Quick and indexable phone scope spotter attachment

[carbon]

I have a iPhone 13 pro max and a vortex razor 27–60 spotting scope. I want to leave an adapter on the scope to be able to quickly snap my phone in. I also want to have it set up so the horizon is level each time I snap the phone in (no readjusting after the initial setup). It is a given that I would level the tripod beforehand.

Do you guys know of a product that will do this?

I’ve used the Novagrade double gripper and the older (non-magnetized) version of the ScopeCam. While the latter was much superior in all ways, I still had to futz with it each time I attached the unit to get the horizon level enough.

The new MagView that was reviewed here looks interesting but does not seem indexable, by which I mean an absolutely repeatable and no fuss mounting angle, sort of like a DSLR to lens bayonet mount type of system. You seem to be able to quickly snap the phone on the spotter but there seems to be some futzing with alignment afterwards. Not sure how it would hold in 20-30mph Dakota constant winds.

The Phone Skope seems to offer that bayonet type mount, but they’re not answering their phones at the moment. Their videos indicate that this is indeed how the system works.

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated.

 

[BBob]

I don't have a suggestion for an index-able mount but I'm wondering if you have the grid enabled on the camera? I can index the camera quickly by just using the grid. My problem with an idex-able would be the tripod and optics aren't always perfectly level from one setup to another or from one end of the panning area to the other so you'll end up messing with level one way or another?

 

[carbon]

I don't have a suggestion for an index-able mount but I'm wondering if you have the grid enabled on the camera? I can index the camera quickly by just using the grid. My problem with an idex-able would be the tripod and optics aren't always perfectly level from one setup to another or from one end of the panning area to the other so you'll end up messing with level one way or another?

I’m not anal about getting a level horizon. It’s just gotta be decent and not distracting. When I video I have time to get the tripod level.

The problem is not ascertaining if the horizon is level, it is making sure that the gripping portion of the adapter grips at the angle at which you want it to. It’s at the last little throw at the end of the tightening where it’s very easy to misalign the camera and adapter unit due to the adjustable eyecup of the spotter.

I have two things going on that makes it harder to quickly achieve a level horizon: 1) spotter rotated at 45° to be quickly visually accessed by a person who is using a co-witnessed LRF bino and that 2) I use landscape mode which accentuates the effect of gravity when attaching the phone (droop).

 

[carbon]

Pic of setup (without the Phone Cam, as I’m using my phone to snap the pic).

 

[carbon]

So a lack of reviews about digiscoping with a phone and spotter (or binos) that uses both a critical eye AND are thorough led me to collect, organize, and write up this info.

I have no biz or personal relationship with any of these fine upstanding manufacturers.

I have hands-on experience with two of the units discussed below, and have done fairly exhaustive research (including phone calls with biz owners and reps, reading reviews, and of course pouring over videos). But I expect I am wrong somewhere (let me know!) and I’m treating this as a living document.

My purpose & use
I have a iPhone 13 pro max and a Vortex Razor 27x-60x85mm spotting scope. I want to leave an adapter on the scope to be able to quickly snap my phone in. I also want to have it set up so the horizon is level each time I snap the phone in (no readjusting after the initial setup). It is a given that I would level the tripod beforehand.

I have Leica 15x LRF binos co-witnessed (if that’s the correct word) with the spotter so once I find a prairie dog in the binos, the little bugger magically appears upon the phone screen. Saves a ton of time!

Notice the spotter is rotated left 45°. That’s so one can use the binos to scan for targets and range, make one turn of their head, and quickly and easily see the phone screen. I don’t have my Phone Cam adapter on the scope because I’m using my phone to take this pic.



What’s the problem, man?
So, I’ve used the Novagrade (not great, thought it was going to be, but ultimately not for me) and the Phone Cam. The Phone Cam, while much better (remember, for me) had some issues in my little, tiny world.

The problem was not ascertaining if the horizon was level via the phone image, it was making sure that the gripping portion (a 3-jaw chuck, basically) of the adapter grips at the angle at which you want it to (a two-hand job).

It’s at the last little throw at the end of the tightening where it’s very easy to misalign the camera and adapter unit due to the adjustable eyecup of the spotter. Additionally, doing this with the spotter rotated to 45° messes with one’s internal “level”. The result is a horizon that is distractingly off. (And I’m not looking for perfection!)

“Ah!” you might say. “Just attach it when the spotter is rotated to 0°!” Well if the spotter is at 0° one has to attach the phone at a 135° angle to ultimately get a level horizon in landscape mode after you rotate the spotter left-45°.

Totally natural! (nope) You getting what I’m laying down, bruh?

Recap: I have four things going on that makes it harder to quickly achieve a level horizon: 1) the before-mentioned 45° spotter rotation that throws off one’s natural “level,” 2) landscape mode which accentuates the effect of gravity when attaching the phone (droop), 3) using the Phone Cam is a two-hand job, and 4) the spotter's eyecup, by its very design, twists and screws you up.

Criteria Used

1. Very very very fast to attach to spotter. Like sub one-second.
2. The optical alignment, ideally, must be bang on with no fiddling. In reality I could tolerate two seconds of fiddling but no more.
3. If using a case, must allow phone to ride in case at all times (pocket, car, etc)
4. Phone + case must fit in a cargo pants leg pocket (at least)
5. Must be indexable to a pre-set specific angle near instantly. See reality bit above.
6. Does not slip on angled spotter, especially one rotated at 45°
7. Does not block any physical camera function. In reality I could maybe not have access to the wide-angle lens, but…ouch.
8. Doesn’t affect GPS/compass on the spotter on or off. Reality: might accept interference while on the spotter.
9. Must work with my Hondo Garage phone car mount, which is the best most solid mount ever for off-road use, in my humble opinion
10. Nice to have:
    • would be awesome if eyepiece adapter allowed indexed angles of at every 45°. Examples below.
    • non-eyeglass scratching eyepiece that allows use without phone attached to spotter
    • ability to use factory or third-party eyepiece cap
    • doesn’t interfere with a hat
    • doesn’t interfere with wireless charging
    • if there’s a protruding bit on the case, it will be small-ish

The whole 45° fixation of mine: why???
Examples of using an angled spotter rotated left/right at 45°:

1. in a truck with spotter attached to window—spotter must be rotated left at 45° (too tall to use at 0°)
2. spotting down/up on a steep slope without drastically changing tripod height
3. my weirdo use detailed above, etc.

A bit of detail: assuming the spotter is straight up at 0°, if you want to shoot vids in landscape mode and rotate the spotter:

• left-45° spotter rotation: needs phone at 135°
• right-45° spotter rotation: needs phone at 225°

Hard to explain but easy to see. Try it.

“I don’t like this review because…”
You’ll notice I don’t address extreme compactness, weight, straight spotter use, astronomy use (iPhone Lidar messes with image but see this fix and to a lesser extent, this), cost, universality, and infinite other factors that you, gentle reader, might care about. But hopefully this overview/comparison gives you a starting point to make your own list.

A side note about cost, since cheapsters abound:
So, for me, a relatively low price (~$200) isn’t really a constraint once I factor in:

1. gas to get to the prairie dog fields
2. tons of ammo
3. pricy optics and rangefinders
4. 4-5 rifles
5. cost of the darn phone
6. etc
7. my one good long vacation a year doing something I really enjoy, and honoring memories with my son/my friends by preserving in memorandum our many various prairie dog explosions and cackling BLAMMO all the way home ho ho ho (now I’m Santa Claus)

(Review continues below. Edited 8/14/22. Photos and videos below all from manufacturers.)

 

[carbon]

Did some updates above after further info and thought.

 

[carbon]

@robby denning chimed in here. I updated the overview again to add some stuff he brought up.

I won’t change my thoughts about the Novagrade product because of my criteria.

 

[carbon]

Ok, so here are some specific reviews.

MagView (talked to rep, read Rokslide review, watched Rokslide video and manufacturer’s vids but analysis contains some conjuncture):

• Pros:
  • very low profile, can use “normally” with adapter on
  • doesn’t block any lens or flashlight/flash
  • Eyepiece adapter has great grip due to allen key tightening
  • You can use your own case
  • Other people with the thin metal plate on their case could digiscope too
  • Eyepiece adapter doubles as a cap
  • Magnets in spotter adapter and not on phone, so no effect on GPS (at least when phone is detached from spotter)
  • Has/Will have app that stops auto lens switching
• Pro-ish:
  • not exactly indexable per se, but the flip open cap provides a rough idea as to the angle to align your phone.
  • Can change between regular and tele lenses by sliding the phone while attached to spotter
• Con-ish:
  • to go between regular and tele lenses you have to push it and go by feel and visual feedback.
  • Ditto when snapping the phone onto the spotter
• Cons:
  • Metal plate on your case affects wireless charging
  • If set up in landscape mode at 0° and then rotate spotter to 45° your ballcap hits flip-out magnet
• Neutral/Unknown
  • The part the attaches to the spotter tightens via an allen key (solid). But it would be slow to change the orientation of the unit. (switching between 0° & 45°)
  • Will adapter scratch glasses?
  • I prefer to use a separate case for hunting, but if you don’t the metal plate glued to the case of your choice might look a bit out of place. But maybe all the chicks will dig it?
  • Phone specific fit; spotter fit has some universality to it but slow to adapt
  • One user reports light-leak and clarity issues
  • Might get blown or knocked off a tad bit easier than mechanical attachment methods?

 

[carbon]

Phone Cam / PhoneCam by Scope Cam (technically called the Otterbox PhoneCam Kit with Universal Adapter). I own this. They make a bunch of other models, see my commentary at the end):

• Pros:
  • Robust and precise aluminum construction
  • Really good grip on eyepiece, nonslip
  • Very good alignment, no fuss once tightened
  • Otterbox case with adapter is pretty low profile and not obnoxiously large with huge protrusions
  • Flashlight is largely usable, but blocked a tiny bit
• Pro-ish/Con-ish
  • It’s indexable, but not in a quick way. I didn’t think it was possible but I discovered a workaround today by goofing around (leave adapter on scope, spin phone on, use built-in eyecup adjustment to start the threads)
• Cons:
  • especially at a 45° rotation, a bit fiddly to get horizon level
  • Slowish to attach
  • Blocks other lenses (uses the regular iPhone 13 Pro Max lens)
  • If left on spotter (like I want to do to preserve indexabity), a bit bulky and hard to use spotter “normally”
    • Also if used this way, no great way to cover eyepiece in the bag
  • If taken off spotter each use, would get cold in winter due to metal construction
• Neutral
  • Phone specific fit; spotter fit is universal fit

Commentary on new product so the following contains more conjecture than the rest of this piece. Didn’t talk to owner about this one. Scope cam has a few new products, but the following is of the most interest to me: https://scopecamadapter.com/product/new-mag-plate-universal-digiscoping-kit/

• Additional Pros:
  • Doesn’t block flashlight
  • Can use your own case
  • Popping off mag arm allows a low profile and unblocks other lenses
• Pros-ish:
  • A bit more easily indexable than my unit as I imagine the little arm could be spun onto the adapter on the spotter quicker than the whole phone (in my case)
• Cons:
  • See above rundown for my unit (excepting the lens blockage issue)
• Neutral/Unknowns:
  • Can change which lens is used (tele and regular) but looks to be an allen key affair, not fast with trial and error? Maybe not a big deal if using a tele lens is the way to go (see this)
  • Will magnets affect GPS/compass?
  • Phone specific fit; spotter fit is universal fit

 

[carbon]

Ollin (talked to owner, watched manufacturer’s vids and interviews, but analysis contains some conjuncture):

• Pros:
  • Looks like it is super quick to attach correctly
  • Indexes/aligns instantly and correctly in landscape OR portrait needing no readjustment
  • Eyepiece adapter seems to allow “normal” use of spotter (but doublecheck)
  • no effect on GPS (according to company owner)
• Pro-ish/Con-ish
  • Eyepiece is push-on (quickly adjustable). But there’s always a chance of it slipping, especially with a straight spotter.
• Cons:
  • Uses only regular lens (i.e. blocks other lenses)
  • Blocks flashlight
  • Phone case flange sticks out a bit far
• Neutral/Unknowns
  • Phone & spotter specific fit
  • Not sure if eyepiece adapter would scratch glasses
  • Might get knocked off a tad bit easier than mechanical attachment methods?
  • Comes with a magnetic eyepiece cover with a lanyard (I don’t use lanyards because the caps blow around too much in the Dakota wind which causes vibration in the image)

 

[carbon]

Phone Skope / PhoneSkope - watched a bunch of manufacturer’s vids and had a short email with them about the indexability so contains a bit more conjecture. Including a couple vids because it’s pretty hard to explain with words:

• Pros:
  • Indexable
  • Large adapter comes off the case (at least with my model phone) leaving just the case with no protrusions
  • Because of the above, doesn’t block flashlight
  • Case allows switching between tele and regular lenses
  • Looks very quick to attach, some tenths of seconds slower than Ollin. Uses camera-like bayonet mount.
  • Has app that stops auto lens switching
• Pro-ish/Con-ish:
  • Spotter-specific custom eyepiece is push-on (can quickly adjust the index points if rotated from, say, 0° to 45°). But, press fit means there’s always a chance of it slipping, especially with a straight spotter.
  • They do also offer a universal attachment similar to the Phone Cam. Did no research on that option.
• Cons:
  • Case seems to expose too much of the sides of the phone to damage if dropped
  • Weird case cutouts might interfere with car mount
  • If you want the unit to be ready to go in a moments notice you have to leave the HUGE circular attachment on the case
  • Personally I think the logo design on the case is a bit much
• Neutral/Unknowns:
  • If you do switch between tele and the regular lenses, videos show it takes some effort to do this. Probably need to take phone off spotter. Probably not a practical issue?
  • Durability of case? Lots going on there.
  • Don’t think there’s a way to cover eyepiece with the custom adapter attached, but at least it is not bulky and you might be able to fashion or find something that works. I could be wrong and the adapter sits low enough so your factory cover fits
  • Phone & spotter specific fit

 

[carbon]

Novagrade Double Gripper (bought this for my brother and used it too)

• I’m not going to go into this one too much because frankly, if you use my criteria, it comes out quite poorly.
• Unless I’m totally using it wrong, it was pretty slow to attach, really really fussy to get the phone adjusted/aligned correctly, and in no way could one keep it on the phone and slide it in your pocket, etc or conversely, to leave it attached to the spotter. It would be ok for a very purposeful digiscope setup where you dedicate the phone to video/photo and don’t expect to use the phone for much anything else. Sorry Novagrade!

 

[carbon]

You may wonder why being able to use your own phone case (according to me) is a Pro but not but having to buy a specific case is not listed as a Con.

Well, a fair bit of this is opinion, and I don’t mind having to buy a specific phone case because I prefer to use a separate phone case for hunting where it will be exposed to dirt, rougher abuse, and perhaps some lead. But I can see the advantage of being able to choose the case regardless if you use the case for everything or just for hunting.

Where does this leave me? A summing up.
If the specific way that magnets are implemented in a specific system is NOT a detriment to GPS/compasses, then…a future version of the Ollin would be quite attractive if faults are addressed. I really value a super quick and indexable attachment method.

What sort of cools my jets with Ollin’s initial offering is the blockage of the flashlight and tele lens. The former especially would probably irritate me a lot at some critical moment.

But in the real world with choices available right now, it’d be either the MagView or Phone Skope. It would come down to having the products in hand.

On paper the Phone Skope might win for me due to the fast indexabiliy while seemingly having few faults…Late breaking news: but just realized it almost certainly won’t work with my Hondo Garage car phone mount – SUPER solid mount btw. The phone case cutouts would force the phone too high up in relation to my field of vision. Could maybe work around it by buying more Ram mount whiz-bang stuff, but…I have enough Ram mount stuff and don't want an erector set on my dash.

But the MagView is so svelt I guess? Perhaps snapping it in there would be a piece of cake after 10min of practice.

Sorta leaning towards waiting for Ollin v2.

 

[tak]

Lots of info, thanks!

 

[pattimusprime22]

Great write up of the options out there. Thanks!

 

[bparrish]

If the ollin didnt have a protruding edge case, it may have the advantage.

 

[dank]

Well after a season of use with the magview, I can say... It didn't get any easier trying to get the perfect index. I always had to dink around with it and missed several animals just like I used to with the phoneskope (main reason I wanted to try something new).

The magview sure is sexy and svelte but it just doesn't address the biggest issue with digiscoping.. indexing speed.

With that being said, I am springing for the Ollin. I hate having to make this purchase essentially twice but if the Ollin really does index perfectly every time first try it will be a home run. I don't care about the case. It could be better but that has never been my number one annoyance with phoneskope. I will simply run a different case day to day and leave the Ollin case on during hunts and probably leave it in the truck throughout the year just in case.

 

[dank]

The real problem with the magview is the magnets are so strong that even if you are going in slow for a perfect index at some point the magnet hits a critical point where it rips the phone to the spotter and all hope is lost in nailing the index.

 

[carbon]

Well after a season of use with the magview, I can say... It didn't get any easier trying to get the perfect index. I always had to dink around with it and missed several animals just like I used to with the phoneskope (main reason I wanted to try something new).

The magview sure is sexy and svelte but it just doesn't address the biggest issue with digiscoping.. indexing speed.

With that being said, I am springing for the Ollin. I hate having to make this purchase essentially twice but if the Ollin really does index perfectly every time first try it will be a home run. I don't care about the case. It could be better but that has never been my number one annoyance with phoneskope. I will simply run a different case day to day and leave the Ollin case on during hunts and probably leave it in the truck throughout the year just in case.

I'm waiting for Ollin v2. Never bought the magview or phoneskope. If push comes to shove, maybe I'll go for the v1 Ollin before the next pdog hunt.

 

[dank]

Ya I read your comments about the downside of V1 but I dont have a iphone with 3 cameras so the zoom dont bother me and I never use my iphone flashlight so that dont bother me either. Idk if theres anything that will really bother me that much and I dont mind running the case during hunts and running a different case for a daily driver.