Tele-Vue APO 85? (1 Viewer)

I have read many reviews on the various Tel-Vue Scopes, especially the APO 85, but have not had the opportunity to actually use one nor have I even seen one in use in the field. I'm going to purchase a "scope of my lifetime" in the very near future and the rave reviews given the optics of the TV APO 85 have intrigued me. But why have I never seen one in use at any of the " Birding Hotspots" that I've visited? Swaros, Kowas, Nikons and Ziess in abundance but no Tel-Vues. Are they so unhandy in the field that it over rides the reported superior view? Or is the reported superior view just at matter of degrees. I have all but settled on the TV Apo 85 or Zeiss, but Any advice on or experience with the Tele-Vue scope would be very helpful. Thanks

Cheers
B.L

Blue Lodi said:

Are they so unhandy in the field that it over rides the reported superior view?

Cheers
B.L

Click to expand...

Yeah.

I've looked thru a 76, not an 85, and the look was truly stunningl! However, carrying a 9 pound scope plus a 4-7 pound tripod, makes for 13-16 pounds to carry, plus throw in another 3-4 pounds for some kind of portable hooped shelter in case of rain (it is not waterproof) makes for some serious weight-carrying for field use. If weight and lack of waterproofness are not issues, then go with it! I personally would go with a 76 if I wanted a great birding scope that I could also use for astronomy.