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

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  1. M

    Spotting scope alternatives

    No I hadn't, I didn't think it would give me as much benefit having another pair of bins vs a scope with a much higher magnification. Though I do agree, the 'two eyes' viewing is much nicer and I still always use my binoculars first then get the scope out if there's anything out of reach.
  2. M

    Which way to go – ED and less magnification or no ED and more magnification?

    I was recently looking for my 'first' scope also with a limited budget of £250. I say 'first' because I had previously bought a Hummingbird 50ED and it was hugely disappointing so I sold it after like one use. Anyway, I wanted a straight, small and light scope. Ended up getting a used straight...
  3. M

    Spotting scope alternatives

    I've taken the MM3 out a couple times now and am very happy with it. The straight scope was definitely the right choice, the image is great, for a 50mm objective it's still quite bright even at 39x and no chromatic aberation. I've been successfully using it 100% handheld. I can hold it steady...
  4. M

    ID from paint sketch - Titchwell, Norfolk, UK

    I had dismissed brambling because the bird I saw had completely plain brown upper back and its wing bars seemed to carry on all the way to the tips and were so crisp and perfect. However I can see some pictures of brambling with the head stripes and it does have the white rump, and the wing bars...
  5. M

    ID from paint sketch - Titchwell, Norfolk, UK

    Unfortunately not that, looked at twite too and not that either. Thanks for the suggestion though
  6. M

    ID from paint sketch - Titchwell, Norfolk, UK

    I saw this bird today with a flock of goldfinches and chaffinches. It was of a similar size/build to the goldfinch but from what I saw it had a smaller bill. I mainly only saw its back but it did turn its head briefly and I didn't notice any obvious facial markings. Its head and top of wings...
  7. M

    Spotting scope alternatives

    Hi Joachim, I did try the Kowa 501/2 in a store and was impressed by the image. The reason I didn't go for it was that the lowest magnification is 20x and I wanted one that started around 12x to make it easier to use especially handheld. I also felt the dials were really stiff so when focusing...
  8. M

    Spotting scope alternatives

    I've ordered a used MM3 ED 50mm, the Nikon ED50 is out of my price range at the moment and I would rather have no scope than go back to the Hummingbird lol.
  9. M

    Fair used price % of new

    Thanks, I've just emailed them asking for more info as the ad is pretty vague. Want to make sure I know exactly what I'm getting this time! How do you keep finding these by the way? I feel like I've trawled through every binocular and scope site imaginable and you found the listing for the first...
  10. M

    Fair used price % of new

    Thanks for the advice and tip on selling. I will probably do that =)
  11. M

    Fair used price % of new

    The scope I've received is in excellent condition and still has the box and everything so do you think 75% of new price is fair? It's a straight Hawke Endurance 12-36x50mm I'm tempted to keep it even though its not the ED version which I want, just because the ED version isn't in stock anywhere...
  12. M

    Fair used price % of new

    They initially offered me £20 partial refund then increased to £30 when I asked if that was the best they could do.
  13. M

    Fair used price % of new

    I recently ordered a used scope of which the new price is £400, I paid £170 (it was priced £200 but on black friday deal). I thought this was a fair price; I've always thought when buying/selling used, 50% of new value is what it should be. HOWEVER, upon receiving the scope, it was the wrong...
  14. M

    Straight travel scope help/recommendations

    Thanks again for the find, I just ordered it =D
  15. M

    Straight travel scope help/recommendations

    I'm only 5'3 so I can't see a tripod being an issue either, but to be honest I'm going to see how I get on without any support first, see when and where I use it the most then I can decide on what sort of tripod to get, either table, full, monopod... I was looking at shoulder pods also.
  16. M

    Straight travel scope help/recommendations

    Yes I just had a look too and one of the stores is only a mile away. They don't have the straight version on their website but do have the angled so hoping they have it in the shop so at least I can check out the image, field of view, how stiff the zoom/focus is etc. Just waiting for them to open =)
  17. M

    Straight travel scope help/recommendations

    That looks like a good find, thank you!
  18. M

    Straight travel scope help/recommendations

    I thought a straight would be easier to use in terms of finding the bird. I struggled with the angled, I know I'd probably learn in time but also thought the straight would be more suited to hand-held use? I think I would most likely use it either hand-held and in hides, rather than standing...
  19. M

    Straight travel scope help/recommendations

    I am driving myself mad trying to find the right travel scope so someone please please help me! I have owned a travel scope before; a Celeston Hummingbird ED which I was very disappointed with and ended up selling it. But now I'm going to coastal reserves more often and find my 8x binoculars are...
  20. M

    Notebook help...

    I got these mini notebooks from B&M, they are 3 for £1.50, measure 10cms wide by 14cms long so a bit larger than what you have already but I've never had trouble getting them in a pocket. They are lined but not ring bound.
  21. M

    Spotting scope alternatives

    Are you referring to the Nikon ED50? Sorry if that's a stupid question! A couple of people have mentioned that scope in this post. Unfortunately that's out of my price range anyway but if its a scope that a lot of birders use and recommend then I can keep it in mind for the future.
  22. M

    Spotting scope alternatives

    May I ask which travel scopes you have tried and/or would recommend? I'm reluctant to go down that path again after the Hummingbird, but after all the comments about the digital camera idea it seems like a travel scope is the only compromise!
  23. M

    Spotting scope alternatives

    Thank you, I did not know that! To be fair I know next to nothing about cameras but this information on top of the other comments has made me realise it was a terrible idea lol
  24. M

    Spotting scope alternatives

    Up until now my 8x binoculars have served me brilliantly, but having bought a car a few weeks ago I find myself going to coastal areas much more often and sometimes wishing I had something with a stronger magnification. I don't want a big heavy spotting scope since I already carry a lot of gear...
  25. M

    Bird ID 'textbook' UK?

    Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. I started early 2021 but took a long break this year and just now getting back into it. I know the best way of learning is actually going out and birdwatching but I like to be prepared and it feels like there should be a better way of studying at...
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