My wife has an old Opticron scope which we bought (secondhand) over 20 years ago. It has given great service, but it's time for a replacement.
Our current scope has no model number on it, but it has a 60mm front element, is made of metal with a pale green hammered paint finish and (unlike more recent models) has a large focusing ring in the middle of the scope body.
Basically, we need something a bit lighter and minus the huge focusing ring (which isn't particularly nice to use).
I'm tempted to stick with Opticron - our scope has has had 20 years of hammering in all weathers and hasn't a mark on it. It's clearly been built to last and will be kept as a second scope until it gives up the ghost.
I don't mind buying used. Budget is about £300 (flexible).
The reason for changing has nothing to do with optical quality - my wife has made it clear that she is perfectly happy with the current scope in that regard. It's mostly about weight and the awkward focusing arrangement.
The only other stipulation is for an angled eyepiece. A zoom is preferred.
I'd be grateful for some advice on which used Opticron scopes offer best value.
Many thanks,
Martin
Our current scope has no model number on it, but it has a 60mm front element, is made of metal with a pale green hammered paint finish and (unlike more recent models) has a large focusing ring in the middle of the scope body.
Basically, we need something a bit lighter and minus the huge focusing ring (which isn't particularly nice to use).
I'm tempted to stick with Opticron - our scope has has had 20 years of hammering in all weathers and hasn't a mark on it. It's clearly been built to last and will be kept as a second scope until it gives up the ghost.
I don't mind buying used. Budget is about £300 (flexible).
The reason for changing has nothing to do with optical quality - my wife has made it clear that she is perfectly happy with the current scope in that regard. It's mostly about weight and the awkward focusing arrangement.
The only other stipulation is for an angled eyepiece. A zoom is preferred.
I'd be grateful for some advice on which used Opticron scopes offer best value.
Many thanks,
Martin