So yesterday I went to a store to buy a Bushnell Legend UHD 10x42 monoscope. I came home empty handed since they don't carry it in store. I broke the $20 monocular my GF bought me so today I used the kids Celestron eq telescope to look at our bird feeders and was surprised and upside down. Calculations come out to 19x magnification. Originally I was thinking a 10x monocular with a good glass would be fine. After playing with the telescope a little more, the little extra power was nice... Read more ..read more

Hello, I'm looking for some information about Hawke Endurance ED spotting telescopes. The models are: 13-39x50 / 15-45x60 / 20-60x68 Has anyone used any of them? They look good. Thanks in advance Granpoli ..read more

Hi there, I am currently in the process of trying to decide which scope to buy. I am located in Canada and would like to spend under $1500. I've read loads of forum posts and have researched several scopes in this price range. Based on what I've read so far it seems that the Pentax PF-65EDAII with the XW 14 eyepiece may be one of the better options within this price point coming in around $1150 with tax. I'm wondering what others think about this setup. Should I spend the extra $$ for the... Read more ..read more

Looking at some of these due to the size and weight and also price/good warranty. Just wondering if they’re a decent spotter glass wise for what they are. Also any real difference between the standard model gr and the hd gr models, thanks for any help ..read more

I'm going to do a little traveling and am going to "need" a compact scope smaller than the Kowa 664 that I have. I would just get the Swarovski STC but I'm more than likely never going to use it beyond an occasional trip and I really don't want to put that much cash into something I don't think I'll use much. Candidates I'm thinking are... at the top end the Kowa TSN-554...Not really crazy about spending THAT much but I would if the general consensus is it's THE way to go. Other two would... Read more ..read more

Hello all, it is nice to be a member of such an active forum! I wanted to ask some advice if I may please...I am looking to purchase a spotting scope, and would appreciate your thoughts on my deliberations. It's going to be my first spotting scope, and will be used 99% of the time in my garden, so transportation anywhere shouldn't be an issue. With it being my first foray, I want to keep my budget down a little to start with, so I have kind of settled on a Celestron scope...mid range for... Read more ..read more

Hello, I am looking for a telescope to observe distant birds in wetlands, lagoons... distant birds.... but that can also be used for astronomical observation, the Moon, some luminous planet and little else, but that can achieve good magnification... I have seen that the Celestron C5 exists... Has anyone used it for both types of observations? Thank you ..read more

Hi. I'm relatively new to birding but have decided to pick up a used spotting scope. I've been on the lookout and found a Swarovski ATS 80 with a 25-50x for 1300 euro (new price here in Sweden is 3000 euro). This particular scope is from 2008 and is in good condition. When buying a scope that is around 15 years old, is there anything in the optics that degrade over time or similar so I should go with a newer scope? I know that I'll be using it much, that's why I'm buying a more higher end... Read more ..read more

I want to buy a spotting scope, but where I live (Norway) the choice in the range I'm willing to pay (5-15k NOK) is very limited. I've spotted this model in a shop: Sightron SII Blue Sky HD 20-60x85 Vinklet Spotting Scope and it had a good review on a shooting website: Sightron Spotting Scope Review - Spot Your Hits At Long Ranges! Has anyone used Sightron for birdwatching? How does it compare to more popular birding scope brands ..read more

Hi, My name's Paul, I'm new to this forum. I have a question regarding scopes. Looking for some advice really. In my local camera shop, there's a Hawke Vantage 20-60x60. It's brand new and the cost is £190. However, on ebay, someone is selling a used Hawke Endurance ED 20-6-x85, and that is twice the price. If I don't plan to do much birding during dusk and dawn, then is the Vantage a reasonably good scope, as a first step ? Is the 2nd-hand Endurance a good price? And if so, is the only... Read more ..read more