SOLD/EXPIRED Camera Land Special Purchase 80mm Spotting Scope

[gr8fuldoug]

Camera Land Special Purchase 80mm Spotting Scope
We just acquired a slamming deal from Vortex.
You love a product with excellent performance. You hate paying the extra cost for a label. Well...recently the factory forgot to attach the label on this Vortex Optics 20-60x80mm spotting scope , and now you will remember the substantial savings on this fantastic deal. The Camera Land Special Purchase spotting scope may be missing the label, but not the performance. This surprisingly compact 80mm scope has all the desired optical features needed to deliver impressive light transmission, color resolution, and edge-to-edge sharpness. Completely protected under the legendary Unconditional VIP Warranty from Vortex Optics.
Specs:
Magnification 20-60x
Objective Lens Diameter 80 mm
Field of View 114-51 feet/1000 yards
Eye Relief 17-14 mm
Close Focus 20 feet
Weight 44 ounces
Weatherproofing Waterproof/Fogproof
Price: $199.99 in your choice of Angled or Straight
Please feel free to call with any questions.

 

[FiremanFrank]

Doug,

I am in for this but I am not sure how to order this special. When I go to the demo page this one doesn't come up. Can you give me a link to the special?

Thanks,

Frank

Never mind, I found it. Thanks.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Camera Land Special Purchase spotting scope

 

[FiremanFrank]

Thanks Doug,

I ordered one and thank you for letting us know you have them on sale.

- Frank

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Frank,
Thanks for the support. If you would not mind, after you check it out please post a review here so we all know your thoughts on it

 

[FiremanFrank]

The spotting scope arrived today and I gave it a quick look. The cover for the objective end could be better designed as I could see it being lost if you are not careful. It is similar to the ones they have with camera lenses and I prefer those that are attached to the main body in some way. Small critique and nothing I can't live with.
The scope came with a cover that allows the scope to be used while protected. That is one very nice thing to have and the cover at the objective end has a spot of velcro that holds the cover open. Very nice and well thought out.
The power ring (zoom?) that allows you to go from 20 to 60x seems a little stiff but works okay. At 20x you can wear glasses comfortably but when I turned it up to 60x I found it easier to take my glasses off. The scope has a very good near focus as I was looking at a fly at 30 feet and he was very clear. The lenses seem very good and at the $199 special price point I can't imagine anything else being even close.
I compared this scope against my old reliable Bushnell Spacemaster (made in Japan) 15-45X 60 mm model. I live on a marsh with a good mile or so with nothing but grasses and water. There are some houses at a good distance to the side of and on the other side of the marsh. I looked at trees, houses, roof tops and street signs and the Vortex was brighter, clearer and easier to look through. I imagine a Zeiss or something would be better but at this inexpensive price I think it stands alone.
The box says Vortex Nomad 20-60x 80mm and the spotting scope itself has no name on it. It does have the Vortex symbol on it though but hey, if that saves me money I am okay with it. All in all I think this is an exceptional value and I am glad that I was able to participate in this special purchase.

- Frank

I'll add some photos of the scope Monday to those who want to see what it looks like.

 

[Eaglet]

Well, I decided to order one. The VIP warranty is impressive. We'll see!

 

[Eaglet]

Well, FiremanFrank said it as it is. I got the scope today and when I first peaked through it at 20x I was very pleased. I put it on a tripod and looking at a pile of rocks about 2.06 miles away = 3626 yards, I was not very impressed when I zoomed to 60 power setting. I figured I'd give it another chance and if I did not like it I would return it. This was because before I could see heat waves and I just wanted to be sure what the glass would do without the heat waves.

Before sunset, when it had cooled down enough, I set it up on my tripod again and boy, what a difference. I tried to take a picture hand holding the digital camera but let me tell you, it looks much better in real life.

For 199.00 USD, i'm happy. I'll keep it. The Nikon I had before, 15-45x60 Sky & Earth, did me good for many years, but when I zoomed to 45 things would get dark for my old eyes. Of course the 20-60x80 spotting scope makes a difference.

3626 yards (Just an approximation, I used Google Earth to come up with that number). I felt I would have seen a squirrel popping out of a hole. Hand held photo while my Vortex was sitting on the tripod set on the 60 power. I was just shaking bad. I'm just trying to give you all an idea how good the Vortex is. Camera Land gave awesome service and gr8fuldoug did not miss lead us. Thank you both!

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Torn between trying this and the Bushnell Excursion!

 

[Eaglet]

I know how that goes! For now I'm content with this item.

 

[jmason]

Doug-

I saw you still have some of these. I was considering these for an entry level set of big eyes. How does this scope compare to Vortex Sandpiper 15-45x65 Spotter Part# SBS-SPR65-S. Can a straight 20-25x eye piece be installed in either of these?

Are you other guys still finding these satisfactory?

 

[Eaglet]

The only answer I can give you from your questions is Yes, I still like mine. I used it this last weekend and I'm pleased with it.

 

[jmason]

thanks J, Hopefully Doug is still subscribed to the thread and can tell me about the eye pieces.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Sorry for the delay getting back with you, I've been up in Alaska fishing this past week.

The eyepiece is fixed so it would only be the zoom that is on it. optically it is the same quality as the Sandpiper, but brighter due to the bigger objective.