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  1. M

    Audubon Spotting Scope Round Up

    I also put a premium on fov, contrast, and ergos for hunting. I haven't had any issues glassing with my 8x32s and I think you might be surprised by how many birders prefer smaller 60-65mm scopes.
  2. M

    Best lightweight fluid head?

    S&S Archery was the first guy to find out about this issue, it was happening on the first head he received so he returned it for a new one and it happened on the replacement head as well. This is why you don't see the Befree head on his website. I'm debating sending it back but it hasn't really...
  3. M

    Audubon Spotting Scope Round Up

    Audubon is also a birding site. Isn't the intended use for both wildlife viewing? I don't see how they are different at all, the top priority for hunters and birders is optical quality.
  4. M

    Lighter weight long range scope

    The Tangent Theta is top dog in the 3-15x scopes. The Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50 is basically a budget version of the TT with worse optics. I need 3x on the low end so that disqualified the LRHSi for me, but if you're okay with 4.5x on the low end the LRHSi is a great choice. It has one of my favorite...
  5. M

    Best lightweight fluid head?

    I'm using it on my Promaster XC525c right now with no issues. I will say that I have found metal shavings coming out of the base of the Befree head, so I would recommend looking at the other options.
  6. M

    Audubon Spotting Scope Round Up

    That isn't the only scope on their ranking, did you read the linked thread?
  7. M

    Lighter weight long range scope

    Why were you communicating with the dealer? Why not contact March directly and claim it as defective upon arrival? Have you checked out their new FML-T1 ret?
  8. M

    Audubon Spotting Scope Round Up

    Audubon has notoriously bad testing. Read this thread: Audubon ranking of scopes - BirdForum
  9. M

    lightweight 8x’s

    The Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32, Leica Trinovid HD 8x32, and Kowa Genesis 8x33 should be at the top of your list. If you can go up to $1k and don't mind waiting for a good used pair then the Leica Ultravid, Duovid, and Zeiss Victory are all very attainable. Nikon EDG and Leupold Gold Rings are also...
  10. M

    Best lightweight fluid head?

    I think mine weighs just under 45oz but I haven't weighed it, it's the Televid 62. The tilt works fine as long as I'm holding on to the scope or the handle, it's just not fluid with that much weight hanging off the front and back of it. Bigger heads have more drag and if I was taking video with...
  11. M

    Lighter weight long range scope

    The March 3-24x52 with FML-T1 ret and IR is my dream scope, I wish I could afford it. Right now I have the T5Xi 3-15x50 which is a bit heavier but very compact and has a really solid feel to it. March doesn't show the FML-T1 on their site but it is available, this is the best price you'll find...
  12. M

    Best lightweight fluid head?

    The Befree Live head arrived yesterday. The pan function has the perfect amount of resistance but the tilt doesn't have quite enough resistance to be smooth with a 65mm spotting scope. This makes sense considering the size of the tilt hinge. When I take into account the weight of the head I...
  13. M

    Lighter weight long range scope

    If you have your heart set on a zoom scope then definitely get FFP. The March 3-24x42 is the most expensive but the zoom range for its weight is unmatched by any other scope. Most people who are looking at the March 3-24x42 opt for the March 3-24x52 because it's brighter with better FOV and ER...
  14. M

    Light standing height tripod

    The Slik 634 and the Sirui T-1204XL are your best options, both are just over 2lbs and fold down to 18". The Sirui T-1204XL is nicer overall with almost 4x the payload capacity of the Slik 634 making it much more stable even with lighter loads because you can stabilize it with more weight...
  15. M

    Canon Image Stabilization Binos

    I am also interested in these bins, the Canon 10x42 L IS in particular. From what I've read it's outstanding optically and the IS essentially negates the need for a tripod. The potential downsides are that you have a bunch of electronics in your bins that are prone to failure and I don't know...
  16. M

    Best lightweight fluid head?

    It does look like the same design. From what I have read, the Befree has a better drag system than the S2 so I think I will purchase the Befree. Edit: You are onto something with this Leica re-badging thing, the Leica DH1 is definitely a rebadged Gitzo G2180 and the VH2 seems to be the same...
  17. M

    Best lightweight fluid head?

    I much prefer the levers on the VH1 but fluidity trumps ergonomics for me. I want to keep the head under a pound, both the Befree Live and VH1 are 13.4 oz which is why I was comparing these two directly. I will also consider the GH1720 at 1lb. I might just order all three and test them side...
  18. M

    Best lightweight fluid head?

    I'm specifically looking at the Leica VH1 and the Manfrotto Befree Live. Ignoring the obvious price difference, which one would be more steady/fluid for videography? The Befree Live has the 'Fluid Drag System' but I don't see how this system is any different from the drag system used in the...
  19. M

    Tripods and Heads

    Your referring to the xc525c right? On S&S archery it says the max height is 59" which isn't tall enough for me to glass standing using binos because I'm 6'2". The Slik 634 isn't much better at 63", maybe I have to give up on standing and glassing.
  20. M

    Spotting Scope vs. Nikon P900

    Digiscoping worth it? - BirdForum P900 vs digiscoping: Nikon Coolpix Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

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