Celestron 52250 Ultima 20-60x80mm Angled Refractor Spotting Scope Telescope with Multi-Coated Optics, Waterproof Rubber Tubing and Soft Carry Case, Green

As a passionate birder, I've had the opportunity to test the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80 Angled Spotting Scope extensively. Here's my detailed assessment:Optical PerformanceThe 80mm objective lens gathers ample light, delivering bright and clear images. At 20x magnification, the field of view is expansive, making it easier to locate distant birds. However, at 60x magnification, the image becomes slightly softer, with some chromatic aberration noticeable at the edges. This is typical for scopes in this price range .Build Quality and DesignThe scope is robust and weather-sealed, ensuring durability in various field conditions. The angled eyepiece is comfortable for extended viewing sessions, especially when mounted on a tripod. The rotating tripod collar allows for easy adjustment of viewing angles .UsabilityFocusing is smooth, and the zoom mechanism is responsive. The scope's weight is manageable for field use, though a sturdy tripod is recommended for optimal stability.ValuePriced competitively, the Vortex Diamondback offers excellent value for birders seeking quality optics without a premium price tag. The lifetime VIP warranty adds peace of mind .Final ThoughtsFor birders looking for a reliable and affordable spotting scope, the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x80 Angled Spotting Scope is a commendable choice. It balances performance and price effectively, making it a valuable addition to any birder's gear.

I'm shocked with how far I can see with this and how clear it still is. Feels very well made but isn't too heavy. I can't wait to try it out in Yellowstone this fall

After going on a few bird walks with our local Audubon Society, I decided to bring my own scope. I’m using this primarily for birdwatching. If you haven’t tried it for birdwatching, a scope is much better than binoculars once you have found your subject. The key factor being a higher magnification with no shaking. Your tripod has a lot to do with that so make sure it’s pretty steady and the right height. The scope yields nice sharp images at 20 power, but as you increase power on the zoom eyepice, the image does degrade a bit, some refocusing will be necessary. The blue fringing becomes quite noticeable at 60 power. Still reasonably sharp. Focus helps, but the fringing is purely because it does not have the ED glass. Those scopes will cost about three times more. For the money, this is a wonderful value. I highly recommend it. For the semi casual birder or backyard viewer it’s ideal! The 80 mm objective means nice, bright views, and decent field of view so finding your subject becomes a little easier. The little slight tube on the side helps to get the scope in the general direction you’d like it to be. The build is nice and sturdy with a metal main tube. Be careful installing the eyepiece when you receive it. The threads are quite fine and easily damaged. Once assembled, you probably won’t be disassembling it. It comes with a cheap-feeling lightly padded zipper case that can be applied to the scope, while it is mounted to the tripod. A handy feature for storing or just walking around, or putting in your trunk. Great choice for the budget conscious birder.

Added 2/9/2016: I've used it on 300-yard targets now, and my .223" / 5.56 mm holes are visible, especially on white paper. Holes in the colored part are harder, of course, but visible.I also want to mention that the focus knob is perfect. It turns easily and smoothly, without being loose. It's placed on top, just behind the tripod mounting point, so you can rest your hand over the balance point of the scope and gently roll one finger over the focus knob, causing very little motion in the image.[Original text -->] I read a lot of reviews and Q & A's on Amazon before purchasing the Celestron 80mm Ultima Zoom, and I have a little to add for future shoppers. While I hope to use this for viewing wildlife and maybe the moon and neighboring planets, I bought it mainly for rifle shooting, to see little holes in paper downrange. The photos I'm posting today are all the same shot through the scope, left full-frame to show how my smartphone camera sees it, and cropped to better see the holes. The target is 200 yards away, and the holes are .223 inch / 5.56mm. The grid lines on the targets are spaced at 1 inch / 25mm. Camera was an LG G4 smartphone, mounted to the Celestron's eyepiece with a Gosky Universal Cell Phone Adapter Mount, also purchased from Amazon. Photo conditions were less than ideal: a very gray afternoon, shooting through 200 yards of light rain.The full-frame photo was reduced in size from 5212 x 2988 down to 1600 x 900, in hopes Amazon won't ruin it with extreme compression. The other two were severely cropped, but left at full resolution to show detail. It was taken at 60X, the maximum zoom, and the image suffers a bit from being pushed to the max, but not terribly. The colors aren't as sharp as at the lower end of the zoom range, and as other reviewers have mentioned, that's a compromise. If you want perfect sharpness through the whole zoom range, buy the ED (Extra Dispersion) version of the scope. It's built with lens elements made of more exotic glass that corrects the focus of the different colors of light. It will cost you about 4 times as much. This Ultima 80 is good enough for me.Something I hadn't noticed until I viewed the photos is the curvature of the bottom board of the target frame. That's not bent wood, it's a defect of the scope, called pincushion distortion. If I was using the scope for some kind of architectural photography, where straight lines must show straight, this would be a problem, but I bought this to see where holes are punched in paper, and a bit of curvature is no problem at all. If you're photographing duck on a pond surface and don't want your water horizon to be curved, position the scope so that horizon is in the center of the frame. The top board of the target frame is centered, and it doesn't look bent at all. Better yet, back off the zoom to a lower ratio and get straighter lines and a sharper image.The two detail shots aren't perfectly sharp, but more than good enough to see every hole, even the ones in the dark blue target. I'm impressed. The range I go to also has targets at 300 yards. That might be pushing this scope's capability. I'll try it some time when I have better weather and have settled on ammunition I can trust to fly straight that far.On the drive home from the range I passed a tree with a huge new nest in it, and today a bald eagle was perched near it. But I was cold and tired, and if I'd stopped and got out of the car to reach the scope in the back, the eagle would have left. Would have been a great inaugural wildlife shot for my new spotting scope, but I'm left with only the memory of it, and you'll have to picture it in your mind until you get your own spotting scope and venture into eagle country. Hope you like yours; it's just right for me, at a price I can justify.

The lens is poor quality, and it doesn’t come with the stand.

Easy to line up, zoom and focus. Clear, sharp image even in low light. Cell Phone camera attachment is a little difficult to set up but, gets great pictures. Also wish it had an extending sunshade. Bought on Amazon for $216 + tax. Very Good Scope, Great Price

Used T2-M4/3 Telescope Adapter Ring, 1.25inch Metal Telescope Mount Adapter Ring for for M4/3 Camera. with om-1 camera - works like a charm