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Rossendale Birds Forum -> General Discussion -> Question about telescopes
Post Info TOPIC: Question about telescopes
Matt


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Question about telescopes
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Hi

Can anyone tell me whether this scope looks any good or whether the make should be avoided.  I have managed to find it at a really good price.

http://www.hawkeoptics.com/spottingscopes/nature.htm

I wouldn't necessarily use it regularly but I am planning on doing some sea/wader watching on holiday at Skegness in a couple of weeks and usually go up to Leighton Moss every now and again, so I would like to have something other than my bins to get a bit closer.

I am on a very limited budget and probably can't justify spending much more than £150 for the amount I would use it.

I have managed to find the scope above for £70 with free delivery which seems pretty good.

Thanks
Matt

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Tony Cooper


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Matt

Rule No.1 when obtaining optical goods is NEVER BUY WITHOUT TRYING. Many binoculars and telescopes will perform satisfactorarily when it is bright but less well when not; if possible try them out in dull conditions.

Two main defects which you should look out for are chromatic and spherical aberration.

1. Chromatic Aberration. Look at a thin object such as a flag pole, TV aerial or similar. If you can see a red fringe at one side of the pole and a purple/blue fringe at the other side then the instrument has chromatic (i.e. colour) aberration. This will make it very difficult when looking at fine detail and quite unsuitable for bird watching.

2. Spherical Aberration. Again look at a thin object, placing it in the middle of the field of view. Now move the instrument to put the image towards one edge of the field then the other. If the pole now looks curved rather than straight the instrument has spherical aberration. Even expensive instruments may show some spherical aberration.

A third criterion is the width of the Field of View. Because of their higher magnification, telescopes have a smaller field of view than binoculars, making it difficult to pick up distant birds. Go for an instrument with the highest field of view that you can afford.

You really need to go to a dealers and compare different telescopes side by side at the same time, even if not buying there and then. You may find that you prefer the 'feel' of one over another of similar optical quality.

I have visited the website you mention. It is not a make that I have heard of and the specification given tells you nothing of the optical quality. However, I would be surprised if a telescope at that price performed well; this is a field in which you (usually, but not always) get what you pay for. If your budget is limited, I would suggest that you consider buying second hand, but if privately, do go to a dealers first to get an idea of the differences between the makes.

Finally, remember that a cheap instrument is not a bargain if the optical quality is poor. It would be better to save up until you can afford something of higher quality. Also, you should be aware that it is almost impossible to use a hand-held telescope and you will need to buy a tripod as well.

Tony Cooper

-- Edited by Tony Cooper at 10:06, 2007-09-16

-- Edited by Tony Cooper at 10:45, 2007-09-16

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Tony Cooper
Ste Rush


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Hi Matt

Tony pretty well sums up what to watch for and I can only reiterate that at that price I really would buy second hand. Check out a few online optics and camera dealers via google and they may well have second hand gear that you can possibly visit and test. If you are struggling to find any retailers let me know and I will post a few links for you.

Don't be fooled by price though as this is not always a guarantee of quality. I tried the new Steiner bins at about £800 a pair and they suffered chronic chromatic aberration and a very soft image, whereas a pair of Pyser at £200 are far more advanced optically.

The other thing is that all the testing rules change if say you where glasses as one of the biggest things to overcome is light reflection and how well the field of view is represented on your eye with glasses on (eye relief). As Tony says it really is a must to try them out.

If you fancy a chat about optics I can recommend a shop in Rochdale as they are very helpful and keep quite a few brands in stock inc the Hawke brand,albeit a different model. They are holding a roadshow next weekend at Hollingworth lake where you can test a few brands and where you can ask questions and see how the gear feels to you.

It may be worth contacting them to find out exactly when it is. Paul Hackett is also there and the best thing is it is not high pressure sales of any sort. The other company to be there is Manfrotto which make good tripods which you may find good as Tony mentions you will need one of these.

Link to shop in Rochdale http://www.pennineonline.com/acatalog/index.html

Just a thought but I may know where a second hand Optolyth 80mm scope and slick tripod are for sale if you fancy that route I can ask the person how much they want for it? Let me know if you do fancy it.

-- Edited by Ste Rush at 09:51, 2007-09-16

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Ina


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Hi Matt,
I go along with Steve, I've bought 2 scopes from Pennine (first one got nicked) and they really are helpful and don't mind how much time you take. They have second hand as well.
Go to Hollingworth Lake if you can.
A point to remember if you are buying new, is the price can be more expensive in the shop than on-line.
Good luck.
Ina
ps When are you going to Skeggie? I am planing a trip to Gib Point in October.

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Matt


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Hi All

Thanks very much for the advice, it is well received. I think I will go over and have a chat with the people at Pennine and try a few different scopes out and then maybe be I'll have to be a good boy and wait and see what Santa brings.

I was initially attracted by the price because I probably wouldn't be using it every week, but didn't want to be frustrated by not beiing able to see things when I go to Skeggie etc.

Ina - I am going to Skeggie next week and I am planning a trip to Gibralter Point and Freiston Shore. I have never been so I am looking forward to it !

Thanks again

Matt



-- Edited by Matt at 15:37, 2007-09-16

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Ste Rush


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Hi Matt

I here you made a purchase?

I hope it has enhanced your birding and if you managed to get it before you went away I am sure you will have found it great for a bit of sea watching.

I tried out the Hawks brand scopes and was quite pleasantly surprised at the quality on my initial inspection. Which one did you end up with?

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Matt


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Hi Ste

Yes, I did make a purchase from Pennine,I ended up going for an Olivon 80mm. I compared it side by side with the Hawke and found them very similar optically but I preferred the "feel" of the Olivon. They were very helpful as well.

I did manage to do a little bit whilst I was away but bad weather didn't help.

Thanks again for all the advice, now to star saving for a decent tripod !!!



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Ste Rush


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Hi Matt

Strangely I was talking to a chap the other day and he was telling me about a holiday and having a relative with them showing them the birds in Scotland. He mentioned the Golden Eagle and as the conversation progressed it turned out to be yourself !!

I always cling to the saying that better optics better birds!! Well it allows me to justify my spends to my good lady.

By the way you have been joined by a birder on your avenue in the last week as my father is now a resident at the Royal Windsor.

You will be fighting over the garden birds for long.
Glad you are enjoying your new optics. And I hope your digiscoping is coming along.

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