spotting scopes

[frankiex]

does anybody know what are the best bird scopes to buy.cheers frankiex

[Hobjob]

Try out as many as you can.

Most birders are only too happy to let others have a
few minutes with their scope for this sort of reason.

If you are inexperienced with a scope however, it does take
time to learn how to use one - don't strain, don't get
too close, don't breathe on the eyepiece etc..

Better scopes are especially better in poor light. Most
scopes give resonalbe performance in good light.

Check if the zoom stays in focus when zoomed - the
best scopes do (Mine doesn't!).

FWIW, I was going to buy the RSPB model, but thought
it rubbish when I gave it a good try. Paid quite a bit more.

The bottom line is that you do get what you pay for!

But do budget for a quality rigid tripod. I was dissapointed
in my scope to I upgrade my tripod - though in hides I now
often just use a bean bag which is great if you are not trying
to show others birds.

[blueboar]

Also look atthe guarantees, Leica normally have a 5year one, where as swarovski have a life time, and they are optically the best on the market by far but expensive.

[JW]

I used to sell scopes for the RSPB.

My advice is first to set yourself a budget. You need to include money for a good tripod as already mentioned by Hobjob.

Within this price bracket you need to try as mant as possible. Be honest with yourself too, if you only bird on sunny dry days then go for a 50/60mm scope, if you go out at dawn and dusk in all weathers then you'll want an 80mm, and waterproof.

I personally have a Viking AV80ED. This is mid price range at around £450-500 and in my opinion is not too far of Leicas non-APO 77mm job. If possible avoid the temptation to buy a zoom lens. You will get a much better image from a fixed mag lens. Sometimes it's better to get a small image with good definition than the otherway round. Zooms also perform poorly in bad light.

Once you know price and size you NEED to try as many as possible. What's right for me may not work for you. Do not be swayed by 'a good deal' if you're not comfortable using it, it'll only end up gathering dust. Ignore pushy sales staff, what you think and feel about the scope is the important thing.

Seems a lot to take in, but the bottom line is try as many as possible, and DON'T skimp on your tripod. Mount a Swaro on a cheap tripod and you'll get results akin to those from a toy shop telescope.

Hope this helps mate.

[RobinP]

I've got a Leica 77mm APO but I don't use it very much any more, it is quite heavy but the quality is superb. The lens is a 20-60 zoom and even at max zoom the clarity is brilliant, even in low light. You can pick them up on Ebay but not cheap. I use it with a decent Manfrotto tripod and head to give the stability it deserves, can't recommend anything else but you can't go wrong with this.