Buy Alpen 20-60x80 w/45 degree EP, waterproof Spotting ScopeAlpen 20-60x80 w/45 degree EP, waterproof Spotting Scope 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 padded nylon case
- Measures 17 inches long; weighs 56 ounces; lifetime manufacturer's warranty
Product Description
This Alpen 20-60x80 zoom spotting scope is fully waterproof and fogproof and features a whopping 80mm diameter objective lens for the brightest image. The zoom magnification provide 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 carrying case. Backed by Alpen's lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. This product was awarded Great Buy as seen in Outdoor Life magazine's gear test issue.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful.
Great Scope for the Price
By jarhead70
I shopped around to improve on my Celestron 65mm scope. I was looking into mid-priced scopes - no more than $500. I came across two internet articles by professional scope viewers who enthusiastically recommended this Alpen scope. I was surprised at how well it was rated given that it doesn't use specialized glass nor expensive coatings. It uses BAK-4 glass and fully multi-coated optics, however, and they rate it as high as some scopes costing twice as much.I really like this scope. I use it on a mid-priced Manfrotto tripod with a trigger-gun head for easy viewing. I'm a bit particular and will someday move up again to a high-end scope, but in the meantime I have no regrets over this scope. While others claim that their views at 60X are every bit as clear and detailed as at 45X, I cannot agree. I find that the maximum "sweet spot" is about 50X. That is to say, the view at 50X is as good as at a lower zoom setting. Above 50X and the view necessarily dims a bit. On clear days that's no problem and maxing out the zoom was fine. But if there's shade or high humidity, maximum zoom will only magnify it.The other day I was viewing some waterfowl on a lake about 100 yards away. It was a warm day with mid-level humidity. When I zoomed out to 60X, I couldn't fine focus the birds since the scope magnified the heat waves from the humidity. Backing down a bit helped. I also had the opportunity of viewing birds at about 60 yards with a Kowa scope. I admit the Kowa presented a terrific view. My Alpen didn't match it but it came close. But then again, the Kowa cost over 4 times as much!Bottom Line: There's no scope on the market in its price range that can touch this Alpen scope - even spending four hundred bucks more won't get you a better scope.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful.Great Value
By Brad Buck
After researching several different brands this spotting scope from Alpen Optics is the best value I have found.The optical quality is exceptional, fully multi-coated with long eye relief of 18-19mm. the large 80mm objective lens allows for clear bright viewing at dusk and dawn yet the size and weight are comfortable for the backpacking I do.The Tripod includes fine adjustments for both windage and elevation.Check the quality of other brands at this price and you'll see why Outdoor Life magazine gave this scope their Great Buy award.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful.Amazing value
By P. Bergstrom
I had been looking for a decent affordable scope for birding for years (meaning under $1000, ideally under $500). With all the other ones in this price range that I had tried in stores, the image got very dark and the field of view very small when I zoomed in, making the zoom feature pretty useless. Then I read a good review of this scope on [...] (it was rated best of the mid-priced scopes they tested) and decided to give it a try. I was very pleasantly surprised at the image quality and brightness, and the eye relief (ability to see the whole field when using glasses) is good until you zoom in to about 40X (this is common in scopes). The image is still bright and sharp at 60X. Recently I was able to identify some ducks using 60X that were so far away I could barely see them with my naked eye, and while looking at some Canada geese that were about 900 feet away (across 3 sports fields, using 60X) I was able to see and identify a bluebird that was on the ground near them, with the blue back and reddish breast clearly visible. There is a slight bit of purple fringing on the edges of objects, especially at 60X, but it's not very noticeable. I have tried digiscoping once and it worked well, even under completely overcast skies.
Latest Price: See on Amazon.com!
More Info: See on Amazon.com!
See Customers Review: See on Amazon.com!
