SV406P 20-60X80 ED Spotting Scope for Phone Birding Photography

I'll preface this by saying I'm not an expert in optics and haven't been able to tell the difference between high end name brands (e.g. Leupold) and budget brands found. That being said, I thought the optics on this spotting scope offered a very clear picture and I could not tell any haze or loss of light at any magnification from the scope. Other environmental effects dominated while looking across mountain ranges. Closer targets were crystal clear. The magnification and focus adjustments operate smoothly. I really like the linked course and fine focus control. The included accessories are a nice addition and really result in a complete set.The phone adapter works ok. Everything packs up nicely in the case.

Very good construction and optical quality compared to the price. AC level is low. The clarity is good about 2 thirds of the image but it is not very bad towards the edge. The colors are really beautiful! Magnification seems to be correct (which is not the case with cheaper models that have the same parameters only on paper). The brightness is very good! A single negative point, the clarity adjustment made of two concentric buttons rubs inside as if it is missing a washer and does not have enough lubrication. But after more use, it rubs a little less often, just randomly, but it seems obvious to me that it's a small manufacturing quality defect. But otherwise it's wonderful and considering that quality control is not the strong point of this brand, I consider myself lucky to have found one with a quality image! Nevertheless, the prices of this brand are actually excellent for what is offered! One more thing - the green cover with many openings and zippers is very complicated, but once you get used to it, it's really useful. In conclusion, it really deserves the 5 stars given! (with one objection....... be lucky to get a good copy!)

I took this on a 5 day white tail hunt in Missouri and found value from the start to finish. We started out by sighting in our rifles at 100, 200, 300 and 400 yard targets. Everyone’s 10x binoculars or scopes were useless past 100 yards but this scope was perfect to see the shots on target at 400 yards and make the needed adjustments. I took the scope to the blind the next day and was finding turkeys and bucks 600 yards out and filing them using the included adapter. The unit is bigger and heavier than a set of binoculars but I was counting the points on bucks 1,000 yards away. If you plan to take it with you on a hunt or a nature hike, I recommend a backpack due to the weight and tripod but you’ll be hard pressed to find a better option for the value.

Now I have to put in a good word for this SV 406P ED spotting scope! I initially requested a return because usable quality was only achieved at a magnification of 20 to 40. Then suddenly there was this clear day with clean air. Add to that a decent tripod – and I mean a really stable tripod, the kind I use for medium format cameras (6x7), and that was it! Suddenly I was able to achieve focus even at the full magnification range, even if it required a very fine adjustment of the setting dial, BUT it was razor-sharp, unbelievable. The moon was close enough to touch at a magnification of 60, a buzzard in focus on its feathers 150m away. I'm a professional photographer with over 45 years of experience, and lenses can easily cost five figures. It was an experiment: can you even achieve quality for €300 in these magnification ranges? YES! It's astonishing how well these lenses produce. The ED glass certainly makes a difference. The overall image is high-contrast, with surprisingly little color fringing, even in stray light. I was able to compare a €6,000 spotting scope—yes, clearly better! But this difference is by no means worth €5,700! One issue remains: without a stable tripod with a fluid head (which unfortunately costs more than the spotting scope), it's practically unusable. The fluid's delay makes it easier to locate objects because it allows for the smallest adjustments. Therefore, it's not really suitable for hiking, as you'd be lugging 12 kg around your back, but it's absolutely recommended for vacations, etc. Single-leg tripods are only advisable in the lowest zoom range. For hiking, the smaller SV 410 9-27x56 ED is a good recommendation; it's two-thirds smaller and only requires a lightweight tripod with a fluid head. Conclusion: A lot of fun for relatively little money, clean air, and a lot of things. The 20 to 40mm range is very good because it's easy to adjust. Plus, the interchangeable eyepieces! Another tip for achieving the best sharpness: screw the eyepiece in until it stops, focus, and rotate the entire eyepiece to potentially improve the quality. Have fun! (I wasn't familiar with Svbony before, but it was the best choice.)

What an excellent spotting scope. One of the selling points for me was the 1 1/4" collet for changing eyepieces and the 2 speed focuser. That makes it a great travel scope for both day and night viewing. The build quality is very good. The focusing knobs are silky smooth. It's well baffled to reduce scattered light. With all caps fitting tightly. My only complaint is that the eyepiece collet diameter is slightly undersized so my slightly oversized astronomy eyepieces are a struggle to put in. The advantage of this tight fit is a better water seal in rainy conditions. Image quality is tack sharp with no real edge distortion. False color is well corrected with nothing around the moon. The zoom eyepiece supplied with it is excellent. The rotation is smooth and it is para-focal so it stays in focus throughout the power range. Has generous eye relief with a nice twist up eye cup. The whole package is a keeper for me.

Easy to figure out. Comes with all the necessary components. Not too heavy

In the long range world, this is a budget spotting scope and is great for the beginner just getting into the sport. The glass is bright and clear and will resolve targets up to 500 yards with ease. You may have a hard time seeing trails and mirages, but that comes with better (more expensive) glass. If you're shooting .22LR or .223, this may all you'll ever need. For wildlife viewing, this also may be all you'll ever need. For any use, you'll want to buy a nice tripod.

Clear and sharp image, even at maximum zoom. Dual focus is precise, the tripod is stable, and the phone adapter works perfectly. Ideal for birdwatching and landscapes. Excellent value for the price.

Really well done spotting scope! High quality product. You can get really close, surprisingly close! No regrets on this purchase! Hours and hours of enjoyment ahead of us watching animals across our large pond, while not disturbing them in the least!

A month ago I purchased this scope and I can’t be happier with it. The optical quality is really amazing, just falling down a little bit at 60x magnification, but overall is wonderful. It has confortable focus knobs and you can get really clear and neat images very easily. Building quality is excellent. I use it for birdwatching and and I am delighted. I have tested it both in sunny and cloudy days and the performance has been magnificent, offering high contrast neat images in all conditions. If you are considering an scope for birdwatching I think this is the best option because the quality/value ratio is unbeatable.