Fetch Birdwatchers
1 lurker |
165 watchers
9:25am
9:25am, 18 Dec 2024
1,816 posts
|
xt350 🇳🇿
I am thinking about getting a spotting scope, would anyone have any suggestions of which could be a good one please. I was looking at the Celestron Ultima 80, as the price point and optics seems to be ok. What do you all use? |
10:14am
10:14am, 18 Dec 2024
4,677 posts
|
jacdaw
I have a Nikon. Swarovski is the best I've ever used. Leica, also fabulous. Opticron are pretty good, at a slighter lower price. If I didn't want to spend Opticron prices, I would look at second hand options. |
11:29am
11:29am, 18 Dec 2024
21,352 posts
|
flanker
Depends on your price range. At the high-end I've got a 2nd-hand Zeiss that I really rate - I got it having tried a number of Swarovskis and never getting on with them. If price was no barrier I'd look at Leica and Kowa too. I've been really impressed with the Kowas I've used, and they tend to be a bit less than the other top-end brands. At the more reasonable end Opticron are good (although Kolas aren't much more and better). If buying used, get from a recognised optics dealer and with at least a year's warranty. I've bought a number of bins etc off eBay in the past and I've nearly always been burnt. They all seem good at first but then, with use, you realise that they are slightly misaligned, or the focus isn't as smooth as it should, or lens coatings have worn away in certain sections, etc etc |
12:15pm
12:15pm, 18 Dec 2024
5,752 posts
|
J2R
@flanker , very good point about ebay, there! Has anyone used a Hawke scope? I haven't, but I've got 2 pairs of Hawke binoculars I've been very impressed with. They seemed to give me about 90% of what the Swarowskis would have given me (I did a side-by-side comparison at a specialist place in north Norfolk), but for 30% of the price, and I was wondering if the same would be true of their scopes. |
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12:26pm
12:26pm, 18 Dec 2024
4,678 posts
|
jacdaw
Caveat; I would only buy secondhand from a reputable dealer with a guarantee and option to return if ordered online. I wouldn't touch ebay for a bins or a scope.
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