Bushnell 15-45x50 Spotting Scope (In a Skip)

The right place at the right time, how many times does this happen? Well it happened to me the other day. I was walking down the street when i happened across a chap throwing stuff into a skip, i noticed  a case with Bushnell printed on the label and struck up a conversation with him.

Seeing this sticking out of a pile of rubbish, one can only hope

After a pleasant chat i was informed it was an old (still working) spotting scope and i was welcome to help myself to it, so with a hearty thankyou i set of home with the goodies in the case.

It was complete and looking very tidy on opening the case.

Oh joy of joys, i've been wanting one of these for a while now

The tripod sets the spotting scope low on three solid pressed metal legs, so when lying prone the scope is at the perfect height. The connection screw is universal and would support a camera, or even my Digital Pro Chroney chronoscope.   

Tripod can be used for camaras and my chronograph as well as the spotting scope.

This model is fairly old school in the modern world of spotting scopes, and when it was new about 10 years ago would of cost around £120. The scope itself weighs 1lb 4oz and is made of a very robust plastic/polymer, but didn't have any lens covers to protect the glass.

Sure is a sturdy little blighter.

A small rectangular block with a threaded hole for the screw on the tripod sits at the perfect balance point,

A very tough looking mounting spot.

and takes a matter of seconds to screw the two parts together by hand.

Connecting the scope to the tripod is so easy it can be done with one hand tied behind your back, or even holding a camara.

By twisting the handle on the tripod anti clockwise loosens the swivel joints, then move the handle around till the scope is looking at what you want. Tightening it locks it all in place.

The long handle gives you a lot of control.

The 15-45 zoom works by twisting the eye piece,

The zoom is rugged but easy to move.

then by twisting the collar between the body main and the eye piece you can focus on anything from 10 yards out to infinity (theoretically)

The focus dial can move the eye peice out three inches.

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Both the front 50 mm glass and the 8 mm eye piece were in excelent condition, even the front glass was set back into the body which helps protect it.

The 500 mm front lens gives a better field of view.

A picture is found easily when looking through the eye piece, i even managed to take an okay picture through it on first attempt.

These are tiny twigs at 40 yards.

So there you have it, an older spotting scope that's not digital, has no wi fi, no mirrors that have been buffed to perfection on the thighs of  Grecian nymphs, and doesn't need an App.

A simple and well made spotting scope that cost me bugger all, and that's all for now.

TTFN

Best wishes, Wing Commander Sir Nigel Tetlington-Smythe

My New Cheap (Non) Eotech 551 Red/Green Dot Sight Copy

While i was browsing for some spare low cap mags for my airsoft M4, i noticed an imitation Eotech 551 red dot sight going for the reasonably low price of £21. So what the heck it's worth a gamble, i went ahead and ordered it.

I don't know who makes it but DBPower are resposible for punting them out.

Three days later a small parcel came in the post with the afore said item inside along with a little cleaning cloth and space for batteries, but no batteries inside said space.

Wot! No batteries?

So off i went to Tescos to get some, followed the diagram on the side of the box and put them in.

Instructions are always handy i tend to find.

It needed a fair bit of force to lift the catch at the front of the sight but i soon had them fitted.

So i lift the latch in the middle do i?

Yes i do

This is the bit where the instructions come in handy, so the batteries go in right the first time.

At least these won't be falling out by accident, in fact the whole sight is pretty solid all around as it's made out of metal(aluminium).Once on the M4 it looked pretty snazzy.

I'm not an Eotech snob you know, i like ACOG's as well.

It looked even better further away.

Mmmmm, i'm touching myself tonight.

There was some slight side movement when pressure was applied, but that was down to the fact that the M4 is made of plastic. The grip for the 20 mm weaver rail is solid,

Pretty solid grip here, no complaints from me.

it can be tightened by finger or with a coin. It even has 'for law enforcment and military use' written on the side, just like the real deal

Still not complaining

The controls are pretty simple, the right hand up arrow turns it on, pressing both up and down arrows at the same time will turn it off.

So simple an idiot can use it.....say no more.

 The circular NV button will change the dot from green

In green.

to red. 

red on low brightness

There are ten levels of brightness which are adjusted by the up and down arrows when the unit is on, and just in case you forget to turn the sight off when you have finnished it will turn itself off after two hours of inactivity.

I'm gonna have to move it down the rail if i want the iron sights back on.

The dot can be adjusted up/down and side to side with the aid of a small coin or flat head screw driver, there are solid clicks when adjusted and directions are explained on the sight next to the adjustment screws.

I originally removed the iron sights but later put them back on due to slight parralax issues, nothing to bad mind you. It is airsoft after all, it's not like i'm going to be shootig tic tacs at 30 yards.

If i don't put them back on i'll only loose them anyway.

By the way about a week later i removed the padding for some reason or other, and bugger me side ways there were the batteries hiding underneath all this time. What a daft twat.
 

I shall reiterate 'What a daft twat'

Well for the money i spent i have to admit i'm extremely chuffed with this copy. It's perfect for what i need, and that's quick sight aquisition of 4 inch metal plates. Well that's it for now

TTFN

Best wishes, Wing Commander Sir Nigel Tetlington-Smythe