Opticron ES 80 scope

Rookie47 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 07:31 PM

I have been looking at the opticron ES 80 scope and was wondering what scope users thought of it. Any advice would be great because i know nothing about scopes at all.

Hobjob · #2 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rookie47

I have been looking at the opticron ES 80 scope and was wondering what scope users thought of it. Any advice would be great because i know nothing about scopes at all.

Opticrom make good mid-range optics; I don't know the range that well
but I have a friend who has an opticron scope and it gives good results
and is quite light.

With optics you really do get what you pay for which is why so many are
prepared to shell out for Swaros, Leicas, Kowas etc.. But the improvement
that double or treble the price brings is not double or treble the clarity!!
But in lowish light especially the difference is clear. I use a Viking which is
roughly in the range of the opticron, but IMO the build quality is better.
(But it is heavier)

Mid range also usually means that when you zoom you also need to readjust
the focus; this becomes second nature very quickly.

I also looked seriously at the RSPB version - I use RSPB High Grade Binos
and think them only marginally down on the big boys. I thought their
telescope was pants though!!! (May have been a poor specimen).

Try out as many as you can - go to a big reserve with hides and ask to look
through other people's scopes; IME people are only too happy to help.
Trying on a dark cloudy day reveals the failings best!!

RSPB runs regular optics days when you can try out outside at leisure.

An important decision will be whether to get an angled or straight scope.
Straight are easier initially to use, but need to go higher so
there is more wobble factor. I'm a committed angled man, but I guess
the split is about 2:1.

Zoom or no zoom?
That is in the eyepiece so the option is usually there. If no zoom x30
seems the most usual compromise. Personally I like my zoom.

Finally, and almost more importantly, budget for good tripod.
I was very dissapointed in my scope until I put it on a decent solid manfrotto
tripod. In hides I now often use a bean bag, which is quick and light.

Once you get a scope you will enjoy it more than you think you will.
They are highly addictive !!!

PS
Where are you - there re likely to be WAB members who will be very
happy to help.

Rookie47 · #3 (**permalink**) 15-11-2008, 11:41 PM

Thanks Hobjob for your help.

Perry Grin · #4 (**permalink**) 16-11-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rookie47

I have been looking at the opticron ES 80 scope and was wondering what scope users thought of it. Any advice would be great because i know nothing about scopes at all.

I have the ED version and it is a great scope for the money. Of course it doesn't compete with the big boys, but it is a fraction of the cost. I have found it usable up to 60x with the HDF zoom, but image quality does go off above 40x.

In good light, up to 35 - 40x it doesn't loose too much in the way of image quality to the top end scopes. However, go beyond this - 40x plus, dim light, looking across water in bright light etc... there is a significant difference, but you have to fork out an extra £900 or so to see it!

Perry

Rookie47 · #5 (**permalink**) 16-11-2008, 02:43 PM

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.

Hobjob · #6 (**permalink**) 16-11-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

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.

Opinions tend to be fixed!!!

I'm a zoom fan!!!

Rookie47 · #7 (**permalink**) 16-11-2008, 07:14 PM

As you rightly pointed out Hobjob I need to look see other scopes in action and not rush to buy.

sleipnerofasgard · #8 (**permalink**) 16-11-2008, 10:50 PM

I too have this scope and the HDF zoom lens and have been extremely happy with it, i purchased it first of all because i have never had a decent scope before and the set up cost me over 600 quid which was expensive but as you could pay over 1500 for the other top names it sounds a bit more reasonable and secondly as an aid to Digiscoping as it was recommended as an ideal kit. It takes a bit of time to get used to but i don't think it's too bad for reasonable shots, just look at my Merlin thread

but at the end of the day it's down to what you can afford, if we won the lottery i bet we would all buy the best possible kit, i know i would

Frank

sometimes · #9 (**permalink**) 20-11-2008, 06:00 PM

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.