Cheap Scopes

[speckled wood]

I know all the arguments concerning you get what you pay for, but as someone on a very restricted budget I would be interested to know if any of the cheap scopes, I am talking of the the £125 to £250 range are actually useable for birding and if any WABers are or have used such scopes. I admit to owning a £50 joke Centon 20 to 50 zoom scope that is virtually unusable save for perhaps hiding under the car seat and using for self defence.

[Oscar2006]

I would recommend Opticron as a "cheap" option telescope, not sure of prices these days, but one heck of an image for the money.
You will get a very reliable performance from one, as I certainly did for many years before upgrading to a TOTR Kowa.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi,
warehouse express ( Warehouse Express Online - photographic equipment, binoculars, Digital camera, camera, digital dv camcorder and accessories - Warehouse Express Online) has an Opticron Piccolo 60mm angled body with 20-45x zoom eyepiece and stay-on case at half price for £149.
I don't know about this model but I use an Opticron and it's fine for what I use it for.


Neil

[eeyore]

I find the opticron mighty midget to be a good scope for not too demanding use - we have two for use with school groups. Also the baby kowa 501/502 is nice and light to carry about and gives a nice clear view so long as you dont demand too much of it.

[nightshade]

I am not a birder but bought the Piccolo (Opticron) for around £50,and have taken photos through it as well with my 6mp DW 50 cybershot! for my occasional use I think it is a bargin
Sherwoods - Telescopes-Binoculars-Night vision-Microscopes & Giftware around £60 including a tacky table tripod
I understand there is a better(ED) version but I am perfectly satisfied with mine
I may even buy a better scope as a result of this affordable introduction

[Jonny]

I use a tasco one, don't know the name for it, but it cost me £29 or something like that. Its 20-45 times magnification and it is great, I can see perfectly well through it. I find it really useful at pulbourgh brooks where most of the action is a long way off.....

[Tormentil]

I bought one from here for about £126. Telescopic Service, with an 80mm objective.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by speckled wood

I know all the arguments concerning you get what you pay for, but as someone on a very restricted budget I would be interested to know if any of the cheap scopes, I am talking of the the £125 to £250 range are actually useable for birding and if any WABers are or have used such scopes. I admit to owning a £50 joke Centon 20 to 50 zoom scope that is virtually unusable save for perhaps hiding under the car seat and using for self defence.

well you could consider second hand. Respected retailers like In-foucs and Cley Spy will have some decent models.

As others have stated Opticron do some excelent scopes. EG The IS50, IS60 and the Mighty Midget 2.

You can get all of these for under £250 with a fixed or zoom lens. With the IS50/60 the IS Pro Zoom is better than the standard zoom (the HDF is even better but much more expensive).

With the midget I'd definitely recommend looking at the HDF zoom. this would push the price to about £290 however Opticron Fieldscopes at best uk prices does some excellent prices on Opticron

[Gem]

Hi all, I too want a cheap but good scope, am on tight budget.
I understand the only get what you pay for thing too... is this a load of rubbish on ebay?

many thanks :-)



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...5742&rd=1&rd=1

[nightshade]

The e-bay scope is not named,I would be suspicious but hey..........
I do not use a scope often but the Opticron Piccolo seems good to me for the money
there are plenty of scopes and advice on previous threads here take your time read
through
Sherwoods - Telescopes-Binoculars-Night vision-Microscopes & Giftware

They also do hand lenses and bat detectors