GOSKY 20-60x80 HD Spotting Scope with Tripod, Carrying Bag - BAK4 Angled Scope for Target Shooting Hunting Bird Watching Wildlife Scenery (with Smartphone Adapter+SLR Mount Compatible with Nikon)

After years I decided to do a review. Worked well looking at wildlife. No complaints.

This review is for: "Gosky 2019 Updated Newest Spotting Scope with Tripod, Carrying Bag - BAK4 Angled Scope for Target Shooting Hunting Bird Watching Wildlife Scenery...)"I used it recently to see the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction and was extreely impressed by the power and clarity. Of course to see images at that distance at any magnification you do need to use a sturdy tripod. Otherwise there is too much image-shake.Having said that, in order to temper expectations, I have to add that although I could see Jupiter and four of it's moons, and Saturn and it's rings, the images were extremely small, even at 60x magnification. (Please do not expect to see the planetary features (such as Jupiter's hot spots) with a scope such as this, or go in expecting images that look like pictures you've seen of any of these planets that have been taken by much more powerful telescopes.)The one thing that is difficult to get used to is the angled eyepiece. While the angled design is supposed to be useful for many reasons, including making it easier to look at objects in the sky, the line of sight is not intuitive. However, this can be said for all angled scopes so it does not apply to this particular one alone but it is a challenge, so I am mentioning it in case it helps.Overall, this is a terrfiic scope. It's extremely well-designed, easy to carry, and comes with a very useful carrying case. Focussing is extremely smooth which is important so as not to shake the scope and lose the image from the field of view, especially at high magnifications.If you're looking for a scope that is easy to carry by hand, to set up quickly wherever you go, and that will provide nicely magnified images of the moon, some planets, birds, wildlife, etc then this could be the scope for you. Hope you enjoy it if you decide to get it.

My wife and I are bird watchers with some higher end equipment at hand. Recently I purchases a pair of lower priced Wingspan binoculars as a second pair and was so impressed that I decided to give a budget scope a try. I have to say that I am pleased with the quality of this scope for the price. This is far better than a budget Bushnell we own though not quite up to a higher end Celestron. Image quality is good with none of the problems listed in some of the lower ratings. This could be a quality control issue and if you get a good scope, you get a good scope. It's light weight and low price will make it out go-to scope for most travel, especially by air. Operation of the zoom could be a little smoother. The cell phone adapter works well, but the Nikon adapter is a little fussy to install on my 5100 and the camera errors "lens not attached." In fairness I have not tried to work out that problem, so there may be a solution. The external packaging was okay, but the internal packaging had a corner damaged. The scope and accessories were unharmed.

Arrived early. It was easy to assemble. Great instructions on how to use. It is built with great quality some great focusing. Amazed at how close and clear the objects appear.

Background: I am an intermediate birder and this is my first spotting scope. My goal was primarily use this scope for digiscoping with both my iPhone 8 and Nikon D7000. Overall, I think that this is a good entry-level scope. It seems to be a good value for its cost.Weight. I am a petite woman and this scope is quite manageable with respect to size and weight. It is well balanced in the hand and the surfaces have a nice non-slip textured feel.Optics. I have limited experience with scopes thus far, but I think that the 20-60x80mm optics are quite good. Images are much more detailed than with my Nikon Monarch M711 8x30 (of course)Carrycase. The carrycase is simple, compact and functional. I can extend the strap and wear it over one shoulder like a cross-body.Smartphone adapter. The smartphone digiscoping adapter is pretty easy to use once you get it set to your phone. I have my iPhone 8 in a soft rubber Otterbox cover and it still slips in pretty easily. The adapter secures onto the eyepiece with a dial fastener and it holds it quite securely.Nikon adapter. The camera adapter also seems to work fine with the eyepiece. Mounted together on a tripod, the entire contraption is a bit unwieldly for me due to shape and weight… I will need more practice with that.Covers. There are nice fitted covers for both eyepiece and lens. However, I have already expressed to the manufacturer that it would be nice to have them on leashes to the scope so that they don’t get lost.Tripod Mount. The mounting holes on the bottom of the scope fit easily onto my tripod.