this thread rather than start a new one, any further thoughts on the Piccolo scope? After finding at times my binoculars didn't quite have the magnification on a couple of recent birding trips, I've just bought a secondhand one off Ebay for £36 inc. delivery, includes the tabletop tripod and a bag.

I'm hoping this will be a good little scope for me to start with, to be honest it will probably do for my useage, probably mainly garden use, and perhaps taken on trips to reserves to get a little closer to birds I can't ID, maybe even try my hand at digiscoping!

How's your scope sammyboy?
I keep thinking of getting one for the same reasons as you. I don't want to carry a big scope and tripod around, I want something to carry in my rucksack. I was under the impression I'd have to pay £200+ for anything worth using.
Is your scope 60x magnification?

[sammyboy]

Mine's the 15-45x version. Very good views at the lower magnifications, though the view gets a bit blurred as you get to 45x mag. Little bit of Chromatic Aberration but not too distracting. I haven't looked through any other scopes to compare it with, but for a budget scope I'd say it was worth it.

Ideal for taking with you to a bird hide or to chuck in the back of the car because 'you never know', it's light and small enough to (just) go into a rucksack, comes with it's own carrycase and tabletop tripod, nice little scope!

[2520years]

Mine's the 15-45x version. Very good views at the lower magnifications, though the view gets a bit blurred as you get to 45x mag. Little bit of Chromatic Aberration but not too distracting. I haven't looked through any other scopes to compare it with, but for a budget scope I'd say it was worth it.

Ideal for taking with you to a bird hide or to chuck in the back of the car because 'you never know', it's light and small enough to (just) go into a rucksack, comes with it's own carrycase and tabletop tripod, nice little scope!

Thanks sammyboy. I've been told Opticron do a compact scope so I'll keep looking around for something that's particularly small. I like twitching, but it's 50% for the walks really, so I just wouldn't take anything that would weigh me down too much. It sounds like I might not have to spend £200+ though, which is good news. I think 45x magnification should be all right for most places.

Cheers.

[deborah4]

Piccolo Compact 15-45 x 60

Running out of time (and available cash) before going to Islay & Orkney in a couple of weeks - I popped into local photo shop to check out a travel scope - been meaning to get one for ages but haven't been able to afford it. Also, being a complete techno nerd, didn't know where to start. Anyway, turns out they're Opticron dealers and the only light weight handheld (my spec) was the above, complete with stand and travel case. It looked good, felt good ie. as light as my binos (maybe lighter!) and it retailed at £79 (so within price range). The other benefit, is that it can be used with my rather more substantial camera tripod as it has the same net fittings.

Thought I'd check on here first and delighted to see it's recommended by several members as a good value start up scope (also ideal for backpacking!). Was worried it might be completely c**p, so phew! It'll do me. 30 mins research that's all it took and I'm happy.

(Ok, I know it would be much cheaper to buy online, but this way, I get it immediately and get to see/feel it first)

Thanks all for your comments on this thread.

[matt green]

not sure about the latest piccolo model but i've been using an old 60mm piccolo scope (90's?)that I purchased from an auction some years ago for £50.

apart from looking like the main ammourment from a sherman tank,and weighing almost as most i've found the optics to be stunning.with the old metric zoom eyepiece turned down to 20x you get a seriously sharp and well resolved image,ok theres a little yellow cast and a narrow field of view but apart from that it's great,they have an equal (to my eyes) image sharpness to some leica 8x32 ba trinovids I once had.

it also has the smoothest focus wheel i've ever seen on any binoculars
or scope irrespective of price.

matt

[deborah4]

Have just bought the Picollo Compact 15-45 x 60 - disadvantages is it's not fully waterproof, so I'll have to adapt something for a 'leave on' (bought a cheap waterproof Tri bag so will cut that up and modify!). Other disadvantage is although possible to use other opticron lenses, the Pic is at cheapest end of market and thread/seating for lens is not as strong as more expensive models. However! ...complete carry bag containing scope and mini-tripod fits perfectly into a small (padded on back) rucksack I found in second hand shop, leaving enough room for thermos, and pocket in front large enough for notebook pens, glasses etc. (don't know where I'll put my lunch though :-C ). Binos round neck and digicamera in it's own 'bum-bag', it's a perfect start-up set up for long distance walking and back-packing birding holidays (and much much lighter than taking my SLR with zoom lenses etc!). (Tripod extends to about 2 feet from ground so lying on stomach, using in hide on a wall, or as hand held, only option really)

[stuart C smith]

Have just bought the Picollo Compact 15-45 x 60 - disadvantages is it's not fully waterproof, so I'll have to adapt something for a 'leave on' (bought a cheap waterproof Tri bag so will cut that up and modify!). Other disadvantage is although possible to use other opticron lenses, the Pic is at cheapest end of market and thread/seating for lens is not as strong as more expensive models. However! ...complete carry bag containing scope and mini-tripod fits perfectly into a small (padded on back) rucksack I found in second hand shop, leaving enough room for thermos, and pocket in front large enough for notebook pens, glasses etc. (don't know where I'll put my lunch though :-C ). Binos round neck and digicamera in it's own 'bum-bag', it's a perfect start-up set up for long distance walking and back-packing birding holidays (and much much lighter than taking my SLR with zoom lenses etc!). (Tripod extends to about 2 feet from ground so lying on stomach, using in hide on a wall, or as hand held, only option really)
hi deborah. [ super ] sounds good to me, i am sure you will enjoy your new gear. regards stuart.

[speckled wood]

A bit late to join in this thread but I bought a Picollo from London Camera Exchange in Chester for £49.99, for the price excellent.

[oldgiteggy]

Resurrected :eek!: My "Opticron" Piccolo is still going, intact and does me in bright conditions. It's in the boot of the car most of the time. Simple but tough enough. Tried changes lens recently and realised that the threading is not standard. Looks like a copy manufacturer getting it slightly wrong? Disppointing. :h?:
Still looking for a compatible case of some kind.

[Bruno777]

Resurrected :eek!: My "Opticron" Piccolo is still going, intact and does me in bright conditions. It's in the boot of the car most of the time. Simple but tough enough. Tried changes lens recently and realised that the threading is not standard. Looks like a copy manufacturer getting it slightly wrong? Disppointing. :h?:
Still looking for a compatible case of some kind.

Hi oldgiteggy

I am looking to buy a Piccolo as a starter scope, and have found the following site that also has a stay on case:

http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/opticron_scope/opticron_scope_fs.htm