Opticron ES 80 scope

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Opinions tend to be fixed!!!

I'm a zoom fan!!!

I recently purchased the 32x fixed lens for this scope, having had the HDF zoom till now. So far I haven't missed the zoom at all, and I think that I prefer the fixed. It's not just the extra FOV (you get the equivalent FOV of 20x on the zoom) but I found that I faffed around with the zoom alot - zooming in/out trying to get the best overall image. Now I just point, focus and observe - much more relaxing.

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by Perry Grin

I recently purchased the 32x fixed lens for this scope, having had the HDF zoom till now. So far I haven't missed the zoom at all, and I think that I prefer the fixed. It's not just the extra FOV (you get the equivalent FOV of 20x on the zoom) but I found that I faffed around with the zoom alot - zooming in/out trying to get the best overall image. Now I just point, focus and observe - much more relaxing.

Ah yes, but then when you are searching for rarities across an estuary or lagoon etc , the ability to zoom up to 60x is critical!
PS I've outgrown that phase of birding!
Opticron make good stuff, works well, good optics and so far my 25yr old scope still in perfect order.
Ken

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by sometimes

I think it depens on why you want a spotting scope. Personally I only ever used mine for confirming the identity of birds and in all honesty after a while I was able to suss most birds with a pair of bins and seldom used the scope. Of course it comes in handy if you want to see stuff half a mile away - but do you really want to be that sort of wildlife viewer. So the scope you mention would be perfectly adequate.
In all things there a great danger in falling onto the kit escalator, which is a waste for the number of times you might use a scope.
On the other hand, I'd recommend you get the best possible pair of bins as you'll be using them for most of your viewing.

I must admit, I rarely use my scope these days, unless I am seawatching. Spending ages trying to identify dots gets rather tiresome after a while. I also like to incorporate my wildlife watching into a long hill walk and I can't be lugging a scope up and down moor and mountain.

Regards, Chris

[Rookie47]

Thankyou all for your opinions, still not sure whether to get a scope or not.

Thanks again
Rob

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by diggleken

Ah yes, but then when you are searching for rarities across an estuary or lagoon etc , the ability to zoom up to 60x is critical!
PS I've outgrown that phase of birding!
Opticron make good stuff, works well, good optics and so far my 25yr old scope still in perfect order.
Ken

I am very impressed with my ES80 but I'm afraid to say that it just isn't that great at full zoom. In normal conditions I've found that the best mag:resolution ratio (if there is such a thing) maxes out at 45X. Above that the image gets bigger but you just can't see the detail. In all honesty there is nothing that I could identify at 45x that I couldn't at 30x with my scope (IMHO).

Now if we're talking top end jobbies, then my only experience is looking through a swaro hd80 - in which case 60x urinated all over my scope! However at £1200+ I'll settle for decent 45x views and my opticron

....... and if I did find any rarities, 60x or not, I'd assume I'd made a mistake and it was just a mipit anyway!

Perry

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Rookie47

Thankyou Perry For your advice. I have been told recently that a fixed magnification was best rather than zoom. I think the try before you buy approach is the way to go. Thanks again.

theres nowt wrong with a well made zoom - the poor opinions tend to come from the fact that there are a lot of cheap chaiwanese scopes with very poorly made zooms (It is harder to make a zoom that a fixed so it tends to suffer from poor quality control).

in my experience (and i know nowt about opticron - i'm a kowa user) well made zooms are more expensive than a mid range fixed eye piece such as a 20x or 32x and are unnecessary unless you are doing survey work requiring the exact reading of colour ring combinations

[nigel_b]

I use a Kowa with a 45 degree 30x fixed eyepiece and I'd make a couple of recommendations. I love mine, I dont always take it out mind. If you get one I'd recommend a 45 degree eyepiece, a fixed magnification and get yourself a good tripod. I use a Slik Master Classic and I'm very, very pleased with it. Opticron is darn good make as regards value for money. My son has an Opticron scope and both my binoculars are Opticron, one roof prism and one porro prism.

[birding dave]

The Opticron ES 80 is a rather disappointing performer and poorly balanced and the Opticron zooms are not great either. If you can, go for the Kowa 82 instead, though they no longer make the flourite version, the standard ones are still available. The 32x newest Kowa eyepiece is outstanding. The Kowa 20-60x zoom is as good as any on the market.