[thesalebirder]

I am taking the plunge for a pair of bins and scope for a total of about £2000.
I am using 8x32 at the minute but am considering 10x42 (comments please).
I would like the manufacturer of both scope and bins to be the same and might do some digiscoping so any ideas what the ideal pair might be?

Any suggestions gratefully received, after much research I feel I know less than when I started!

[kristoffer]

Here´s my subjective view, for what it´s worth. I can really recommend the 8x32 FL. A almost perfect binocular imo, optically and ergonomically. I don´t think Zeiss make the best scopes though. Kowa Prominar TSN-883 is probably the best scope at the moment when it comes to optics. Swarovski ATS/ATM 65/80mm has the best body and ergonomics, and almost as good optics as the Kowa.

[denco@comcast.n]

Originally Posted by thesalebirder

I am taking the plunge for a pair of bins and scope for a total of about £2000.
I am using 8x32 at the minute but am considering 10x42 (comments please).
I would like the manufacturer of both scope and bins to be the same and might do some digiscoping so any ideas what the ideal pair might be?

Any suggestions gratefully received, after much research I feel I know less than when I started!

I like the Zeiss 8x32 FL the best of those I have tried. I am sure the 10x42 FL would be nice also. Nice sized budget. Go for the best!

[Parker]

I see in your post your in the market for bins & scope. There is a Swarovski ATS65HD scope with a 30x eyepiece & a DCA for digiscoping, all for £900. I'd go for that as most birders really look after their optics & I can personaly recomend this scope.

As for bins IMO Swarovski 8x32 EL are the best but everyones diferent so you may have a diferent opinion. A friend of mine has a pair of Nikon 8x32 HGL & I was very impressed considering the price.

Another point worth considering is the after sales service, Swarovski are by far the best. Good luck & I hope your happy with what you get. ATB, Neil.

[brocknroller]

Even with a $3K budget that's a tall order since top o' the line spotting scopes cost about $2K by themselves.

So you don't have enough money in your budget for an alpha bin and alpha scope. If you want to stick with the same manufacturer for both bin and scope, you will need to go second tier to get good quality with your budget.

You won't need a 10x42 bin if you're also getting a spotting scope. You'd be better off with an 8x42 for all around use.

Here's a combo to look at:

Meopta 8x42 B1 = $879.99

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...rid=2146251080

A Meopta Meostar Spotting Scope S1-75 Apo Straight or Angle w/ a zoom EP.

Scope = $1,149.99
EP = $279.99

http://www.opticsplanet.net/meopta-m...-or-angle.html

Total $2,309.97, which still leaves you with about $1,000 left over (assuming you already have a tripod and mount) to buy tickets (airline and seaplane) to Paradise Cove to join me, Ginger, and Maryann for some coconut shrimp and some exotic birdwatching.

[mooreorless]

Find out if Kevin C on here will ship to UK and buy his Leica 7x42 Ultravids for $1250 and use what is left over for spotter.:-)
Regards,Steve

[Kevin Conville]

Thanks for the plug Steve!
Here are said bins:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....ighlight=leica

Shipping to the UK will be about $65. inc. ins.

That's about 800 pounds, total.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by brocknroller

Even with a $3K budget that's a tall order since top o' the line spotting scopes cost about $2K by themselves.

So you don't have enough money in your budget for an alpha bin and alpha scope. If you want to stick with the same manufacturer for both bin and scope, you will need to go second tier to get good quality with your budget.

You won't need a 10x42 bin if you're also getting a spotting scope. You'd be better off with an 8x42 for all around use.

Here's a combo to look at:

Meopta 8x42 B1 = $879.99

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...rid=2146251080

A Meopta Meostar Spotting Scope S1-75 Apo Straight or Angle w/ a zoom EP.

Scope = $1,149.99
EP = $279.99

http://www.opticsplanet.net/meopta-m...-or-angle.html

Total $2,309.97, which still leaves you with about $1,000 left over (assuming you already have a tripod and mount) to buy tickets (airline and seaplane) to Paradise Cove to join me, Ginger, and Maryann for some coconut shrimp and some exotic birdwatching.

Brock,

Of course this is true if you buy new, however buying second hand you could get top quality optics for a lot less money, certainly within the OP's budget.

Neil.

[kristoffer]

is that scope good? Have not heard anything about it.

[Fernando np]

I'd like to know the reason for looking for products of the same brand.

[oleaf]

Originally Posted by Fernando np

I'd like to know the reason for looking for products of the same brand.

Similar color presentation between binoculars and scope... that would be my reason.

[brocknroller]

Originally Posted by Parker

Brock,

Of course this is true if you buy new, however buying second hand you could get top quality optics for a lot less money, certainly within the OP's budget.

Neil.

Neil,

You just described my religion. :-) I haven't bought a new bin since 1998.

However, you have to be careful about which brand you choose, because you could save money upfront buying "pre-owned" (they don't use the word 'used' at the alpha level :-) and end up paying almost as much or moore for repairs like someone I know did recently to repair his "great deal" used bins.

So unless your used bin/scope combo is a Nikon or pair with transferable warranties, your effort to save money might be defeated later on. If not, it's pay now or pay through the nose later.

[brocknroller]

thesalebuyer,

Well, I did some creative financing, and I came up with a way to get you in a Zeiss FL bin/scope combo within your budget by mixing "pre-owned" and "new" (though not the latest version).

Budget: £2000 = 3,272.97 USD

First, we start with the "big gun".

Zeiss 15-45x65 Victory FL Diascope. Green straight view, FL lenses, LotuTec Coatings, retractable sun shade, standard focus wheel and fine focus wheel, lifetime transferable warranty. Price: 1,659.99

Photo:
http://www.samplelist.com/picture_fo...ture%20011.jpg

Next the bins:
Green Zeiss 8x32 FL non- Lou-Tec price: $1449.99 (pre-order)

http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-ZEI52...tm_medium=feed

Not only similar "color presentation" but the same color armoring and same FL glass!


Subtotal: $3,109.98
+ $162.99 (my finder's fee)
Total cost: $3,272.97

Right on budget! Isn't that amazing?

[mooreorless]

Originally Posted by Kevin Conville

Thanks for the plug Steve!
Here are said bins:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....ighlight=leica

Shipping to the UK will be about $65. inc. ins.

That's about 800 pounds, total.

There you go thesalebirder, buy Kevin's Leica, get the Swarovski spotter and buy a good tripod with the left over money.:-)


Regards,Steve