After a deal of research and budgeting, I think I have settled on a Kowa TSN 663M as my first spotting scope. In reading reviews on Birdforum I started fancying the 773 or 883, but in the end the extra $600 (when you factor in eyepiece) in going from the 663 to the 773 was a bit too much.
I'm hoping to get some advice or suggestions on whether to go with the 30x W fixed eyepiece, or the 20-60x zoom. I think I will mostly be using the scope for sea viewing and other wetland viewing. Of course, I'll also be taking it out for land-based trips as well. As this is my first scope, I really have almost no experience with these zoom levels, so am not sure what I should be going for. The wide angle sounds nice, but I fear I might miss that extra zoom on the water.
Additionally, any tripod suggestions are appreciated. I saw this kit on the classifieds: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=341439
Anyone know if that would be a good base for a scope like this? That is about as much as I'd like to spend, and wouldn't mind spending less. I really appreciate any of your thoughts!
Conor
I'm hoping to get some advice or suggestions on whether to go with the 30x W fixed eyepiece, or the 20-60x zoom. I think I will mostly be using the scope for sea viewing and other wetland viewing. Of course, I'll also be taking it out for land-based trips as well. As this is my first scope, I really have almost no experience with these zoom levels, so am not sure what I should be going for. The wide angle sounds nice, but I fear I might miss that extra zoom on the water.
Additionally, any tripod suggestions are appreciated. I saw this kit on the classifieds: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=341439
Anyone know if that would be a good base for a scope like this? That is about as much as I'd like to spend, and wouldn't mind spending less. I really appreciate any of your thoughts!
Conor
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