scopes

["Ben Allen" <>]

There is quite a bit of good information around on the web. 

 

http://betterviewdesired.com/recent.html

 

http://www.optics4birding.com/aboutscopes.aspx

 

http://www.optics4birding.com/ChScop.aspx

 

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/GearGuide/Scopes/ScopeReview2002.html

 

http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/index.php

 

http://www.wildbirds.com/watching_scope.htm

 

http://www.worldtwitch.com/optics.htm

 

 

Anyway, for what it is worth I have just ordered a Swarovski ATS 65mm HD with a 20 - 60 X zoom lens on a Manfrotto 055 tripod with a 701 fluid head !!  I placed my order through an on-line store www.nvt.com.au  based in Perth near where I live after contacting the Australian importers.  It is extremely difficult to actually find suppliers that stock the product and can allow you to try it out. 

 

All my scope experience to date has been with a friend's Leica Televid 77 APO with a fixed wide angle eyepiece of about 30 X.  This is a beautiful scope. He originally ordered it with the zoom eyepiece quite a few years back but found the zoom very unsatisfactory and changed to the fixed eyepiece.  From reviews it would seem that manufacturers have improved the quality of the zoom eyepieces significantly and they are regularly recommended in reviews of birding optics.

 

After all my research efforts, it is clearly an individual choice and, like most things in life, you get what you pay for.  I would say that the most important thing is to decide on your budget.  Once you have a budget then the task becomes much easier.  I am not sure if you have a scope already and are upgrading or this is your first scope purchase.  If you are buying your first scope, then do not forget to budget for the tripod and head - not necessarily cheap. 

 

If in doubt, spend a bit more than you can afford and go for quality - they do not wear out and should give you years of pleasure.

 

Hope that has been helpful,

 

Regards

 

Ben

>>> "McGowan, John" <> 17/01/06 11:47:22 >>>

So am I. Any advice gratefully accepted

 

John

Melbourne

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From: [ On Behalf Of crompton
Sent: Tuesday, 17 January 2006 12:40 PM
To: birding aus
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] scopes

Hi all, I'm in the market for a spotting scope, would'nt mind hearing what u all have and prices.

         regards G.Crompton

 

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