Binoculars & Spotting Scopes anyone..?

[uscmatt99]

While we are on the topic of optics.... My family is visiting Yellowstone for the first time in a month or so, with a million other people to be sure. I'm considering renting a spotting scope while we are there, but don't know much about them. Any advice on the best parameters and/or brand would be helpful. This will be mostly from the side of the road, but I'd like to have adequate light from sunrise to sunset. I'll have a nice tripod to mount it on for my photography, hopefully these scopes have a 1/4"-20 female on a mounting foot that I can attach a plate to.

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

While we are on the topic of optics.... My family is visiting Yellowstone for the first time in a month or so, with a million other people to be sure. I'm considering renting a spotting scope while we are there, but don't know much about them. Any advice on the best parameters and/or brand would be helpful. This will be mostly from the side of the road, but I'd like to have adequate light from sunrise to sunset. I'll have a nice tripod to mount it on for my photography, hopefully these scopes have a 1/4"-20 female on a mounting foot that I can attach a plate to.

Yes that what you use on your tripod for your camera is the same size as threaded hole on all my scopes.. You can also get a small car window mount for a scope too..

[yoniman]

Loupes, I like them ×10 and ×25.

Cheers

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by swils8610

Long time Leupold fan here.
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When it comes to sporting optics this is the only word you need to know. The best. Bar none.

[mschafer]

As a photographer I work with high end optics all day. My choice for binos is either Leica or Zeiss. For travel, safari and general use the Leica Ultravid 8x20 is unbeatable...

[mrricks]

Check birdwatching sites for good comprehensive reviews of optics. (Rifle scopes not usually reviewed).

[SearChart]

Grandpa used Leica for hunting, I inherited some of his stuff

[enjoythemusic]

Slightly different topic perhaps, have a 10" light bucket (1200mm f4.7) and a few Tele Vue Ethos eye pieces. You feel like your floating in space, plus moon craters feel 'reach out and touchable'.

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by GoingPlaces

Zeiss 10 x 25 Victory. Perfect for travel. Wouldn't mind picking up a nice spotting scope.

I am looking to buy a nice pair of "TRAVEL" Size Binos and by the looks of what others are saying the 10X22 or 10X20 is the way to go..? Have both Leica as well As Swarovski Bins but not of the travel size.. Zeiss, Leica and Swarovski look to be at the top of the food chain..?

[BreguetRolex]

Of the way 2 many pairs of BINS I currently own, these are my most used and well traveled through out the world and currently residing with me on THE EMERALD ISLE in the Indian Ocean where are already pushing triple digits at 0915 in the morning..


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[Jona]

Ow, my poor neck.

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Grandpa used Leica for hunting, I inherited some of his stuff

The top sellers of high end brands will always include Leica, Zeiss, Swarovski and I also noticed Nikon does sell some very nice Bins too.. My favorite 2 brands for no real reason are Leica and Swarovski..

[Razorsedge1]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

I got this one from a Czechoslovakian Modern Pentathlon athlete who went to the Moscow Olympics. You can see the Moscow Olympics logo etched on it.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=26436

Interesting history!

[davidgilmore]

I appreciate good glass. I'm a cinematographer and own and use the Zeiss Superspeed 35mm Prime lenses that were previously owned by Haskell Wexler and use to shoot some of his beautiful work. My Wife and I lived in Africa in 1989 and my binocular choice was a the Leica 7x35BA. They lived on the dash of our truck and had a rough life of "bundu bashing" covering a lot of rough ground. They have never required any service and still look tack sharp 30 years later. The Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-B pair was purchased 3 years ago and have performed beautifully. The range finder function is spot on and really fast. I can spend an entire day spotting game with them and have no eye fatigue. As in watches, buy the best you can afford and never look back!

[Trepang]

Fujinon Stabilized. Used on charter boat for finding birds over fish.

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by davidgilmore

I appreciate good glass. I'm a cinematographer and own and use the Zeiss Superspeed 35mm Prime lenses that were previously owned by Haskell Wexler and use to shoot some of his beautiful work. My Wife and I lived in Africa in 1989 and my binocular choice was a the Leica 7x35BA. They lived on the dash of our truck and had a rough life of "bundu bashing" covering a lot of rough ground. They have never required any service and still look tack sharp 30 years later. The Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-B pair was purchased 3 years ago and have performed beautifully. The range finder function is spot on and really fast. I can spend an entire day spotting game with them and have no eye fatigue. As in watches, buy the best you can afford and never look back!

For sure Leica right along with Swarovski and Zeiss are right up at the top when it comes to fine high quality optics...They sure do not have a shelf life and will not go bad..:)

[Cazador60]

Dang, you guys have some top shelf optics. I have a poor man's Steiner :(

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by Cazador60

Dang, you guys have some top shelf optics. I have a poor man's Steiner :(

Seiners been around for ages too and lots of people do use them for sure..

[davidgilmore]

Steiner is a very good choice. Excellent glass!

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by davidgilmore

Steiner is a very good choice. Excellent glass!

I actually have way to many pairs of Bins (4) Pairs that include Leica Ultravid 10x42, Leica Ultravid 10x50, Swarovski EL 12x50 Field Pro, Swarovski EL Rangefinder 10X42 (Green) and want to add the Swarovski EL Rangefinder 10x42 (Orange) and a Pair of Swarovski Field Pro 10x32's......

[Andad]

I just use a cheap spotting scope for my centre fire match.

As long as I can see the x ring 10’S at 25 metres I’m fine.

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by Andad

I just use a cheap spotting scope for my centre fire match.

As long as I can see the x ring 10’S at 25 metres I’m fine.

Yes its all about needs and requirements to most, however just "BECAUSE" love fine optics and that would include me.. I have ZERO need for any of it, however I sure enjoy the toys..:)

[Duey]

Originally Posted by swils8610

Long time Leupold fan here.


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X2 here

You can spend a lot more money but I don't think the quality or viewing is increased. For a range finder I prefer Leica. And I've owned Zeiss & Swarovski too

[Superburrito]

Love my Swarovski 8.5x42 EL binoculars

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by Superburrito

Love my Swarovski 8.5x42 EL binoculars

EL 10x42 Rangefinders Swarovski in green with Field Pro Package..

[BreguetRolex]

Some of my Bins from Swarovski


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[kirksingleton]

Here is my new one!

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by kirksingleton

Here is my new one!

Is that a BTX 95..? Very nice Scope and what Tripod and head are you using..? Looks awesome

[ak5659]

Zeiss Conquest 8x32 by day for birding. For general night sky I love bringing out an older Leica Trinovid 8x42. For the moon and M objects I use a Canon 18x50 stabilized. Much more convenient than getting out the binocular tripod for a pair of 11x80s I have.


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[BreguetRolex]

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