I'm wanting to buy a new telescope and tripod suitable for birdwatching and could do with some advice. Although I've been birdwatching all my life, I'm now nearly 86 and have a blue badge, so my current scope and tripod are much too heavy to lug around. I'm expecting to spend £500+ and have been looking at something like the RSPB Harrier 80 ED.
My needs are really conflicting. I need# as good a magnification and light input as I can get for the best experience on distant mudflats# as low in weight as possible. I can't do much walking nowadays, but I'll have to at least trek between hides.# I've lost some height but I'm still about 6ft 3in. so the maximum height of the tripod is important so I can use it without too much bending down.
Am I a hopeless case?
I would recommend spending most of your money on the scope and saving money on the tripod. A tripod can be bought from Amazon or Argos for about £20. As for the scope, I'm wondering the same thing. I've often had friendly chats about equipment with other enthusiasts at the cafe of my local RSPB Reserve.