Spotting Scopes. What do you Have?

Hello, everybody.
I've always had a decent pair of binoculars.
Nothing as expensive as, let's say, Swarovski, but a little better than average.

So, I'm thinking of buying a good spotting scope.

From a few week's research, I've pretty much settled on this: A Vortex Diamondback.

It's 20-60 x 60. A 60 millimeter objective lens.
There's also a 20-60 x 80 mm model.
The 60mm is about $400, the 80mm about $500.
I'm not devoted to any one brand, but Vortex has gotten some good reviews.

The scope will be used for birding, and seashore use.

What do you have or recommend?

I would say $500 is maximum budget.
Scope prices can get out of hand very fast.

I'm all ears.

Mike

 

That is already done, LastJaguar.
I've been into photography for years, and discovered what a diffetence a tripod makes in photography, i.e.: use of slower shutter speeds and consistent framing from shot to shot.
I have both a medium and a heavy tripod.
Thanks for the tip.
Cool username, by the way.
Mike

 

Dwm74, I was also looking at a Celestron C-90.

I read a lot of good reviews, and a few reviews which said it was good as a terrestrial scope, but better as an astronomical scope.
It's only $200 as compared to $400 for the Vortex.
I have to do a little more research, but that's the purpose of this thread.

Mike

 

Hello, Ken! How are you?
I hope all is well.
Right now, I have a Bushnell
scope that's about 30 years old.
It has a fixed 25x eyepiece, but compared to my 10x50 Pentax binoculars, it can't compete in image quality.

Swarovski and Kowa go through the roof in prices, so I'm trying to keep it reasonable price-wise.
Good crossing paths with you.
Mike

 

Ken, that's great!
Once the city returns to somewhat of a normal daily operation, I can give you the grand tour of the city, and my neck of the woods, Jamaica Bay. It's beautiful especially in summer and fall.
Keep in touch; PM me anytime.
I'll keep everyone posted on the scope.
More recommendations welcome.
Mike

 

Hello, every one.
I bought a scope, a Vortex Diamondback.
20-60 x 80mm objective lens.
I'll have a report as soon as I use it for a few hours.

I just picked it up today at B&H curbside pickup, which is not curbside at all.
You buy the item you want online, indicate you want to pick it up at the store, and when you get to the store, they actually let you inside to verify that you paid for the item you're picking up, and you show them ID, and the card you paid for the item with. This was great!
I actually went into a brick and mortar store, and walked out with something!

Now, the best part: there was a slight delay with my order, so the girl at the desk said it will take about 20 minutes to straighten out.
I told her not to worry.

Now, what could I do for 20 minutes at 9th Avenue and 34th Street in Manhattan?

The Sam Ash, Manhattan store is right around the corner on 34th Street.
To my surprise, they let me in (only 10 people in the store at a time) and what was staring at me as soon as I walked in?

I am in love with this Old Smoothie! The last time I played it was the day I took this picture, which was March 8th.
So, I have my scope, but now my lust for this instrument continues.
Mike

 

Ok, I took the scope out today for the first time, and it's a keeper.
First off, the zoom ring was extremely tight, but after moving it from 20x to 60x about ten times, it loosened up nicely.
At 20x, its lowest magnification, images are super bright and very clear.
The scope focuses quickly and holds its focus.
Images are razor sharp up until about 40x, then, they get ever-so-slighly less sharp.
It also balances nicely on a tripod, not trying to nose dive.

Overall, it's a very nice scope worth its price.


I may have a more in depth review after I've used it for a while.

Good cracker!
Good cracker!

Mike