Nikon Fieldscope 13-30x50 video review

[Trackselk]

Hey! this is thread is 4+ years old and I've since retired the NikonED when Swaro' and Kowa upped the game in the compact spotters, so my memory is a little foggy now.

I only had the factory 13-30 for this review so can't comment on the 27 or the 40x. Someone on here later sent me the other eyepieces to try but that was four years ago and all I remember is that I would have upgraded if that member would have sold one to me. Pretty sure it was the "wide angle" so must've been the 27?

Not much help but there are some other guys on this thread who might still be around to answer. If they don't, it might mean they're not subscribed to the thread, so if you see a post above from someone, try a PM (hover over his screename under his avatar).

Good luck

Thanks! I read your book, but can't remember if you mentioned the post ed50 days, and I since passed the book to a friend. I'm guessing you switched to the stc or 554?

 

[robby denning]

Thanks! I read your book, but can't remember if you mentioned the post ed50 days, and I since passed the book to a friend. I'm guessing you switched to the stc or 554?

I didn't own the Nikon until 5 years after my first book published, so was using the "ol' Pirate" extendable Swaro' CT 30x fixed scope then (still a killer scope)

Went to ED50 in 2019 for about 4 seasons, and then to the Swaro' ATC 17-40x56 and now the Swaro' STC 17-40x56.

I hear the small Kowa 553 is neck 'n neck though, if you missed @Matt Cashell review, it's here:

Swarovski ATC Compact Spotting Scope Review - Rokslide

Swarovski ATC Compact Spotting Scope Review. Full optical evaluation of the Swarovksi Compact Spotting Scope.

www.rokslide.com

but if you already own the ED50 and are happy, stay happy and run it. especially with the upgraded eyepieces, it's still pretty dang good for the money

 

[Trackselk]

I didn't own the Nikon until 5 years after my first book published, so was using the "ol' Pirate" extendable Swaro' CT 30x fixed scope then (still a killer scope)

Went to ED50 in 2019 for about 4 seasons, and then to the Swaro' ATC 17-40x56 and now the Swaro' STC 17-40x56.

I hear the small Kowa 553 is neck 'n neck though, if you missed @Matt Cashell review, it's here:

Swarovski ATC Compact Spotting Scope Review - Rokslide

Swarovski ATC Compact Spotting Scope Review. Full optical evaluation of the Swarovksi Compact Spotting Scope.

www.rokslide.com

but if you already own the ED50 and are happy, stay happy and run it. especially with the upgraded eyepieces, it's still pretty dang good for the money

Thanks again! The weight of the nikon makes it hands down better for me, but for each their own. Hopefully zeiss will pull another rabbit out of the hat and make a 30 Oz 15x bino and 30x (ish) scope at 20oz!

 

[robby denning]

Thanks again! The weight of the nikon makes it hands down better for me, but for each their own. Hopefully zeiss will pull another rabbit out of the hat and make a 30 Oz 15x bino and 30x (ish) scope at 20oz!

You are right, Nikon owns the category for weight savings. Not sure what tripod you’re using, but have you looked at The granite peak by KDC?

They were a former advertiser and I reviewed one and like the ED, they are lightest in their category. We are talking stupid light !

 

[Trackselk]

Thanks again, I checked out the KDC, looks crazy light although the actual weights aren't listed. I have 4 tripods but the one I'm currently using in the backcountry is the vortex that's under a pound with the lower part of the center section removed. It's a solid platform for my 15s and I think you did a review on it last year-ish. Carbon ii something or other I think. I think I got it down to 14oz and I may be able to lose the lower leg sections after some more testing knocking off a couple of Oz, but not sure it's worth it. I'm still relatively new to serious glassing, so lots to learn yet...