Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 My father and I are looking for a scope, hopefully something more affordable but with decent quality, around 500 dollars or less. Any recommendations on where to look? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipperatl Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 This was a cheap, yet big step up from the $200 scope I used for 8 years. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B083BCR6T3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It had an accident so I move up to this which is a bit more that you are looking at, but it is amazing so far. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B015EMFLB6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 Vortex has scopes in the price range you are looking at though. https://smile.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Diamondback-Spotting-16-48x65/dp/B08DVCLB3W?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 7, 2022 Author Share Posted August 7, 2022 Forgot to mention, my family is trying to avoid things made in China, but that's going to be very hard to get around for a scope so we may have no choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipperatl Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 5 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: Forgot to mention, my family is trying to avoid things made in China, but that's going to be very hard to get around for a scope so we may have no choice. Might be tough unless you go with Kowa or Swarovski ($$$$$). Looks like even Nikon are being made in China now. Pentax is made in Japan https://www.amazon.com/Pentax-PF-65ED-Spotting-Scope-Field/dp/B000MILW52?th=1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Cochrane Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Whatever you get, try to get a scope with an angled (rather than straight) eyepiece. Especially because it sounds like two of you are going to be using it, the angled eyepiece helps a ton when people of different heights use a scope. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 7, 2022 Author Share Posted August 7, 2022 13 minutes ago, Connor Cochrane said: Whatever you get, try to get a scope with an angled (rather than straight) eyepiece. Especially because it sounds like two of you are going to be using it, the angled eyepiece helps a ton when people of different heights use a scope. Yes, I'm aware. Although my father isn't really a birder, he enjoys some photography and will accompany me on birding trips. And it's not like I can bird alone, my area being somewhat of a desert for fellow birders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 7, 2022 Author Share Posted August 7, 2022 32 minutes ago, chipperatl said: Might be tough unless you go with Kowa or Swarovski ($$$$$). Looks like even Nikon are being made in China now. Pentax is made in Japan https://www.amazon.com/Pentax-PF-65ED-Spotting-Scope-Field/dp/B000MILW52?th=1 My father was also looking at Leica? They tend to be quite expensive so trying to look for one used right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 I am very happy with my Vortex Diamondback 20-60x85mm: https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/vortex-diamondback-hd-20-60x85mm-angled-spotting-scope?p=WX2&i=719815 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 8, 2022 Author Share Posted August 8, 2022 My father ended up buying a used Kowa TS-613 ED Prominar scope, which should arrive at the end of the month. I'll have to learn how to use a scope, as I haven't used one at all apart from taking a peek through fellow birders' scopes a couple of times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 15 hours ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: My father ended up buying a used Kowa TS-613 ED Prominar scope, which should arrive at the end of the month. I'll have to learn how to use a scope, as I haven't used one at all apart from taking a peek through fellow birders' scopes a couple of times. The fat end goes toward the birds. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 24, 2022 Author Share Posted August 24, 2022 On 8/9/2022 at 10:43 AM, Charlie Spencer said: The fat end goes toward the birds. Yep, think I got that much. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 Scope arrived! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted August 31, 2022 Share Posted August 31, 2022 On 8/26/2022 at 4:52 PM, Quiscalus quiscula said: Scope arrived! How do you like it? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 4 hours ago, Kevin said: How do you like it? It's quite good! Magnification is great, although my father and I have only tested it out around the yard. We'll have to go to the local lake that attracts migrant waterfowl in order to test it out properly. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted September 1, 2022 Share Posted September 1, 2022 19 hours ago, Quiscalus quiscula said: It's quite good! Magnification is great, although my father and I have only tested it out around the yard. We'll have to go to the local lake that attracts migrant waterfowl in order to test it out properly. Great! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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