Older Opticon HR66ED (1 Viewer)

Hi, I am looking to buy my first scope and I know of a HR 66 ED for sale with a HDF 28 WA eyepiece. It is a few years old but should be well within my budget. I cannot afford a new one. A friend has one of these, also quite a few years old and I like it a lot but I am confused because his scope is HR 66 GA ED. The one I am interested in has not got GA stamped on it. Anyone know the difference? Also, how would this scope, given its age compare to the current non ED Opticron GS and IS models which I could afford to buy new. I can get a new IS70 with 16-48x zoom & case for £250 and then put a HDF lens on it. I'm not sure what would be best. I'm not bothered about weight, just want something I can use with spectacles that gives a good image. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

HI

The 'GA' just stands for 'Rubber Armoured' and Opticron didn't put this on the earlier HR66 ED's. However it will be the same model with the same optics etc...It is still an excellent scope and is still used by a great many birders, having a 5 element APO lens design and ED glass it will still out perform any of the current crop of non-ED opticron models. The HDF 28x is also an excellent eyepiece for this scope producing an excellent bright and sharp image with a good field of view.

Regards
Steve

Thanks for your help.

I thought the GA actually meant angled, without the GA its straight!

But looking at the Opticron site, I appear to be wrong!.