[JessB]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to purchase a new spotting scope. One that is of good quality and relatively lightweight. I know almost everyone here probably owns and uses a spotting scope on a regular basis so I am curious to know if anyone has a suggestion.

many thanks!

Jessica

[Guy L. Monty]

Price range?

Guy L. Monty
Nanoose Bay, Vancouver Island, BC

[JessB]

Good question.

I would say up to $600.

thanks
Jessica

[rawalker]

At that price point I would definitely recommend Alpen. It has been highly rated in the starter scope category in previous reviews. I have one myself, as does my brother, and we both love them. You may have to order through the US to Point Roberts because for some reason I think I remember that they don't ship to Canada...

[WilletBeThere]

If you can stretch a bit further the Vortex Razor scopes are terrific. Superb optics and unlimited lifetime warranty! Certainly worth looking into and saving for if you have the patience.

Cheers,

[Guy L. Monty]

I'm going to second the recommendation to consider spending a bit more money on your purchase.

The sad truth of it is that you are not going to get a good quality scope for $600. This is a device that still requires quite a bit of skilled human labor to produce, so they cost real dollars. Although $600 seems like a lot of money, you won't get much of a scope for that price.

I am a very frugal person, and was sure that I could live with better priced optics when I was first getting into birding. I made the mistake of buying two scopes under $1000. Neither lasted more than a couple of years and neither had very good optics. Had I simply bought the $1200 scope to begin with, I would have saved a few dollars, and countless hours of frustration, as well as a lot of strain on my eyes.

Guy L. Monty
Nanoose Bay, Vancouver Island, BC

[JessB]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. And Guy, thanks for sharing that info with me; I really appreciate it. I was hoping to make the purchase by the end of Feb but if I wait a bit longer I will be able to spend more. $1200 does seem like quite a lot of money for a scope but if it lasts a long time then it will make sense in the long run.

I am currently borrowing an inexpensive scope with pretty poor optics from a club I am part of. I may just make due with that one until the time is right. I am also planning a trip to Phoenix in March so I could look for one when I am there.

thanks again,
Jessica

[rawalker]

Here's a review chart from birdwatching.com if you're interested. It's a nice comparison between scopes. There's one for high end scopes as well on the site.

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2009 ... _main.html

[birdeyes]

Now that I am birding more along the shoreline, I am increasingly finding that I might need a scope to make out the birds one from the other.

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestion on the specs that I should be looking for. For example, straight or angled, what size is the most useable? is a budget of $1000 good enough for something that I would be happy for at least a few years vs having to sell it off in a couple?

If Jessica see this post, are you happy with yours? Been a year already.

I am new to all these. The last recommendation that I got from the forum members for a 8X42 Vortex binoculars worked out really well. Both price and performance. Thank you all!

[birdergirl]

Hi Mario

Here is an excellent budget spotting scope around 800$ CAD.

It's called The Olivon T-800

Review here:

Http://binocularreviews.northernoptics. ... pe-review/

You can also purchase it locally here:

http://www.vancouvertelescope.ca/olivon ... ting-scope

Cheers,
Mel

[birdeyes]

Thank Mel so much for your recommendation. Yes, the fact that it is upgradable and light makes it very appealing!

[rawalker]

I would definitely recommend angled eyepiece but obviously it's personal preference. If you think you're ever going to use your scope to look at anything in trees then definitely consider angled.

[JodyWells]

FYI
for over a year i have had a Vortex Diamondback which i have been happy with.
I first bought local and paid in the 650-750 CDN range but purchased one recently for my Mom online for way cheaper.
Again lifetime transferable warrantee

Vortex Optics Diamondback 20-60x60 Angled Spotting Scope SWDBK60A1

Sold for: US $399.00 (ebay)

Not as great as higher end in low light but in sunshine does quite well
or Maybe i am just dont know the difference ...but another factor was i knew i would not be pampering it ...and it has stood up admirably in rugged handling.

i went into Cabelas and made them set up and demo/viewing a few for me.
in those conditions my eyes couldn't tell between this model and some of the other higher priced ones.
i think this is the made in China version...vs Vortex made in Japan which is better.

i pack Binoculars that are good for low light.

Cheers
Jody Wells
Brentwood Bay

[birdeyes]

Thanks Randy and Jody for the tips. Angled it will be.
Using what I learn from my binocular purchase, 60mm vs 80 mm makes a big difference especially at higher amplifications but checking 3rd party vendors / used can indeed make a difference in price. Thanks.

[birdeyes]

I took Mel's advice and went to Vancouver Telescope to check it out. The Olivon T-800 is not in stock but can be ordered for around C$340 which is a VERY good price since it is US$350 on Amazon US. However, I was hoping to get one with ED lens. The sales person recommended the Celestron Regal 80F-ED, I tried it and it was really good (well, I don't have a reference point and so it is good enough for me). I am still way under my original budget of $1000. Actually less than $700 with DSLR adaptor. The shop provides a 30 day money back gurarantee and the manufacturer provides lifetime no-fault warranty.

Again thank you for all the input. It really helped!

Mario