There has been some recent discussion of scopes here, so I provide
the following:

You may have been intrigued, like me, by the large color ads appearing in
all the birding magazines promoting the "Brandon Master Birder" spotting
scope -- with phrases such as "three dimensional view" (whatever that
means), and "major breakthrough in optical design."

Left out of the ads are such things as power, objective size,
physical characteristics, and price.

The picture of the scope makes it clear that it is of the
"astronomical" construction type, and it has a huge eyepiece, set at 45
degrees. The person "using" the scope in the picture has her eye almost 2
inches away, suggesting huge eye relief.

I was curious enough to call and order a brochure. As fate would have
it, they were closed when I called but, in true entrepreneurial spirit, the
owner answered the phone. He was most pleasant, and offered a great amount
of information over the phone. He is clearly proud of his product, and
I wouldn't be surprised if it is of the highest quality.

Credentials: they make eyepieces for Questar. That's good enough for me.

The scope is of astronomical construction, with standard 2
inch eyepiece/accessory mounts and rack and pinion focusing. (In other
words, it's not very well sealed.)

The owner's (surprisingly candid) comment: "I don't like the scope
for carrying into the swamp. That's best left to scopes like the Kowa.
It's probably best for backyard and off the deck use." (That's a true
quote!)

However, they tested the scope by leaving it out in the rain all night
and then drying it off, with no ill effects. When I asked if they use a
glass plate in front of the eyepiece to seal the interior, he reacted with
shock that I would suggest such an impure optical device.

The eye relief is a stupendous 1-1/4 inch (32mm)! While that's really
neat for eyeglass users, it could be a problem if there's not an eyecup to
help keep the eye properly placed behind the eyepiece -- I find I need
something at least touching my face to provide a physical reference to keep
my eye in line. Further, you need something to block outside light from
intruding on (heck, ruining) the view.

He said there is currently no eyecup, but that he is in the process
of contracting for one and expects to be able to deliver them "before the
end of the year." He said he will mail them to all current owners of
Brandon scopes at no charge. Apparently I'm not the first person to
suggest that problem.

Quote from the materials: "The focuser, Amici prism, Barlow, and
extension tube have split brass locking devices and captive lock screws."
(Astronomical construction)

Price $995 - shipping paid.

Size/Power: the scope is 15 inches long, 450mm, and has an 80mm
triplet objective (In astronomy scope lingo, it's a 450mm f5.6 scope)

It is supplied with a 2 inch 15x 65-degree wide-field eyepiece, and a 2
inch 45 degree Amici erecting prism. It's the Amici prism that supposedly
supplies the "...unique three dimensional view unlike any scope on the
market. Must be seen to be appreciated." (I guess my concept of
three-dimensional is a little flawed -- it's still a one-eye device.)
Minimum focus is 8 feet! A leather carrying case is supplied. (BTW, that
65 degrees is the eyepiece field width, not the scope field of view, of
course.)

For $185 you can get a 2.4x Barlow lens which brings the power up to
36x, maintaining the same eye relief. There is also a 2 inch 3x extension
tube, which brings the power to 45x when used with the Barlow -- I gather
the eye relief is affected -- $45. The "flexible-type sun shade/dew cap"
is $35. (Note the astronomy lingo)

The scope is manufactured in the US. He mentioned "...getting the
lenses..." but I don't know if they are from the US or overseas.

Camera adapter $35, T-ring $15.

There are some absolutely beautiful bird photos in the brochure, in
particular a brilliantly sharp hummingbird. However... while the brochure
gives photo credits, nowhere does it actually say they were taken with the
scope. Therefore, I suspect not.

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this scope provides a remarkably sharp
image edge-to-edge, and other great optical characteristics superior to the
typical high end birding scopes. But I don't know if it is really a field
birder scope.

I am not an optics expert, so any spin in this writeup is my fault.

And to prove I'm not an expert, I failed to ask if the scope has that
famous failing of astronomical scopes converted to field use -- reversed
left-right view!!!! (I'll bet it does -- that's why most spotting scopes
have that huge hump for the extra prism.)

VERNONscope & Company
5 Ithaca Road
Candor, NY 13743
607-659-7000

Jerry Blinn <-- taking off Saturday for a week in eastern Washington
and Idaho again!
Silverdale, WA


E-mail from: Jerry Blinn

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