Meade Instruments 126002 Wilderness Spotting Scope - 20-60x100-mm (Black)

I have a pair of 12x Canon image-stabilized binoculars, and I wanted something more powerful to use for watching the local wildlife, so I tried the Meade 20-60x spotting scope.To get some of the obvious stuff out of the way, this is a good quality scope at a low price. The construction quality is good, all the controls operate smoothly, and generally the image quality is about as good as you can expect at this price. The large 100mm optic gets you a really bright image, even in dark conditions. The image you see in the eyepiece is definitely one of the brightest I've seen from this type of scope. I will say that the image itself is a bit on the soft side compared to top-quality scopes. Certainly, this Meade scope isn't priced like some of the others, but keep in mind if you want razor-sharp images, you'll probably need to spend a little more.The 100mm optic is very large, as is the entire scope. The large optic gets you a very bright image, even at 60x, but at the expense of having something that's heavy and hard to carry. Unless you're pretty strong and steady, you probably won't be able to get good results with this scope handheld, so definitely a tripod or some other sort of mount is a requirement. Of course, 60x is a lot of magnification, so it's not really an issue with the Meade - it's just that the size and weight of this scope, added to the high magnification, makes it a handful - especially if you're using it outdoors or on an uneven surface. The best combination I found was using an expensive carbon fiber monopod designed for heavy cameras. It gave me enough stability to use the 20-60x range without adding a ton of weight to the already large scope.Still, I found this to be a little too much scope for what I wanted, and I returned mine to try some other possibilities. I'd say if you absolutely need the 60x end of the range and you're okay to carry a heavy scope and some sort of mount, this might be a great value at the price - for me though, the size, weight and requirement for a solid mount just made it too impractical for the way I want to use it, and I'll probably be searching for something else.Not a bad product, especially considering the price, but not for me.

MODEL 15-45x65. This is a very affordable, well built and adequate "low-end" spotting scope. I think the BK-4 makes the difference (and a main factor in my purchase).For those in the market for such a spotting scope you should be aware that this is not the kind of scope you can effectively use for long range spotting 300yds and up. Prices for such scopes are in the $300 and up or way up.I tested it at 100 yrds using a black circle on white background target and small caliber holes in that black circle. Testing mid-day and cloudy.Image was clear and holes easily discernible at full 45X magnification. Eye relief was sufficient for comfort by my standards.From the clarity and zoom ability I experienced, I can safely say that I wouldn't have those results at 200 yrds, however at higher calibers it might be possible.Scope does not come with an included tripod, I used my basic Canon tripod (under$100) and it proved adequate.Scope feels well built, easy to grip and hold and has a nice rubber like soft texture. You get a sense of how solid it's built.The adjustment knob is relatively harder to turn but smooth and precise.Good value for quality and included accessories.

Good value, but not in the same class as my Nikon scopes. Works well up to 45, perhaps 50, magnification. Forget 60, you will actually see more detail at 45. Central aberration is minimal, about the same as my Nikons, up to about 45, then softens quickly. Edge definition is less good at all magnifications, but is perfectly acceptable. Law of diminishing returns certainly applies in scopes. To get something significantly better, you will have to pay 3 or 4 times as much. Power isn't everything - I find I spend more time looking through one of my my Nikons fitted with a 20x prime lens, than either this scope, or my other Nikon with a variable zoom lens, especially in poor light. The image is just so brighter and sharper, it more than compensates for the lower magnification, and is less tiring.

This is my first spotting scope, and I have been very happy with it. In normal use the clarity and focus are great. I wanted to try it for a little star-gazing knowing that it isn't designed for that--the lack of a very heavy duty tripod made any viewing difficult as you have too much movement of the scope when trying to focus, but it wasn't designed for that anyway. I could probably get spectacular views of the moon, but the lack of any way to install a filter would mean I would probably blind myself looking at the bright light--maybe need to try when the moon is just a crescent. For its intended purpose, I think this scope is great.

Based on power reports from a lot of online research it seems as though everyone believes that 20x to 60x and a minimum of 80mm aperture is all anyone really needs for maximum magnification for target shooting. So far as I'm concerned the jury is still out. I'm looking a smaller than a .20" to a .15" diameter hole at 100 yards, it might be a squint to see. I will say that the unit I purchased by Meade provides a very crisp clear view throughout the entire view from 20x to 60x all of the magnification levels are great. I feel fairly safe in believing that .30" to .50" hole should be visible at 60x and 100 yards, but much beyond that may be a challenge. I'll most likely haul my Meade 1200 mm scope along just to save all the walking back and fourth to the target.

La marca garantiza la calidad. Excelente relación calidad/ precio.Muy buena imagen en todos los aumentos, cualquier distorsión en 60x es prácticamente imperceptible, si existe es por condiciones atmosféricas del momento más que por el propio telescopio.Los 100 mm producen una gran luminosidad, incluso en condiciones de poca luz, como días nublados o al anochecer.Por su peso, 2 kgs aproximadamente, muy recomendable el uso de un trípode fuerte y resistente, cabeza fluida con palanca, que soporte un peso de 5 o 6 kgs a más, mejor así que no quedarse corto.Viene acompañado de una buena funda con posibilidad de utilizar el telescopio sin necesidad de quitarla del mismo.También acompaña un adaptador fotográfico para cámaras que se adapta al ocular mediante rosca a medida, este mismo permite acoplar adaptador para teléfono móvil, aunque en este caso, mi recomendación para mejorar la imagen captada por la cámara del teléfono móvil es de quitar la tapa de rosca para cámara fotográfica, el muelle interno y la tapa interna, esto permite un mayor acercamiento del teléfono a la lente del ocular mejorando la captación de imágenes.Quizás no sea el mejor para hacer fotografías con la cámara de un teléfono móvil, pero una vez que se la coge el "truco" para adaptarlo, funciona bastante bien.Si hay que poner algo negativo sería que no tiene un enfoque fino adicional, que le haría perfecto.En resumen, un buen telescopio, mucha calidad y muy buena relación calidad/precio.Particularmente, me funciona muy bien y estoy contento con este telescopio. RECOMENDABLE. ¡¡ Pruébenlo !!.Una vez utilizado y comprobado en sus capacidades, he añadido una serie de fotografías realizadas con un adaptador para el teléfono móvil y con la cámara de éste, Sony Xperia 1, y he que señalar que las imágenes son más nítidas en visión directa que captadas a través de la cámara del móvil.Las imágenes van ordenadas en progresión de distancias y aumentos, desde una flor de jara a 50 mts con 20x hasta la imagen nocturna que capta estrellas del Cinturón de Orión con 50x a 1.400 años luz aproximadamente. La imagen de la Luna se hizo con 60x y zoom del móvil.Hay que señalar que en esta publicación las imágenes también pierden algo de calidad con respecto a las originales.Espero que sirvan como ayuda y orientación sobre este telescopio.Reitero mi buena calificación general y sobre todo relación calidad/precio.Saludos.

Como no he tenido ni usado otros no puedo comparar. Es muy luminoso, lo he usado en el campo por la noche y sorprende lo bien que se ve. El enfoque funciona muy bien. Cuando se usa en el máximo de aumentos ya pierde algo de calidad la imagen por que cuesta más el enfoque pero aun así se sigue viendo aceptablemente bien, he comprobado que parte de la pérdida de la calidad al máximo de aumentos es por fenómenos de la atmósfera como el calor, la humedad, el ángulo con el Sol, etc.. no es todo culpa del telescopio. Lo he usado para astronomía planetaria y la verdad es que va muy bien, se distingue perfectamente Saturno y se ve muy bien Júpiter y sus satélites, y la visión de la luna es una pasada. Recomiendo un trípode muy robusto porque una leve brisa ya hace moverse al aparato. Estoy muy satisfecho, no le doy las cinco estrellas porque el enfoque resulta más difícil de ajustar con los aumentos maximos, debía de tener, por ejemplo, otra ruleta para un micro ajuste.

need a tripod for using

Not bad, but not good, poor image at extreme optic range with slight green tint from lense. Probably 6/10

Yes, everything is just as we expected. Great