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

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    Budget 16x binoculars or straight scope?

    Thinking about having a pair of high power budget (sub-£300) bins for casual viewing from the car - for more reach when I don't have my scope and tripod with me. What would you recommend? Kowa SVP, Nikon 16x50? Or should I buy a straight scope like the Kowa TSN-502 or Opticron MM3 50mm...
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    Benro Bat tripods

    Can anyone tell me if the quoted weights for the Benro Bat include the weight of the head? It appears the legs and head are not available separately; I've also asked the question of Benro, by email. In comparison to similar legs I assume they do, because I can see no other reason for the...
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    Benro Mach 3 - 4 legs vs 3 legs?

    Having just bought a Kowa TSN-883 I'm looking at a new tripod - possibly a Benro Mach 3 37C or 38CL, which have good sized tube diameters. The 37C is the same height with the centre column down as my existing tripod (a 4-section Gitzo). I only have to extend the centre column if I am looking...
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    Vortex Razor HD 13-39 x 56 - first impressions

    Just bought a mint used Vortex Razor HD 13-39 x 56 and these are my first impressions. Context: I started out a couple of years ago with an Opticron MM4 60mm, then moved to a Kowa TSN-773. I found I wasn't using a scope very much, so I sold it, bought a used Opticron MM4 77mm and bought some...
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    Buzzard? Please help ID

    Hello all. There is some debate on a fishing forum I'm a member of, about the identification of this bird, seen in the Highlands of Scotland. The person that posted it says golden eagle, which I suspect is wishful thinking. I think it's a common buzzard, but I'd appreciate a definitive answer...
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    Filter thread dent / repair tool

    Has anyone used one of these to straighten out a dented scope? I just bought an 82mm filter for my used Kowa 773 and found a small dent, but big enough to prevent the fitting of the filter. I've seen a YT video of a guy repairing a Canon lens with this tool and it looks like a good solution, but...
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    Benro vs Manfrotto stability comparison

    I have a Kowa 773 and - because 60x is actually useable - want a more stable tripod than I had for my 60mm Opticron. Has anyone compared the Benro Mach 3 TMA27A to either the Manfrotto 055XPRO3 or the Manfrotto 190X or XPRO? (All current models.) I'm mostly interested in the stability-to-weight...
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    Kowa TSN-14WD eyepiece on the TSN-773?

    I know it's designed for the Kowa TSN-663, but can anyone tell me what magnification you get from this eyepiece on a Kowa TSN-773, with the appropriate adapter? And if you've actually tried it, is it a worthy, or otherwise, addition to the 20-60 zoom for the 773? Thanks.
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    Zeiss Gavia vs Kowa 773 vs Swaro

    I'm in the market for an 80mm-ish scope for about £1700.00. My shortlist is: New Kowa TSN-773 25-60 New Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 30-50 Used Swarovski ATS 80 HD 25-50 I'd prefer to buy new, but that puts the Swaro out of reach, hence that option only is for a used one. I've read that the Zeiss...
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    Vortex Diamondback vs Hawke Nature Trek

    I was looking for views on a couple of budget scopes, but I'm now considering something like a Kowa TSN-773, so please ignore this thread. .
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    A small rant about the NSRA, UK.

    I recently ordered a Hawke Nature Trek scope from the online NSRA Shop (National Smallbore Rifle Association) here in the UK and paid in full. Not a place I'd normally buy optical equipment from, but the price was unmatched. The next day the NSRA informed me by email that the scope wasn't...
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    Insect ID solitary wasp? (Cotswolds, UK)

    EDIT: Identified - see post #2. Can anyone identify this little critter please? I'm in the Cotswolds, UK. The insect was just under an inch, or about 2cm long, with long antenna, black body (no other colour), and bright red legs (slightly overexposed). It flew pretty fast on release. The...
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    MM4 60 lens hood / thread diameter

    Does anyone know of a lens hood that will fit the MM4 60mm scope? Alternatively, can anyone tell me exactly what the filter thread diameter is? I don't have any calipers, so I can only guess. I'll email Opticron anyway - and if I find out that way I'll post the information here. I'm asking...
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    New MM4 50 vs part-used Nikon ED50

    Hi, I'm trying to decide on a small spotting scope and need some advice as I'm going around in circles. 50mm vs 60mm, one brand vs another brand and so on. Nothing new I guess. I think 50mm would be best for my use - which would not be dedicated bird watching, but walking, always with my Zeiss...
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    Clifton Cameras

    Not sure if this is the right place, but I'd like to put in a good word about Clifton Cameras, in Dursley, not far from Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. I just bought some Zeiss Conquest binoculars there and will go back and get a Kowa scope next year. Run by a bunch of friendly, patient...
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    Wildlife camera - night vision and wifi

    Can anyone recommend a night vision wildlife camera, preferably with wifi? I know next to nothing about them and the choices seem endless, so I thought I'd start by asking here. Budget is about £150.00 maximum. I'd need one with a wifi range of about 40 metres; if wifi isn't the best idea for...
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    Modern budget scope quality vs Bushnell Spacemaster

    I didn't know which section to place this under, but since I'm looking at various Opticron scopes I hope it's okay here. I bought a Bushnell Spacemaster about 30 years ago, for trips to Skye and Islay. I've not used it much since, and suspect things have moved on! I also want an angled EP, so...
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    Thinking about an Opticron MM4 Travelscope - but which one?

    Hello. I joined about a year ago and asked about gear back then, but with one thing and another I've not had the opportunity to further my birding interests. Now that I'm looking again, I'd be grateful for your thoughts on a lightweight telescope to replace a Bushnell Spacemaster and complement...
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    Which Canon body for a 100-400 mkII?

    Hello folks. Post no.2 from me (just joined from the Cotswolds) and I'm already pestering for advice on what sort of gear to buy for bird photography. I'm an ex-designer/photographer, with no previous experience of bird photography. I currently have a Fuji mirrorless set-up, but it's not...
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    Hello from the Cotswolds

    Hello everyone. My first time on a bird enthusiasts forum. I know a wee bit about birds, having been on birdwatching trips to Skye and Islay with a very knowledgable friend several years ago - and having built up a collection of bird books from there - but I'm looking forward to learning lots...
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