Thursday 14 April 2016

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

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