First Spotting Scope, Estuary viewing. Long time birdwatching, no scope experience. (1 Viewer)

[callows]

I'm trying again this autumn, as the geese are back again and my longing to get a better look than through my 8x30 binoculars resurfaces. I thought I was buying a Nikon ED80 last autumn, from a seller on here, but unfortunately the seller lost touch, probably due to the holiday period lag, which is understandable but a pity.

So here I go again: Birdwatching for 40 years, with binoculars only. Moved beside an estuary, and I think I'm looking for a good second hand scope, angled if possible, 60 to 80 wide lens, understand the 60 is less bright but lighter and more portable, with a zoom eyepiece which might suit a beginner, or a decent zoom fixed?

I would welcome advice from anyone who could make this a little less complicated. I have read through threads that remind me of sitting exams.

Saw an adverts for:
Spotting Scope Angled - Helios Fieldmaster ED82-DS Triplet +20-60x
or
Nikon Fieldscope ED III D=60 Black w/ DS 40x 50x Eyepiece (JAPAN).
Very few of the ones from Japan are angled.

My binoculars are Opticron, and I saw mention of them on similar threads, but after that I'm lost.

Thanks to anyone who can provide advice.

 

[Rotherbirder]

Do you have an idea of budget? I can personally vouch for the Leica APO Televid 62 if you're willing to go second hand. There is a pretty good deal on the 'Classifieds' section of Birdforum https://www.birdforum.net/threads/leica-apo-televid-62mm.442574/ which comes with a zoom and a fixed mag eyepiece and a stay-on case. The only trouble is, support will be unpredictable if it needs attention in the future. I've been using mine trouble-free since 2004 and its an excellent scope. I'm sure others will also offer useful advice.

RB

 

[callows]

oops, yes budget. Would +-£600 seem enough? Thanks for the reply, I'll have a look.

 

[wllmspd]

Opticron 60mm MM4, different eyepiece options, available secondhand. My normal go-to scope when I want to the walk around a lot. Does your budget include a tripod, as you’ll need a reasonable one, preferably with a fluid head. With scopes you’ll find that you never have enough magnification, but then that rabbit hole gives dimmer images. I tend to use lower powers and enjoy what the scope allows to me to see beyond binoculars.

Peter

 

[callows]

thanks Peter, very helpful. Budget will move a bit if needed to accommodate a decent tripod.

 

[Mike Crawley]

Where are you based ?
If at all possible, I would recommend going to a physical shop, setting a budget before you go and then looking at/through the ‘scope before committing yourself.
Don't discount second hand 'scopes. Plenty of people about who look after their equipment really well and who them trade them in for an upgrade.
good luck and let us know how you get on

 

[callows]

cheers Mike. I'm based near Newry in Co. Down Northern Ireland. I would be happy with a good second hand, if I felt it was right.

 

[4John]

cheers Mike. I'm based near Newry in Co. Down Northern Ireland. I would be happy with a good second hand, if I felt it was right.

callows,

I would normally recommend a field day where dealers visit nature reserves with binoculars and telescopes and you can try them out in the wild but I can't find any for Northern Ireland. Someone else on the forum may be able to help with that. I therefore second Mike's advice to find a dealer with a shop. According to the Opticron website your nearest dealer is J GOULD & SON LTD at 82 Abbey St Bangor, telephone 028 91271091. It looks like it's 60miles away from Newry, but I think would be worth making the trip if you can.

 

[callows]

callows,

I would normally recommend a field day where dealers visit nature reserves with binoculars and telescopes and you can try them out in the wild but I can't find any for Northern Ireland. Someone else on the forum may be able to help with that. I therefore second Mike's advice to find a dealer with a shop. According to the Opticron website your nearest dealer is J GOULD & SON LTD at 82 Abbey St Bangor, telephone 028 91271091. It looks like it's 60miles away from Newry, but I think would be worth making the trip if you can.

Thanks John. I'll look into that store and if they have anything, I can get to to them.

 

[callows]

Good morning everyone. I'm going to give this another go. I go through the process of considering getting a spotting scope every autumn into winter. I guess the geese arriving back around the coastline gets the thoughts running again.

From previous enquiries on this forum the helpful replies indicated its better to buy good used, rather than new at the same price. Many replies vouched for the Nikon fieldscopes. I understand the 50 is portable but low light, the 60 is better, possibly a good compromise, and the ED82 is great, but heavier. Despite using binoculars for decades I know little about scopes. So, I think maybe a zoom eyepiece is best. I am not sure I will need to do much hiking about with the scope either.

Procrastination is really the enemy here, as I go into winter 4, possibly. I was trying to purchase from a reputable member on the forum here last winter but we just missed connections over the Christmas period and the opportunity passed unfortunately.

I see a Fieldscope ED82 with 25-75 eyepiece on one of the sites you guys recommend going for +700. Its somewhat above my target price (in the 500s), but any of the other fieldscopes are coming from Japan on a well known website, and I'm unsure import taxes, reliability etc.

Straightforward questions:
Should I hike it up to the nearest reserve, Castle Espie to try out some scopes, which may be a most of day job, given travel etc.
Is the ED82 or 60 worth focussing in on?
Is it necessary to push purchase price up to 700 or is purchasing from Japan a fair option?
Any possible links to something that would work for watching geese and waders in the local bay, thinking the range is maybe 50 up to150 metres away usually?

As always, I really appreciate the replies. I am aware this is a regularly asked question, having gone through the forum a few times. Thanks for your patience. I'm intending not to resurrect this question in future.