Decent general purpose scope.

[glsammy]

My son in law is after a decent general purpose scope, not specifically just for looking at wildlife but for general viewing.
He wants to spend up to £300. I've no experience with any scopes so I wondered if any of you could recommend something with half decent optics that could be purchased for around that price.



Many thanks.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

have a look at the opticrons, they're around that price. I have one and it does a good job.

neil

[JW]

Check around some of the optics shop for used scopes. I would go for something like Opticrons Mighty Midget 2 with a good tripod. Should be able to get both in good nick for around £300.

Alternatively have a look round independant optics shop. We have one in Kings Lynn that sells astronomical telescopes, binos as well cameras. They had a MM2 look-a-like yesterday for under £100. Can't say what the quality would be like though. Generally you get what you pay for.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

the only problem with a scope under £100 would be that the lenses could well be ex-milk bottle bottoms

neil

[RobinP]

Opticron MM2 (ED version) or Nikon ED50 would fit the bill but unlikely to come in under £400. Then there's the tripod, waterproof cover to think about.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by RobinP

Opticron MM2 (ED version) or Nikon ED50 would fit the bill but unlikely to come in under £400. Then there's the tripod, waterproof cover to think about.

Decent tripod is essential.
I was very dissapointed in my scope till I upgraded to manfrotto.
(though I often use a bean bag in a hide these days)

[JW]

The good thing about the MM2 is that you can get an ED eyepiece at a later date. It is really quite a versatile bit of kit.
Tripod wise I'd go for a tripod around the £70 mark, check out any Velbon above the 640 model. Again see if there are any used models out there, if you can get your mitts on them just check that all the movements are fluid and that the quick releases on legs work as they're spossed. Believe me there is nothing worse than leg creep when your watching wildlife, stars, neighbours, whatever floats your boat.

[JW]

Velbon tripods. Avoid CX range, look good spec but not to good in practice, go for Sherpa series.
In Focus do a range that are very similar but have a removable centre column that you can add a hide clamp to.

[RobinP]

Originally Posted by JW

In Focus do a range that are very similar but have a removable centre column that you can add a hide clamp to.

Why would you want to do that? I thought a hide clamp was used instead of a tripod.

[JW]

Flexability mate.

Great for places like Cley with a good mix of open areas and hides. Same with Titchwell where a tripod in a hide is a real pain.