Date: 10/23/26 2:21 pm From: via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Looking for a Used Scope Upgrade
I would look for a used Zeiss Diascope 85. They've been discontinued, but mine is a really great scope. I've seen them for slightly more than your noted budget but they are worth every penny. Al's Sporting Goods is showing them brand new for $1700 with eyepiece(regular price is around $2900). UsedPhotoPro has one for for sale with eyepiece for around $1200. They are hard to find because they sell almost as fast as they are posted.
Doug
On Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:25:03 -0700, Asher Koch via Tweeters <tweeters...> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I'm looking to upgrade from my Vortex Diamondback 16–48×65, which has disappointed me with its lack of sharpness, chromatic aberration, and low-light performance. I'm hoping to find a meaningful optical upgrade for birding in the PNW, especially shorebirds and seawatching in our lovely gray weather.
Ideally, I'm looking for an angled 77–82mm scope with excellent sharpness and contrast. I'm considering the Kowa TSN-773 and Nikon Fieldscope ED82, with a budget of around $700–1,200 for a good used setup, including an eyepiece. Fluorite models like the Kowa TSN-883 are appealing, but the $2,800+ prices I'm finding are beyond my budget at this stage in my birding career. I fully plan to do this for the rest of my life, but I'm trying to pace my insatiable gear thirst! That said, I'd consider stretching my budget for an exceptional deal.
I've mostly been looking on eBay, but good used options seem surprisingly scarce. Where else should I be looking? Any birding forums, used optics dealers, classifieds, or other marketplaces worth checking?
I'd also love to hear from anyone who's used the Kowa 773 or older Nikon ED82, particularly how they compare in real-world sharpness, color fringing, and low-light performance. I'm also open to thoughts on straight scopes or other models I should consider.
