Fetch Birdwatchers
5 lurkers |
166 watchers
Dec 2024
9:25am, 18 Dec 2024
1,816 posts
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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? |
Dec 2024
10:14am, 18 Dec 2024
4,677 posts
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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. |
Dec 2024
11:29am, 18 Dec 2024
21,352 posts
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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 |
Dec 2024
12:15pm, 18 Dec 2024
5,752 posts
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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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Dec 2024
12:26pm, 18 Dec 2024
4,678 posts
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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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Dec 2024
10:49am, 21 Dec 2024
4,878 posts
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Curly45
Lots of birds of prey over Cromford meadows, but light not good enough to see what. Then a bullfinch while running up the hill 😍 we don't see them that often around here so always a treat.
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Dec 2024
10:11am, 24 Dec 2024
7,356 posts
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steve45
Blackbird singing this morning. At 10c it's got to be a false start to Spring !! Although locally there are patches of flowering daffodils in several places already!
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Dec 2024
1:53pm, 24 Dec 2024
65,286 posts
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angelrose
I saw 2 kingfishers yesterday  , lots of waders and Brent geese but it was too cold to stop and get my eyepiece out.
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Dec 2024
1:58pm, 24 Dec 2024
4,883 posts
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Curly45
We saw one on the canal yesterday. Hoping a few of the recent sightings will take up residence 😍
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Dec 2024
4:34pm, 24 Dec 2024
24,877 posts
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Red Squirrel
Still hearing geese overhead at dusk here in Morayshire.
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