Is this an STS 80 HD? Does it include an eyepiece and which eyepiece? The eyepieces alone can run up to $800 new. I would be cautious of buying a non-HD or non-ED scope. They will work, but you'll probably see color fringing around high-contrast objects that can sometimes obscure details that might be useful in identification and will reduce the overall resolving power of the scope. That being said, I'm sure a lot of people are still using these and are happy with them. I use a Vortex Razor HD 85mm scope from Eagle Optics. With included 20-60X eyepiece it was$1599 and has a lifetime unconditional no questions asked for anything including just dropping it warranty (I've actually used this warranty and received a brand new scope back in less than 2 weeks and they paid shpping costs back to me...this was after I had the scope for 3 years). I've looked through Swarovski and Kowa scopes side by side with the Vortex and I couldn't see any difference up to 60X. If the STS 80 is an HD and comes with an eyepiece, I might go for that one. I do prefer an angled scope as it will break your neck trying to look up in the trees at birds with a straight scope. Straights are fine for looking straight out at waterfowl or shorebirds and such. The Swaros do seem to digiscope a little better than the Vortex Razor, don't know why. Just some FYI. Rick On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 2:41 PM, Michele Sparks <navigate48@xxxxxxxxxxx>wrote: > I need some help from some of my local birding friends. I'm thinking of > buying "in perfect condition" and "still under warranty" Swarovski STS 80 > Spotting Scope for $1,500 (original price $2,679). The seller simply wants > to upgrade. I know many of you have Swarovski Scopes but do any of you > have the STS 80 and if so, what are your thoughts? Thanks for any comments > you may want to share. > > Michele Sparks > Bluff city, TN > -- Rick Phillips Kingsport, Tennessee