Thank you all for your helpful responses! My next project is trying out some of the models to see what feels right before dropping the money. I'll likely go with the Nikon ED50 as a moderately priced and portable option until I can save for something more elaborate. The back issues of Living Bird were super helpful for general comparisons and things to consider http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1039#top
Here are some of the great replies I've received for anyone else interested: -I got the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80 for $499 from Eagle Optics earlier this year. It serves its purpose, but I constantly wish I'd gone even one step higher in quality. A rep at Eagle suggested the Celestron Regal series, which is made with ED glass. I could have gotten a Celestronscope of the same measurements (20-60x zoom, 80mm objective lens) for $180 more, and now I wish I'd spent that, in retrospect, small bit more for the sharper image that higher quality lenses would have given me. When I zoom my Vortex Diamondback to 60x, the chromatic aberration is so bad that it's hard to tell what color the bird really is. If someone else has a really good scope nearby, I always want to see through their scope as well. Oftentimes when I do, I see detail that I just can't see through my scope, and that detail will be the difference between a solid ID and a guess. My point: get the most expensive scope you can afford. It will be well worth it -Nikon makes a small "fieldscope" ED50 bent neck that I can fit in my jacket pocket. I don't remember what it cost, something like $500. I've used my Swarovski scope for daily for 40+ years and it is still going strong, as you get what you pay for with optics, but again, it cost 2K or so. I take the Nikon scope out on boats etc where I don't want to risk my other scope and on long walks because it's so light. It's really a great and I considered it a real find at Gander Mt. Walmart, Dicks, and others might carry it. Seriously, try one out. -Depends on how much you want to spend…I used a Nikon 82mm spotting scope for a while, modified it by putting a diff lens on it for digiscoping and took a lot of great pics with it! I bought it based o experience using a friends and the customer reviews. There’s one on Amazon -Celestron Regal M2 100ED. It comes in 80mm also. I would highly recommend buying all optics through B&H. They are out of NYC. I've dealt with them for years and I've visited them. They are great. Good luck. -Hi Josh, The Nikon Fieldscope 50ED is very bright and handy. Check the Labs back issues of Living Bird for scope reviews. The other option is a high end scope used or a demo model. Thanks again! Josh -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
