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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JohnJos" data-source="post: 1096286" data-attributes="member: 58536">PH,I have the non-ED version of the Vortex Skyline 80 scope.  In general, I like it.  I bought it as a starter scope to see if I would use it a lot or if I would not have a real use for it while birding.  I use it a lot, especially since I've been doing a lot of digiscoping.  But that has brought out its limitations.The image is very sharp and clear at 20X and remains so up to about 40X or thereabouts.  The FOV really seems to shrink above that and the image becomes noticeably darker.  Still usable for viewing and digiscoping though.The scope has a fixed zoom eyepiece.  It is threaded but Vortex does not make any other eyepieces for it nor do they know of any compatible eyepieces on the market.  So, no fixed wide-angle eyepiece is available that would be more usable for digiscoping.Focusing requires quite a few complete turns of the focus wheel to go across the full range of the scope.  It's not a quick action but to excessively long.  A coarse and fine focus system would be very helpful on this scope.The new MK1 adapter for digiscoping is not that great in my opinion.  I bought one and tried it out for a week before returning it.  It requires you to remove the eyepiece initially to install the mounting ring.  Thereafter the attachment of the adapter and camera are fairly quick and easy.  However, I had problems installing my camera on it (Fuji F31) because the tripod mounting hole is on the left end of the camera and that position was not accommodated by the design of the adapter.  A call to Vortex support and some brainstorming resulting in a reconfiguration of the camera stage that allowed the F31 to be properly attached to the adapter.  Even so, I could not  eliminate all vignetting using the adapter adjustments and camera zoom.  I returned it and continue to use my homemade adapter quite successfully.One major issue I'm having with the scope is CA (chromatic aberration).  I get  purple halos around certain objects when I digiscope them (I'm sure it's there when I'm viewing as well but don't always notice it).  Attached are two photos of a bald eagle taken this weekend and you can see the fringe around the top of the head. These images were probably taken at 40X to 50X as I recall with the camera's zoom at about half way.I'm pretty sure ED glass would eliminate the CA but I did not want to spend that amount of money initially on a scope.  Now I'm looking to do so sometime this year.I hope this helps a bit.  I think the scope is very good for its price point and would recommend it to you if you're OK with the limitations I've discussed above.  Please ask any question you may have and I'll answer the best I can.</blockquote>

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