Optics

[semillama]

Ok, what do you use? what do you WISH you used?

Me, I have a good pair of Nikon binoculars that I picked up last year, and I like them a lot.

My dad gave me his spotting scope, which is better than no scope at all. It's a Tasco, 18-36x35mm. the screw mount is getting stripped, so I have to wedge pieces of cardboard between the scope and the tripod mount to keep it from spinning in place. Pretty sad, huh?

What I want is a nice Nikon with up to 60x magnification, and a 65-80mm objective lens. I get serious cases of scope envy when I look through other people's scopes. However, I can't afford to drop $1,100 for a scope now, so for the forseeable future, it's the crappy Tasco.

[harper]

1. I have two pairs of Nikon binoculars

A small set of 8x25s and a bigger pair that's 10x50. I usually take them both. I actually prefer the bigger pair but they get awfully heavy hanging from my neck. I just got a binocular harness that suspends them from my shoulders. I'm going on a birding trip Thursday and plan to try the new getup out.

[blindpig]

2. various

I'm something of a "glass" junkie, a habit I can indulge in as I'm in the pawn business. My primary unit has been a pair of 8x35 Zeiss, 60's-70's vintage, absolutely the cleanest glasses I own but they come up a little short for long range work. Unfortunately I've dropped them one too many times and they are now in need of service. First line is now the 12x50 Nikons, excellent for long range but heavy as hell. Also have 8x25 Swavorski's, they're high dollar but don't care for them so much. Then my older stuff, Traq 10x50, Tasco 20x50 and a Tasco spotting scope.

I strongly advise shopping pawn shops for optics. A lot of places will be over-priced but might be talked down, bargaining is expected in most pawn shops worth a lick. And it's not unusual to run into a grossly under priced piece when the pawnbroker doesn't know what they've got.

[semillama]

4. That's a great suggestion.

someone else suggested eBay, but I'm very leery of buying used without seeing and handling what you are buying first, at least with expensive equipment.

[primavera]

3. Pentax HCF 8x42s

Not bad for the money, they're certainly no Zeisses, but they also cost a tiny fraction of what the Zeisses cost. They're waterproof and armored roof prisms, nice light collection, good color and sharpness, definitely a strong pair of binocs in that mid-level price range.

Also have a Kowa 80mm scope, my pride and joy. It's a tad heavy for the field, but you can read the lettering on T-shirts over a mile away with it, it's amazing.

[Zenlitened]

5. Bushnell 16x50. I love the power, but they're hard to hold steady.

I'm very new to this, and haven't yet felt the need for a scope.

:)

[semillama]

6. First time you go after waterfowl, you'll change your mind! EOM

[semillama]

7. Ok, i'm getting readyt to bite the bullet and upgrade from crappy

to serviceable.

Here's what I am looking at:

http://www.bushnell.com/products/spotting_scopes/specs/78-2065.html
I can get that from Ben Meadows for $251, and it comes with a small (read: useless) tripod, padded backpacking case and a padded hard case.

What i like about this one besides the price and the free gear is the 65mm objective, and the zoom from 20-60x, plus it's water and fog proof. I emailed the company about warranty availability.

I'm also considering this nikon, available from Forestry Suppliers:
http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/view_catalog_page.asp?id=2662
for $349.
more expensive than the bushnell, less power in the zoom, slightly smaller objective. but there's a great package deal where they throw in a full tripod and window mount for $30 (to buy these individually, it would be closer to $100). Doesn't come with any cases though. it beats the bushnell in close focus and field of view, and has a 25 year warranty.

Which one should I go with? Do I fork out $100 more for the nikon? or am I just paying for the name? I know I've been really pleased with the image quality when looking though Nikon scopes.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[blindpig]

8. 2 cents

I'd go with the Nikon package because Nikon is better glass, there's a reason that people pay a small fortune for their cameras. If you don't own a tripod you'll need one, heavier duty the better. The window mount could be very useful although a bean bag such as we use for cameras might suffice. I'd LOVE to have a 25 year warranty for my optics, I can be a spastic slob!

[semillama]

9. Thanks!

I'm hoping to hear in from other folks, but I'm leaning Nikon, pretty much because it seems to be one of the top names out there (next to Swarovsky), and because other birders seem to like them a lot.

[Fleurs du Mal]

10. Nikon in my opinion

is mid-range when it comes to glasses. Our secondary binos are 8x30 Nikons. They've been rugged and offer acceptable clarity but certainly aren't impressive. They just don't compare with Leica/Zeiss, or even Swarovski. When we decided to get a really nice pair of glasses we compared in the field and in shops endlessly. For construction and usability, in addition to the optics, my favorite maker is Leica. Zeiss would be a close second but when we were buying our last pair the focus on the Zeiss moved too easily.

[semillama]

11. Yes, Swarovski and Zeiss are nice

but no way am I dropping $1600 on a scope at this point in my life.

Not that I don't want to, it's just a stretch for me to get one in the $300 range...

Actually, I had an opportunity recently to use a Swarovski in the field, and I didn't really see much difference between that and the high-end Nikons.

I also got a reply from Bushnell on their warranties, which are limited and only cover manufacture defects and shipping damage. Bleah!

[XemaSab]

12. You should check out

Eagle Optics Rangers... I think they're very nice for the price.

[semillama]

13. I went for the Nikon.

Got it friday. I really like it. what a huge improvement over my old scope. I even got a life bird using it - the snow goose i mentioned in the latest life bird thread. Yeah, I could've used that money to pay for a flight to see my girlfriend, but the scope thing has been itching me for a LONG time, and I wanted to get one before spring migration really gets going.