Help me out here… (1 Viewer)

[Rufus1401]

Hi All,
I’ve posted about this before, but thought I’d ask for a prod in the right direction again. I got £1500 quid for a scope. Choices are a used Swarovski AT80 HD for £1000, a used Leica Televid at £1400, a new Vortex Razor 85 HD any £1399 or a new Zeiss 18-45x65 fieldscope at £1250. I’ve read every review I can find, includthe reviews on this website and nobody has anything bad to say against the Zeiss. It seems to hold up against the big boys very well. I’m am thinking of going to order one next week, unless you guys give me advice to the contrary. Help ? Ta.

 

[artur]

Choose the most neat spotting scope

 

[Mike Crawley]

I'd have though Zeiss IS one of the "big boys"
I always recommend look through optics before buying, try to find a shop and look through your favourite, just to be sure

 

[fazalmajid]

I'd consider Kowa and Meopta to be big boys as well, Vortex less so. I'd also add Opticron to the list before Vortex.

 

[dipped]

Hi All,
I’ve posted about this before, but thought I’d ask for a prod in the right direction again. I got £1500 quid for a scope. Choices are a used Swarovski AT80 HD for £1000, a used Leica Televid at £1400, a new Vortex Razor 85 HD any £1399 or a new Zeiss 18-45x65 fieldscope at £1250. I’ve read every review I can find, includthe reviews on this website and nobody has anything bad to say against the Zeiss. It seems to hold up against the big boys very well. I’m am thinking of going to order one next week, unless you guys give me advice to the contrary. Help ? Ta.

I'd add to the list the Nikon Monarch scope unless you have discounted it for some reason.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Save yourself £800 for a nice birding trip!

https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/used-nikon-ed82-fieldscope-kit-14120299

 

[Harrybongo]

Hi All,
I’ve posted about this before, but thought I’d ask for a prod in the right direction again. I got £1500 quid for a scope. Choices are a used Swarovski AT80 HD for £1000, a used Leica Televid at £1400, a new Vortex Razor 85 HD any £1399 or a new Zeiss 18-45x65 fieldscope at £1250. I’ve read every review I can find, includthe reviews on this website and nobody has anything bad to say against the Zeiss. It seems to hold up against the big boys very well. I’m am thinking of going to order one next week, unless you guys give me advice to the contrary. Help ? Ta.

 

[Harrybongo]

Hi. Have a look at some of the Nikons...... superb scopes and, binos!! 👍

 

[artur]

Converting at the current exchange rate (£ 1 = PLN 5.52) for £ 1485 I bought a new Meopta Meostar S2 20-70x. There are probably different prices in your country. I am very happy with my purchase.

 

[Rufus1401]

Save yourself £800 for a nice birding trip!

https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/used-nikon-ed82-fieldscope-kit-14120299

You got me thinking now….I don’t like thinking, it hurts 😂

 

[Essex Tern]

The Nikon option certainly also leaves a good tripod/head fund if you aren’t already sorted there.

(Another Nikon Fieldscope devotee here)

 

[Rufus1401]

I'd have though Zeiss IS one of the "big boys"
I always recommend look through optics before buying, try to find a shop and look through your favourite, just to be sure

When I said the big boys, I meant those with ED/HD glass etc costing at least an extra £1000.

 

[Mike Crawley]

Save yourself £800 for a nice birding trip!

https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/used-nikon-ed82-fieldscope-kit-14120299

I'd agree about look for second hand optics bargains - but you should be able to find one with an eyepiece.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

You got me thinking now….I don’t like thinking, it hurts 😂

A used AT80HD is no match for the Nikon IMO, and an ATS/ATM HD is only the equal. Had the chance to buy an 883, but I didnt personally feel the difference in image quality was worth the expense.

I'd agree about look for second hand optics bargains - but you should be able to find one with an eyepiece.

This one has two! The 30x and the older zoom. Also boxed and with a s.o.c.
A bargain for that money!

 

[Mike Crawley]

This one has two! The 30x and the older zoom. Also boxed and with a s.o.c.
A bargain for that money!

oK, I looked briefly at the vendor's website and didn’t see any eyepiece - my mistake

 

[dwatsonbirder]

No worries Mike

I always recommend look through optics before buying, try to find a shop and look through your favourite, just to be sure

Although I'd be fairly comfortable buying a used Fieldscope (defective samples are very unusual), ^ this advise is worth bearing in mind.

 

[BoldenEagle]

Many good advice already mentioned.

Personally, if given just 1500£/€ to spend (and so roughly ruling out any >85mm scopes), I would go for second hand Swarovski, Zeiss, Nikon or Leica, maybe with the exception of a new Nikon Monarch 82 which has been mainly praised here.

As already mentioned; testing the optics personally before you buy is essential. If you know how to do a star test (also essential in my opinion), you can't only see if the overall ergonomics and general optical qualities are suited for you, but also you can be sure that you will buy a good copy without major optical aberrations.

If you manage to find a good copy of any forementioned second hand scopes, it has not a lot to shame among newer and more expensive models as sample quality is an issue among them too. There are lots of old Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica and Nikon scopes used in the field and they work still very well.

Regards, Juhani

 

[Rufus1401]

Update on my hunt for a spotting scope. I have tried the Zeiss Dialyt and Harpia and also a Zwarovski. Did the Harpia and Swarovski give a better image that the Dialyt ? Yes. Was the improvement in image worth the two grand extra ? Ummm…nope. Not on your nelly it isnt. The Dialyt does a stunning job. Got a couple of used to check out before I buy.

 

[Rufus1401]

Update. After trying some scopes, the Zeiss Dialyt is on order. Got a good price - £1200.
This scope suited my needs very well, and with an original £2500 budget, I can treat myself to some new binoculars as well 😃I’ll do a review when it comes and I’ve taken it up the mountains.

 

[tenex]

A review comparison between the venerable Dialyt and the new Swaro STC would be interesting.