I’m lazy… what are the current best digiscoping set ups?

[CMP70306]

MagSafe solution will be out very soon!

That’s great to hear, I had looked into your stuff previously and while it is a good system the requirement to forgo MagSafe to use it was the primary reason I went with Epoch Outdoors instead.

 

[atmat]

MagSafe solution will be out very soon!

Guess I’m buying yet another from you haha.

 

[SikaHuntaa]

Guess I’m buying yet another from you haha.

I just bought my one and got it sent to NZ hahah FML

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I wanted to provide a quick update as I have now received both the Mountain Mag and the On Glass kits. I will apologize in advance for the length.

Mountain Mag - Pros
* Arrived 1 week ahead of schedule.
* Adapter for Kowa is snug.
* Site fully supports Apple products.
Mountain Mag - Cons
* You have to decide if you want to use Mountain Mag or a protective case on your phone. The magnets are not strong enough to hold my iPhone 14 Pro to the adapter when using an Otterbox. They kept saying "no case required" during their videos; in hindsight this is likely less a selling point and more a known design limitation.
* @Schmo pointed out that in order to be able to use a phone case with this product, you have to use a MagSafe case. The potential purchaser will need to include the cost of that case when considering if it is worth purchasing the Mountain Mag or not.
* The magnet on the phone plate literally came off in the time it took to open the shipping bag, unzip the product bag, and put it on the phone. Glue too weak? Glue not designed to handle 100* temperatures? This one absolutely pisses me off.
* That was $133 down the toilet.

On Glass - Pros
* Arrived within the provided estimate.
On Glass - Cons
* With the magnet plate affixed to the Otterbox, it barely hangs onto the adapter; magnets are not strong enough. The weight of the phone "pulls" the connection back. I could remove the Otterbox and try attaching the magnetic plate directly to the phone but then I am back to the same issue as the Mountain Mag: protect the phone or digiscope.
* Their site says to use adapter size Bravo for SLC 15x56. It is loose if you connect it to "only" a focus knob even with the provided bands. It goes get "snug" if the focus knob is all the way down and you push the adapter to the barrel. This may or may not be an issue depending on if you extend the focus knobs while glassing or not.
* If you connect the phone to the adapter and then connect that to the optic, the whole setup flops around. The magnets are too weak to hold everything in place; the phone "pulls away" (camera looks up) and the weight of the phone makes the whole setup shift (no better way for me to explain it). That was with zero air movement. It got significantly worse when in a room with a ceiling fan on Medium. There is no way the setup that I received ever could be used in the field.
* Their site says to use adapter size Bravo for the SLC 10x42; same size as the SLC 15x56. The adapter is grossly oversized (i.e. unusable) for the SLC 10x42. Their site could be wrong on the sizing but it would suck to have to buy yet another adapter or a full blown set (see further below). The other unknown is would it have similar fitment "issues" as the SLC 15s.
* No wireless charging. It is sad that throwing away a wireless charger and buying a regular charger is the "smallest" Con.
* Their web site does not fully support Apple operating systems; two Macs and two iPhones with multiple browsers all were unable to get their site to load properly. I am unable to select the actual optics for the adapter portion and I do not want to have to order three full sets (SLC 10x42, Kowa 554, STX) when I should be able to simple select three additional adapters. This is now worse as initially I was able to order the full kit, including selecting my optic, but now that no longer works for me.
* This was another $100 pissed down the toilet.

I will be honest and admit that I am majorly disappointed as what are the odds of receiving lemons from two different companies? I don't knot if I will work with support or just cut my losses and move it. These products, as delivered, really are that bad.

 

[Schmo]

@AZ_Hunter_2000,
You are incorrect about the Mountain Mag not being compatible with a case. You simply just need a MagSafe case. These are available from pretty much every case brand out there. The MagSafe cases have magnets in the back of the case, since they are covering up the magnets that are in the phone.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

@AZ_Hunter_2000,
You are incorrect about the Mountain Mag not being compatible with a case. You simply just need a MagSafe case. These are available from pretty much every case brand out there. The MagSafe cases have magnets in the back of the case, since they are covering up the magnets that are in the phone.

Another review on RS about Mountain Mag gave the impression that it worked fine on his Otterbox. I stated it did not work on my Otterbox.

I'll edit my post and give you full credit for providing the solution.

 

[Schmo]

Another review on RS about Mountain Mag gave the impression that it worked fine on his Otterbox. I stated it did not work on my Otterbox.

Correct! Otterbox makes some cases that are MagSafe compatible, and others that aren’t. It appears that yours is not. I wasn’t jumping on you at all, I just wanted to correct your incorrect statement of “you can’t use the Mountain Mag with a case”. It will work with a MagSafe case. That seemed to be the main con in your review. It does stink that the plate came off, but that can be remedied easily.

 

[derekbart]

I picked up a Mountain Mag, just waiting on it to be delivered. Looks like a great option that allows me to use my current case and both cameras lenses.

 

[atmat]

I wanted to provide a quick update as I have now received both the Mountain Mag and the On Glass kits. I will apologize in advance for the length.

Mountain Mag - Pros
* Arrived 1 week ahead of schedule.
* Adapter for Kowa is snug.
* Site fully supports Apple products.
Mountain Mag - Cons
* You have to decide if you want to use Mountain Mag or a protective case on your phone. The magnets are not strong enough to hold my iPhone 14 Pro to the adapter when using an Otterbox. They kept saying "no case required" during their videos; in hindsight this is likely less a selling point and more a known design limitation.
* @Schmo pointed out that in order to be able to use a phone case with this product, you have to use a MagSafe case. The potential purchaser will need to include the cost of that case when considering if it is worth purchasing the Mountain Mag or not.
* The magnet on the phone plate literally came off in the time it took to open the shipping bag, unzip the product bag, and put it on the phone. Glue too weak? Glue not designed to handle 100* temperatures? This one absolutely pisses me off.
* That was $133 down the toilet.

On Glass - Pros
* Arrived within the provided estimate.
On Glass - Cons
* With the magnet plate affixed to the Otterbox, it barely hangs onto the adapter; magnets are not strong enough. The weight of the phone "pulls" the connection back. I could remove the Otterbox and try attaching the magnetic plate directly to the phone but then I am back to the same issue as the Mountain Mag: protect the phone or digiscope.
* Their site says to use adapter size Bravo for SLC 15x56. It is loose if you connect it to "only" a focus knob even with the provided bands. It goes get "snug" if the focus knob is all the way down and you push the adapter to the barrel. This may or may not be an issue depending on if you extend the focus knobs while glassing or not.
* If you connect the phone to the adapter and then connect that to the optic, the whole setup flops around. The magnets are too weak to hold everything in place; the phone "pulls away" (camera looks up) and the weight of the phone makes the whole setup shift (no better way for me to explain it). That was with zero air movement. It got significantly worse when in a room with a ceiling fan on Medium. There is no way the setup that I received ever could be used in the field.
* Their site says to use adapter size Bravo for the SLC 10x42; same size as the SLC 15x56. The adapter is grossly oversized (i.e. unusable) for the SLC 10x42. Their site could be wrong on the sizing but it would suck to have to buy yet another adapter or a full blown set (see further below). The other unknown is would it have similar fitment "issues" as the SLC 15s.
* No wireless charging. It is sad that throwing away a wireless charger and buying a regular charger is the "smallest" Con.
* Their web site does not fully support Apple operating systems; two Macs and two iPhones with multiple browsers all were unable to get their site to load properly. I am unable to select the actual optics for the adapter portion and I do not want to have to order three full sets (SLC 10x42, Kowa 554, STX) when I should be able to simple select three additional adapters. This is now worse as initially I was able to order the full kit, including selecting my optic, but now that no longer works for me.
* This was another $100 pissed down the toilet.

I will be honest and admit that I am majorly disappointed as what are the odds of receiving lemons from two different companies? I don't knot if I will work with support or just cut my losses and move it. These products, as delivered, really are that bad.

I’m a bit surprised by the On Glass review. I’ve used mine for two full seasons without issues.

Regarding the wireless charging: I agree, it’s the biggest con. However, I either take the adapter off after the season (it’s just 3M tape), or more recently, bought a $5 case to just use as my my digiscope case.

Also, I don’t even have a PC and haven’t had any issues with the website. I just tried again from an iPhone.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I picked up a Mountain Mag, just waiting on it to be delivered. Looks like a great option that allows me to use my current case and both cameras lenses.

Hopefully your's does not fall apart immediately like mine did.

 

[CMP70306]

I wanted to provide a quick update as I have now received both the Mountain Mag and the On Glass kits. I will apologize in advance for the length.

Mountain Mag - Pros
* Arrived 1 week ahead of schedule.
* Adapter for Kowa is snug.
* Site fully supports Apple products.
Mountain Mag - Cons
* You have to decide if you want to use Mountain Mag or a protective case on your phone. The magnets are not strong enough to hold my iPhone 14 Pro to the adapter when using an Otterbox. They kept saying "no case required" during their videos; in hindsight this is likely less a selling point and more a known design limitation.
* @Schmo pointed out that in order to be able to use a phone case with this product, you have to use a MagSafe case. The potential purchaser will need to include the cost of that case when considering if it is worth purchasing the Mountain Mag or not.
* The magnet on the phone plate literally came off in the time it took to open the shipping bag, unzip the product bag, and put it on the phone. Glue too weak? Glue not designed to handle 100* temperatures? This one absolutely pisses me off.
* That was $133 down the toilet.

On Glass - Pros
* Arrived within the provided estimate.
On Glass - Cons
* With the magnet plate affixed to the Otterbox, it barely hangs onto the adapter; magnets are not strong enough. The weight of the phone "pulls" the connection back. I could remove the Otterbox and try attaching the magnetic plate directly to the phone but then I am back to the same issue as the Mountain Mag: protect the phone or digiscope.
* Their site says to use adapter size Bravo for SLC 15x56. It is loose if you connect it to "only" a focus knob even with the provided bands. It goes get "snug" if the focus knob is all the way down and you push the adapter to the barrel. This may or may not be an issue depending on if you extend the focus knobs while glassing or not.
* If you connect the phone to the adapter and then connect that to the optic, the whole setup flops around. The magnets are too weak to hold everything in place; the phone "pulls away" (camera looks up) and the weight of the phone makes the whole setup shift (no better way for me to explain it). That was with zero air movement. It got significantly worse when in a room with a ceiling fan on Medium. There is no way the setup that I received ever could be used in the field.
* Their site says to use adapter size Bravo for the SLC 10x42; same size as the SLC 15x56. The adapter is grossly oversized (i.e. unusable) for the SLC 10x42. Their site could be wrong on the sizing but it would suck to have to buy yet another adapter or a full blown set (see further below). The other unknown is would it have similar fitment "issues" as the SLC 15s.
* No wireless charging. It is sad that throwing away a wireless charger and buying a regular charger is the "smallest" Con.
* Their web site does not fully support Apple operating systems; two Macs and two iPhones with multiple browsers all were unable to get their site to load properly. I am unable to select the actual optics for the adapter portion and I do not want to have to order three full sets (SLC 10x42, Kowa 554, STX) when I should be able to simple select three additional adapters. This is now worse as initially I was able to order the full kit, including selecting my optic, but now that no longer works for me.
* This was another $100 pissed down the toilet.

I will be honest and admit that I am majorly disappointed as what are the odds of receiving lemons from two different companies? I don't knot if I will work with support or just cut my losses and move it. These products, as delivered, really are that bad.

Hopefully your's does not fall apart immediately like mine did.

On the Mountain Mag which of the magnets fell off? Mine has a whole bunch of little magnets in a ring shape for the back of the phone, was it all of them or just one?

Either way the magnet coming off, while not acceptable, is at least an easy fix with some super glue. However if you don’t have a MagSafe case and don’t intend to get one then it is kind of a moot point.

I switched over to MagSafe for all my chargers a few years ago just for the convenience of wireless charging and switched from otterbox when they didn’t have a MagSafe option at the time.

 

[Forester1996]

I recently got the Mountain Mag adapter for my binos with iphone 12. I have used other adapters before this one that worked but took a little adjusting and tinkering to get the sight picture just right. So far with the mountain mag, I lined up the eye piece with adapter once when putting on my binos and has worked without hassle. Although I have limited time with this equipment as of right now, I have liked it more than others.

 

[Wyominal]

That mountain mag looks sweet. I was thinking Ollin needed something that integrated with MagSafe and there it is. It’s now in the mail. Thank you Rokslide.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

On the Mountain Mag which of the magnets fell off? Mine has a whole bunch of little magnets in a ring shape for the back of the phone, was it all of them or just one?

Either way the magnet coming off, while not acceptable, is at least an easy fix with some super glue. However if you don’t have a MagSafe case and don’t intend to get one then it is kind of a moot point.

I switched over to MagSafe for all my chargers a few years ago just for the convenience of wireless charging and switched from otterbox when they didn’t have a MagSafe option at the time.

The big circle magnet on the Digiscope Adapter that faces the phone is the one that came out immediately. A single drop of glue I could see it falling out but the entire ring that the magnet goes into has glue residue. So I’m unsure why it fell out so quickly. Will see what the vendor says.

For $59 it should stay in place longer than it took to attach it to the phone. I am waiting to hear back from the vendor before I decide on next steps.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I recently got the Mountain Mag adapter for my binos with iphone 12. I have used other adapters before this one that worked but took a little adjusting and tinkering to get the sight picture just right. So far with the mountain mag, I lined up the eye piece with adapter once when putting on my binos and has worked without hassle. Although I have limited time with this equipment as of right now, I have liked it more than others.

Which binoculars? Does it connect to one of the focus rings or does it connect to one of the barrels? Asking since I have SLC 10s and 15s.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I’m a bit surprised by the On Glass review. I’ve used mine for two full seasons without issues.

Regarding the wireless charging: I agree, it’s the biggest con. However, I either take the adapter off after the season (it’s just 3M tape), or more recently, bought a $5 case to just use as my my digiscope case.

Also, I don’t even have a PC and haven’t had any issues with the website. I just tried again from an iPhone.

I really wanted the OnGlass to work as it appeared to check a lot of boxes and they have a lot of happy customers.

My experience with the components I received is unlike theirs. Too many lemons in a single order for me to make it worthwhile to attempt to get a fix.

 

[atmat]

I really wanted the OnGlass to work as it appeared to check a lot of boxes and they have a lot of happy customers.

My experience with the components I received is unlike theirs. Too many lemons in a single order for me to make it worthwhile to attempt to get a fix.

I would really talk to Zach (@OnGlass). I’ve used several of his and they’ve all been good. I’m really surprised by this.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I would really talk to Zach (@OnGlass). I’ve used several of his and they’ve all been good. I’m really surprised by this.

I wish them the best and genuinely hope that their future customers have better luck than I did. It was a simple purchase to see if it would work for me and it didn't meet exceptions. I'm going to eat the cost and wash my hands on this. I've spent enough time on it already to make it worthwhile to get this to work for a single optic when I still have three more to go (since the size guide appears to be incorrect for SLC 10x42).

I've checked multiple times that the magtab was in the proper location; it is per the alignment tool. I've checked multiple times the spacer (with provided bands in place) on my SLC 15s and there's horizontal and vertical movement unless I force (not press like the Mountain Mag) it onto the barrel; the site says my "perfect adapter size is: Bravo". I've checked multiple times the spacer (with provided bands) on my SLC 10x42 and it is too large; the site says my "perfect adapter size is: Bravo".

The image below is with an empty phone case and you can see that even with less than 2 ounces it starts to "pull away"; no readjusting/repositioning works. When I put my phone (7.25 ounce) into the case and reattach it, the gap at top goes to 0.75"; all issues get compounded. The unwanted movement is significantly worse with the phone in the case; plenty of unwanted movement with an empty case.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I just ordered the mountain mag, going to give it a try. I’ve been using the magview since it came out, it seemed like the best option at the time but definitely could be improved on.

 

[atmat]

I wish them the best and genuinely hope that their future customers have better luck than I did. It was a simple purchase to see if it would work for me and it didn't meet exceptions. I'm going to eat the cost and wash my hands on this. I've spent enough time on it already to make it worthwhile to get this to work for a single optic when I still have three more to go (since the size guide appears to be incorrect for SLC 10x42).

I've checked multiple times that the magtab was in the proper location; it is per the alignment tool. I've checked multiple times the spacer (with provided bands in place) on my SLC 15s and there's horizontal and vertical movement unless I force (not press like the Mountain Mag) it onto the barrel; the site says my "perfect adapter size is: Bravo". I've checked multiple times the spacer (with provided bands) on my SLC 10x42 and it is too large; the site says my "perfect adapter size is: Bravo".

The image below is with an empty phone case and you can see that even with less than 2 ounces it starts to "pull away"; no readjusting/repositioning works. When I put my phone (7.25 ounce) into the case and reattach it, the gap at top goes to 0.75"; all issues get compounded. The unwanted movement is significantly worse with the phone in the case; plenty of unwanted movement with an empty case.
View attachment 890141

So strange, mine looks nothing like that. Is your case beveled?