Anybody with tips or recomendations on scopes as i am toying with the idea of buying one, to start with i am looking at a budget of no more than £200 ( sorry but times are hard where i work - no pay rise now for 6 years ) . I have a few makes in mind but cant seem to make my mind up so i need help.Thanks.
Go to www.scopesnskies.com they do good deals
Ray Wilby
Hi Ronni,
Scopes and bins are a mine field. You must always try them out first, everybodies eyes are different. Look out for the next RSPB or dare I say it Wildlife Trust day when you can meet an expert and seek advice. Don't buy online until you are sure about the product. For £200 you might get something decent second hand. ON the propriety brands £200 buys a new lens for a scope or just a tripod. Do some research online, there is plenty of information out there. Don't be in a hurry.
Take Care
Jim
You must definitely try before you buy. £200 is a very low budget for buying a telescope so you don't have many options. you might be lucky and find a good secondhand scope, but I would be cautious about one unseen and untried on the internet. Try some of the specialist optics retailers and see what offers thet have.
It's also worth looking at the 50mm scopes if you want a good new scope that is ideal for beginners. These are very light and portable - some can even be hand held without the need for a tripod. The Viking and RSPB 50 mm scopes are worth a try - available from any RSPB shop (e.g. The Lodge, Titchwell or Minsmere) but you might want to ring before visiting to check they are in stock.
Some general advice on buying a scope. Many are priced as body only, with eyepiece extra. You'll also need a tripod.
Hope this helps
Think you would be better getting good bins than cheap scope as cannot see you getting decent scope for £200 unless you are very lucky 2nd hand,just my opinion but decent scopes probably start at £600.
If you already have a decent pair of bins there are a few 50mm and 60mm scopes in your price range but do not expect top performance at that price,you are looking at big money to get .If you do not have decent bins as Sooty says spend your money on that.Do not forget to allow for a tripod in your budget a scope is fairly useless without one
birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,just enjoy it while you can.
A good steady tripod will set you back £100 or more. If you spend a lot of time in bird hides you may also want a hide clamp , from £40 upwards.
At the cheaper end of the market , Velbons are popular. If money is no object then Manfrotto or Gitso are the choice.
I know nowt :)
MY Gallery here
Hi I"ve been wondering about the same thing,, have roughly £200 to spend on my first scope,, had the Viking AV-50 in mind,, anyone own/used one ?? any thoughts on this would be welcome.
I have just bought the RSPB AG60. £199 for the kit. Check it out online it's definitely a bargain, but obviously can't really compare to the more costlier scopes out there
Hi-
a quick check on a few websites showed a nice Kowa TS 611 from In focus , a few Opticrons here and there etc.Ebay has several used Kowa TSN 1 & 2s.
S
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