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Post by Isaac on Dec 26, 2013 20:19:46 GMT -8
I am saving up and will likely get a new scope or binoculars. It could take me a year or two, or three to save up enough. If I get a spotting scope, some possibilities are Kowa Prominar, Swarovski ATS/STS, Meopta, Zeiss, etc. The Swarovski ATX/STX and Leica scopes are too expensive. I have not decided yet if I would get a scope in the 80 or 65 mm range, but lets just say somewhere in the 80 range for now.
If I get new binoculars first, some of the possibilities are Zeiss Conquest, Nikon Monarch 7, Pentax DCF ED, Brunton Eterna, and Kowa Prominar. They will probably be 8x42s or 10x42s.
Does anyone have any of these or any other ones that are a similar price? If you do, what do you like and/or not like about them?
Also, info on the warranties would be appreciated.
Isaac
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Post by oldfulica on Dec 27, 2013 8:52:23 GMT -8
One brand of binocular you omitted Issac was Vortex. Also check out this site for reviews: www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=2674Remember the higher power you get, the steadier you have to hold them (which shouldn't be a problem for a young guy like you)
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Post by Chris on Dec 27, 2013 8:55:46 GMT -8
I have vortex scope and binoculars and I have had great success with both.
Isaac I can't comment on the specific ones you listed but I like the 10x42 bins better than the 8x42.
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Post by Randy on Dec 27, 2013 10:29:03 GMT -8
Hi Isaac, I agree with Chris, also preferring the 10x42 binoculars. I have an older version of Nikon Monarch and I think they're fantastic. They routinely perform at the top of their price range in the binocular reviews. My wife, brother, and parents also use these. It should be a fun process for you trying to sort all this out, good luck!!
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Post by Isaac on Dec 27, 2013 13:04:03 GMT -8
The binoculars I use are Vortex Fury 8x32s. The scope I use is a Vortex Nomad Angled 20-60x60. I'm not sure about buying a Vortex product because my binoculars are made in China, which is probably not as ethical. I do like my binoculars though. Randy, are your Nikon Monarchs the 3, 5, or 7 model? Does anyone have any thoughts on a helical focus wheel vs. a focusing knob on spotting scopes?
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Post by Randy on Dec 27, 2013 15:36:31 GMT -8
Hi Isaac, I don't believe there were Monarch 3,5, and 7 when my wife, brother, parents, and myself got ours - I think this is a 2013 thing... Prior to these they were all just Nikon Monarchs I think.
I'm not sure what you mean by helical focus wheel vs focusing knob... Can you clarify?
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Post by Isaac on Dec 27, 2013 16:10:08 GMT -8
Hi Randy, good to know.
Spotting scopes such as Swarovski have a helical focusing wheel around the body of the scope. There are also scopes that just have a focusing knob or two on top of the scope, kind of like the focus knobs on binoculars.
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Post by Randy on Dec 27, 2013 16:23:47 GMT -8
Sorry, I only have experience with knob focus on scopes... You may also want to check out reviews that have been done on various scopes, binoculars, etc. There are good reviews on www.birdwatching.com and I believe Bird Watcher's Digest and maybe Birdwatching Magazine. Keep us posted!
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Post by oldfulica on Dec 27, 2013 18:49:11 GMT -8
Hi Randy, good to know. Spotting scopes such as Swarovski have a helical focusing wheel around the body of the scope. There are also scopes that just have a focusing knob or two on top of the scope, kind of like the focus knobs on binoculars. From what I understand the helical focus is a direct drive to the mechanism and those focusing knobs use a belt to turn the mechanism. I suppose the belt can theoretically break or stretch but that is probably nothing to be concerned about. When I purchased my Swarovski the helical was a deciding factor over a Lieca which used the belt system.
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Post by Isaac on Dec 27, 2013 21:47:09 GMT -8
Randy, thanks for the link. There are some good reviews on there.
Len, I didn't know that. Is your Swarovski an ATS/STS, ATM/STM, or ATX/STX?
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Post by oldfulica on Dec 28, 2013 7:42:27 GMT -8
Randy, thanks for the link. There are some good reviews on there. Len, I didn't know that. Is your Swarovski an ATS/STS, ATM/STM, or ATX/STX? I don't have the scope any more. I sold it on ebay to an army sniper in Louisiana. I needed a new camera lens. If I remember correctly it was an AT/HD 80mm. (The models have changed over the years). It was a good scope but it was 15 years old. One of the features I liked was the angled eyepiece. Everyone could look through it without me adjusting it.
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Post by trudi on Dec 29, 2013 11:32:05 GMT -8
I have vortex and love them one great thing is they have a lifetime warranty and it can be for any reason! I dropped mine and they sent me a loaner set while they fixed them for no charge amazing service I also have a cannon pair very strong lenses with a stabilizing button they are excellent too
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Post by Gord on Dec 30, 2013 14:30:29 GMT -8
Isaac, I would go with an 80mm scope if you can too. It will afford a much brighter view of the world. I, like Len, like an angled eyepiece as well. If you ever wish to digiscope, the angled eyepiece will make it easier. I think the costs between angled or straight are the same. The brands you mention are all good. Kowa makes a very nice scope. I have an eye on a Vortex Viper HD in 80mm (~$1000.00) or the Razor HD in 85mm (~$2000). I've looked through Kowa in the field and was most impressed with them. Certainly look closely at those guys as well. Not sure what they run though in price.
As for binoculars, all the brands you throw out there are excellent options. Have you thought about 10x50 though? I used 10x42 for awhile and was pleased with them but when I went to 10x50 I've never looked back. The extra field of view the extra 8 degrees gives over a 42 is nice as they are brighter. If going with a 42, I almost thing 8x is a better match (but marginally) because the 10x ones narrow your field of view a bit more. Most 10x50 are much more compact now so size is not as much a limiting factor as it may have been with older models of 10x50.
I have a pair of Vortex Vipers 10x50 and are easily the nicest I've had. I believe the Vipers and Razors are US made while, as you know, the cheaper models are from China. Vortex has a great lifetime warranty. You reallty cannot go too wrong on the binos you mention there. One thing to think about is the price. Back to my spotting scope wishlist, Im not sure the $1000 difference between the two is worth it. When you get into the higher bracket of binocular and scope quality, the difference in quality between $1500 and $4000 is not at all what you'd find between $350 and $1500. You might come away from the store with a scope and bino combo you'll be very happy with and leave the more expensive ones with the relatively (in my opinion) smaller increase in quality behind. It's all dependent on what one wants to spend.
Do get into a store and try them all out and continue to do research on them all too like you're doing. Good luck! Keep us posted on how the shopping goes.
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Post by Isaac on Dec 30, 2013 15:40:08 GMT -8
Thanks for the replies everybody. If the Vortex Razor HD scope is not made in China, then I might buy it. On the Vortex Canada website, I noticed that in a picture of their Razor binoculars that it said made in Japan. Apparently, the Vortex Razor scopes and binos are great deals for their price. I will probably be doing some digiscoping.
I still don't know if I should get a scope or binos first, if I should get 32, 42, or 50mm binoculars etc. I definitely still have quite a bit of thinking and researching to do!
Anybody have experience with Vortex Razor or Leica Trinovid binoculars?
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