From Opus

ES80GA 80mm ( Pre 2004 )

80 MM Hight Density Glass objective lens Weight 1.414 Kg Min Focus 6 Meters Length 397mm Take all Opticron HR and HDF eyepieces Rotates around tripod mount in positive "clicks". Waterproof 30 Year Warranty

Content and images originally posted by alan_rymer

[edit] Reviews

[edit] stevo's review

I have had this scope for about a year now,the first thing that strikes you is weight it`s a very light portable scope.Covered in a plastic coating it is able to withstand minor knocks,although I recommend a stay-on case.The eyepiece supplied (32xHDF) makes for comfortable viewing & has that walk in feel & is of the twist-up/down variety.The focus wheel operates smoothly & I am able to bring the subject into focus quickly. Optics wise I have found the image to be bright & sharp with only a hint of chromatic abberration.Opticron supply a stay-on case which does it`s job but is noisy when pulling back the velcro flap for focussing.To sum up for the price this scope presents great value for money for those on a tight budget

[edit] Pros

• Great light gathering
• sharp optics

[edit] Cons

• None really
• although the stay-on case is noisy.

[edit] alan_rymer's review

After using the MM2 for a while I decided I needed more light gathering and also wanted to try digiscoping. I found the scope on sale at the London Camera Exchange in Reading just before Christmas 2002, and luckily still there just after Christmas when I bought it with 32x HDF eyepiece and Stay on Case for �449. I had looked at the Imagic 66 and 80 in shops, and many other scopes in hides before deciding on this model. In use. I have a Velbon 444 lightweight tripod, which was fine for the MM2 but totally inadequate for the ES80, I am still struggling with this tripod but have to get something sturdier soon. The optics are clear, bright and to my eyes colour neutral with no chromatic aberation at all. The supplied 32X HDF eyepiece is excellent with a good field of view. Focusing is via a knob at the top/right of the scope and I find this accurate and positive although sometimes I would wish for a finer adjustment. I can see the point in some scopes which have an extra fine adjustment knob in addition to the standard adjustment knob. The scope only comes in an angled model, not a straight model, but the barrel of the scope can be rotated around the central ring connected to the tripod adaptor with what feels like very positive clicks. If you use the Opticron Stay on Case this feature is inhibited. The flap of the S.O.C is held down by velcro and it is very noisy when this flap is pulled open. I later bought the HDF 20-60 zoom as my old digi-cam did not have a Zoom facility. I find the field of view good at 20x, the brightness is little diminished as magnification is increased and I have not noticed any reduction in resolution. Focusing may drift off with magnification, but whether this is caused by the focus not being totally accurate at 20x which is more noticable at 60 or just creep its hard to say. I find the HDF zoom a great eyepiece and cannot see any reason ( at this time )to revert to a fixed eyepiece.

All in all a great scope and well worth the money!.

I wish to say I receive no commision from Opticron no matter what others may believe ;)

[edit] Pros

• HD Glass
• Best optics for lowest price. 30 year Warranty.

[edit] Cons

• Screw-on objective lens cover

[edit] scampo's review

I had this scope for only a few weeks as the stock at the shop where I bought it were all faulty - a batch must have escaped good quality control. Mine had tiny air bubbles in the zoom eyepiece and a mark on the reverse of the 80mm objective. In the end I changed the scope for a Nikon Fieldscope.

But... assuming it is fault free, surely this scope must rate as a genuine bargain if you are looking only at new scopes? One reason is that it has ED/fluorite elements in the construction to reduce colour fringing and provide a brighter image - unheard of at this price level. It certainly does provide a bright, clear, wide and sharp image that is very contrasty and easy on the eye.

Altogether this scope deserves its position as one of the most popular birding scopes.

[edit] Pros

• Lightweight and well made; bright and sharp

[edit] Cons

• Not much - check the lenses for minor faults?

[edit] pduxon's review

Its hard to criticise at this price. You get ED glass, Opticron\'s excellent HDF lenses and all for �500.

The image is excellent. The 32ww is exceptionally bright and the zoom is usable up to 60x. You have to pay a lot more money to get any real improvement.

On the downside the body of the scope is a little plasticky.

I reckon this is as good a value new scope as you can buy.

[edit] Pros

• bright image
• good colours

[edit] Cons

• a little plasticky