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

Recent content by Jay Gamble

  1. J

    CL 8x25

    Have used the 8x25 CLs for three years and love 'em. They live in the console of my car and get lots of use. I wear glasses and have no eye relief or FOV problems with them. Wife has the Zeiss 8x25s and likes them. I do too, but prefer my Swaros. She prefers the single hinge, and she wears...
  2. J

    Kowa 883 v Swaro ATX 95

    Both are superb, we own both and often have them side-by-side. Virtually indistinguishable visual differences. The best VALUE is the Kowa 883. By far. Jay
  3. J

    Kowa 88mm vs 77mm

    I own both the 773 and the 883, and also a Swarovski ATX 95 and the 85 module. I previously owned a 2010 Zeiss 85 that I thought might replace my 2002 Swaro AT80 HD, but I did not find it to be as good as my older AT80 and sold it. IMHO, the Kowa 883 is the best VALUE in a high performance...
  4. J

    Scope Comparison help needed

    I would recommend that you spend as much as you can afford, if not more than you can truly afford, on a good spotting scope. In my humble opinion, many mid-range binoculars approach the level of the alpha binoculars. The point of diminishing returns is real. IMHO, that is not true in spotting...
  5. J

    Kowa 884 with TSN-VA3 Unusual question

    The Nagler 31 and Panoptic 41 are huge, as in HUGE. Not recommended for your application. Trying advertising for a Kowa TE-10Z which is the 20-60 power EP that came standard on the 770 / 880 series before the more recent 25-60 zoom was introduced. There must be several sitting around collecting...
  6. J

    Swarovision Fieldpro

    I recently received my new 8.5x42 Field Pro bins. They are amazingly good, and to my eyes, clearly better than my 2015 8.5x42 Swarovision model. I would have not believed the difference could be this noticeable. Colors are more saturated, contrast is better and the sense of image "clarity" is...
  7. J

    ATX eyepiece button stuck!

    My 2012 ATX 90 ep module had the button stick in 2014. SONA does not repair this issue, they have to send it to Austria for this repair with a 3 month turnaround. A little over one year after getting it back, the bottom stuck again. Rather than be without my scope for another 3 months, I've...
  8. J

    Atx or apo

    The Kowa 883 is so good that you must have an ATX 95 side-by-side with it to see the subtle difference, and some of the difference is related to the larger aperture. We have a Kowa 883 and 773, and the ATX 95 with an 85 module. We routinely have both Kowas set-up side-by-side with either my...
  9. J

    ATX 85 vs ATX 95

    I purchased the ATX95 in November 2012 shortly after its introduction. In 2014, I went to buy the 65mm objective for air travel, but ended up purchasing the 85 which is considerably smaller than the 95.. Having owned and used both for over a year, I have come to prefer the 85 and use it in...
  10. J

    Are Swaros really waterproof?

    Your Swaros are workhorse bins that will take a lot of abuse, water and keep giving great views. Mine go off shore pelagic birding in small boats with salt spray, and in a canoe in a fresh water marsh almost weekly, and in other tough conditions such as on windy beaches with blowing sand...
  11. J

    Help! Suggested cameras please...

    Since you have the ATX 95, I would recommend the TLS APO module. Then, consider a micro 4/3rds camera such as the Panasonic Lumix GX7 or similar camera with in-body image stabilization. You will also need the micro 4/3rds adapter. Use the adapter on the camera body, and thread it onto the rear...
  12. J

    Is the Swarovski Warranty Transferable?

    We own two pair of Swaro ELs. One pair was purchased used. A couple years after the used purchase, I called SONA customer service to ask about some service work. I told the gentleman that I was not the original purchaser, and I did not have a bill of sale from an authorized dealer. I did have...
  13. Kowa TSN-VA3

    Kowa TSN-VA3

  14. J

    new tripod for ATX 95mm scope

    Clive, I'm using a Gitzo GT2531 Mountaineer on my new Swaro ATX 95 scope. I've only had the scope for 10 days and 2 all-day outings, but I've owned the tripod for 4 years and can attest to its stability. The GT2531 weighs only 3 lbs, but is rated for a 26.4 lbs which gives a 4:1 ratio for...
  15. J

    Swarovski ATX delivery times

    Kimmo, Can you comment on your impressions of the new ATX eyepiece? How par-focal is it across the magnification range? And, your impression of the magnification and focus rings adjacent to each other? Thanks, Jay
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