If you haven't already, try to find a roving pack of birders (at one of
the popular sites you've read about in VA-BIRD) that is outfitted with
several different brands/models of scopes. Talk to them about their
thoughts on the pros and cons, ask to look through their scopes and try
to do an A/B comparison, and ask if they'd buy the same scope again.
Some local bird stores have several different scopes for sale, but it is
difficult to properly evaluate them when standing in their sales area or
nearby parking lot. Any field trial/comparison you can manage is likely
to give you a better feel for what you want and what's acceptable
(hopefully the same thing).
Since a scope is, for most birders, a major $$ purchase made with the
expectation of a long and useful life (both scope and birder), I
recommend buying the best you can afford -- this is not something to
skimp on. As mentioned by Kurt Gaskill, read "Better View Desired" and
any other reviews that you can find.
Eagle Optics seems to always have a great selection and rather good
prices; ABA likewise has a good selection (any additional price there is
going for a good cause) but there are others, too. Read all the
relevant ads in as many birding magazines as you can get hold of, and
call or check their web sites to get current prices.
Real advice. I have a Swarovski ST-80 with 20-60mm zoom. My wife and I
love it, but if we had it to do over, we'd most definitely get the
angled eyepiece. When viewing straight on, or at a slight elevation,
the straight scope is fine. As soon as you want to point steeply up
(greater than 45 degrees, say) or as soon as you have viewers who are
significantly different heights, the straight scope is a pain in the back.
Ron Cuffe
McLean, VA
lori keeler wrote:
Fellow Birders,
Words of wisdom, or, references to articles with words of wisdom, regarding
the purchase of a scope: how to make a decision about what to buy, best place
to buy, etc. would be appreciated.
I have started doing my homework, having just read an article on the new
class of 65 mm spotting scopes in the Dec. 2002 issue of ABA's Birding, and
want to read more on scopes in general. I know next to nothing about scopes,
except that I want one, and after a trip to Leesylvania State Park yesterday
morning, I don't want to be without one much longer.
I rented a Bushnell Space Master 25X with zoom to 45X a few months ago. That
experience taught me that I need to slow down and gather a lot more
information before making what could turn out to be an expensive mistake if I
am not careful. I had not really wanted to go much beyond the $500 range for
the whole package of scope and tripod, but after renting the Bushnell I have
decided to go farther up the price scale although probably not to the top.
Please send replies to my e-mail address: keelerlori@xxxxxxxxxxx.
"Thanks" in advance to all who respond.
Lori Keeler
Arlington, VAGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download :
http://explorer.msn.com
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