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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. M

    First pelagic...which binos?

    I'm excited to be taking my first pelagic cruise this coming weekend, out of Half Moon Bay with Alvaro Jaramillo. Which binos should I bring? My first-string binos are Nikon 10x42 MHG, but I think with the rocking boat I'll want lower power and a larger exit pupil. I also have my old pair of...
  2. M

    SVBony SV406P 16-48x65mm

    I bought this scope somewhat on impulse, after seeing it on sale. I'm saving up for an "alpha" spotter but need something in the meantime, and SVBony has a reputation in the astronomy community for high-value accessories. With an Amazon coupon reducing the net price below US$200, and the easy...
  3. M

    PF-65EDAii Optical Alignment?

    I'm a novice/intermediate birder and bought this scope used - in excellent external condition - a year ago, as my first decent spotting scope. I chose the Pentax because I have a collection of 1.25" astronomy eyepieces to use with it. I've been enjoying it with a 13mm Baader Hyperion eyepiece -...
  4. M

    Guides in Melbourne/Otways/GOR?

    Thanks for posting reports and suggestions for the Sydney area - it's been very helpful in trip planning. I'm also going to the Melbourne area from 30 October-4 November, meeting friends who now live there. They want to take a trip of 2-3 days out the Great Ocean Road. My friends are not...
  5. M

    Sydney Ferries?

    I will be in Sydney on 21 October and again on 4-6 November, at the beginning and end of my first visit to Australia. When traveling in the past, from New York to Hong Kong I have always found a ride on the public ferries to be a fun and inexpensive way to obtain a different perspective on a...
  6. M

    First visit to NSW/Victoria in Oct/Nov

    I'll be taking my first trip to Australia this coming October 21 - November 5, or thereabouts. This will be my first big trip with birds as a focus, and I'd appreciate your advice! I'll be spending a couple of days in Sydney, my port of entry. With limited time, I wonder what are the one or two...
  7. M

    Novice Birder, 1st time visit to Australia

    Hi! I live in California, and as a birder might be described as an "advanced beginner." My life list is just over 300, and I'm at the level where I'm starting to know a few birds by sound alone but am also still thrilled to see for the first time other species that are quite routine to local...
  8. M

    Hong Kong Birding Guide, Matthew Kwan

    I've mostly only lurked on Birdforum for the bino and scope reviews, so I hope it's OK to post here an unsolicited plug for a guide who my wife and I spent a morning with during our recent trip to Hong Kong. We're novice birders and while we'd been to Hong Kong before, had never left the paved...
  9. M

    New BV 8x25 BRW, Model #62059

    I've been looking for a long time for a pair of ~25mm roof binos for hiking, with long eye relief for use with eyeglasses. When I saw this new update of the BV 8x25 I thought I'd give it a try. Quick review, after a two-hour session looking at birds at my local patch, with my 7x26 Bushnell...
  10. M

    Bushnell 7x26 vs Terra 8x25

    I've had the Bushnells for a few years now, after comparing them to several low- and mid-priced compact roof binoculars and finding the 7x26 porro bin to be the clear winner optically. But for a compact, they are bulky. I don't carry them often, especially since I got an 8x32 that is only a few...
  11. M

    Inexpensive 2nd Scope for Car - Trailseeker?

    I have a Kowa TS-611 that's meeting my needs as a tripod scope, but would like to add a second straight-through scope for use on a car window mount. On a window mount the eyepiece of the 45 degree Kowa is too high to see through out of my car. So, lightweight, probably 60mm class...
  12. M

    Minox BL 8x44 HD vs Nikon Monarch 7 8x42?

    Has anyone compared these two? On the price list and spec sheet, they play on the same field. I have been using Nikon Premier 8x42 as my primary bino. They work well and give a nice view, and offer comfortable eye relief for my eyeglasses. But they weigh a ton (35 oz), and the field of view is...
  13. M

    700RC2 or alternatives?

    I have a non-ED Kowa 60mm and may upgrade someday to something like a 65mm Pentax ED, but larger scopes are not in my plans. My current head is a Bogen 3130 (old version of Manfrotto 128RC). I'm satisfied with the performance but would like to save some weight and bulk. I saw the Manfrotto...
  14. M

    Bringing my binos to Israel in May

    My wife and I will be spending 2 weeks in Israel in the first half of May. We will be staying mostly in Jerusalem with day trips out of that city, plus 2 nights in Tel Aviv. This is not primarily a birding trip but over the course of two weeks I hope to get out for some bird walks near our...
  15. M

    SV 8x25?

    I'm looking for a very light and compact bino to ID birds while trekking. I wear eyeglasses, I know from past experience that binos with exit pupil under 3mm don't work well for me (so no 8x20s and 10x25s), and value is important. These Kowas seem to check all the boxes: 9.1oz in a double hinge...
  16. M

    Pocket binos for eyeglass wearer? 7x maybe?

    I'm going on a trekking-style trip to Israel in the Spring. It'll be the first time I've been in that part of the world since I became interested in the birds. Birding will not be the first or even secondary focus of this trip, but of course I want to take as much advantage of the opportunity as...
  17. M

    Birding settings for SX50

    Hi there! I just took the plunge on a camera intended mostly for birding. I jumped when I saw a refurbished SX50HS direct from Canon USA with 1-year warranty, for $230. Thanks to those who have posted comments and shots on this forum, which helped me narrow down my choices. The refurb only has...
  18. M

    Newbie just ordered a Canon SX50....

    I took a bird walk with my local club this morning and realized I'd really like to try bird photography. Not with expectations of magazine-quality shots, but just to share what I'm seeing with family and friends. I got home and did a little reading, to see if a superzoom-type camera could...
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