Help! STX v ATX and 85 v 95 (1 Viewer)

J

Jpidgeon

Active member

• Apr 20, 2014

• #1

I am about to take the plunge and buy one of the above scopes but could do with some advice. I will be using the scope for bird watching and my husband will be using it with the TLS APO to digiscope with his DSLR.

My current scope has is straight which I like because I use it mainly in hides and also because I am not tall so can raise the tripod higher than with an angled scope. However, I expect to use the new scope more, not just in hides and for digiscoping thought that maybe the angled eyepiece would be more stable than the straight.

Also I can't decide whether to go for the 85 or the 95. I have read that the 85 is better for digiscoping, also it would be lighter to carry (marginal I know). My existing scope is only 60 so the 85 would be a leap for me. I have looked through the 65 85 and 95 and think they are all excellent but only want to buy one and don't want to regret my choice!

Any advice would be welcome.

 

Cosme

Well-known member

• Apr 20, 2014

• #2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdT5CCyP9Ho

 

rockfowl

Mark Andrews

• Apr 20, 2014

• #3

Both are excellent choices and it really depends on your future plans I guess.... are you likely to buy the 65 module for lighter travel in the future, do you want the extra magnification of the 95?
One thing to be thoughtfulof is is the magnification , especially considering digiscoping (the TLS is fabulous) , especially from hides. I use the 95 and sometimes wish that the lowest mag' was a bit lower.

The 95 is 30-70x
The 85 is 25-60x

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2014

OSOK

Well-known member

• Apr 20, 2014

• #4

65mm or the 95mm , if you get the 85mm you'll never justify going bigger or smaller in the future !

 

Jason Bugay Reyes

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2014

• #5

Maybe you can get the angled and straight eyepiece module to be used with either of your chosen size of objective lens module.

Your husband can use the straight module with TLS APO + DSLR and you can use the angled eyepiece for observation etc

 

rosbifs

PutAin STOP

• Apr 21, 2014

• #6

i have just read somewhere that the straight scope is better/easier for digiscoping...

 

Jason Bugay Reyes

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2014

• #7

rosbifs said:

i have just read somewhere that the straight scope is better/easier for digiscoping...

Click to expand...

I agree with these but now the ATX and STX scopes are supplied with cable tie for easier to get your subject on the camera

 

J

Jpidgeon

Active member

• Apr 21, 2014

• #8

Thanks for the advice. If I could afford to buy more than one I would as I guess whatever I choose is a compromise.
What is the cable tie?

 

Jason Bugay Reyes

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2014

• #9

Jpidgeon said:

Thanks for the advice. If I could afford to buy more than one I would as I guess whatever I choose is a compromise.
What is the cable tie?

Click to expand...

Check this thread http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=99084&highlight=cable+tie

 

H

henry link

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2014

• #10

You'll find the clearest analysis of the performance differences between the 85mm and 95mm ATX in Kimmo Absetz' review here:

http://www.lintuvaruste.fi/hinnasto/optiikkaarvostelu/optics_21_Swarovski_ATX_GB.shtml

 

J

Jpidgeon

Active member

• Apr 21, 2014

• #11

Thanks I think I've decided on the 95 but still unsure about angled or straight

 

E

etn991

Member

• Apr 24, 2014

• #12

Jpidgeon said:

Thanks I think I've decided on the 95 but still unsure about angled or straight

Click to expand...

As someone else mentioned, conventional wisdom is that straight scopes are better for digiscoping, because they feel more like standard telephoto lenses, so may be easier to use for some.

When I bought my 95, I went with the ATX, even though I knew I would be doing a lot of digiscoping. The reason being is that my wife is shorter than I am, and sharing an angled scope is easier for people of different heights.

Another advantage is that the angled scope is typically mounted lower down (less tripod extension required), so stability is improved (especially important for digiscoping).

Enjoy your new scope.

Ed

 

salty

geordie birder

• Apr 25, 2014

• #13

I opted for the angle as I watch the moon and skies quite a bit with mine :t:

You have to weigh up the options I guess.....mines brand new and in the classifieds already due to my health/work situation.

 

Last edited: Apr 25, 2014

J

Jpidgeon

Active member

• May 2, 2014

• #14

Thanks for all your advice. I changed my mind (I am a woman!) and decided on the ATX 85. I bought it yesterday and took it out today. Absolutely love it and I am happy with my choice.