I use an ED scope , I have done for the few years I have been birding. I know we are told by manufactures that ED glass is far better but is it really that much better than standard glass ?. Today I used a scope with standard glass in quite dull conditions and was quite surprised at how good the view was. Viewing the same object in the same light there was not that much difference , the colour was slightly better with the Ed glass but apart from that no real big noticeable difference. I would be interested in others views on ED vs non ED .
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Are you able to tell (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter binfield
- Start date
I have used Kowa 821 and 823 scopes 821 non ED and 823 ED. Believe me I could tell the difference between them, so much so I have never considered going back to non-ED.
Now use an Opticron HR 80 ED scope and got chance to use the old Classic 75 scope (non ED) recently, talk about chalk and cheese. The low light performance with an ED scope is brilliant, I have sometimes taken my eye away from the eyepiece and thought that night had fallen quickly.
Now use an Opticron HR 80 ED scope and got chance to use the old Classic 75 scope (non ED) recently, talk about chalk and cheese. The low light performance with an ED scope is brilliant, I have sometimes taken my eye away from the eyepiece and thought that night had fallen quickly.
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henry link
Well-known member
binfield,
Which scopes were you comparing and how much magnification were you using?
Which scopes were you comparing and how much magnification were you using?
Yes you are if operating under trying conditions, glare, dull cloud, end of the day, etc.
Except for Swarovski, and Kowa it seems most manufacturers take more care with the ED scopes during assembly.
They seem to be just a bit better put together.
Just my opinion, all my scopes except for a Leupold are ED/HD, the Leupold is visibly darker than the HD version.
Art
Except for Swarovski, and Kowa it seems most manufacturers take more care with the ED scopes during assembly.
They seem to be just a bit better put together.
Just my opinion, all my scopes except for a Leupold are ED/HD, the Leupold is visibly darker than the HD version.
Art
mooreorless
Well-known member
You would notice more difference in trying conditions, lots of snow on the ground etc. esp. at higher powers. I had a very good non ED Nikon 60mm Fieldscope and comparing it to a cheaper ED spotter you could see the difference.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=193685
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=193685