Does BTX work at all in bird watching? (2 Viewers)

[BogBean]

It's not that it can't be used / doesn't work for birding. Nothing is that clear cut.
But I'm suspecting when everything is taken into consideration, the btx doesn't score that high.
Weight, fov(?), no zoom, price, all going against it .

What I never comprehend is that Swarovski's products seem to be in conflict with each other!
You need a scope for 2 eyes: ok all the single eyepieces are crap.
You need a light one: ok all the heavy ones are crap.
10x binoculars, you need a forehead rest: so my 17x ATC scope is crap.
Etc.

Then this leads to people claiming the answer is to have 2 pairs of binoculars, 2 scopes, lol. (That isn't the answer btw).

Maybe I'm being harsh. Their innovation is second to none, that's for sure.

Edit: but interestingly, the only Swarovski product I have owned, I sold because it wasn't suitable for my birdwatching needs. An ATX 95mm where I was constantly wanting to zoom out more, and had real issues trying to actually look at moving birds at higher magnification. The quite narrow fov meant most of my efforts were to keep the bird in the view rather than watching the bird. Optically, it was astounding particularly where it was close enough to see feather detail.

 

[hyberboreus]

@

It's not that it can't be used / doesn't work for birding. Nothing is that clear cut.
But I'm suspecting when everything is taken into consideration, the btx doesn't score that high.
Weight, fov(?), no zoom, price, all going against it .

What I never comprehend is that Swarovski's products seem to be in conflict with each other!
You need a scope for 2 eyes: ok all the single eyepieces are crap.
You need a light one: ok all the heavy ones are crap.
10x binoculars, you need a forehead rest: so my 17x ATC scope is crap.
Etc.

Then this leads to people claiming the answer is to have 2 pairs of binoculars, 2 scopes, lol. (That isn't the answer btw).

Maybe I'm being harsh. Their innovation is second to none, that's for sure

Edit: but interestingly, the only Swarovski product I have owned, I sold because it wasn't suitable for my birdwatching needs. An ATX 95mm where I was constantly wanting to zoom out more, and had real issues trying to actually look at moving birds at higher magnification. The quite narrow fov meant most of my efforts were to keep the bird in the view rather than watching the bird. Optically, it was astounding particularly where it was close enough to see feather detail.

What is your current choice for a telescope?

 

[BogBean]

@

What is your current choice for a telescope?

You're not going to like this! I sold mine recently for a camera and telephoto lens! which isn't really a replacement, more a change in direction.

I had a Zeiss harpia which I loved, but the resale value was quite poor. It's not popular amongst birders, and is even more expensive now than when I got mine.
It was 85mm, with a 30-70x zoom? And really wide field of view.
I'd maybe look at Kowa for scopes with wide angle of view, to at least compare with Swarovski equivalents.

 

[kabsetz]

I've had the ATX 95 now for almost as long as they have been available, and a BTX module for nearly two years. A birder friend of mine who's had an ATX 95 for a few years now tried my BTX while migration-watching (staijaamassa Hertsikan Majavakalliolta) and a few weeks later had traded in his ATX module for a BTX. He happily uses it now, and does not look back. There's also another well-respected birder/optics dealer here who has been using the BTX since it was introduced, and has sold quite a few.

Myself, I like both. If seeing conditions are good enough that magnifications over 50x are truly useful, I mostly prefer the ATX for the convenience of the zoom and the better apparent contrast and colour rendition. For extended viewing, such as migration watch, I often prefer the BTX for its more relaxed views and the natural feel of using both eyes. Aiming works well enough with both. I use the Swarovski 'cable-tie' sight with the ATX and the optical aiming device that comes with the BTX when using that. They are different but both work about equally well. The BTX is a fair bit heavier, but I carry my tripod with a Cley-Spy tripod carrier, and it works fine both walking and bicycling.

I would probably have a more pronounced preference for the BTX if I used the ATX the same way most birders seem to do, with the idle eye closed. Instead, I have a shooter-style black screen in front of my idle eye, which allows me to keep the eye open all the time and makes viewing much less tiring. Almost anything can be used for this purpose. I currently have a small arm attached to the side of the eyepiece housing of the ATX module, to which the eyepiece cover snaps with a small magnet, keeping the cover about half-an inch in front of my eye. This way I can view with the ATX pretty much as long as I please with no discomfort, but being able to actually use both eyes is obviously better still.

Bottom line: I think the BTX is absolutely suitable for birdwatching, and for a growing number of birders, the preferred form of a scope. But not everyone agrees, nor do they need to. I would suggest trying it out and deciding for yourself, but obviously that is not always possible.

- Kimmo

 

[ANK]

I've had the ATX 95 now for almost as long as they have been available, and a BTX module for nearly two years. A birder friend of mine who's had an ATX 95 for a few years now tried my BTX while migration-watching (staijaamassa Hertsikan Majavakalliolta) and a few weeks later had traded in his ATX module for a BTX. He happily uses it now, and does not look back. There's also another well-respected birder/optics dealer here who has been using the BTX since it was introduced, and has sold quite a few.

Myself, I like both. If seeing conditions are good enough that magnifications over 50x are truly useful, I mostly prefer the ATX for the convenience of the zoom and the better apparent contrast and colour rendition. For extended viewing, such as migration watch, I often prefer the BTX for its more relaxed views and the natural feel of using both eyes. Aiming works well enough with both. I use the Swarovski 'cable-tie' sight with the ATX and the optical aiming device that comes with the BTX when using that. They are different but both work about equally well. The BTX is a fair bit heavier, but I carry my tripod with a Cley-Spy tripod carrier, and it works fine both walking and bicycling.

I would probably have a more pronounced preference for the BTX if I used the ATX the same way most birders seem to do, with the idle eye closed. Instead, I have a shooter-style black screen in front of my idle eye, which allows me to keep the eye open all the time and makes viewing much less tiring. Almost anything can be used for this purpose. I currently have a small arm attached to the side of the eyepiece housing of the ATX module, to which the eyepiece cover snaps with a small magnet, keeping the cover about half-an inch in front of my eye. This way I can view with the ATX pretty much as long as I please with no discomfort, but being able to actually use both eyes is obviously better still.

Bottom line: I think the BTX is absolutely suitable for birdwatching, and for a growing number of birders, the preferred form of a scope. But not everyone agrees, nor do they need to. I would suggest trying it out and deciding for yourself, but obviously that is not always possible.

- Kimmo

An additional tip for beginners: Always try to keep both eyes open when using a scope. With a little practice, your brain will completely block out the image of the eye that is not being used. This makes prolonged observation much easier. However, this is not as convenient as using a special screen to cover the idle eye.

 

[Hermann]

An additional tip for beginners: Always try to keep both eyes open when using a scope. With a little practice, your brain will completely block out the image of the eye that is not being used. This makes prolonged observation much easier. However, this is not as convenient as using a special screen to cover the idle eye.

Excellent point. That's what I've been doing for decades. On seawatches I may also wear an eye-patch. Looks a bit funny but who cares ...

Hermann

 

[Ignatius]

An additional tip for beginners: Always try to keep both eyes open when using a scope. With a little practice, your brain will completely block out the image of the eye that is not being used. This makes prolonged observation much easier. However, this is not as convenient as using a special screen to cover the idle eye.

It also aids finding stuff to look at (bigger FOV and all that).

 

[Patudo]

On seawatches I may also wear an eye-patch. Looks a bit funny but who cares ...

Since you're sea-watching, you might as well look the part!

 

[forent]

(...) I have a shooter-style black screen in front of my idle eye, which allows me to keep the eye open all the time and makes viewing much less tiring. Almost anything can be used for this purpose. I currently have a small arm attached to the side of the eyepiece housing of the ATX module, to which the eyepiece cover snaps with a small magnet, keeping the cover about half-an inch in front of my eye. (...)
- Kimmo

Sounds very interesting! Please, could you share a photo of your construction?

 

[hyberboreus]

I'm investigating if this setup could work, aka "poor man's BTX": piece of cellular plastic with 50mm diameter hole. In quick testing seems to work nicely.

 

[wllmspd]

Can’t help thinking one of your eyes is missing out on the view…..

Peter

 

[rollingthunder]

I have the BTX and being a birder I actually bought it for birding - no surprises there.

I have found it to be a superb bit of kit and use it on both the 65mm and 95mm module. I also have the latest Swarovski digiphone adapter and the images obtained are stunning to put it mildly. The aforementioned dealer cannot be a birder so pay no attention they are there to sell stuff.
If you want an opinion about suitability for birding.....ask a birder. I have never been much of a seawatcher probably because I live in the Midlands and any seabird I see is usually on a local reservoir waiting to die - not my sort of birding. I now look forward to a bit of seawtaching because of the BTX.
I have used it abroad several times this year and it is a pleasure to use and nowhere near as tiring as the usual scope arrangement. I am travelling to Batumi for 3 weeks raptor migration in September and anticipate stunning coverage with quite a few people wishing to try before buying.....

Good birding -

Laurie -

 

[RichardBe]

I have the BTX 95 and have done so for a little over 3 years. Combined with an 8x42 bino it is a perfect combination. I use it for sea watching and, as in the image, viewing large landscapes. I can watch through it for hours without eye strain and the detail is remarkable. While the kit is not lightweight, having lugged around a Canon 500mm lens for years, it is more than manageable even on long walks for me. I came from a Swarovski 80mm ATS 80HD where I got tired of closing one eye to view.

 

[Hermann]

I have the BTX 95 and have done so for a little over 3 years. Combined with an 8x42 bino it is a perfect combination. I use it for sea watching and, as in the image, viewing large landscapes. I can watch through it for hours without eye strain and the detail is remarkable.

Sounds great!

I came from a Swarovski 80mm ATS 80HD where I got tired of closing one eye to view.

For people who use conventional scopes the trick is to learn to leave "the other eye" open. If you can't do that, try an eye patch.

Hermann

 

[Graham 30]

Since the BTX came out I have seen only one being used and that was for distant scanning from an observation tower.

I have had my BTX 85 for 18 months, where it’s used a lot for seawatching, I still have my ATX eye piece but would definitely not go back to it.

 

[The BulbMogul]

I have used the BTX since 2018 and my preferred choice for birding with clients in different type of habitats. Nothing beats it when you do the counts for hours...

And ease of usage are similar with my STX/ATX scopes and two eyes are better than one

View attachment 1582624

To me it feels way to bulky and never had any desire to buy one..

 

[Tringa45]

To me it feels way to bulky and never had any desire to buy one..

Yes that ATX115 with gimbal head and Series 5 Gitzo is a nice compact set-up.

 

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

I have the BTX 95 and have done so for a little over 3 years. Combined with an 8x42 bino it is a perfect combination. I use it for sea watching and, as in the image, viewing large landscapes. I can watch through it for hours without eye strain and the detail is remarkable. While the kit is not lightweight, having lugged around a Canon 500mm lens for years, it is more than manageable even on long walks for me. I came from a Swarovski 80mm ATS 80HD where I got tired of closing one eye to view.

I don't wear glasses but comfortable using the BTX and STX without extending the eyecups. I found the fov much wider than extending the eyecups. But with bino, I do extend the eyecups

 

[Thrupenney Bit]

Hmmm, well the message that it's no good for birding hasn't got through to here in Devon UK.
I've seen 2 birders using them close to me, and on one occasion a queue of people wanting to have a go!

 

[wllmspd]

Never seen one in the field, it’d be good to see how they perform.