First Scope Advice. Nikon ED50 vs. Vortex Razor (1 Viewer)

[BrockwellBee]

I have been birding for four years now and use 10.5 x 42 binoculars However, I feel that I am at the stage now to invest in my first telescope so I can have better view of birds which are further away, and images of greater quality. I tend to do a lot of local birding in parks and woods in London but every couple of weeks I go further afield to sites in southern England, such as all the WWT reserves, most RSPB reserves and the occasional sea-watch. So, I do spend time locally but also at nature reserves.

Before I present the details, it's worth noting that I don't drive, so all birding is done on foot or public transport (I want something light to carry and I do some hiking so I will bring it with me), I wear glasses (although I take them off to view birds through my normal binoculars, as annoying as that can be) and I will be trying the scopes out before I buy, so don't panic; I will be trying them before I decide. My total budget (scope + eyepiece) is 500-700. Which one of these options would you recommend me?

1. Nikon ED50 (with x27 - DS as MC very difficult to find - fixed eyepiece) at £628

2. Nikon ED50 (with x13-40 zoom eyepiece) at £648

3. Vortex Razor HD 50 (with x11-33 eyepiece) at £599

4. Vortex Razor HD 65 (with 16-48 eyepiece) at £799

Considering it's my first scope and the ways I will use, as detailed above, which one would you recommend for the price? Is the Vortex Razor HD 65 worth the extra £150 over the Nikon ED50, for example? I may use this scope for digiscoping, but not in the near future and it would be record shots.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing all suggestions made.

 

[etudiant]

Am likewise car free, find the ED50/DS27 combo quite workable with a monopod. The scope can also be used free hand at a pinch. You should consider that Nikon seems to be exiting the scope business, so finding one of the few eye pieces still available is a challenge. It is too bad, because the ED50 is a great little scope.
The zoom option is probably more flexible than the 27x, but the 13-30 zoom the scope came with was unimpressive. The 13-40 is said to be better, but I could not find it anywhere, even in Japan using Tento.
I have no experience with the Vortex scopes, but they get good feedback here on BF.
A tripod is usually a bridge too far for me, but on occasion it is needed. The Velbon Ultra Luxi with a ball head is serviceable, compact and light.

 

[Mono]

I would throw in the Opticron MM3, a quick search on here will lead to lots of comparisons with the Nikon

 

[Torview]

I`m delighted with my MM3 with SDLv2 zoom, its armoured which the Nikon isn`t, has a collar and the zoom is superior to the others IMO.

 

[DMW]

You can buy a brand new Nikon ED50 with x27WDS from Amazon Japan (using Tenso as shipping agent) for around £295 including Tenso's shipping costs. You may have to pay VAT on top of this, but still a huge saving compared to buying in the UK.

 

[jtc]

I have to Vortex Razor 65mm and am very pleased with it. Its light and well built. Also, can't beat the warranty

 

[rosbifs]

If you're young I would go as big as possible for a first scope....
There has got to be some good options in this price bracket.

That said I have the 50 and the 80Nikon and love them. The 50 will probably weigh less than your binos. The down side for me is the zoom options which, admitedly didn't give much of chance, but I didn't like and sold on for a nice 'loss'.

 

[kitefarrago]

I bought the Nikon ED50 with the 27x about a year ago. I was also looking for a light-weight package, and I'm very happy with that combination. This scope can be hand-held if you can brace it against something, but for proper viewing over a longer period you'll want a tripod. I have mine on a tournament tripod by Feisol, with a ballhead, and I find this a very nice combo for my purposes. It's not ideal for scanning through flocks because the panning action isn't as smooth as it would be on a video-head, but I prefer the much lighter weight.

I second the idea that the price you've been quoted is on the high side. I appreciate that you want to try before you buy, and bricks-and-mortar stores do have additional costs they have to take care of. The alternative would be to see whether you can't try those scopes by meeting up with other birders. Right now you could have the Nikon ED50 with the 27x for 550UKP from Amazon. If you are prepared to go used you can save more. The ED50 turns up regularly both here as well as on the usual auction places; I don't know about the Vortex.

Andrea

 

[Alexis Powell]

I also vote Nikon 50ED with 27x eyepiece. It's a really great scope and using the 27x is much less fussy and generally also better for birding (wider FOV) than the zoom. If you decide you want a zoom or a lower magnification eyepiece later, you'll be able to find a new or used one eventually, so I wouldn't let the fact that Nikon is phasing them out deter you.

The Amazon Japan via Tenso deal that others have mentioned seems a good way to go (utilized successfully in the past according to other threads).

I also like the Opticron 50 MM3, though it is not as light and compact as the Nikon.

--AP

 

[etudiant]

I also vote Nikon 50ED with 27x eyepiece. It's a really great scope and using the 27x is much less fussy and generally also better for birding (wider FOV) than the zoom. If you decide you want a zoom or a lower magnification eyepiece later, you'll be able to find a new or used one eventually, so I wouldn't let the fact that Nikon is phasing them out deter you.

The Amazon Japan via Tenso deal that others have mentioned seems a good way to go (utilized successfully in the past according to other threads).

I also like the Opticron 50 MM3, though it is not as light and compact as the Nikon.

--AP

I'd add another voice in praise of Tenso, they supplied my 27xDS quickly and inexpensively.

 

[Swedpat]

Proposal: Pentax PF-65ED II(A). Without eyepiece: $399 straight. $460 angled.
You can use every 1,25 inch astronomical eyepiece, HUNDREDS of possible eyepieces with other words!

I like the design of Vortex Razor HD but: I don't like zoom eyepieces. 39,6deg AFOV at 11x it's just too narrow. And the eyepiece is fixed and is not possible to change to another, not even Vortex eyepiece.

 

[jtc]

I have the Vortex 65 and I love it. Its view is outstanding and it is built to last. You can change eye pieces and get a fixed 23x.

 

[mayoayo]

I own the ED50 angled,and use it with an adapted BST explorer 12 mm astronomy eyepiece. The performance of this 50 dollars eyepiece matches nikon eyepieces to the point that i believe that they must be very close in optical design.The 12mm shows 60° AFOV @23x..a magnification that is not available from nikon eyepieces and that for me is about perfect for a 50mm scope...a bit more detail than the 20x and a tad brighter than 27x..anyway,this option makes the combo VERY attractive price wise

 

[Remote]

Just bought an MM3 60 with SDLv2 zoom on Saturday, upgrading from an MM2 52 ED. The image quality is excellent, even at the top end of the magnification. I've always used a Velabon monopod with the MM2 to keep the weight down, but I suspect I'll be getting a new tripod to use with the MM3 so I can really benefit from the improved image quality at 45x zoom.

The scope is extremely sturdy with a slight rubberized texture overall which makes it easy to grip on cold wet days...and of course its now waterproof, unlike the MM2.

 

[HighNorth]

The scope is extremely sturdy with a slight rubberized texture overall which makes it easy to grip on cold wet days...and of course its now waterproof, unlike the MM2.

But the MM3 isn't nitrogen/argon purged?

 

[FrankD]

HighNorth,

It is but I can't seem to find it listed as such on the Opticron website.




I would second the recommendation on the MM3 50 mm. Optically it is excellent and comes with a wider variety of eyepiece choices than either the Nikon or the Vortex. Plus Opticron is based in the UK and their customer service is unmatched there.

The Opticron UK website lists the price for the scope body at 299. You can get the HDF zoom eyepiece for an additional 199. That puts you at 598 and I am sure you could pick up a decent, lightweight tripod or monopod for 99-199.

If you want a slightly larger objective size then the MM3 also comes in a 60 mm for 100.

Those are all MSRP. Actual scope costs at a place like Sherwoods, for example, are....280 and 119 for the 50 mm and HDF zoom respectively.

Here is a link to a review of the MM3 50 mm that I did last year.....

http://opticstheviewfromhere.com/opticron-mm3-50-mm-spotting-scope/