Pentax PF-65ED II
Hi ya'll:
This may be a good place to jump in and share my experience with this spotter.
Have had this scope for about 6 months now, the straight-thru version. Several factors came into play influencing the purchase: 1) good comments on the v.1 model in better- view desired 2) design features like H20-proofing, light wt., ect. 3) ability to use standard 1 1/4" eyepieces and 4) excellent price at the time, $409 USD for non-angled version. Since I all ready had a number of astro-oculars this would get me in the ED-dedicated birding scope game for what looked like an sweet deal.
I'll refrain from going into an extensive review, since most of the pros and cons have been covered by other threads and comments, and my overall experience synchs up with those. Yes, the focus is a little coarse and "fiddle-y"; that is, it doesnt seem to snap-to the best focus with the ease of an astro-refractor like the WO 80 FS, for example. My sense about this, and I could be way off: the problem is about 70% mechanical, and 30% me trying to wring out that last bit of uber resolution, which the little bugger is just not going to give out. In any event, this bit of kit could definitely use a coarse/fine dual focus knob. However once best focus is reached, there really is little to criticize. Outstanding color rendition (at least to me), contrast is excellent with a touch of purple fringing on high contrast objects: raptors/cormorants against a bright sky, for example. Under normal circumstances, not even evident. I don't really see any of the various flavors of (what I call) geometrical distortions; the field seems quite flat, with good focus clarity to about 80% or so to the edge of the field. In fact I must confess the image is good enough that I havent found it necessary to go looking for aberrations, normally one of my, ummmmmmmm, most practiced spectator sports, optics wise. Panning especially is a very natural, relaxing exercise.
The net effect is that the image has that sharp, natural, easy view that is the hallmark of a well designed and executed optic.
My most used eyepiece at present is a Hyperion 13mm, sorry but I don't recall the FL. of the scope at the time, but I think that puts me working at about 30-34X or so.
In case someone might be interested in what I might be comparing the view to, mentally speaking, my main birding glass right now is a Zeiss 7X45 Fl, with a Nikon 8X32 SE as a backup.
Recently, side by side during our local bird club's field trip, my friend had his Swar 65HD set up, and we were both viewing a distand Red-tailed Hawk loafing around in a plowed field WAY off in the distance. John, my friend, went back and forth between the 'scopes several times, finally commenting "well that looks pretty damn good to me".
'Nuff said.
