Buy Alpen Spotting Scope 20-60x80Alpen Spotting Scope 20-60x80 Product Description:
- Spotting scope with 20-60x magnification and 80mm objective lens
- BaK-4 fully multicoated optics for superior brightness, resolution, and edge clarity
- 45-degree angled eyepiece; waterproof, fogproof, and shock-resistant housing
- Includes micro-adjustable tabletop tripod and foam-filled aluminum case
- Measures 17 inches long; weighs 56 ounces; lifetime manufacturer's warranty
Product Description
This Alpen 20-60x80 zoom spotting scope KIT includes the full size 80mm waterproof and fogproof spotting scope with 45 degree eye piece. The zoom magnification provides nice field of view at 20x and super close up viewing at 60x. The retractable sun shade helps reduce glare and the BAK4 multi-coated optics deliver a bright crisp image. The 45 degree eye piece design can be adjusted to any viewing position by simply loosening the adjustment collar on the center of the body to fit any situation. Comes with a micro adjustable horizontal - vertical table top tripod and durable attractive aluminum foam filled case. Backed by Alpen's lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. The spotting scope was awarded Great Buy as seen in Outdoor Life magazine's gear test issue.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful.
Best Scope Penny for Penny
By C.O. Carver
I first heard about Alpen Optics at The Wildlife Society National Conference when I met a very knowledgeable representative. She made me aware of this scope's performance when compared with much more expensive scopes on the market and allowed me to test the scope in a controlled setting - I was impressed. Time passed and I found myself conducting more and more raptor nest surveys for my job. As I am currently a poor college student, active in the outdoors both professionally and recreationally, I decided that based on the price and good press/reviews of this scope I would make the purchase.After a month of full testing in a range of conditions I have come to much the same conclusion that many others have. This is one of the best scopes on the market and by far the best scope penny for penny.At 20x this scope is as good or better than Swarovski. It is clear, sharp and makes identifying peeps a breeze. At 40x this scope is comparable with Swarovski, but on very hot days it does not seem to cut through the haze as well as the better scopes out there. This makes for a problem when you live in Texas and heat aberrations start at 0800. I have problems with this scope at 60x and this is the only reason I did not give this scope 5 stars. While viewing stationary objects under 50m, 60x has no problems. When the object starts moving and/or is farther away this scope is just not that sharp. While you can still ID some birds on a clear day at 60x, I would not feel comfortable separating a Little Gull from a Bonaparte's in the dead of winter on a distant lake shore.The build seems a little cheap, but it has performed well in temperature extremes as well as rain, fog, and snow. It is very light for its size and makes carrying on strenuous trails through places like Guadalupe Mountains National Park much easier than one would think. I have taken a few sample digiscope photos with my iPhone and they have turned out great. I believe if you rigged this baby up with a whole digiscope system you would get great results.If you are looking for an intro scope, or you are a poor college kid, or you want to save money for that trip to Belize than this is the scope for you. I would also recommend this scope and company (Alpen Optics) to graduate students and research faculty looking for a way to save money on projects. This scope will not disappoint and will open up a brand new view just beyond the reach of your binoculars.For Hunters: This scope is perfect for the active sportsman. I recently used this spotting-scope to track Aoudad through some Texas panhandle bluffs. It performed brilliantly.Edit: Skip the tripod. It is pretty much useless unless you are using it at a shooting range.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful.
Great Scope for the Money
By Glenn Olander-Quamme
Solid construction. Image is bright and resolution excellent at 20mm to roughly 40mm, falls off from that point on but is still decent at 60mm. Eye relief is good, but I wish the rotating eye cups had detents that would hold them in place at various extensions. I'm used to ring-type focusing mechanisms, such as those on DSLR camera lenses, so it took me a while to get used to using the Alpen's focusing knob. It isn't as fast as a focusing ring, but once I got accustomed to it, I found focusing to be easy and precise. Plus, unlike a ring focusing mechanism, it is easy to use with a soft support, such as a bean bag. This is a big scope, so you really need something solid on which to mount it. The table-top tripod that comes with the scope is usable in circumstances where you have a reasonably flat surface on which to place it, but if you're in the field you'll probably need a full-size tripod. (I haven't tried it on a monopod.) One nice feature is the rotating tripod ring, which allows you to rotate the body of the scope without changing the aiming point. Obviously, top end scopes from Swarovski and Leica will outperform this scope, particularly at the far end of the zoom range. But then, those scopes cost on the order of 7-8 times as much. This may be the best scope at its price point, and other reviewers have noted that it outperforms some "big name" scopes that cost 2-3 times as much.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful.Top Scope for the Money
By jarhead70
I've now owned this scope for 18 months and have used it in a variety of situations, mostly for birding. I've used it in high heat, bitter cold, rain and snow. I purchsed it after reading very good reviews from optics gurus on the internet.This Alpen ranks at the top of the mid-range scopes, and ranks higher than some scopes which cost hundreds of $$$ more. It doesn't have fancy glass, but the BAK 4 glass is fully multi-coated and gives clear and sharp images. For me the "sweet spot" is around 50X which is ample in most situations. But it still gives very decent views cranked all the way out at 60X, though the light drops off a little except on clear days.For anyone with $400. and who doesn't want to spend much more, there's probably no better scope on the market. It'll give years of use and comes with a lifetime warranty which even includes accidental breakage!
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