First Scope - Pentax PF-65EDAII? Recommendations? (1 Viewer)

[JaneB]

Hi there,

I am currently in the process of trying to decide which scope to buy. I am located in Canada and would like to spend under $1500. I've read loads of forum posts and have researched several scopes in this price range. Based on what I've read so far it seems that the Pentax PF-65EDAII with the XW 14 eyepiece may be one of the better options within this price point coming in around $1150 with tax.

I'm wondering what others think about this setup. Should I spend the extra $$ for the 80 EDAII or would you recommend an entirely different setup altogether? Vortex warranty is especially tempting.

Thanks in advance for your insight!

Jane

 

[gcole]

Hi there,

I am currently in the process of trying to decide which scope to buy. I am located in Canada and would like to spend under $1500. I've read loads of forum posts and have researched several scopes in this price range. Based on what I've read so far it seems that the Pentax PF-65EDAII with the XW 14 eyepiece may be one of the better options within this price point coming in around $1150 with tax.

I'm wondering what others think about this setup. Should I spend the extra $$ for the 80 EDAII or would you recommend an entirely different setup altogether? Vortex warranty is especially tempting.

Thanks in advance for your insight!

Jane

Hi Jane … I highly recommend the little Pentax 65 EDII, my favorite was the Pentax XW20 when choosing among Pentax’s line up. I have also used the XW14 when wanting higher power. Both are among the best for this scope in the low to medium power range . One of the best value to Optics Quality in the 65mm class range. …. Gwen

 

[JaneB]

Hi Jane … I highly recommend the little Pentax 65 EDII, my favorite was the Pentax XW20 when choosing among Pentax’s line up. I have also used the XW14 when wanting higher power. Both are among the best for this scope in the low to medium power range . One of the best value to Optics Quality in the 65mm class range. …. Gwen

Thank you for this reassurance, Gwen. Super helpful. I've placed the order and can't wait!

 

[gcole]

Thank you for this reassurance, Gwen. Super helpful. I've placed the order and can't wait!

Your very welcome. Make sure you follow up after your scope arrives, so we all can read about what you think about your new purchase.

 

[almond68]

I recommend the Pentax PF-65ED body and the Pentax XW-10 eyepiece, giving a 40X magnification. That combination gives a large 1.5 degree field of view, and an 20mm eye relief. Compared to the Pentax zoom eyepiece at the same magnification, you’ll get a wider field of fire and a longer eye relief.

 

[G8trwood]

Also looking at the Pentax 65mm and a fixed eyepiece. I have an old Vixen variable to use.

Any recent comparisons on the Pentax vs the Vortex Viper or Athlon Ares G2 (same price as pentax body)

Or better recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[jring]

Hi,

first of all, welcome to birdforum to both!

Pentax scopes can be very nice, if you get a good example (as with all spotting scopes, there is sample variation unfortunately). The usual reasons for choosing one are either the need for decent eye relief wide angle eyepieces in the form of the quite famous Pentax XW series (but that need can also be satisfied by classic Nikon Fieldscope ED models) or because the buyer already has a collection of 1,25" astro EPs and hopes to reuse these (or hopefully some, most will physically fit but not all of those will come to infinity focus in spotters with an 1,25" mount).

So if you really like the Vixen zoom and find some evidence that it comes to infinity focus in the Pentax or can try yourself in person before buying, why not...

Joachim

 

[G8trwood]

Thank you. I do have a small collection of astro eyepieces in suitable FL and good eye relief. Nothing as nice as the XW. I was hoping to repurpose some of these.

I did reach out, friend of a friend, and find someone with a Pentax who will let me try my eyepieces in their scope as well as try some of their eyepieces. Eye relief and fov would be nice.