Floater

8x or 10x is a good magnification for birdwatching and about 30mm aperture. I have a couple of Nikons and find the optics good and they are pleasantly lightweight. I always carry them in my hand when walking ‘cos I don’t like things hanging round my neck and bumping on my chest. I also have a pair of image stabilising bins with a mag of 12x and they are a godsend for any protracted observing even if you have steady hands (which I don’t). I wouldn’t go above 12x for birdwatching as the higher the magnification the more difficult it is to get ‘on’ the target. Of course, if budget is not a consideration then recommend Swarovski! EDIT: Dave beat me to it. p.s. I’d avoid the zoom variants - especially the cheaper models.

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun on the learning curve and success in the Dark Art of astrophotography. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

‘It’s good to have the morning sun back!’ I wish! ☁️☁️☁️

I’ll stick my neck out and say it is definitely an image of NLC. Interesting structure and typical ‘waviness’. Nice shot. 👍 edit: just noticed that rather smart scope in your profile pic. Oooh!

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun roaming in the stars. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. I’m far away from Kent but hope you have lots of fun there (and elsewhere). 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun with the forum and success with the AP. 🙂

Don’t know anything about the Solar Scout so cannot comment. The Lunt 60 I have (bf 1200) is very good and I would recommend it. I have also owned three Quarks, one of which was excellent and I kinda miss it. (I believe the quality control problems have been sorted out now so might be another option, albeit they still have temperature considerations.) My first dedicated solar scope was a Coronado SolarMax 40 and I loved it. However, I got it during a solar maximum phase and that, plus being new to solar viewing then, may have played a part in my delight with the scope. Hard to quantify that now. To sum up, the Lunt will be a good investment and whichever way you go, enjoy the bright side 😎😎

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. Seems like you have a plan - never a bad thing! Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun with the forum and your dream scope. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun and success with the Dark Art of AP. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you enjoy the forum and the journey towards finding the perfect scope. 🙂 (There’s no such animal but the hunt can/should be lots of fun and you will surely find your perfect scope!)

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun with your project and the hobby. 🙂

Welcome. Hope you have lots of fun … and, of course, clear skies! 🙂

Welcome. I hope you enjoy the forum and have lots of fun. 🙂