There is no need to present the brand cone: over the last few years the many optical products of this Italian company that has its projects realized in the areas dedicated to this specificity, have spread like wildfire thanks to the criterion that goes by the name of cost and benefit ratio. The clientele, and we speak in particular of the one we know best, therefore hunters and observers of mountain, first approached with a certain hesitation then giving more confidence to products such as binoculars and aiming optics which were joined by long observation units. Just a specimen of the latest version of this type was entrusted to us for a field test and here we give our impressions.
The package is a sturdy and spacious glossy cardboard box: the brand stands out on the lid, the model name and the main characteristics on the sides, those 20-60 × 80 referring to the magnification values and the diameter in mm of the front lens. From the inside we first extract the full-bodied telescope: the measurements are considerable, the weight is not yet excessive, the appearance definitely captivating to the eye and to the touch with an opaque gray-green color on which the trademark stands out while the surface appears rubberized. and offers a secure grip to the hand.
Parts in black rigid synthetic material are added such as the protective cover for the objective lens and the removable lens hood tube, the base for attachment to the tripod with the circle within which the optics can rotate to optimize the position of the eyepiece. angled, equipped with a sturdy tube protection, the rear block coating, the corrugated barrel for focusing. Briefly speaking of the piece of substance, let's now observe the adequate supply of accessories: we start from a jointed tripod with a very wide base, suitable for supporting the telescope mass without risk, to which is added a support to apply the mobile phone to the eyepiece, creating images of sure effect. The equipment is completed by a carrying bag with shoulder strap.
The test in the shooting range and those in the mountains
Guests of Giorgio Rosso of the Carrù polygon (347 96 92 677), whom we thank for his constant availability, we arrange the Konuspot-80 on the shooting bench: its considerable mass and the consequent bulk are evident, but once we have arranged our things, the rotation of the optics on its axis allows you to have the eyepiece at the right distance when shooting, avoiding losing the position ; everything is more normal if you take the role of observer when a friend shoots. The lens hood avoids any reflection and the knurled wheel for determining the magnifications moves regularly and without jamming that would cause you to lose centering on the target. As in all high-value optics, we try to balance image amplification and brightness, especially if it is a question of detecting the hole of a small caliber at 300 m, perhaps ended up in a black area of the target. We are pleasantly surprised by the yield, certainly favored by the clear sky and the clear air of the day that combine to bring out the performance: the climatic conditions leave room for the use of 60x, even if the 30x in the end are the optimal average for not tire the eye by being able to perceive what is of our interest. At this point we can declare the polygon exam positively concluded.
We then move on to accompany our son Mario to the mountains where he has a male chamois in assignment: let's say immediately that the final success did not see us present for a series of reasons that we are not here to expose, but the movements here and there for the Val di Susa, also released from hunting, have allowed interesting checks on the function of the Konuspot-80. The images accompanying this article will give a clear example of what it is possible to obtain from this perspective: if we have to indicate something not very favorable for hunting in the mountains, we will immediately say the weight and dimensions that in the backpack, already occupied by other equipment, clothing and foodstuffs (very few actually) take up a lot of space. Another matter if the purposes are of observer accompanying the hunter for which the majority capacity of our backpack is intended for the long term.
The observations took place several times and starting from the very first hours of light: in the Val di Susa we dedicated ourselves to panoramas with wide backgrounds, as in the case of the Grange della Valle, near the Levi Molinari Refuge, or to the surviving artillery turrets of the Fort of Chaberton, resumed at dusk from a distance of over 7km, rather than a pair of very quiet chamois about 280m from us. In these last two cases we have juggled with alternating luck in the photographic use of the mobile phone: they are not very good, but something beautiful seems to have come about. Certainly with other manual skills the results would be much higher, but even so the Konuspot has asserted its reasons.
Taking advantage of a friend, a refined technician of an astronomical observatory, and his knowledge of optics, we commissioned him to examine the value of the Konus and this is the response that goes hand in hand with the observation of the insignia that we attach to the series of photographs. of the telescope. “The monochromatic diffraction image is fairly regular over the entire field at maximum magnification. Perhaps there could be a hint of astigmatism, but barely noticeable. There is a bit of distortion visible, as you can see from the image: this resolution mode is not optimal for distortion, but more can only be achieved by removing the lens and it is certainly not the case. There is a bit of an imbalance in the lateral chroma visible at the edge. This is due to the image quality which is absolutely acceptable in a spotting scope of this cost. "
To put it in elementary terms: the cost-benefit ratio is extremely positive with a truly exceptional public listing and a widely favorable yield on the field.