Telescopes

[Aerodynamik]

Is there a spotters telescope 'of choice' for spotters these days? Would be interested to know which you all use.

[Alf]

Kowa TSN-884 telescope , works well for me and I know quite a few others use the same.

[Andy Marden]

Many people, like me, use Swarovskis, which are the same sort of price band.
Whichever, brand you go for, I recommend you buy the most expensive one you can afford. Quality improves dramatically with price...

[Tiger 1]

Hi Aerodynamik

I would very much like to own a Swarovskis... having looked through one they are amazing... fantastically pin sharp... superb quality.

But great advise by Andy Marden... and for my budget the most I could afford was the Vortex Razor 27 - 60 x 85.

I have found it to be very good quality and as performed very well in the field.

Just a few examples... if you know Folly Lane at Mildenhall... I can read off the CV22's at the other end of the field and from the top of the Heath at Lakenheath... I can read off the F15s and F35s whilst they hot pit.

My advice would be to take your time... do your research... then go and try out before you buy.

There are a few places you can try like...

London Camera Exchange
Bird and Wildlife Parks
Ace Optics Bath.

The latter is where I purchased my Vortex from... great place... fantastic service and a vast range of scopes to try both second hand and brand new.

They have a tripod set up that looks out of the window over a great view which enables you to see how each scope performs.

I tried quite a few out which was no trouble at all and finally decided on the Vortex.

I hope you find one that suits you... please let us know which one you decide on.

Hope this helps.

Regards

T1

[gyvespa]

Another place to try is Viking at Halesworth in Suffolk.

https://www.vikingopticalcentres.co.uk/

I’ve dealt with it them many times over the years. Their shop has good views out the front and they always have a selection of scopes already set up. They stock all the main brands plus their own Viking brand, their new ED scopes are pretty good.
If you click the top left menu they often have used kit as well.

No connection just a long time customer.

As an extra bit of info, today I had chance to look through the new Swarovski ATC 17-40 x 56 spotting scope, got to say, it’s very good
( however you won’t get much change from £2 K ).

[Evergreen 44]

Agree with above, try before you buy and certainly worth visiting one of the birding / wetlands reserve sites when one of the optics companies are holding a demo day when they have some second-hand stock to try. Speak to the staff to understand the basics of the numbers, front element diameter, magnification and field of view to work out what spec. you need and what suits your eyesight prescription
Yes quality costs and pre-owned is a great place to start. For this kind of money research is essential and you need to get your use out of it.
I went for Optolyth with interchangeable eye-piece to change magnification on the day. This way you can changes uses from spotting to birding etc.
A monopod with quick release mount may be required when you are at the longest distance and need to keep the image stable enough
I keep a small bridge camera with x65 magnification and that is a handy way to get that elusive number too. Similar price to a good quality scope
Good luck with the search and yes do let everyone know how you get on.

[fatherfaff]

Wow £2000! Bit too much for me - are there any budget telescopes in the hundreds of pounds area anyone could recommend?

[davekench]

I have to agree with what everyone else has said go and try the optics out and get what you can afford. I have an Optolyth which I have had for for over 30yrs its 22-60x70 cost a few hundred back then, i am more than happy with it.

[Tiger 1]

Hi fartherfaff

You can get a Celestron or Opticron model for about £200...a Kowa at about £350 and a Vortex Diamondback for around £500 - £600.

Really it's about your budget... I would firstly determine what is the most you can afford to spend.

Armed with this... do your research and pick out 5 or 6 in your budget... try to aim at the highest end of your budget.

Then go and try them out... this is important as what may seem to be the right scope may not be so.

This happen to me... I was quite happy with a high end Opticron that looked on paper to be the scope for me.

But after trying several Opticron models a couple of Celestron and a Kowa model... I kept going back to the Vortex... it just ticked all the boxes for me and it was at the very highest end of my budget.

Hope this helps.

T1

[Aerodynamik]

Thanks everyone for the really useful advice. I'll let you know how I get on!

[Tiger 1]

Your very welcome... not sure what your budget is but look forward to seeing what you go for.

Remember the advise about a mono pole or tripod both valuable additions when spotting.

Regards

T1

[Weazel69]

Hi!! - I don't know if you have looked at sneezy's item on Monopod's, but I posted a mention re the following and that is a CALUMET - 7101 MiniPod from WEX
Which is a short handle at approx 7" and sell's for £4.69 - Worth a try, as I have tried Monopod's in both Alloy & Carbon. but getting on better with the 7101
If you take a peek at the Wex Site under Mini Tripod's, then you can make your own choice

[Tiger 1]

Hi Weazel69

Thanks for the tip... not heard about these before... Will definitely take a look

T1

[quid63]

thanks for your help

[Doughnut]

Firstly I am not a number collector so have no idea about telescopes. But how do the optics on a scope and a camera compare ? I have read tail numbers from digital photos, indeed a friend of mine uses that method to record / confirm all his numbers. And its not all about 500mm lens, with a normal zoom lens the image can be enlarged on the back of the camera and most things can be read off.

[Bilvo]

I would very much like to own a Swarovskis... having looked through one they are amazing... fantastically pin sharp... superb quality.

But great advise by Andy Marden... and for my budget the most I could afford was the Vortex Razor 27 - 60 x 85.

I have found it to be very good quality and as performed very well in the field.

But equally lots of people get caught up by the Swarovski brand name when there are equally if not better optical quality scopes availble - Kowa are consdiered by many in birding circles as better than Swaro, especially in low light.

I have a friend who is a Swro brand fan but is blown away by my Kowa everytime he looks through it.

Best advise is to try as many as possibole at a decent store (CleySpey is very good!) in the price range you can afford and go with what suits you best, not others opinions!

[Nighthawk237]

Interesting to read this: I have a Kowa TSN-824, which I used to think was the 'Bee's Knees' until I had a chance to use a Swarovski STX 95mm and was blown away with the difference.

I now have the latter as well and do believe it is the better of the two.

P.

[Bilvo]

Interesting to read this: I have a Kowa TSN-824, which I used to think was the 'Bee's Knees' until I had a chance to use a Swarovski STX 95mm and was blown away with the difference.

I now have the latter as well and do believe it is the better of the two.

P.

But those two models are not comparable, the TSN-824 is old wheras the STX 95mm is Swaro's top of the range model - These are not comparable at all!! The Kowa Prominar Series (TSN-883/884) is the model to compare wit the STX 95mm!!!