First scope - eBay for a used scope from a respected brand vs new 'Chinese' cheapy? (1 Viewer)

[AnotherNoob]

Hi All,

Complete novices from Malvern UK here. We've recently setup a feeding station in our back garden and would like to record our visitors. We're thinking that a used small scope from eBay with a smartphone adaptor would be a sensible first step.

Some advice would be appreciated -

There is a huge range of scopes available. Would a used older scope from a respected manufacturer be a better purchase than a new, cheap, scope from one of the many Chinese manufacturers (or maybe some of them are reasonable)?

The feeding station is about 40 feet from where we'd like to set up the scope and we'd like to be able to take respectable pictures. What fixed magnification would do the job (I've read about limited minimum focus distances on some scopes) or maybe we should be looking for a zoom (if so, what magnification range)?

We've read a lot about BAK4/7 and ED glass etc. but is that a necessity given our requirements?

We've got a budget of around £100-£150. Can you recommend a model to look for on eBay?

Apologies if any of the above is muddled, it seems that the world of spotting scopes is a minefield.

Kind regards

Chris

 

[Binastro]

Hi Chris and welcome.

I would think a secondhand scope from a respected dealer like Cley Spey or others is a better bet.

I looked at LCE Worcester but they had no used scopes, although you could try new maybe there.

For £150 new one would only get a basic scope new.

Maybe an older Opticron or Nikon Fieldscope, but I am no expert in spotting scopes.

Then there is the tripod.

I am sure others will advise.

I am happy using lower quality scopes, but bird watchers need waterproof and better scopes according to general advice here.

Regards,
B.

 

[LittleBitOfBreadNoCheese]

Or for a different approach, if its only for use at the feeder did you look at one of these (you don't have to get the AI add-on)?

Birdfy Feeder AI & Lite Version: The Smart Camera Bird Feeder

Get the most out of your bird feeding experience with Birdfy Feeder Camera. Our smart feeder detects, recognizes, and records birds' moments for you so that you can enjoy the wildlife on a whole new level.

shop.netvue.com

 

[etudiant]

The attraction of buying a used scope is that you can check it out beforehand, something which is difficult with a new in package scope, unless you have a helpful dealer nearby.
Inexpensive scopes can be great, but usually have more variable performance, simply because the production process economics do no allow for careful adjustment of the optics, which is usually done by the more established brands.
A zoom lens is nice but probably not necessary. However, you will need a decent tripod, else the scope will wobble and vibrate too much for pleasant observing. A nice low power eye piece, maybe 20x or so, will give you good close up views from 40 feet.
Do note that tripod and smart phone adapter will also hit your budget, plus you probably should add a tripod head so that you can point the scope in various directions easily. If there is a nearby astronomy or birding club, it might offer a good introduction to the options and possibly even some leads on getting suitable gear.

 

[PYRTLE]

As others have suggested, you're unlikely to get anything new approaching decent for that budget ( to also include a tripod ). Apologies for being blunt but the acronyms ED or HD are also very overused nowadays in marketing hype.

I would also agree that a secondhand package should offer you better value for money and moreso from a specialised optics retailer. A fixed magnification of around x 20 wide is desirable if you are thinking of phone - scoping.

Other older brands to look out for are Optolyth or Kowa.

Good luck.

 

[Mike Crawley]

I spotted this pre-loved 'scope and tripod for sale at my local optics shop (who I trust completely).
This might not be of interest to you but it might at least serve as an example of what you might find in your local shop in their second hand section

https://www.focalpointopticsltd.com/product-page/pre-loved-bushnell-spacemaster-with-zoom-eyepiece-and-tripod

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Hi Chris,
Welcome to the forum.

Here are a few budget options that would be perfectly satisfactory for your purposes whilst leaving some budget for a tripod (I'd recommend a used Velbon Sherpa for less than £50).
As already suggested, a fixed 20x will provide all the detail required at relatively short range:

Opticron IF
Opticron IS
Kowa TS 502
Mighty Midget Mki
Celestron Trailseeker

Of the above options, my choice would probably be the Celestron as you can buy a fixed magnification 1.25" at a later point to improve the view - the scope is fully multicoated, so I'm sure that images in the range of 20-30x would be more than good enough.

Hope this helps!

 

[AnotherNoob]

Thanks all for your comments.
I was looking through the suggestions made by dwatsonbirder and when looking at the Opticron Mighty Midget MKI, one thing (link) led to another (link) as it does and I came across this Opticron GS 52 GA ED on eBay currently at £55, would it be worth bidding and if so what’s the right price?

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Thanks all for your comments.
I was looking through the suggestions made by dwatsonbirder and when looking at the Opticron Mighty Midget MKI, one thing (link) led to another (link) as it does and I came across this Opticron GS 52 GA ED on eBay currently at £55, would it be worth bidding and if so what’s the right price?

They are a good little scope, if you can get it for under £200 I'd suggest you have snagged a bargain

 

[Blincodave]

This is an excellent buy:

USED Kowa TS-612 Spotting Scope with 30x Eyepiece + Case | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for USED Kowa TS-612 Spotting Scope with 30x Eyepiece + Case at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

I purchased it myself but decided to return it and buy a brand new Nikon ED50 for its more compact footprint. The scope is in mint condition, has excellent optical qualities for the money and the seller has a high street shop in Devon

 

[Phil Andrews]

Suggest you pop up to the Birders Store in Worcester and have a chat with the proprietor Brian - a top lad who will give you some sound suggestions.

 

[Ratal]

Thanks all for your comments.
I was looking through the suggestions made by dwatsonbirder and when looking at the Opticron Mighty Midget MKI, one thing (link) led to another (link) as it does and I came across this Opticron GS 52 GA ED on eBay currently at £55, would it be worth bidding and if so what’s the right price?

Snag that and you have a bargain!

 

[Binastro]

LCE Bath have one for £300.

LCE had an MM2 for £80 but that is gone.
I have the MM2 but not good at higher powers.

B.

 

[AnotherNoob]

Didn’t get the GS 52 GA ED, it went for £157, 5 bidders :-(. On with the search …

 

[Hermann]

If you've got a local group that meets from time to time, join it. Maybe there's someone who has got an older scope he/she can let you have. I gave away a few binoculars and a couple of scopes over the years to young birders who couldn't afford to buy half-way decent stuff themselves.

Hermann

 

[Richard D]

No connection to seller but looks a decent buy in your budget: Nikon field scope ED60 11 X20 EYE PIECE, FULL WORKING ORDER CLEAR BRIGHT VIEWING | eBay

 

[AnotherNoob]

Well this doesn’t happen very often - the same seller of the scope I was outbid by £5 on last night just listed a ‘straight’ version of the same model (GS 52 GA ED) but with an SDL V2 eyepiece instead of the HDF, offered him the same price as he got for the first scope and he accepted the offer. The straight version actually suits me better, I’ve got a 30 year old Miranda tripod in pristine condition from when I was a kid, when positioned on the kitchen worktop looking into the back garden it will be the ideal height.
Thank you all for your comments, much appreciated.

 

[jring]

Hi,

plus you got the even better SDLv2 zoom... 36x (at max magnification) at 13m is like having the birds within arm's reach...

Enjoy the view!

Joachim