[rosbifs]

Guess this question has been asked a thousand times but I have a friend who is looking for a cheap scope. By cheap I guess maybe £300.

He has a house in a mountain area so a raptors would be the main use.

Any thoughts?

[rosbifs]

ok i'll get the ball rolling

I had thought of the cheaper Nikon scope or the Hawke. Both seem to be in the 300 range...

[dipped]

In that price range I'd be thinking of buying used to get the best value.

I've not seen the Hawke and I've not been impressed with Nikon's cheaper non fieldscopes.

I would keep an eye on used equipment sites like this one.

The Opticron or Optolyth might fit the bill if you can get to the UK to try/buy.

Both are reasonable scopes and the Opticron has good aftersales service and is the more current scope. Probably the pick unless you can stretch to the Viking 66ED which is also still available new.

[rosbifs]

If I was in England I would agree but this guy is in France. I have the expensive Nikon and its great.....