Nikon Fieldscope 13-30x50 ED Angled Spotting Scope

Being a petite, elderly lady, I thought taking a scope on birding walks would be too awkward and heavy. But this scope has proved me wrong. I want to take it everywhere. With a light Manfrotto tripod I can carry it on my shoulder for several hours. And I am totally delighted with its clarity, brightness and magnification. Also, the angled design allows others in groups to share it easily. During a recent group outing there were a half dozen of us petite ladies, and we didn't need to stand on tiptoes to see through someone else's monster scope. The only thing I don't like is the case -- difficult zipper and rather flimsy.

I recently purchased the Nikon 50mm Fieldscope as a secondary scope for traveling. I had an opportunity to preview one and found the optics amazing for a scope this size.
Since the purchase I had a chance to use it while leading a birding field trip. Every time I had a bird in the scope many in the group remarked at how sharp the Nikon is. It is a good scope for a field trip when coupled with a light tripod. The optics on the Nikon are nearly as good as my full size Ziess scope. The focus is easy to use. It does have a fairly narrow field of view, but I have not had trouble locating birds. Its real advantage is for traveling with the small size and light weight it easily stuffs into a day pack as carry-on luggage. It makes packing for trips much easier and you do not have to leave a scope at home.

I received it, tried it out in the field, and am returning it. I am a first-time owner of a scope, and I definitely want another scope, but perhaps not this one. The optics quality is AMAZING, the focus knob was fine, and the zoom adequate. However, to quote Cape May's review on Feather Edge: It will not take the place of a larger, tougher primary scope that most birders use every weekend for scanning through heat shimmer and shorebird flocks at Brig or migrating seabirds at the Avalon Sea Watch. Because of this, I am returning this in favor of a larger 60 mm scope in the same series. I would highly recommend this for a birding traveler, or to someone with another scope who needs a smaller, lighter one. If I become a birder such as the latter, I may purchase it again.