Advice on mini-spotting scope. (1 Viewer)

[Granpoli]

Hello,
I am looking for some information on a small spotting scope that I can take on a trip and that is very manageable with little weight, like the Nikon ED50, Hawke Endurance ED, or Vortex or any other that you can advise me...
By the way, is this type of small spotting scope better to put on top of a monopod or a light tripod?
What opinion do you have about it?
Thanks in advance
GP.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Tripod will ALWAYS be superior for viewing compared to a monopod

 

[Richard D]

Tripod is better but if you stick to low magnifications - up to 20-25 iSH then a monopod still works well.

 

[Andy Lakin]

I would do some research as well on customer service i.e if you ever need any repairs done. There appears to be a great difference on how different companies treat their customers and how prompt their service is. Also warranties vary greatly and what is covered for free.

 

[Hermann]

There are plenty of threads on small scopes, some of them very recent. Try the forum search for starters.

Hermann

 

[grackle314]

Consider Kowa TSN-502 for use without tripod and TSN-501 with tripod. And also Swarovski STC/ATC.

 

[Granpoli]

I have to carry either a tripod or monopod because I don't have a good pulse... even with an 8x binocular my hands shake...

 

[Granpoli]

The issue of straight or angled, I think 45° is better since straight you have to raise the tripod a lot (I'm tall)...
I have seen that there is a price difference between the different models out there, I am looking for one with an ED lens, and the Nikon ED50 + eyepiece zoom is the most expensive, but I wonder if it is the

 

[Hermann]

You really need to supply some more information if you want advice tailored to your needs. Just a few questions off the top of my head:

• Is this your first scope, or do you already have one? If so, which scope?
• In what kind of environment do you want to use it? (Lakes, coast, open countryside, woodland, mountains ...)
• What magnifications do you want to use most?
• How important is the size of the scope? How important is the weight, both of the scope alone and in combination with a tripod/monopod ?
• Will you use it for extended periods of time or mainly just to get a quick ID?
• Do you wear eyeglasses?

Hermann

 

[Granpoli]

Hello,
No, I already have a telescope, but it is astronomical, heavy and big.
I am actually looking for a small and light spotting scope to take anywhere, I have a pair of binoculars, 8x20 and 12x36 IS, and I was looking for something with greater magnification, a 50mm spotter with approximately 40x zoom...
I have also thought about whether maybe I could use an IS binocular with great power, 20x...?
No I Don't wear eyeglasses...

 

[Hermann]

I am actually looking for a small and light spotting scope to take anywhere, I have a pair of binoculars, 8x20 and 12x36 IS, and I was looking for something with greater magnification, a 50mm spotter with approximately 40x zoom...

50mm with 40x ... That's difficult. The only scope that fits the bill is AFAIK the Nikon ED50 with the 13-40x zoom. But 40x is a lot for a scope that small, especially for terrestrial use. I find I get the best views if I limit the magnification to ~33x (1.5mm exit pupil). And the Nikon zooms are quite narrow. There's a reason why so many users of the ED50 mainly use the 27x DS eyepiece.

I have also thought about whether maybe I could use an IS binocular with great power, 20x...?

The only really good 20x stabilized binocular I know is the Zeiss 20x60S - heavy, very expensive. The Canon 18x50 doesn't cut it IMO. I don't know the new Kite binoculars though.

No I Don't wear eyeglasses...

So you can basically get any scope. The old Nikon zooms don't really work all that well with eyeglasses.

My advice would be too seriously look at slightly larger scopes (60mm objective lenses) if you really want to use 40x magnification in the field on a regular basis, for instance the Nikon Monarch with a zoom. Or go for the Nikon - but with the 27x DS eyepiece.

Hermann

 

[4John]

Hello,
No, I already have a telescope, but it is astronomical, heavy and big.
I am actually looking for a small and light spotting scope to take anywhere, I have a pair of binoculars, 8x20 and 12x36 IS, and I was looking for something with greater magnification, a 50mm spotter with approximately 40x zoom...
I have also thought about whether maybe I could use an IS binocular with great power, 20x...?
No I Don't wear eyeglasses...


View attachment 1581399

Granpoli,

I occasionally use my ED50 with the MCII zoom at 40x magnification in good light on a monopod with a fold down foot. It works fine, but the keywords here are "occasionally" and "in good light". Most of the time I don't need 40x magnification. I find that the 13-30x range of the zoom gets much, much, more use than the 30-40x range. Some of the time I try to use 40x the atmospheric conditions are simply too poor for it to be any use. I also find that as the light goes in the evening the 50mm ED50 will go darker quicker than a 60mm scope, so the useable magnification reduces, which is why I prefer the zoom - when it gets too dark for 25-40x to be useable 13-25x is still useable, and I don't have to change eyepieces. I therefore recommend that you try a scope with 40x magnification and see if you really need it. As Hermann has suggested, you may find a 30x fixed magnification eyepiece is all you need. However, if you find you regularly need 40x in bad light and/or evenings I agree with Herman that a 60mm scope might suit you better. Alternatively, buy an ED50 with a 13-40x MCII zoom so you always have 40x available if-and-when you need it, and when conditions permit, and see how much the 30-40x range gets used.

 

[fazalmajid]

Another option to consider is a 20x stabilized binocular. I got the Sig-Sauer Zulu6 HDX 20x42, the stabilization is remarkable, and it's eliminated 80% of my scope usage.