Pentax PF-80ED-A 80mm ED Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope w/Case (requires eyepiece)
by Pentax
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PentaxModel: 70950
Product features:
- Exceptionally lightweight magnesium-alloy body.
- Incorporating Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements for optimum optical resolution.
- Large 80mm objective lenses for bright viewing under all light conditions.
- The receptacle has a special "O" ring assembly, which allows the body of the scope to be filled with nitrogen, making it fog proof and JIS Class 6 waterproof.
- A built-in lens shade cuts excessive light and helps to prevent rain and other weather elements from interfering with viewing.
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Pentax PF-80ED-A 80mm ED Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope w/Case (requires eyepiece)
Customer Review: Brilliant Quality ED spotting scope
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this Pentax after extensive research online, to find a scope which would show me 6mm holes in a 500 yard target. There are very few out there which do this, and I could not afford several $thousands for the Swarovski/Leica models. So the Pentax was the only option for me, affordable and MIGHT do the job. I took a punt.
Well, happy to say it does the job brilliantly. At 500 yards the image is crystal clear, no chroma, bright and sharp. I can see not only 6mm bullet holes, but the tiny blowback marks around each hole plus scratches on the plate. It's simply magnificent.
At the target range, I had it sitting on a small Velbon tripod next to my rifle. The Pentax has the ability to roll the body through left to right on the tripod, so it was easy to position with a sideways tilt to enable me to look through the nicely-angled eyepiece at the target, then transfer my eye to the riflescope and shoot, and then back to the Pentax to see how I did, all without changing the position of my body. The same can be done when lying prone in the field. It's really easy when self-spotting, but also helpful if you are spotting for a mate and you need to zoom out quickly to locate the target, and then zoom in to watch the projectile. Under good conditions you will see the shockwave of the bullet as it travels.
However, I do need to add a rider. To get this kind of quality at that distance, you need an equal quality eyepiece to go with it. The 20-60x zoom that came with the package is out of this world and in my mind superior to that offered by either the Leica or Swarovski eyepieces. Put together, the image is breathtaking.
I'd also add that this is under near-perfect optical conditions. No wind, no mirage, and a stable and solid tripod. When mirage starts to boil up, then the image becomes blurred and much less useful. However, no scope will give you a clear image under those conditions, so I don't repine.
Apart from the optical quality it's also an excellent field scope in that the lens is filled with anti-fogging gas and it's very sturdy construction, as you would expect. It's light enough to cart around on top of a moderately heavy tripod for a kilometre or two over hilly terrain. And I'm smallish and not very strong, so a big person wouldn't have any trouble.
All in all, a brilliant buy and one I would recommend to anyone who wants a high-end scope of apochromatic quality and performance but without the scary price tag.
Note: I didn't buy this for birdwatching, but for target shooting and long-distance small vermin spotting. I can't evaluate it as a birding scope, but if you can see a baby rabbit at 700 yards clearly enough to show its fur markings, I'm guessing you can identify at least some birds with it.
Description of Pentax PF-80ED-A 80mm ED Waterproof Angled Spotting Scope w/Case (requires eyepiece)
PR-80ED-AThe PENTAX PF-80ED-A features a 45-degree slanted lens barrel for comfortable viewing in almost any situation. Housed in a lightweight magnesium-alloy body, extra low dispersion glass elements and large 80 mm objective lenses for outstanding image quality and clarity under all light conditions.Housed in an exceptionally lightweight magnesium-alloy bodyIncorporating Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements for optimum optical resolutionLarge 80mm objective lenses for bright viewing under all light conditionsThe body incorporates the American standard 1-1/4" diameter eyepiece receptacle, which accepts not only the optional Pentax XW eyepieces, but also other telescope manufacturers' eyepieces on the marketThe receptacle has a special "O" ring assembly, which allows the body of the scope to be filled with nitrogen, making it fog proof and JIS Class 6 waterproofA built-in lens shade cuts excessive light and helps to prevent rain and other weather elements from interfering with viewingAn extra wide focusing knob is incorporated for effortless focusingA tripod socket with a click-stop rotation mechanism is available to allow for different viewing angle optionsFamous Pentax Super-Multi-Coating maximizes light transmission, clarity and contrastAn extendable eyecup allows variable adjustment for up to a full 20mm of eye relief, allowing those wearing eyeglasses the same view as non-eyeglass wearersEquipped with a durable rubber housing to protect against shock and damageAccepts PENTAX XW Telescope Eyepieces: XW7(71x), XW10(50x), XW14(36x), XW20(26x), and the 20X-60X Zoom Eyepiece.Binoculars
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