Hello George!
I´m no english language virtoso either
Two and a half year ago I was in exactly the same position as you are today. I needed relatively low cost, good performing spotting scope mainly for birding and occasional observing of the moon and planets. After searching the internet and reading tons of reviews and forums I decided to buy Skywatcher Maksutov telescope MC 90/1250 SkyMax (
https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes...mc-90-1250-skymax-ota/p,5020#tab_bar_0_select). This telescope is optically same telescope as Celestron c90 (produced by same factory), but it has less bulky and lighter housing. Maksutov type spotting scope is a great birding instrument, but like any other optical device, it has some PROS and some CONS.
PROS:
+ Extremely high magnification capabilities. For me the closer view on birds is the better view. Maksutov telescopes have starting magnification where image of majority other spotting scopes will start to deteriorate. This telescope can produce sharp image up to 250x (maybe more) which is useful for moon and planets observing and rarely for birding. With my 22,5 – 7,5mm zoom eyepiece I get 55x to 166x magnification which is useful if conditions are right (plenty of light).
+ Sharpness. Scope producces sharp high quality image and you can use all 1,25˝ eypieces on the market.
+ You can use 90° amici prism for comfortable viewing of celestial objects (see photos)
+ Portable, small in size.
+ Sturdy, well built.
CONS:
- No low magnification capabilities. You are restricted to lowest magnification of 39x (using a 32mm SuperPlossl eyepiece). This magnification is too high for scanning the surroundings for birds, which means that you must first see a bird with naked eyes or through the binocular and then point the telescope at the bird.
- The image has slightly less contrast than refractor type spotting scopes.
- It is not weather sealed. No problem if you use it in dry weather like I do.
You will need a good finder. I mounted cheap Chinese made 4x32 Riflescope (see photos) and it works like a charm. With this combo aiming scope even at distant flying birds is easy. You will get your view faster on target than with any other spotting scope. Red dot finder, that comes with the scope is also quite good.
For tracking birds in flight, and other movable objects you will need a sturdy tripod and good fluid video head, preferably with longer mounting plate, so you can balance scope well (I use Manfrotto MVH500AH).
I managed to save a little fortune for buying Kowa TSN-883 spotting scope, so I have an intend to sell my well preserved Skywatcher MC90 Skymax. If you are interested let me know and if you have any other questions I will gladly answer to them. On the photos scope is wrapped in Camo tape and equipped with a 32mm SuperPlossl eyepiece.
Bye!
Astrobird69