Bargain Spotting Scope. Lidl (1 Viewer)

[Monahawk]

I see Lidl are selling bargain Bresser 20x - 60x spotting scopes. My local store has them advertised but there are none in stock. Anyone bought one of these and if so what are they like?
I know rivals Aldi have sold such scopes to mixed reviews by some on here.
If they are anything like the binoculars Lidl have sold in the past I will give them a wide berth. If they are half decent I might try to get my hands on one. Might be good for garden bird spotting.

Si.

 

[Richard Klim]

I noticed that in this week's Lidl top offers flyer. But at £29.99 for a 20-60x zoom scope including soft case and (mini) tripod, I suspect that the cardboard tube from a Lidl bargain bog-roll would probably give better results.

 

[MJB]

I suspect that the cardboard tube from a Lidl bargain bog-roll would probably give better results.

Go on, Richard, tell us how you got on!
MJB

 

[Richard Klim]

I suspect that the cardboard tube from a Lidl bargain bog-roll would probably give better results.

Go on, Richard, tell us how you got on!

Well, initial field tests are encouraging. Magnification doesn't quite match that of premium optics, but the bog-roll always gives a bright, sharp image with no discernible evidence of curvature, colour fringing or chromatic aberration. Field of view can be adjusted easily (but irreversibly) using a pair of scissors (not supplied). The light weight is a revelation compared with most other 'scopes, and lens-cleaning is completely unnecessary. Weak points include limited durability, poor waterproofing, air- rather than nitrogen-filling, no warranty, and frequent strange looks from passers-by. But certainly incredible value for money - a 10-pack at £1.76 provides 10 'scopes (or five binoculars!), with the exclusive feature of 2,500 sheets of (recycled) twin-ply tissue for those embarassing field emergencies...

 

[Twite]

Well, initial field tests are encouraging. Magnification doesn't quite match that of premium optics, but the bog-roll always gives a bright, sharp image with no discernible evidence of curvature, colour fringing or chromatic aberration. Field of view can be adjusted easily (but irreversibly) using a pair of scissors (not supplied). The light weight is a revelation compared with most other 'scopes, and lens-cleaning is completely unnecessary. Weak points include limited durability, poor waterproofing, air- rather than nitrogen-filling, no warranty, and frequent strange looks from passers-by. But certainly incredible value for money - a 10-pack at £1.76 provides 10 'scopes (or five binoculars!), with the exclusive feature of 2,500 sheets of (recycled) twin-ply tissue for those embarassing field emergencies...

At last...a review I can relate to. Brilliant 5*

Twite.

 

[Monahawk]

Well, initial field tests are encouraging. Magnification doesn't quite match that of premium optics, but the bog-roll always gives a bright, sharp image with no discernible evidence of curvature, colour fringing or chromatic aberration. Field of view can be adjusted easily (but irreversibly) using a pair of scissors (not supplied). The light weight is a revelation compared with most other 'scopes, and lens-cleaning is completely unnecessary. Weak points include limited durability, poor waterproofing, air- rather than nitrogen-filling, no warranty, and frequent strange looks from passers-by. But certainly incredible value for money - a 10-pack at £1.76 provides 10 'scopes (or five binoculars!), with the exclusive feature of 2,500 sheets of (recycled) twin-ply tissue for those embarassing field emergencies...

Not the intended response to my post, but brilliant all the same. :clap:
Might be tempted to buy these instead. Good idea for last minute Christmas presents and cheap too.:king:

Si.

 

[Sy V]

Si

As I said in a similar thread recently. For the price it would be worth a punt even if you permanently store the scope in your spare wheel well, you'll always have some form of optic with you in the car and never be caught wanting.

Sy

 

[cugsy]

I bought one a few years ago and quickly chucked the zoom e/p. I use one of my 25mm kellners in there and leave it in the car with the window/hide mount for just in case. The optics aren't brilliant but they do give better results with a better eyepiece. Just my pennies worth...

 

[MJB]

Well, initial field tests are encouraging. Magnification doesn't quite match that of premium optics, but the bog-roll always gives a bright, sharp image with no discernible evidence of curvature, colour fringing or chromatic aberration. Field of view can be adjusted easily (but irreversibly) using a pair of scissors (not supplied). The light weight is a revelation compared with most other 'scopes, and lens-cleaning is completely unnecessary. Weak points include limited durability, poor waterproofing, air- rather than nitrogen-filling, no warranty, and frequent strange looks from passers-by. But certainly incredible value for money - a 10-pack at £1.76 provides 10 'scopes (or five binoculars!), with the exclusive feature of 2,500 sheets of (recycled) twin-ply tissue for those embarassing field emergencies...

Encouraging! How does it perform when used as a camera obscura?
MJB

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Well, initial field tests are encouraging. Magnification doesn't quite match that of premium optics, but the bog-roll always gives a bright, sharp image with no discernible evidence of curvature, colour fringing or chromatic aberration. Field of view can be adjusted easily (but irreversibly) using a pair of scissors (not supplied). The light weight is a revelation compared with most other 'scopes, and lens-cleaning is completely unnecessary. Weak points include limited durability, poor waterproofing, air- rather than nitrogen-filling, no warranty, and frequent strange looks from passers-by. But certainly incredible value for money - a 10-pack at £1.76 provides 10 'scopes (or five binoculars!), with the exclusive feature of 2,500 sheets of (recycled) twin-ply tissue for those embarassing field emergencies...

An excellent, no nonsense, review Richard. Did you buy the luxury stuff or bog standard? Incidentally I found this optional lens cleaning kit which might be useful to maintain them in tip-top condition.

Ron

 

[Sy V]

... or let your hamster walk through it occasionally! :eek!:

 

[Richard Klim]

Incidentally I found this optional lens cleaning kit which might be useful to maintain them in tip-top condition.

Hmm, it's about time I got a new toothbrush... :t:

 

[redeyedvideo]

Well, initial field tests are encouraging. Magnification doesn't quite match that of premium optics, but the bog-roll always gives a bright, sharp image with no discernible evidence of curvature, colour fringing or chromatic aberration. Field of view can be adjusted easily (but irreversibly) using a pair of scissors (not supplied). The light weight is a revelation compared with most other 'scopes, and lens-cleaning is completely unnecessary. Weak points include limited durability, poor waterproofing, air- rather than nitrogen-filling, no warranty, and frequent strange looks from passers-by. But certainly incredible value for money - a 10-pack at £1.76 provides 10 'scopes (or five binoculars!), with the exclusive feature of 2,500 sheets of (recycled) twin-ply tissue for those embarassing field emergencies...

That gets my Best Post of 2011 Award. :t:

 

[NoSpringChicken]

I can foresee a lot of confused Lidl store managers scratching their heads as they survey the heaps of unsold scopes and the empty shelves where the toilet rolls should be.

Ron

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Well, initial field tests are encouraging. Magnification doesn't quite match that of premium optics, but the bog-roll always gives a bright, sharp image with no discernible evidence of curvature, colour fringing or chromatic aberration. Field of view can be adjusted easily (but irreversibly) using a pair of scissors (not supplied). The light weight is a revelation compared with most other 'scopes, and lens-cleaning is completely unnecessary. Weak points include limited durability, poor waterproofing, air- rather than nitrogen-filling, no warranty, and frequent strange looks from passers-by. But certainly incredible value for money - a 10-pack at £1.76 provides 10 'scopes (or five binoculars!), with the exclusive feature of 2,500 sheets of (recycled) twin-ply tissue for those embarassing field emergencies...

Interesting to hear of your experiences Richard. A review of the same model is just in from the respected website Better Poo Desired:

This new scope is all right, but I preferred it when it was still covered with bog paper.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

I was sufficiently inspired by this thread to have a go at constructing my own 'bogocular'. I decided to make an angled version as this is my preferred choice. Early tests are disappointing, though, as I seem to be suffering from severe blackout issues for some reason. It is probably a simple matter of eye placement.

I was also considering a larger objective kitchen roll version for use in marginal light conditions, although I am not sure if the extra weight will be worth it.

Ron

 

[draycotebirding]

I was sufficiently inspired by this thread to have a go at constructing my own 'bogocular'. I decided to make an angled version as this is my preferred choice. Early tests are disappointing, though, as I seem to be suffering from severe blackout issues for some reason. It is probably a simple matter of eye placement.

I was also considering a larger objective kitchen roll version for use in marginal light conditions, although I am not sure if the extra weight will be worth it.

Ron

Weight should not be a problem with a mere kitchen roll. My son tried this model out in 2009. He was 3 at the time and as you can see it is quite easy to hold it very level :eek!: The obvious downside to this scope was the field of view was a tadge on the small side :-O

Regards

John

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Weight should not be a problem with a mere kitchen roll. My son tried this model out in 2009. He was 3 at the time and as you can see it is quite easy to hold it very level :eek!: The obvious downside to this scope was the field of view was a tadge on the small side :-O

Regards

John

That is very impressive. Have you ever used him as a tripod?

Ron

 

[Richard Klim]

Weight should not be a problem with a mere kitchen roll. My son tried this model out in 2009. He was 3 at the time and as you can see it is quite easy to hold it very level :eek!: The obvious downside to this scope was the field of view was a tadge on the small side :-O

Just the job when you're at the back of the scrum at a crowded twitch and need a bit more reach...

 

[Johann Sebastian Bach]

I have just put your invention to the test here in Cern. Bombarding cardboard with neutrinos failed to elicit any positive responses in the 2.49 - 3.49 electron volt range, whereas a Zeiss optical tube produced some interesting traces suggesting that muons were converting energy through transubstantiation. Prof. Klim's secondary experiment, where scissors were used to reduce the optical length of the instrument, was manifestly more successful. Not only can we now confidently claim the instrument to be of value in an ornithological context, the LHC successfully produced irrefutable evidence of the Higg's boson (or Higg's field, as it is more correctly known) when we reduced the length of the cardboard to 1.4312 nanometres.
Finding the Higg's at 5.425x104GeV fits beautifully with Planck's constant, so will now be known as the Bog Standard. Unfortunately, the reduction of the optical instrument to the size mentioned above renders it hopelessly ineffective for magnification purposes. Nevertheless, the discovery is of profound use to science.
As Bach would have said,
Eflat = mc2

Peter