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Spotting Scope Recommendation (1 Viewer)

A

avenues

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Spotting Scope Case or Cover Recommendation

Hi everyone,

New here, lots of great information! I have a spotting scope that I'm currently using that came with a thin bag to carry but is not very protective. I am looking at a few options and was curious what you guys prefer or recommend. I have a large tripod so I like the idea of a bag or case that captures the tripod too.

Of the three options below, which one would you choose and why? Or just tell me I'm overthinking it:) I just hate buying stuff that I wont end up using, thanks.
 

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Hi,

welcome to birdforum, first of all!

As for protection for the scope, I prefer a stay on case - that would be the one on the right-most image... provided it has an opening at the bottom for the head... it will offer protection on the tripod and also when not mounted.

My tripod and head just get thrown inside the suitcase - the clothes are enough padding. Optics always goes to carry-on...

Joachim
 
Hi,

It's all a matter of personal taste really. I have never used a stay-on-case in the field and have never experienced any external damage to any of my scopes. Many scopes have rubber armouring anyway. It's sometimes necessary to rotate the scope in its collar for use in a hide and some SOCs don't allow this.
For transport to a birding location in the car, I use a padded bag.

BTW, where did you find that first photo of the Leica APO-Televid 62? AFAIK, they were always sold with a silver paint finish. I once saw a similar dark grey version in the field and the owner told me it was ex-Bundeswehr (Federal German Army).

John
 
Thank you both for the feedback. I had not considered the collar rotation with the cover installed. Any other considerations like this are greatly appreciated!


Tringa45 said:
BTW, where did you find that first photo of the Leica APO-Televid 62? AFAIK, they were always sold with a silver paint finish. I once saw a similar dark grey version in the field and the owner told me it was ex-Bundeswehr (Federal German Army).
John
Click to expand...

I grabbed that picture from here. You know your spotting scopes well:t:
 
Hi,

the case of using the rotating collar with an angled scope in a hide is indeed an argument against a stay-on-case.

But since it is rather rare for my usage pattern, I would prefer to remove the stay-on-case in those rare cases to having my non-armoured and non-waterproof TSN-3 on the tripod w/o a SOC and to have to take it off the tripod and put into a bag when it goes into the trunk...

PS: With a straight scope like the Leica shown above, a rotating collar is neither necessary nor present...

Joachim
 
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Tringa45 said:
Hi,
BTW, where did you find that first photo of the Leica APO-Televid 62? AFAIK, they were always sold with a silver paint finish. I once saw a similar dark grey version in the field and the owner told me it was ex-Bundeswehr (Federal German Army).
John
Click to expand...
They were available for retail for quite a while, certainly here in the UK. It was a rubber type finish though customers still purchased a stay on case from what I remember.

Stay on case for me in all cases, my kit has toppled over on occasions and I'm satisfied the case prevented serious damage.
 
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Tringa45 said:
...It's all a matter of personal taste really. I have never used a stay-on-case in the field and have never experienced any external damage to any of my scopes. Many scopes have rubber armouring anyway. It's sometimes necessary to rotate the scope in its collar for use in a hide and some SOCs don't allow this...
Click to expand...

Same here. I find any kind of case irritating as it just gets in my way. To prevent scuffs and minor dings, I wrap my scopes in McNett camo-form. It can be placed strategically so it doesn't cover any controls. I get the snow camo version, then color to taste. Wish it were available in solid (non-camo) colors.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3219167905

--AP
 
I’ve had a scope for a short time and have found the stay on case to be useful for simple transport protection, as well as when in the field. The removable objective cap and eyepiece covers that come with the scope are too easy to misplace on a long hike, whereas the pull over hoods do the job. If one is walking beneath foliage laden with dew or raindrops, protection is helpful.

-Bill
 
I know the cuff-rotation screw can be an irritation, but with the two scopes i carry in a stay-on case, the screw heads are not that difficult to reach - more remembering where they are is the problem!
As i have hardly ever needed to rotate the scope in the cuff, a dab of thread-lock has prevented the continual, irritating loosening of the screw.
As one of the scopes is the magnesium-body Kowa 883, i have a layer of bubble-wrap between the scope body and the stay-on case. The more protection the better when you've laid out that kind of money.
 
Alexis Powell said:
Same here. I find any kind of case irritating as it just gets in my way. To prevent scuffs and minor dings, I wrap my scopes in McNett camo-form. It can be placed strategically so it doesn't cover any controls. I get the snow camo version, then color to taste. Wish it were available in solid (non-camo) colors.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3219167905

--AP
Click to expand...
Alexis I have used the McNett camo-form and like it a lot.
 
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