Decent (low price) spotting scope...?

[The Big Lebowski]

Fancy picking up a spotting scope for a bit of bird (feathered) watching, but have no idea where to start?
Something compact with a decent objective, lenses and magnification would be ideal

Cheers, al.

 

[Everything Mac]

Not too hot on this I'm afraid but a good place for bargains would be over on airgunbbs.com - or ebay.

Best of luck
Andy

 

[British Red]

Weirdly, Aldi do them now and again for about £25. Not the best optical quality in the world, but okay for the money. 20x-60x zoom, little tripod, 45 degree eyepiece and bag. I can easily use it to determine rifle shot position on paper at 100 yards (which is seeing a quarter inch hole against a black background). Doesn't work too well at 300 yards plus - but spottig .223 holes at 300 yards on a black target needs decent optics!

 

[woof]

I don't know much about them, but i had a go with the aldi one, it was good for the money.

Rob

 

[mountainm]

Got the aldi one as well, good for.looking at the moon. I was impressed for the money.

 

[Perrari]

I have used a Meade Kestrel for a few years, it has a 20-60x zoom and an 80mm front lens. It has good clear optics throughout the zoom range. Meade are famous for astronomical telescopes mainly, but the technology would be the same.They were apparently made in the same factory as the Nikon scopes, which are much more expensive.
I dont know if the model I have is still made, but I did find one of a similar spec on ebay this morning but with a 60mm front lens & includes tripod.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370505739757?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

There are loads of other spotting scopes on there as well used & new.

Another place to try could be:
http://www.scopesnskies.com/cat/spotting-scopes/bresser-spotting-scopes.html

Thats where I got mine from about 6 years ago.

It all depends on your balance of Decent / Low Price .
Hope that helps

Eifion

 

[Dannytsg]

I'll add my penneth to the Aldi scope as well. I picked one up for use on the range when out shooting and it has served me well for the price. If it's inexpensive but useable you are after then I'd definately reccommend it to you.

 

[Barn Owl]

So much available nowadays.

Compact wise, the Opticron MM2 would be hard to beat.

Check for reviews of scopes on www.birdforum.net


A lot of the expensive ones there but should have more affordable models too.

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Thanks very much guys.. Looks like a big thumbs up for the Aldi version, but I'll look into the other recommendations too!

Cheers, al.

 

[spiritwalker]

i got this one as its more compact than most and its very clear lens too not too pricey if you look around you can get it for around £50
http://www.binoculars-uk.co.uk/acatalog/Yukon_Scout_Variable_Magnification.html