Teesmouth Bird Club

I am after getting a decent scope for £300 ish and what i want to know is,80mm scopes obviously will be better because of the extra light but are also more expensive so will a 60mm scope be adequate for general use.Also there are a lot of different eyepieces both zoom and fixed and i am not sure which is best.I know £300 isn`t going to get a top scope,can anyone tell me if the RSPB scopes are any good for general use.Thanks   

Hi Graham,

Not sure where you're based but if you can find a time to visit Saltholme then we have quite a range of scopes on display for you to have a compare and contrast with. Adam our optics advisor is often on hand for any technical questions though he isn't in everyday so if you want to have a chat with him give us a call on 01642 546623 to see when he's in. Optics is a very personal choice. Our hide guides all use the RSPB scopes and are happy with them but you might just find something about them you don't like so please come and see us and have a play. Enjoy your weekend

Hi,

if you look in the classified section someone is selling a pretty new RSPB scope for £160 if they still have it but I have no idea if it is any good.

Personally for the money you are spending I think you may be best looking at getting a second hand one. If you do this you can get something like one of the older 80mm Kowas which although old if it has been cared for it should be optically very good.

As Toby says go to Saltholme and look through as many scopes you can to see what suits you that you can get for your budget. I am sure most people will let you look through there scopes and tell you a bit about them. You can then keep an eye on the classified section in Birdforum and the second hand sections of websites such as http://www.acecameras.co.uk

Thanks everyone for the advice and info, may think about spending a little more and get a good secondhand one.Thanks again

Graham   

I am selling for £400 a Leica 80 angled eye piece with x2 - x60 eyepiece.
Reason for private sale - too heavy now and replaced by lighter model and not of good enough quality to be part exchanged.
Still an excellent scope.
Alistair Mclee

Hi Alistair, you say the scope is not of good enough quality to part exchange but would it be okay for general use.The weight would be no problem as i would be iether in a wheelchair or mobility scooter

If you wish to try it with no obligation, give me a call and perhaps we could fix up a viewing ( 01642 787305)
Alistair

Graham,
I am pleased to hear you are having fun with the scope and getting the hang of it. More details now to add further confusion to identification! Alistair