Scope, tripod, head, duh, what do I want?

[Baysidebob]

I'm new to birding and need help selecting a scope/tripod/head. I'll be in the market around Christmas.

Tripods/heads I know nothing about. I have no idea what decent tripod/heads go for. They used to seem like simple devices.

For scopes, weight is not an issue. I'll lug it or leave it. I do want the angled eyepiece thing since the wife and grandkids will also be looking through it. Price is an issue. I'd like to keep the scope/eyepiece aroung $1,000 US if possible but I don't want to wish I had something else in a couple years when I may know what I'm doing.

The equipment forum seems to be divided among brands. I have now brand loyalty yet, so this seemed the best place to ask.

All suggestions appreciated.

[Kevin Mac]

Bogen (in the U.S.) are the tripods to check out for quality and price. You'll have to look at them at the vendor to see which size is best for you. Expect to pay over $100 for one. If you are over 6 ft tall it's probably more like $150. The most popular heads are also by Bogen/Manfrotto. The video heads are popular, under $100 US.
There are many threads in this forum discussing scopes under $1000, but I get the impression the Nikon Fieldscope III is hard to beat.(is it under $1000? If not, seriously consider buying a used scope).

[Bill Atwood]

First, I admire your commitment to spend enough $ to get into some higher quality optics. I've seen a few beginning birders and photographers spurn my advice and start out on the cheap then complain about the results. I currently have a coworker that has spent in more in total on 3-4 cheap telphoto lenses than on the one higher priced (and higher quality) Canon telephoto I recommended. He's still not happy with any of them. And the Canon you can probably sell used for 75% of the purchase price.

The Nikon Fieldscope III (60mm) is a nice scope. I assume Kevin was referrring to the ED model, which I would also suggest. However, I doubt you can get this for under $1,000 with an eyepiece. I was always interested in this scope but it was always so closely priced to the big boys, (back in the day anyway) that I went for the big boys (80mm Kowa, Swaro, Pentax instead). If this scope had sold for around $700-$800, 3-4 years ago I probably would have bought it.

I've said it before and I will say it again...the Pentax 80mm is the best bang for the buck in a scope. You should definitely be able to get this for under $1,000. I have seen it for as little as $800 on Ebay. This price includes the 20x-60x zoom. And its the only scope I know of that comes with its own view thru case. This is a savings of $50 to $200 (assuming you want such a case.

The Pentax will not match the sharpness of the top of the line 80mm Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss, but those scopes, with a zoom, will run from $1,500 to $1,800 or even more.

One downside of the Pentax is that it will run about 1.5 lbs heavier than the other scopes, (except the Leica). Unfortunatlely this doesn't help viewing stability. But I know folks that are perfectly happy with it on the typical tripod /head setup. An angled scope will allow itself to be setup a little lower which should improve stability somewhat.

Pentax has also recently come out with a 65mm scope, but its entry into the US seems rather slow. I believe its gonna run about $700 and I have hopes it will be a nice quality first scope. I haven't seen one yet though.

Getting to tripods: at the price you are talking about the various incarnations of the Bogen 3221, paired with with the 3130 video head, is what most birders use. I believe this combo runs $200 or slightly more. There are several "tricked up" versions of the 3221 available, some with padding on the legs and some colored green. All are either heavier or more expensive than the basic black 3221, which is what I would get.

You may want to consider the 3011BN which has the same capacity of the 3221, but lacks the 3221's capablility of adjustable leg angles. I've never seen anyone use a nonstandard leg angle while birding. The 3011 is a little lighter and cheaper than the 3221. You can get it with the 3130 for around $185.

Bogen does have a couple new and interesting video heads out, the 700RC2 and 701RC2. The 700 weighs less than half of the 2.3lb 3130, and is priced the same at $70. The 701 is half a pound lighter than the 3130, looks sturdier than the 700, and is about $92. I haven't seen these in person yet, but look forward to it.

If you are interested, I happen to have a used 3011BN and 3130 for sale. I'm asking $135, shipped. Don't know if I will have it around at Xmas though.

Good Luck

[Baysidebob]

The wife didn't want to wait. A couple walks with the local Audubon Society confrmed that the Pentax 80 is well thought of. We got the Pentax 80 (angled and 20X-60X eyepiece included) with Bogen 3221wn legs (they came with closed cell padding molded onto the upper portion) and the 3130 head. The total for all, including shipping, was $1205. Not cheap, but I won't be looking to upgrade. We're very pleased. Folks who know far more than I who have played with it are very impressed.

Thanks for the advice. It saved us a lot of disappointment.