Product Review: Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 Spotting Scope
If you are a nature lover like me, you know how important it is to have a good spotting scope. A spotting scope is a small telescope that allows you to observe distant objects with more detail and clarity than binoculars. Whether you are birdwatching, wildlife viewing, hunting, or just enjoying the scenery, a spotting scope can enhance your experience and help you appreciate the beauty of nature.
One of the spotting scopes that I have been using for a while and that I highly recommend is the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788. This is a high-quality, versatile, and affordable spotting scope that has impressed me with its performance and features. In this review, I will share with you why I think this is one of the best spotting scopes on the market and how it can help you enjoy nature more.
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Overview
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 is a spotting scope that offers a magnification range of 20x to 60x and an objective lens diameter of 80mm. It has a waterproof and fogproof body that is made of durable aluminum alloy. It comes with a zoom eyepiece that has a twist-up eyecup and a sunshade. It also includes a tabletop tripod, a car window mount, a hard case, and a soft case.
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 is ideal for nature lovers who want a spotting scope that can deliver clear and bright images in various lighting conditions and distances. It is also suitable for those who want a spotting scope that is easy to use, transport, and maintain.
Optical Quality
The optical quality of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 is excellent. It features fully multi-coated lenses that reduce glare and enhance light transmission. It also has BaK4 prisms that provide high contrast and resolution. The result is sharp, crisp, and vivid images that reveal the details and colors of your subjects.
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 has a large objective lens diameter of 80mm, which allows more light to enter the scope and improves the brightness and clarity of the images. This makes it ideal for low-light situations, such as dawn or dusk, when many animals are more active.
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 has a zoom eyepiece that lets you adjust the magnification from 20x to 60x. This gives you the flexibility to choose the optimal magnification for your viewing needs. You can use lower magnifications for wider fields of view and higher magnifications for closer views and more details.
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 has a long eye relief of 18mm to 20mm, which means you can comfortably use it with or without glasses. It also has a twist-up eyecup that lets you adjust the eye relief to your preference. The eyepiece also has a sunshade that reduces glare and protects the lens from dust and moisture.
Design and Durability
The design and durability of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 are impressive. It has a waterproof and fogproof body that can withstand harsh weather conditions and temperature changes. It is also shock-resistant and can endure bumps and drops without affecting the optical performance.
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 has a rubber-armored exterior that provides a secure and comfortable grip. It also protects the scope from scratches and dents. The scope has a sleek and compact design that makes it easy to carry and store. It weighs only 56 ounces and measures 17 inches in length.
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 has a smooth and precise focus knob that lets you adjust the focus quickly and easily. It also has a rotating collar that lets you rotate the scope to different viewing angles. This is useful for changing the orientation of the image or for sharing the view with others.
Ease of Use and Accessories
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 is easy to use and comes with several accessories that enhance its functionality and convenience. It comes with a tabletop tripod that provides a stable and adjustable platform for the scope. The tripod has a pan head that lets you rotate the scope horizontally and vertically. The tripod also has rubber feet that prevent slipping and scratching.
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 also comes with a car window mount that lets you attach the scope to your car window for easy viewing. This is handy for observing wildlife from your vehicle or for traveling with the scope. The mount has a padded clamp that protects your window from damage.
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 also comes with a hard case and a soft case that protect the scope from dust, moisture, and impact. The hard case is sturdy and durable, while the soft case is lightweight and padded. Both cases have handles and straps for easy carrying.
Pros and Cons
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 has many pros and few cons. Here are some of them:
Pros:
– Excellent optical quality
– Large objective lens diameter
– Zoom eyepiece with sunshade
– Waterproof, fogproof, and shock-resistant body
– Rubber-armored exterior
– Smooth focus knob and rotating collar
– Long eye relief and twist-up eyecup
– Tabletop tripod, car window mount, hard case, and soft case included
– Affordable price
Cons:
– Heavy and bulky
– Some chromatic aberration at high magnifications
– Tripod may be unstable at high magnifications
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788:
What is the magnification range of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788?
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 has a magnification range of 20x to 60x.
What is the objective lens diameter of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788?
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 has an objective lens diameter of 80mm.
What is the field of view of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788?
The field of view of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 is 113 feet at 1000 yards at 20x magnification and 55 feet at 1000 yards at 60x magnification.
What is the eye relief of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788?
The eye relief of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 is 18mm to 20mm.
What is the weight and size of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788?
The weight of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 is 56 ounces and the size is 17 inches in length.
What is the warranty of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788?
The warranty of the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 is lifetime limited.
Conclusion
The Alpen Shasta Ridge 788 is a great spotting scope for nature lovers who want a clear, bright, and versatile scope that can handle various situations and distances. It has excellent optical quality, a large objective lens diameter, a zoom eyepiece with sunshade, a waterproof, fogproof, and shock-resistant body, a rubber-armored exterior, a smooth focus knob and rotating collar, a long eye relief and twist-up eyecup, and several accessories that make it easy to use and transport. It also has an affordable price that makes it a good value for money.
If you are looking for a spotting scope that can help you enjoy nature more, you should consider getting the Alpen Shasta Ridge 788. It is one of the best spotting scopes on the market and I highly recommend it.
