Hi everyone,
I would like to buy a new, lightweight travel scope and tripod. I have been looking at the following options.
Celestron Hummingbird MM ED, 09-27x Fixed Zoom, Total 590g /£ 287
Nikon Fieldscope ED50, 13-40x MKII Eyepiece, Total 620g /£ 778
Hawk Endurance ED, 12-36x Fixed Zoom, Total 700g /£ 399
Vortex Viper HD, 11-33x Fixed Zoom, Total 700g /£ 549
Kowa TSN-553, 15-45x Fixed Zoom, Total 810g /£1599
Opticron MM4 50 GA ED, 12-36x HDF Eyepiece , Total 825g /£ 528
Opticron MM4 50 GA ED, 12-36x SDL v2 Eyepiece, Total 889g /£ 628
Opticron MM4 60 GA ED, 12-36x SDL v2 Eyepiece, Total 999g /£ 728
Swarovski ATS 65 HD, 20-60x Eyepiece, Total 1665g/£1555
Ideally, I'd like the scope to be as light as possible but would be prepared to lug a little extra weight for a better viewing experience. Currently, I'm leaning towards the Nikon ED50. Would the MM4 60 be a better option (taking into account the extra weight)? The MM4 appears to offer a lot of nice features (rotating tripod adapter, fine focus). The Kowa was looking good until I saw the price! Are there other options I need to consider?
I'm also looking for a decent tripod. Again, it needs to be light. A lot of the recommendations on this forum appear to be for items which are now discontinued. The Sirui range of tripods (eg Sirui T-0025X) look good but I'm worried that 130cm max height isn't high enough (I'm 5' 9").
Incidentally, I am looking for an angled scope rather than straight.
I would like to buy a new, lightweight travel scope and tripod. I have been looking at the following options.
Celestron Hummingbird MM ED, 09-27x Fixed Zoom, Total 590g /£ 287
Nikon Fieldscope ED50, 13-40x MKII Eyepiece, Total 620g /£ 778
Hawk Endurance ED, 12-36x Fixed Zoom, Total 700g /£ 399
Vortex Viper HD, 11-33x Fixed Zoom, Total 700g /£ 549
Kowa TSN-553, 15-45x Fixed Zoom, Total 810g /£1599
Opticron MM4 50 GA ED, 12-36x HDF Eyepiece , Total 825g /£ 528
Opticron MM4 50 GA ED, 12-36x SDL v2 Eyepiece, Total 889g /£ 628
Opticron MM4 60 GA ED, 12-36x SDL v2 Eyepiece, Total 999g /£ 728
Swarovski ATS 65 HD, 20-60x Eyepiece, Total 1665g/£1555
Ideally, I'd like the scope to be as light as possible but would be prepared to lug a little extra weight for a better viewing experience. Currently, I'm leaning towards the Nikon ED50. Would the MM4 60 be a better option (taking into account the extra weight)? The MM4 appears to offer a lot of nice features (rotating tripod adapter, fine focus). The Kowa was looking good until I saw the price! Are there other options I need to consider?
I'm also looking for a decent tripod. Again, it needs to be light. A lot of the recommendations on this forum appear to be for items which are now discontinued. The Sirui range of tripods (eg Sirui T-0025X) look good but I'm worried that 130cm max height isn't high enough (I'm 5' 9").
Incidentally, I am looking for an angled scope rather than straight.