Expert: Roger Lederer - 11/29/2007

Question
ROGER  I have been into birding for about a year. I want to buy get a scope, but don't know much about them. I would like to spend around a thousand for a scope and tripod if that's possible? I want something that I could use as I get more involved in birding not something that in a year or two I will be looking to up grade. I'm looking for ideas what to look for or some names or modles.Is a thousand enough to get a quality scope. Thanks for the help

                                 BOB

Answer
Bob: there are lots of great scopes on the market but I haven't used enough of them to judge which are best. Mostly, of course, the expensive ones are better. I think you can get a great scope for uner $1000. Best thing to do is look at this website http://www.optics4birding.com/users.aspx as it will lead you to all sorts of possibilities. Narrow your choices down and then go look through a few. Hope this helps. Roger