Is this a good deal...Pentax scope... (1 Viewer)

[cohenfive]

I could use some price advice here, US residents please..

I think I may be able to snag a new PF-65EDii scope with 20-60x Pentax eye piece (also new) for $500. I am looking for a mid priced scope for birding and this sounds like it might be a good value. Advice would be appreciated. My alternative is a Nikon Fieldscope iii 60mm with 20-45x eyepiece (used but mint) for probably $400, but if I can get an ed scope I would prefer it.

Thanks in advance

 

[BirderMJ]

I've had both. I do think you'd like the ED version better but the Nikon is built like a tank. The PF is nice. Some of the 20-60 eyepieces were dogs. Your price reflects a decent premium for the ep. Try to see if it's the one with the good eye relief and suits you well. It has been a long time since I looked at the specs of the eyepieces but there was a "dog" version of the zoom and a decent one. Maybe someone else recalls but I think it was a narrow version with short eye relief. Can you try before you buy?

 

[cohenfive]

Unfortunately I cannot, one shot deal. I will ask about the eyepiece, believe that Pentax makes two versions, both of which have ed glass so not sure why one would be bad. Thanks.

 

[gcole]

Smokin Hot Deal !

I could use some price advice here, US residents please..

I think I may be able to snag a new PF-65EDii scope with 20-60x Pentax eye piece (also new) for $500. I am looking for a mid priced scope for birding and this sounds like it might be a good value. Advice would be appreciated. My alternative is a Nikon Fieldscope iii 60mm with 20-45x eyepiece (used but mint) for probably $400, but if I can get an ed scope I would prefer it.

Thanks in advance

Hi .. If you can truly get both new for $500 buy it now & run !!!!! I have purchased & owned three. If its the SMC #70509 The cheapest I have seen that zoom new was $300 last year & the scope around $400-450. Even if you don't like the zoom I will give you $250. for it & you can buy some other 1.25" zoom or fixed 1.25"eyepieces . You will be amazed when using some other eyepieces how well this performs . Do not buy the Nikon , the fieldscope eyepieces are not user friendly & if you use eyeglasses you will regret it.... gwen.

 

[mooreorless]

There is the Pentax SMC 8-24 mm eyepiece that is more expensive and has more eye relief and the Pentax SMC XF 6.5 x 19.5 mm eyepiece that doesn't cost as much.

I would say this spotter has the XF version. The price you quote is more than $300 off from new. The XF zoom is lighter, the SMC zoom is over a pound and the XF zoom is about a 1/2 pound.

I had the Nikon 60mm Fieldscope and liked it a lot.The fellow I sold it to liked it better than a Bushnell Ultra Legend 15x45x60mm scope, he sent the Bushnell back. He could make out a distant sign writing with the Nikon and not the Bushnell. There is CA of course and it is worse this time of year if there is snow. I have the ED version now.

I see Gwen replied while I was still typing. I don't wear glasses so the shorter eye relief doesn't bother me and I have the fixed power eyepieces as well.

 

[cohenfive]

Thanks for the advice. I confirmed with the seller that the scope comes with the Pentax XF SMC 6.5-19.5mm eyepiece. It may not be perfect but the ep generally gets reasonably good reviews. Overall it also sounds like it is a pretty good deal at $500. I only want a mid priced scope, and understand that I will get better performance if I am able to spend more money..which I am not at the moment. The question is whether I can get a better scope/eyepiece for the money, and it doesn't really sound like I can...unless I am missing something from the comments. Thanks.