Have added this to my short list of first spotting scopes and have a couple of questions as I know little about scopes. Price seems right for what sounds like a decent scope.
1. What eyepiece for use with eyeglasses. Seems from reading prior post tha XW-14 is good choice. Want primarily for scanning ponds, some ocean viewing, and fields. I know a 80 mm would probably be better but want a bit more compact for travel and carry in my motorcycle topbox.
2. Are there other eyepieces i should also consider in either Pentax or other manufacture (less money)
Randy
I use the PF-65 for all my birding. I don't think you will find a better eyepice than the XW14 for using with it.
My XW14 is almost never off the scope. I have other eyepieces but hardly use them. With 20mm eyerelief the XW14 is supremely comfortable for use with my glasses on. Some people report black outs with it though so I think eye placement is tricky for some.
As for an 80mm being better- I have owned 80mm scopes in the past (including a Nikon ED82) and I don't any of them were noticably brighter or sharper than the Pentax. I have no desire to go back to lugging a bigger scope around when the Pentax does such a good job. A friend had a look through my scope at the weekend and commented on how bright it is- it was a heavily overcast day too.
My other e/ps are Vixen NLV 17mm (24x) and Celestron Xcel 21mm (18.5x). The Vixen cost nearly as much as an XW, The Celestron is very cheap and does a great job for the price. I bought it to try using the scope on a shoulder pod. oth are fine with glasses. I occasionally get tempted to get the XW10 for 39x mag but it's too much money for an e/p that will hardly ever get used.
In truth I should probably sell the Vixen, as it has proabbly only been on the scope a half dozen times in two and a half years, and put the money towards an XW20.
The Baader Hyperions are almost as good as the XWs but I noticed a distinct advantage to the XW when I tried the BH 17mm a couple of years ago. If i was saving money I'd get a BH though.
So, my advice- get the Pentax with the XW14. That will do just about everything you need it to. I doubt you'll regret it, assuming you don't get blackouts like some do.