99a or 883 (1 Viewer)

[paperweight]

@samwise2010: it would need an SLR adapter plus camera to really find the exact setting for both eyepieces. I just took two pictures with the Sony RX100 II at ISO 200 and the same zoom factor at the camera (1.2).
The TE-11 just offers one "stop" (mark) between 25x and 40x, so I guess that's about 30x meaning 40x for the 99A.

A lot of haze in the air, so the horizon (about 2-3 miles away) was a bit hard to focus. The TE-11 of course shows some vignetting whereas the TE-80 can be used with zoom factor 1.2 without any problems. The TE-11 will ask for a factor of about 1.8 to show no vignetting.
I'll just attach the two pictures so you can judge the result yourself.

 

[samwise2010]

@samwise2010: it would need an SLR adapter plus camera to really find the exact setting for both eyepieces. I just took two pictures with the Sony RX100 II at ISO 200 and the same zoom factor at the camera (1.2).
The TE-11 just offers one "stop" (mark) between 25x and 40x, so I guess that's about 30x meaning 40x for the 99A.

A lot of haze in the air, so the horizon (about 2-3 miles away) was a bit hard to focus. The TE-11 of course shows some vignetting whereas the TE-80 can be used with zoom factor 1.2 without any problems. The TE-11 will ask for a factor of about 1.8 to show no vignetting.
I'll just attach the two pictures so you can judge the result yourself.

View attachment 1448009


View attachment 1448010

I was more wondering how similar it would be to find birds - it looks from your picture to be basically the same width Of view, so should be similar to the zoom at the lowest 30x setting. I ordered one, and I’m excited!

 

[Gdfenwick]

Yes that’s exactly what I was wondering! Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

I had the 883 for ten years when I bought a 99a in January together with the new wide angle TE-80 that has since pushed the TE-11 away to the 2nd position. At 71 with a beginning cataract I benefit from the extra-light of the 99a: in September 2021, I did a very thorough comparison between the 99a, my 883 and a new 883 in the shop where I later bought my 99a. It was a grey, cloudy day, and the performance of the 99a was clearly better and outstanding, especially with the TE-80.
I don't care about star tests any longer because about 99% of my work with the 99a, the TE-80, the TE-11 and two Kowa 1.6 extenders will be birding.
So, all in all, no regrets about getting the 99a and selling my 883.

Where/how did you sell your 883?

 

[paperweight]

@Gdfenwick: I offered it locally in classifieds in Germany, and the guy who wanted it drove 80 miles to put it to a test. He is a marksman and needs it to control the target (about 30''x30'') at larger distances (400m). He brought a used target, fixed it to a fence, and we drove to a point which is about 450m from there.
The result was amazing: the 883 with the TE-10 (the older zoom eyepiece) clearly showed the hits and made it possible to see if it was a 10 or 11 even from that distance.
I had made a deal with myself: no 99a if the 883 does not sell, and once the 883 was sold I ordered the 99a. I had kept the TE-11 and the two 1.6 Extenders, so I ordered the new TE-80 alongside the 99a. No regrets until now.

 

[Gdfenwick]

@Gdfenwick: I offered it locally in classifieds in Germany, and the guy who wanted it drove 80 miles to put it to a test. He is a marksman and needs it to control the target (about 30''x30'') at larger distances (400m). He brought a used target, fixed it to a fence, and we drove to a point which is about 450m from there.
The result was amazing: the 883 with the TE-10 (the older zoom eyepiece) clearly showed the hits and made it possible to see if it was a 10 or 11 even from that distance.
I had made a deal with myself: no 99a if the 883 does not sell, and once the 883 was sold I ordered the 99a. I had kept the TE-11 and the two 1.6 Extenders, so I ordered the new TE-80 alongside the 99a. No regrets until now.

Thanks for the follow up. Enjoyed the process you told.

 

[Gdfenwick]

Thanks for the follow up. Enjoyed the process you told.

A quick take on the lenses, I found TE-11 zoom worked well on both the 99 and 88 scope. The TE-80 40x is quite the piece of glass. The Fov and sharpness are terrific. The TE-17 30x brightness when looked thru the 99 is impressive. The TE-17 with the 20mm eye relief and brightness used on the 99 which allows more light was the most enjoyable viewing out of all the units. (I also looked thru the TE-20H 25x and TE-10 zoom). I find myself enjoying the fixed lens more now than I use to. I previously always used the zoom.
So now my Tamrac expedition 8 backpack will have the TE-11, TE-17 and two 1.6 extenders in it. The decision is if to add the TE-80. I want to but will probably wait until I'm ready to spend the money.

 

[samwise2010]

A quick take on the lenses, I found TE-11 zoom worked well on both the 99 and 88 scope. The TE-80 40x is quite the piece of glass. The Fov and sharpness are terrific. The TE-17 30x brightness when looked thru the 99 is impressive. The TE-17 with the 20mm eye relief and brightness used on the 99 which allows more light was the most enjoyable viewing out of all the units. (I also looked thru the TE-20H 25x and TE-10 zoom). I find myself enjoying the fixed lens more now than I use to. I previously always used the zoom.
So now my Tamrac expedition 8 backpack will have the TE-11, TE-17 and two 1.6 extenders in it. The decision is if to add the TE-80. I want to but will probably wait until I'm ready to spend the money.

I just picked up the TE-80 for my 99a, can confirm the immersive view is something else, definitely going to be replacing the zoom (I have an extender if I need it)

 

[paperweight]

@samwise2010 My piece of advice: if you can afford it, keep the TE-11. I kept mine and I'm glad I did.
It depends on the situation which eyepiece I use on the 99A. If I already know I'll be watching something static, i.e. a nest or a counting birds on a sandbank, I'll be using the TE-80. The same goes if I want the highest quality in photographs.
If I want to be prepared for watching and "hunting" from everything from 10m to 1000m, the TE-11 is unbeatable and will be on the 99A from the start.

 

[samwise2010]

@samwise2010 My piece of advice: if you can afford it, keep the TE-11. I kept mine and I'm glad I did.
It depends on the situation which eyepiece I use on the 99A. If I already know I'll be watching something static, i.e. a nest or a counting birds on a sandbank, I'll be using the TE-80. The same goes if I want the highest quality in photographs.
If I want to be prepared for watching and "hunting" from everything from 10m to 1000m, the TE-11 is unbeatable and will be on the 99A from the start.

The TE-80 while digiscoping with my iPhone is night and day! It captures the full frame/no need to crop and the image quality is outstanding! What an amazing combo. Yes I’ll keep my TE-11 for backup/reach if I need it (I have the 1.6 extender as well). This has been an expensive year but I feel strongly about the “buy once cry once” philosophy!