New Nikon Prostaff 3 (1 Viewer)

P

Pasquier

Well-known member

• Feb 11, 2013

• #1

http://www.nikon.com/news/2013/0205_prostaff3_01.htm

Looks like a neat entry scope.

 

mikefreiberg

Well-known member

• Apr 2, 2013

• #2

I have had a chance to check this scope out in the field. The eyepiece is a 16-48x zoom and is built in to the body. This can provide some great advantages. The glass is remarkably sharp and bright for that price point. Easiest places to see this scope at this time would be a Cabela's or Bass Pro. Good Birding!

All the best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon Birding Market Specialist

 

C

cameron2

Well-known member

• Aug 18, 2013

• #3

so would people recommend this scope over the prostaff 5 ?

 

Alexis Powell

Natural history enthusiast

• Aug 19, 2013

• #4

cameron2 said:

so would people recommend this scope over the prostaff 5 ?

Click to expand...

I've never been impressed with this type of super-compact scope, from any of the companies that have offered one (Leupold, Bushnell, Nikon, and others). In general, these scopes have dim optics, very narrow field of view, poor close-focus, and are awkward to focus (especially if they stiffen in the cold) since the control is on the ocular. With improvements in prism and coatings technology, this one might not be so dim, but I don't think it is any better in other respects. Unless being super compact is the highest priority (and you can't afford the Fieldscope 50ED), I always prefer conventional scopes that offer the option of a widefield fixed 25 or 30x eyepiece, as does the Prostaff 5 (or a used Fieldscope II or III).

--AP

 

C

cameron2

Well-known member

• Aug 19, 2013

• #5

Okay, thanks

 

C

cameron2

Well-known member

• Aug 19, 2013

• #6

Also one last question,
I have heard really good things optically of the Helios Fieldmaster 60 ED, thoughts on it ?



Thanks

 

Alexis Powell

Natural history enthusiast

• Aug 19, 2013

• #7

cameron2 said:

Also one last question,
I have heard really good things optically of the Helios Fieldmaster 60 ED, thoughts on it ?



Thanks

Click to expand...

I don't have any experience w/it. You may get more replies by asking in the general scope forum.

--AP

 

mikefreiberg

Well-known member

• Aug 26, 2013

• #8

cameron2 said:

so would people recommend this scope over the prostaff 5 ?

Click to expand...

Hi everyone,

I would not put this scope over the PROSTAFF 5 Fieldscope. The 5 has far superior light transmission with slightly better resolution. Also, the 5 has an 82mm version. Just some general thoughts from my time with both of those products in the field. Currently the PROSTAFF scopes have a $120 promotion going on at participating dealers (no I did not want to sound like an advertisement there..lol).

http://www.nikonpromo.com

My last show we sold a bunch of 5s due to this promotion. Feel free to review the promotion on the website above. Good luck.

All the best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon Birding Market Specialist