I can't argue with your opinion, but what I have said agrees with opticron - the HR is a much newer, more expensive scope, which opticron claim will give the better image. The guy in the shop seemed to think so too.
The guy in the shop is just another human with personal perceptions
This only shows why I posted my reply to the 'HR66 is better than x'.
As I said in another post, I found the 665 to offer better resolution in dark areas. I had both scopes set up looking at the same feeder - both scopes had the HDF zoom lens. The most telling for me was looking at a Goldfinch. In areas where the blue or red was darker, I saw more detail through the 665 - the darker blues and red looked almost black to me with a loss of detail through the HR66. This may be a direct result of my eyes and not the lenses, but for me the 665 gave more convincing clours and detail.
I love music and purchased my first two hi-fi systems based on scores in hi-fi magazines. However, I hated the sound of both. I then spent several days listening to systems at dealers, by booking listening rooms. I ended up with a system at home that sounds superb to me, yet doesn't score particularly high with the mags.
As for the fine focus thing, it really made very little difference to the focus of the image for me. Why didn't they fit it to the HR66? Probably because it's not very robust mechanically, and isn't all that useful.
Ah, the not very robust comment on the fine focus is a very helpful comment - is this from personal experience or reading about examples on the web/mags? I loved the fine focus control, but not if there is evidence of it being flimsy!
As far as it not being very useful to you, I found it VERY useful indeed. I was able to focus quicker everytime. However, this was with my fingers and through my eyes - everyone will perceive it differently.
I do have to disagree on the robust thing though - the HR66 is a far more substantial scope, that is also fully rubberised, and, if i'm not mistaken, in a much thicker style. The old HRs are reknowned for being robust, and the new ones armour seemed to be just as good, if not better.
Just goes to show - I thought the 665ED looked very robust indeed |=)| I can't disagree with your comment though, because I have never owned either scope, but I did test them out for several hours and both seemed pretty well built to me. What is important though is not to choose a product based on a score or opinion (although both are useful pointers on what models to shortlist), but to base the decision on looking through the glass yourself. Only then will you REALLY know what scope best suits your eyes, perception and feel.