Pentax traces its origins to 1919 when the Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co. was established in Tokyo, Japan. After World War II, the company began making complete optical instruments under the Pentax moniker. Since then, Pentax has made many notable advances in camera design including its seven-layer super multi-coating (SMC), which was developed in 1971. Pentax's SMC was not the first multi-coating system for camera lenses but, with a 0.998 coefficient of refraction, it was, at the time, the best. Today, in addition to cameras and other sports optics, Pentax offers an array of high- performance, affordable spotting scopes in a variety of sizes ranging from the full-size 80ED and 100ED models, to the compact PF-65ED reviewed here.

The scope has a large 65 mm objective lens for bright viewing under low-light conditions. Like its full-size 80 and 100 mm stable mates, the PF-65ED is treated with Pentax's ED, or Extra Low Dispersion process, which incorporates lithium crown rare earth elements for optimum image resolution. Additionally, lenses and non-synthetic interior surfaces receive SMC full surface multi-layer lens coating for improved light transmission, clarity and contrast. The PF-65ED is waterproof, fogproof, nitrogen-purged and rated JIS class 6, or water tight, according to the Japanese Industrial Standard.

Turning the large knob on top of the hood adjusts focus within the scope's range of 16 feet, 5 inches to infinity. A built-in lens shade makes for more comfortable viewing in direct sunlight and retracts over the outside of the tube when not in use. The tube is aluminum, which keeps the PF-65ED's weight to 2 pounds, 5 ounces. Measuring 10 5⁄8-inches long, 4 1⁄2-inches high and 3 1⁄3-inches wide, it is compact as well. The scope does not come with a tripod, but its rotating collar is compatible with a variety of aftermarket tripods and scope stands. Standard accessories include plastic lens caps and a fitted soft field case.

The PF-65ED uses a collet-type eyepiece ring that accepts Pentax XW (wide view, fixed-power) and Pentax XF (variable/zoom) eyepieces. Both are renowned for sharp resolution, wide field of view, rich color contrast and aberration-free image transmission. The scope also accepts standard 11⁄4-inch interchangeable telescope eyepieces from other manufacturers.

The XF Zoom eyepiece has a magnification ring indexed with 20X, 40X and 60X settings. Mounted on the PF-65ED it provides an apparent field of view of 42 to 60 degrees, and an eye relief of 11 mm to 15 mm. XF Zoom eyepieces are built with high-refraction, low-dispersion lanthanum glass elements. Both the XW and XF Zoom eyepieces are designed specifically for use Pentax 65 mm spotting scopes. Rated JIS 4 as rain and splash resistant, the XF Zoom weighs 8 1⁄2 ounces, measures 3 1⁄2-inches long, 2-inches wide and comes with hard plastic eyepiece and sleeve caps.

Afield, the scope produced a sharp, high contrast image entirely free of flare, however at its highest magnification settings there was some barely perceptible image distortion at the extreme edges that proved difficult, but not impossible, to eliminate. Although the PF-65ED is admittedly larger than some other compact spotters, staffers found that the 65 mm lens provided a better image and wider field of view than smaller scopes we've tried in the past. Additionally, Highpower shooters on staff were glad to hear the PF-65ED is also available in an angle-view model. The scope and XF Zoom eyepiece are sold as a package for $900 and covered by a limited lifetime warranty from Pentax.