I notice that the latest edition of 'Birdwatch' (Dec 2009) that the usual 'Ace Optics' (of Bath in the UK) advert features a new 'scope - the Avian ED 82 Magnesium. This looks like a dead ringer for the Nikon Fieldscope, but retails at £599 instead of £1,099. I vaguely remember some comment on BF about a Chinese lookalike being maunfactured. If it's close to Nikon quality at £500 less it should be a bargain - even more so if it can use some of those high quality/low price astronomic eyepieces that others have mentioned.

Anyone seen/used the beast? No details appear to be on the company webpage yet,