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  1. R

    New Swarovski 7x Binocular

    They seem about perfect. Now I just have to use my old 8x20 trinovids in the field more so that I can 'lose' them to justify a new pocket bino purchase... the fact that this would be a change in behavior for me does, however, suggest that this $900 pair of binos would likely sit in a case 95% of...
  2. R

    Best tripod options, used/new, <$300?

    I got the sirui VA-5. It works nice, but I have been a little annoyed with the tiny levers to adjust the movements. I just bought a Gitzo “birdwatching” head that, based on 10 minutes in my living room, works like a dream! The Sirui will be in the sales forum if my living room impression holds.
  3. R

    EL choice for lower light?

    Thank you for that reply. I would love to get a pair of the NL 8x42 but that's a significant leap too far for my wallet. A well-timed bump of another thread answered my question about EL 8x32 vs. EL 8.5x42. In particular the following posts from this thread: I will still be on the lookout...
  4. R

    EL choice for lower light?

    Hello. I have been using my EL 8x32 for about six months and love them. However, as the daylight hours are fewer, I have come to wonder whether a larger exit pupil would make a big difference to me in lower light. Then, I recall the many reviews that have stated that the EL32 excels in low...
  5. R

    Monarch 82ED, a Perfect Ten

    I thought I’d read somewhere that you get the full warranty? Might be worth a phone call. Anyway, congrats and enjoy!
  6. R

    Best spotting scope for $1000

    I recently acquired a used Nikon monarch 82ed for just under $1000 usd. For that extreme markdown I was willing to risk it without the manufacturer’s warranty (non-transferable from Nikon - ugh). There are currently two refurbished nikon monarch scopes on Nikon’s website (w warranty) for about...
  7. R

    ECO friendly?

    It is a Bird forum…
  8. R

    Monarch 82ED, a Perfect Ten

    FYI - Nikon has a refurbished Monarch 82ED (Straight) and a 60ED (angled) on sale now... https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/refurbished-fieldscopes/monarch-fieldscope-82ed-s-with-mep-20-60-refurbished.html...
  9. R

    New Swarovski 7x Binocular

    Seeing them side by side like that make me appreciate the design of the curio, which I was imagining to be more brick-like. The leica and zeiss, which I have admired before, look clumsy and unrefined in their design by comparison to the petite swaro curio. I would worry that the tiny thing would...
  10. R

    Please share your experiences with the MEP-30-60W eyepiece

    I received my 30-60x wide ep yesterday. The rain prevented me from getting out, but I did quickly learn that the ep is so much wider than the 20-60 and the 30w (w/reticle) that the Novagrade phone adapter does not work the the 30-60 ep. Darn.
  11. R

    Monarch 82ED, a Perfect Ten

    How does this compare with the 30-60w from Nikon? Or do you not still have that ep? Thanks.
  12. R

    Monarch 82ED, a Perfect Ten

    I seized on a good deal for a used 82a, and am returning my 60mm that I found dark for my comfort. The used 82 doesn't have the nikon warranty, darn, but at half of retail it was worth the risk. It came with the 30x reticle eyepiece, so I had the chance to compare it with the 20-60x (that's...
  13. Peregrine on water tower

    Peregrine on water tower

    Peregrine that, according to ebird, visits this water tower to roost during the fall and winter months. Lifer for me(!!)
    • RubyRobin
    • Media item
    • falco peregrinus fall migration michigan october suburban
    • Comments: 7
    • Category: North America
  14. R

    Newbie - Scope or Binoculars

    congrats on the purchase! I have the smaller EL 8x32, developed a real love for them quickly as they transformed my viewing experience and made me more excited about getting into the woods. I expect you'll have the same experience, though I am curious how you make out with the weight and...
  15. R

    Bino-viewers for birding scopes? Why isn't everyone using them?

    i may have posted too quickly... my enthusiasm is receiving the cold water treatment as I search more about it. Damn. Would still love to know if there has been any developments, aside from the Swaro BTX ($$$$), that are worth looking into.
  16. R

    Bino-viewers for birding scopes? Why isn't everyone using them?

    I just recently acquired my first scope after a long period of hesitation because, in part, I know that I hate using one eye to take pictures through a view finder on a camera and I suspected that I would have no fun trying to watch birds that way. Well, so far, I have mixed feelings about the...
  17. R

    Please share your experiences with the MEP-30-60W eyepiece

    Did you end up getting the wide zoom? I’d love to hear about your experience if you did.
  18. R

    Let's talk PORROS!

    I have that Nikon in a box to be returned. You get what you pay for on those. The extending eye cup close with modest pressure, the field curvature is significant so only the middle 30-50% of the fov is actually in focus. I found the Kowa 6x30 YF ii to be far superior in the image, weight, and...
  19. R

    Monarch 82ED, a Perfect Ten

    Yeah, about the darkening, I said that to suggest that I am not in love with the high-mag. I do like the ability to zoom, but a wide, bright image is the most important thing to me. So, if the 30w ep is the best option, then I think I’d go for it. But, a little more money and there’s the...
  20. R

    Monarch 82ED, a Perfect Ten

    Having looked through the Nikon eyepieces and the alternatives adapted for the scope, what would you recommend for someone with a new Nikon monarch (60ed a) scope who thinks the included 20-60x is too narrow and gets too dark at high zoom?
  21. R

    older tripod worth a try?

    I did, just about all the way out, then twisted with a lot of force. I found several websites where people described the process. I think I need a vice to do it.
  22. R

    Best tripod options, used/new, <$300?

    Thanks for the tips, and the reassurance!
  23. R

    Best tripod options, used/new, <$300?

    Glad you think so! My dad has been a photographer his whole life and as much as I like taking pictures with a point and shoot, I’ve always had this mental block on all things that relate to professional photography, apparently including tripods. Fingers crossed this will work and using a scope...
  24. R

    Best tripod options, used/new, <$300?

    Alright, well, in the absence of low cost recommendations I’ve splurged on a used Gitzo Mountaineer (GT2531 series 2) from Adorama. A little past my $300 limit... just hoping that throwing some extra money at the situation will make it work out better, and down the line I probably won’t even...
  25. R

    IN PRAISE OF THE SWAROVSKI 12X42 NL PURE

    Can someone with the forehead rest tell me whether it gets in the way, or requires further head movement, to look very far upward? Looking for warblers in denser forest I find I have to look near straight up at times, even straight up today (failed to identify it from this angle today, I'm...
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