Need a new scope setup, what can I get for around £500? (3 Viewers)

[Evan Atkinson]

Hi all, I would like some help in choosing a new scope setup as I recently managed to break my scope and I have been wanting an upgrade for a while now. I'm looking to spend around the £500 mark but could probably stretch it by a few hundred more if I am pushed to do so. I am looking for a sharp, bright scope that is relatively light and has very minimal to no chromatic abberation. I don't mind if it is angled or straight through. I would like to be able to take it seawatching as well. I am unsure as to what to ask for in a tripod and head but ideally anything that is easy to carry and sturdy. Any opinions very much welcomed.

Kind regards

Evan

 

[twitcherf]

Hi all, I would like some help in choosing a new scope setup as I recently managed to break my scope and I have been wanting an upgrade for a while now. I'm looking to spend around the £500 mark but could probably stretch it by a few hundred more if I am pushed to do so. I am looking for a sharp, bright scope that is relatively light. I don't mind if it is angled or straight through. I would like to be able to take it seawatching as well. I am unsure as to what to ask for in a tripod and head but ideally anything that is easy to carry and sturdy. Any opinions very much welcomed.

Kind regards

Evan

I'm not sure about availablilty in that price range but would say that if you are seawatching for long periods, my view is that an angled scope will be more comfortable (head down posture more comfortable than head up) and stable (tripod can be lower).

 

[Evan Atkinson]

I'm not sure about availablilty in that price range but would say that if you are seawatching for long periods, my view is that an angled scope will be more comfortable (head down posture more comfortable than head up) and stable (tripod can be lower).

Yeah when I was at porthgwarra for a few days I found that the scope I had before I broke it was quite comfortable to look through, it just really lacked any sort of detail. It was sufficient enough to ID the birds at distance though.

 

[Prestdj]

Which one was the broken scope ?

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Which one was the broken scope ?

It was this but I got it with a tripod as a kit. It's not too bad for the price but theres a lot of chromatic abberation throughout the range, even at the beginning of the zoom range.

 

[WRL]

[...] I am looking for a sharp, bright scope that is relatively light and has very minimal to no chromatic abberation. [...]

If these all together are "hard" requirements, you are up in the "alpha" range of scopes, IMHO. Unfortunately that means a multiple of your planned budget. For the latter money you would have to make significant compromises.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

If these all together are "hard" requirements, you are up in the "alpha" range of scopes, IMHO. Unfortunately that means a multiple of your planned budget. For the latter money you would have to make significant compromises.

They would be nice to have, particularly the absence of chromatic abberation. Not very keen on going over £700, that's really the absolute maximum I'm willing to spend.

 

[Mono]

If you want a whole setup then secondhand is often the way to go.

For example here is an older model, alpha brand scope with tripod and case within your budget.

Leica APO-TELEVID 77 20-60X scope used, with Slix Pro 400DX tripod,Skua cover | eBay

This Leica APO-TELEVID 77 spotting scope is perfect for any spotting application. With a maximum magnification of 60x, you'll be able to spot even the tiniest details. It comes with a Slix Pro 400DX tripod and a Skua cover, together with a Viking Tripod Sport backpack making it easy to use and...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Richard D]

Agree on going used - You can often pick up Nikon ED82's with an eyepiece and case for around £500 giving you cash for a tripod. Not a light-weight option though...

 

[Hermann]

Nikon ED II or ED III second hand. Definitely better than any cheapo. Even a non-ED 60mm Fieldscope might do.

Hermann

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Thank you for the suggestions all, more thoughts welcomed.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Update: I have found a scope and I am genuinely so shocked I found it. I found a Swarovski ATS 80HD with a 20-60 zoom eyepiece on Clifton Cameras for £899. It seems like it might need some TLC but the lenses themselves are incredibly clean and I am so excited to own this scope. Now I just need some suggestions for a tripod and a head. Ideally under £150

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Update: I have received the scope and I am quite pleased with it. However, there is a problem with it that was not mentioned by the sellers and that is that there is a lot of what I think are air bubbles or perhaps condensation inside the lens. They are not noticeable in the slightest against cluttered backgrounds, and they disappear around the x40 magnification mark, but they are really noticeable in cleaner backgrounds. I will attach a picture of what it looks like. Any ideas on what it is and how I can deal with it would be appreciated.

Evan

 

[twitcherf]

Update: I have received the scope and I am quite pleased with it. However, there is a problem with it that was not mentioned by the sellers and that is that there is a lot of what I think are air bubbles or perhaps condensation inside the lens. They are not noticeable in the slightest against cluttered backgrounds, and they disappear around the x40 magnification mark, but they are really noticeable in cleaner backgrounds. I will attach a picture of what it looks like. Any ideas on what it is and how I can deal with it would be appreciated.

Evan

My experience with Swarovski support has been very positive (not a view shared among everyone on here admittedly) and you might consider asking Swarovski would they do a clean on it. I've has optics serviced and returned in perfect nick from them in the past - depending on the cost this may be worth considering

 

[Evan Atkinson]

My experience with Swarovski support has been very positive (not a view shared among everyone on here admittedly) and you might consider asking Swarovski would they do a clean on it. I've has optics serviced and returned in perfect nick from them in the past - depending on the cost this may be worth considering

I was considering that as well but I am unsure on how much it will cost. I bought it second hand too but I don't know if that would make a difference or not in regards to cost or anything.

 

[twitcherf]

I was considering that as well but I am unsure on how much it will cost. I bought it second hand too but I don't know if that would make a difference or not in regards to cost or anything.

I would say it is certainly worth asking Swarovski for a quote.

 

[AOD]

Definitely contact Swarovski about it. Their customer service is exceptional. If the lens has not been abused/obviously damaged it may still be covered by warranty. It's a nitrogen purged, sealed unit so should not have any objects/abberations visible inside it. If not covered by warranty they may charge you a small amount for cleaning.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Definitely contact Swarovski about it. Their customer service is exceptional. If the lens has not been abused/obviously damaged it may still be covered by warranty. It's a nitrogen purged, sealed unit so should not have any objects/abberations visible inside it. If not covered by warranty they may charge you a small amount for cleaning.

I don't think it has warranty. Will take it out on Sunday to see how it is, but most likely will send it to swarovski. Thank you all

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Update 2: The condensation is actually in the main part of the scope so I am getting it exchanged for another scope entirely it looks like. Will keep posted.