Maybe this is the winter I actually get a scope. (1 Viewer)

[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.

 

[Hermann]

As much as I like the Nikon scopes (and I have no intention of switching to another brand in the foreseeable future) I wouldn't recommend getting one today. Three reasons:

• The Fieldscopes (with the exception of the ED50) are getting a bit long in the tooth, and if you should need to have any repairs done, I don't think Nikon will have spare parts.
• The Nikon zoom eyepieces have got a decidedly narrow FOV, and in addition they are quite difficult to use if you need eyeglasses. In other words: As good as they are optically, they're definitely not the most user friendly eyepieces.
• The (excellent!) WA eyepieces aren't available anymore, with the exception of the DS eyepieces. And finding them used ... Well, it's not easy.

Now, I've got several Fieldscopes and, more importantly, a decent set of eyepieces, so I'll stick to the Fieldscopes for the time being, but buying new into this system, even if the used prices are decent - no, not really. I personally wouldn't recommend it.

If I were you, I'd look at the Opticron range. I don't know the Opticrons well enough to recommend one particular model, but the Opticrons I've seen were pretty decent. And from what you wrote in the other thread I'd probably get a 60mm scope. Not too heavy, useable up to about 40x (1.5mm exit pupil isn't too uncomfortable). But there are folks here who use Opticron scopes, maybe some of them will chime in.

Hermann

 

[4John]

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.

Callows,

There are 3 answers to your question ; yes, yes and yes

You need to look through 50, 60 and 80mm scopes, preferably in dull conditions because looking through a 50mm scope on a bright day can seem nearly as good as an 80mm scope. You need to compare the lighter, smaller more compact size of a 50m scope with a larger, heavier and brighter in dull conditions 80mm scope and decide what compromises work for you. A 50mm scope wins out for some people, whereas others would only want an 80mm scope (which may need a heavier tripod). Some can't make up their minds and/or are happy to compromise with a 60mm in the middle, whereas others buy a 50, 60 and an 80mm scope. You need to see for yourself which one wins out for you.

 

[callows]

Callows,

There are 3 answers to your question ; yes, yes and yes

You need to look through 50, 60 and 80mm scopes, preferably in dull conditions because looking through a 50mm scope on a bright day can seem nearly as good as an 80mm scope. You need to compare the lighter, smaller more compact size of a 50m scope with a larger, heavier and brighter in dull conditions 80mm scope and decide what compromises work for you. A 50mm scope wins out for some people, whereas others would only want an 80mm scope (which may need a heavier tripod). Some can't make up their minds and/or are happy to compromise with a 60mm in the middle, whereas others buy a 50, 60 and an 80mm scope. You need to see for yourself which one wins out for you.

Thanks John, to the point, and advice taken. TY

 

[callows]

As much as I like the Nikon scopes (and I have no intention of switching to another brand in the foreseeable future) I wouldn't recommend getting one today. Three reasons:

• The Fieldscopes (with the exception of the ED50) are getting a bit long in the tooth, and if you should need to have any repairs done, I don't think Nikon will have spare parts.
• The Nikon zoom eyepieces have got a decidedly narrow FOV, and in addition they are quite difficult to use if you need eyeglasses. In other words: As good as they are optically, they're definitely not the most user friendly eyepieces.
• The (excellent!) WA eyepieces aren't available anymore, with the exception of the DS eyepieces. And finding them used ... Well, it's not easy.

Now, I've got several Fieldscopes and, more importantly, a decent set of eyepieces, so I'll stick to the Fieldscopes for the time being, but buying new into this system, even if the used prices are decent - no, not really. I personally wouldn't recommend it.

If I were you, I'd look at the Opticron range. I don't know the Opticrons well enough to recommend one particular model, but the Opticrons I've seen were pretty decent. And from what you wrote in the other thread I'd probably get a 60mm scope. Not too heavy, useable up to about 40x (1.5mm exit pupil isn't too uncomfortable). But there are folks here who use Opticron scopes, maybe some of them will chime in.

Hermann

thanks Hermann. My binoculars are Opticron, so maybe I'll investigate more. Thanks for the comment re Nikon, again that's useful. I guess I'll just have to get up to Castle Espie and have a look.

 

[wllmspd]

Opticron 60mm4 ED with sdl4 is what I have, light and gives good views. Allows me to use a lighter tripod and thus is more portable, when I don’t fancy lugging heavier stuff about. I usually use the zoom to tune the magnification to the conditions, around 30x often, and just leave it there. Upto 40x it’s fine, the extreme top end seems to lose contrast/get dim rapidly. I also have the 23x wide eyepiece and have birded all day with it just fine, only occasionally wanting a bit more power. At low powers the zoom is quite narrow (which I personally don’t like). I have got my stuff as a mix of new and secondhand (from the well known UK companies that seek such stuff) and never had an issue.
My local club mainly have a mix of 60mm Opticron, few 65mm swaro and few 80mm swaro, so others think it’s not bad either.

If you do much birding you need a spotter as you lose so much by not being able to see the details in the feathers, the personalities in the species etc.

Peter

 

[callows]

Opticron 60mm4 ED with sdl4 is what I have, light and gives good views. Allows me to use a lighter tripod and thus is more portable, when I don’t fancy lugging heavier stuff about. I usually use the zoom to tune the magnification to the conditions, around 30x often, and just leave it there. Upto 40x it’s fine, the extreme top end seems to lose contrast/get dim rapidly. I also have the 23x wide eyepiece and have birded all day with it just fine, only occasionally wanting a bit more power. At low powers the zoom is quite narrow (which I personally don’t like). I have got my stuff as a mix of new and secondhand (from the well known UK companies that seek such stuff) and never had an issue.
My local club mainly have a mix of 60mm Opticron, few 65mm swaro and few 80mm swaro, so others think it’s not bad either.

If you do much birding you need a spotter as you lose so much by not being able to see the details in the feathers, the personalities in the species etc.

Peter

Thanks Peter. That's really helpful.

 

[4John]

Thanks John, to the point, and advice taken. TY

You're welcome.

Castle Espie sounds great. You get a great view, and to some extent it doesn't matter what scopes they have, as anything is worth a try to get some hands-on experience., and to show you what a scope can add to your enjoyment. According to Opticron's website they have a dealer not a million miles away in Bangor who may also be able to help you :

Binoculars & Optical Equipment Bangor | John Gould & Son

Opticron do very helpful field days all over the England, but I can't see any in Northern Ireland. I have no idea if anyone else does optics field days in Ireland. Perhaps some of the Irish forum members can help.

 

[callows]

You're welcome.

Castle Espie sounds great. You get a great view, and to some extent it doesn't matter what scopes they have, as anything is worth a try to get some hands-on experience., and to show you what a scope can add to your enjoyment. According to Opticron's website they have a dealer not a million miles away in Bangor who may also be able to help you :

Binoculars & Optical Equipment Bangor | John Gould & Son

Opticron do very helpful field days all over the England, but I can't see any in Northern Ireland. I have no idea if anyone else does optics field days in Ireland. Perhaps some of the Irish forum members can help.

yes unfortunately Northern Ireland frequently gets left out. Thank you for the advice.