Underrated or Overlooked Spotters?

[tipsntails7]

What technical spec reviews are you referring to? Are there objective tests regarding optics quality? I would like to see those.



I agree with you here. In my experience, the end user's impressions of the ergonomics and glass/coatings themselves are the biggest determinants of optical quality. Simply put, each person's eyes are different and the optics manufacturers try their best to accommodate as many different consumers as possible. Which leads to the question: Isn't optical quality subjective?

Meh... look on any birding sight and your going to find all the tests you want, star tests and resolving test come to mind a guy in the bird forum who goes by Henry Link would be a good follow.
Product variation is a big one in sport optics as well. You throw a cherry razor next to a lemon swaro and that's where the waters get even more muddied.

It can be as simple as the components and the construction of the scope. Certain practices just produce better optics period. It's like building a house out of balsa wood, sure it's a house but it's probably not a good one.

I don't put to much stock into it as like you say some eyes are different, but I do believe the kowa 88 is the BEST scope out there. And most "TESTS" confirm that thought.

For 99% of people 1k and under spotters at perfect, and more then they will ever need. But if your susceptible to eye fatigue, CA or would rather spend 3k on a spotter then 15k on a camera lens it starts to make sense why guys want to pay big money. There is always the pay for the name crowd as well though.

 

[tipsntails7]

Double

 

[R_burg]

Hey guys, I am bumping this thread again, I hope you dont mind its been very useful to me.

Do any of you guys use a fixed eyepiece? For some of the affordable, yet highly thought-of used glass recommended in this thread, its much easier to find a scope with a fixed eyepiece (often 30x). I was thinking of picking something up to use for now and then watching for a used eyepiece to show up on the forums or on ebay. The brand new ones (usually from Japan) are fairly pricey.


Thanks!

 

[Bwana]

I use a 30x on my ATM80 when glassing whitetails from a fixed position, the fixed eye pieces have a larger FOV & exit pupil...so they tend to be better for digiscoping. But if long distance or roving around, the zoom EP has more versatility generally speaking.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Fixed eyepieces used to have a benefit of being a little sharper and offer wider FOV than the corresponding zoom. This isn't as true anymore, as zooms have improved greatly, especially the wide angle zooms, and wide angle zooms are generally wider than their fixed counterparts.

Swarovski's flagship scopes (ATX/STX) don't even have fixed eyepiece options.

My recommendation is to get a zoom. Not only are they more versatile in magnification, they also have the benefit of being able to turn down the magnification for a larger exit pupil in dark conditions.

the fixed eye pieces have a larger FOV & exit pupil

A fixed 30x eyepiece and a zoom at 30x have exactly the same exit pupil. As mentioned above, the zoom has the advantage of going lower, though, and making for a larger exit pupil.

 

[Bwana]

Fixed eyepieces used to have a benefit of being a little sharper and offer wider FOV than the corresponding zoom. This isn't as true anymore, as zooms have improved greatly, especially the wide angle zooms, and wide angle zooms are generally wider than their fixed counterparts.

Swarovski's flagship scopes (ATX/STX) don't even have fixed eyepiece options.

My recommendation is to get a zoom. Not only are they more versatile in magnification, they also have the benefit of being able to turn down the magnification for a larger exit pupil in dark conditions.





A fixed 30x eyepiece and a zoom at 30x have exactly the same exit pupil. As mentioned above, the zoom has the advantage of going lower, though, and making for a larger exit pupil.

I have both, and there's a significant difference in FOV, and perceived brightness...it's far easier to locate animals with the fixed. The edge/edge and distortion levels are much better also, that's not just my eyes saying so...but the tested results by experts.

SPECS:

Magnification: 20-60x............20x SW
Field of View 1000yds: 108-80 ft ........180 ft
Angle of View: 2.06°-1.14°...3.4°

That's a 39 % increase in field of view, which has to be linear through out the field distance view....from a fixed distance of 300-400 yds it's a win for digiscoping. For back country long distance the zoom wins the battle easily.

You are correct the exit pupil is identical, I thought is was larger on the fixed.

EDIT: My point is the fixed has a distinct advantage in certain applications, and although they may have discontinued mfg. them for new models...that doesn't mean they were unnecessary or useless, Swaro just discontinued the bino doubler eyepiece also.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I have both, and there's a significant difference in FOV, and perceived brightness...it's far easier to locate animals with the fixed.

You apparently don't have the WA zoom (25-50). This eyepiece has the same 126 feet/1000 yards that the 30x fixed has (at 30x). It actually goes wider to 138 feet/1000 yards at 25x.

The WA zoom performs so well that Swarovski has discontinued their ATS/M fixed eyepieces because of it. At least that is what Swarovski told me when I spoke to them.

You should give that eyepiece a look, Bwana, if you prefer a WA view. You might find it the best of both worlds (WA and zoom).

As far as advice on fixed vs. zoom eyepiece spotters for hunting. I recommend a zoom.

 

[Bwana]

You apparently don't have the WA zoom (25-50). This eyepiece has the same 126 feet/1000 yards that the 30x fixed has (at 30x). It actually goes wider to 138 feet/1000 yards at 25x.

The WA zoom performs so well that Swarovski has discontinued their ATS/M fixed eyepieces because of it. At least that is what Swarovski told me when I spoke to them.

You should give that eyepiece a look, Bwana, if you prefer a WA view. You might find it the best of both worlds (WA and zoom).

As far as advice on fixed vs. zoom eyepiece spotters for hunting. I recommend a zoom.

BRB, correct my ATM80 came with the 20-60x which is an excellent zoom...but also why I chose to add wide angle fixed to fill the gap. I really need to trade my 80mm out for a 65 instead of buying more optics or accessories Even used the eye pieces demand pretty high dollar, and I need to cut some weight in the pack. I'll keep an eye open for the 25-50WA though, all of them should fit a 65mm also.

Appreciate the info.

 

[oenanthe]

I learned another little detail today.

To tell the more desirable Fieldscope III ED from the non-ED version, look for a narrow red ring on the sunshade. The non-ED version has a gray ring.

 

[chuckhanisch]

I might be wrong and Bitteroot knows way more about optics than I do. But, the OP is asking about "underrated and overlooked" spotting scopes, Swarovski is definitely not in that category. I know with the Nikon Fieldscope the fixed eyepieces are much more pleasant to look through. And, I agree with some of the others, the Nikon Fieldscpes are underrated.

 

[Bwana]

I might be wrong and Bitteroot knows way more about optics than I do. But, the OP is asking about "underrated and overlooked" spotting scopes, Swarovski is definitely not in that category. I know with the Nikon Fieldscope the fixed eyepieces are much more pleasant to look through. And, I agree with some of the others, the Nikon Fieldscpes are underrated.

Bitteroot was actually discussing fixed vs zoom eyepieces, Swaro was just used as the example...I led him down the dark path, my bad.

 

[Newbweatherby]

Hi all this is my first post on this great forum. So I am on a tight fixed income,but...i was able to work out a deal through Vangaurd to get a 20x60x82mmhd angled spotter and I really like it.One of the reason I bought was because of the review from this forum along with wikividz reviews did I make a mistake?It seems this spotter has fallen out of grace and I can't afford to buy another one
Thanks for any feedback

 

[realunlucky]

Hi all this is my first post on this great forum. So I am on a tight fixed income,but...i was able to work out a deal through Vangaurd to get a 20x60x82mmhd angled spotter and I really like it.One of the reason I bought was because of the review from this forum along with wikividz reviews did I make a mistake?It seems this spotter has fallen out of grace and I can't afford to buy another one
Thanks for any feedback

If you like it enjoy it. Since you can't afford to get another why worry what might be better. Oh I'm still using that exact same scope because it's still a great value scope and the view is pretty dang good.

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[unchained]

Stop reading reviews after you have made the purchase haha. I have one, and have zero complaints.

 

[Fireguy]

Meopta Meopro HD 80. GREAT spotter. Regret selling mine. Stomps Vortex Razor HD 85mm. Super easy viewing. Crisp, clear. Just sold a Meopta S2 82mm couldn't tell a difference between the two.

 

[Newbweatherby]

Fireguy iam sorry i dont quite understand your replyavout the Meoptas.I think Meoptas are great with the Schott glass fluoride coated lenses ,but that's beyond my finances;realunlucky and unchanged so far i am impressed with it and happy it's like everything else technology's advances my than income. I KNOW SOME Chinese glass has really been good ie,Athlon scopes and the vanguard series

 

[Newbweatherby]

Fireguy iam sorry i dont quite understand your replyavout the Meoptas.I think Meoptas are great with the Schott glass fluoride coated lenses ,but that's beyond my finances;realunlucky and unchanged so far i am impressed with it and happy it's like everything else technology's advances my than income. I KNOW SOME Chinese glass has really been good ie,Athlon scopes and the vanguard series

Sorry unchained darn spell check w

 

[Salvelinus]

I did not know that. The review I pulled my specs from was a few years old and said it weighed 61 oz. Thanks.

There's a more recent review of the regal 65 here on rockslide after this post was made which report weights in the 60oz range so the 47oz reported from Celestron is probably without eyepiece. I have one on back order right now but when it comes in ill post a weight on here as well.

 

[dplantz]

Nikon ed50 was the best compact prior to the new kowa 55. At least with the mcii eyepiece. Leopolds definitely rank as some of the best glass for the money in binos and spotters.

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