BTX 85v95v115? Observation and digiscoping

[Ztm91]

I have been trying to research the best option between 85mm,95mm, and 115mm objectives for a Swaro BTX. I will primarily using the setup for observations as I will be entering grad school for wildlife management and am looking to do some work with mountain goats. Additionally, I would like to get an adapter to use my Mirrorless camera to capture some video potentially.

I’ve read many people say that overall they prefer the 85 with the BTX as it’s the best mix of cost, weight and performance with the FOV and resolution being better than the 95. While many reviewers have said it’s challenging to tell the difference between any of the objective sizes with a BTX eyepiece and there’s just a small difference in fading light.

It seems most recommend either the 85 or the 115. I’ve seen some reviews here where the 115 and Kowa 99 have noticeably better resolution than the 95.

I feel like naturally the 115 would be the best option for sitting behind for long periods of observations and digiscoping, but would it be significantly better than the 95 or 85 to justify the much higher cost and weight for my usage?

 

[SomeJackassOnAForum]

You can't mount a mirrorless to a BTX.

Everything else is size/ weight vs performance. Bigger is better for digiscoping if stable, but that means a Bigger, heavier tripod and head.

 

[Ztm91]

Thank you for the clarification there. I was under the impression that TLS APO adapter connected to the objective lens but after watching a video I see what you referenced with it connecting to the eyepiece instead. Weight isn’t a big concern at the moment if the performance is proportional, as I’m used to hauling around a 500mm lens and camera combo and monopod to shoot goats that weighs quite a bit more than the btx. I thought with the adapter I might be able to also bring along the camera and switch out the eyepiece for the camera but now that I know it requires a second eyepiece that would not be an ideal setup for the digiscoping format, at least with the mirrorless anyway. I suppose the digiscoping isn’t the top priority. I guess for me personally it probably comes down to performance vs price and if the 115 is really worth the extra money vs an 85 or 95.

 

[fatrascal]

Sometimes the human eye cannot see the differences between sizes of objective lenses as compared to the amount of light and quality of the image. Sometimes those differences show up during digiscoping pictures and video. The rule is that the bigger the objective lens the more light you get and the better the image. I used to have the 95mm lens but sold it to buy the 115mm lens. I cannot see a difference but got the 115 specifically for digiscoping.
There are times I've upgraded my Swaro optics and could not see any difference between the old and the new. Several months later I go back and look through the old and low and behold i wonder how i could not see the difference. I think once the eye gets used to better quality then you can see the difference. Fatrascal.

 

[JohnB]

Where are you doing your grad research? That'll be super neat getting a lot of observation time in with some goats!

 

[Ztm91]

Sometimes the human eye cannot see the differences between sizes of objective lenses as compared to the amount of light and quality of the image. Sometimes those differences show up during digiscoping pictures and video. The rule is that the bigger the objective lens the more light you get and the better the image. I used to have the 95mm lens but sold it to buy the 115mm lens. I cannot see a difference but got the 115 specifically for digiscoping.
There are times I've upgraded my Swaro optics and could not see any difference between the old and the new. Several months later I go back and look through the old and lo and behold i wonder how i could not see the difference. I think once the eye gets used to better quality then you can see the difference. Fatrascal.

Great points here. The human she definitely does get used to its current circumstances quickly. That’s the same way I will not wear my glasses all day in my house and think I can see fine and then walk into a store and am like oh wow I can’t see anything.

 

[Ztm91]

Where are you doing your grad research? That'll be super neat getting a lot of observation time in with some goats!

Currently I am in talks with Oregon State. I am looking for a new job so I can move out to the Idaho area and spend more time in Sawtooth mountains. I love to spend time observing goats. Their personalities and social dynamics are so interesting.

 

[Beendare]

A friend of mine James Fleming a guide with an Instagram site and contact info…uses his BTX/95 over 250 days a year….ping him and ask what he thinks. Nobody knows more about the BTX than he does

 

[Ztm91]

A friend of mine James Fleming a guide with an Instagram site and contact info…uses his BTX/95 over 250 days a year….ping him and ask what he thinks. Nobody knows more about the BTX than he does

Thank you for the connection. I will give him a shout.

 

[SomeJackassOnAForum]

I would add that you can digiscope through the BTX with a phone. The eyepiece is the same as an EL32

 

[Ztm91]

I would add that you can digiscope through the BTX with a phone. The eyepiece is the same as an EL32

Thank you, I think for my purposes using a phone would suffice so that’s a good option.

 

[sun627]

Thank you for the clarification there. I was under the impression that TLS APO adapter connected to the objective lens but after watching a video I see what you referenced with it connecting to the eyepiece instead. Weight isn’t a big concern at the moment if the performance is proportional, as I’m used to hauling around a 500mm lens and camera combo and monopod to shoot goats that weighs quite a bit more than the btx. I thought with the adapter I might be able to also bring along the camera and switch out the eyepiece for the camera but now that I know it requires a second eyepiece that would not be an ideal setup for the digiscoping format, at least with the mirrorless anyway. I suppose the digiscoping isn’t the top priority. I guess for me personally it probably comes down to performance vs price and if the 115 is really worth the extra money vs an 85 or 95.

I'm using 115 on BTX mostly for the brightness, as BTX splits the light among to eyepieces.

For digiscoping with mirrorless, the best option would be TLS + ATX/STX. That will give you the zoom and reach, then 85 can be a good choice.