Is a travel scope worthwhile for a first-time scope buyer? (1 Viewer)

[MMcD]

After years of being vexed by waterfowl and field birds, I’d like to get a scope.

I’m attracted to the portability of the smaller travel scopes, like the Kowa 553. I feel like I’ll actually bring them on outings more often, and they seem much better suited to air travel (I have two trips on the books). That said, I’m concerned that they’ll end up being only slightly better than my binoculars.

I’ve been to two vendors and compared scopes in person, but it’s such an artificial environment that I don’t feel like I came away with a good sense of how the smaller scopes would fare. (I even made a superimposition of Google maps to compare sight-lines at the test locations to a familiar spot and a place where I know I’ll be bird watching! 😅)

In your opinion, is a travel scope a good place to start?
If you think a larger scope is a better first investment, what is your experience with traveling with a full size scope?

 

[Mono]

A scope on a tripod is a different viewing experience to a similar sized handheld binocular. You can use a much greater magnification with the scope. Sure a bigger scope will allow the use of larger magnifications in a wider range of light conditions but it won't help if it's stuck at home because you can't be bothered to lug it around.

 

[wllmspd]

I replaced a heavy old larger scope with a light 60mm one, easier to use means I don’t dread lugging it about. If you are birding then having a 30+x view on tap to complement your 8-10x bino view is almost obligatory. Enjoy your search for the model that fits your needs and budget best.

Peter

 

[Steve Babbs]

Consider a similar price 60mm scope used as well but they are certainly light.

Travel Scopes Review 2014 - by Michael and Diane Porter

www.birdwatching.com

I use the Vortex as a travel scope and it is good optically.

 

[Richard D]

For me a 60 mm (Nikon Fieldscope ED-III) is the best balance between portability and performance - I rarely use my 80mm and my ED50 is pretty much a 'I don't expect to be using a scope much on this longer walk, but might' option (good but, not as good). What suits you might differ. It's always a balance between bulk/weight/carrying distance and performance in less than perfect lighting.

 

[MMcD]

Consider a similar price 60mm scope used as well but they are certainly light.

Travel Scopes Review 2014 - by Michael and Diane Porter

www.birdwatching.com

I use the Vortex as a travel scope and it is good optically.

That comparison chart is great. Do you know if an updated version of anything like that exists?

I was comparing the Kowa to the Vortex Razor 50mm in gloomy conditions last Friday. The Kowa seemed brighter optically and felt sturdier… though the price tag was sturdier as well!

Which Vortex are you using? The 50 or the 65?

 

[Boogieshrew]

I use an opticron MM4 60 exclusively.
With an SDL 15-45x eyepiece.
They do everything I need them to.

 

[GrampaTom]

Not a travel scope per se, but perhaps my process relates to yours..

This one or that one

Sliding over from the Bino subgroup. I know next to nothing about scopes. Been informally birding for a very long time and happy with my grab and go system of binos and Fanny pack. Have gotten a bit more focused last couple migrations. Reluctantly admitting the desire to see stuff further out...

www.birdforum.net

The scope, where we bird is limited to certain venues. I think I guessed that going in. But in those places, wow! Talking waterfowl and raptors couple hundred yards out. Searching through a herd, its fun to see stuff we had to be walking by in past years at this.

 

[Mike Crawley]

An alternative view.
If you aren’t absolutely certain that a "travel 'scope" is what you want, why not try buying second hand ?
Yes, you have to hope it hasn’t been abused but going to a reputable dealer should cover that concern.
As an illustration - my local optics shop (extremely trustworthy with a great reputation) has an Opticron MM3 60mm with a zoom lens for £250. That doesn’t help you, I know, but it’s a useful illustration of what you might be able to find to be sure that a travel ‘scope is the right purchase.

good luck

 

[DMW]

I have a Nikon ED50 with x27 fixed eyepiece and it's excellent in good light - way more powerful than binoculars. It's not as good as a high quality full-sized scope, but not dramatically inferior either. One thing I would say is that a lot of the fine detail you get from a scope comes from using a solid mount. My advice would be to get a light travel tripod, and a hefty solid tripod for using when you don't have to carry it far.

 

[MMcD]

An alternative view.
If you aren’t absolutely certain that a "travel 'scope" is what you want, why not try buying second hand ?
Yes, you have to hope it hasn’t been abused but going to a reputable dealer should cover that concern.
As an illustration - my local optics shop (extremely trustworthy with a great reputation) has an Opticron MM3 60mm with a zoom lens for £250. That doesn’t help you, I know, but it’s a useful illustration of what you might be able to find to be sure that a travel ‘scope is the right purchase.

good luck

I’d definitely be open to that option, but unfortunately “local” and “optics shop” are mutually exclusive terms here!

 

[MMcD]

Not a travel scope per se, but perhaps my process relates to yours..

This one or that one

Sliding over from the Bino subgroup. I know next to nothing about scopes. Been informally birding for a very long time and happy with my grab and go system of binos and Fanny pack. Have gotten a bit more focused last couple migrations. Reluctantly admitting the desire to see stuff further out...

www.birdforum.net

The scope, where we bird is limited to certain venues. I think I guessed that going in. But in those places, wow! Talking waterfowl and raptors couple hundred yards out. Searching through a herd, its fun to see stuff we had to be walking by in past years at this.

That Kowa 773 was the one that made me stop and question what I was doing. The saleslady tried to upsell me, and it backfired, bc I just left uncertain and empty handed.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

I have a Nikon ED50 with x27 fixed eyepiece and it's excellent in good light - way more powerful than binoculars. It's not as good as a high quality full-sized scope, but not dramatically inferior either. One thing I would say is that a lot of the fine detail you get from a scope comes from using a solid mount. My advice would be to get a light travel tripod, and a hefty solid tripod for using when you don't have to carry it far.

I use this same set up and it is brilliant most of the time - lightweight, sharp and reliable. The one thing that did become apparent on a recent overseas trip was how much I struggled in low light, even against 65mm scopes. A 60 or 65mm scope is probably the best compromise for size/weight/portability vs performance. If you want just one scope, that is probably the best option (I have a 50mm and an 82mm). The Swarovski ATS65 is hard to beat, but the Nikon fieldscopes, Kowa 600/660 and Opticron MM series are all well worth checking out. If you can't visit a local shop, try to have a look through local birders scope when you see them - most would be happy to let you look I'm sure.
Hope this helps!

 

[Ratal]

I took an opticron mm4 50 ed from arctic wastelands to the edges of the Sahara. Coupled with the zoom SDL v2, it was all I ever needed.

Was superb when thigh deep in the snow or worse, exiting a small boat and wading ashore with the ocean up to my chest.

 

[dalat]

In my view, a travel scope is definitely a good way to start. A huge step up from binoculars, and good quality optics are available for good prices in the smaller scopes. Don t forget you need a decent tripod and head as well, but these can also be lighter and cheaper than for full sized scopes.

Even if you later upgrade to a full size scope, you will still have use for the small one as travel scope.

 

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

Or try the ATX65 from Swarovski then for future full sized scope upgrade, just get the desire objective lens; 85, 95 or 115mm

 

[Strontium Dog]

I had a crappy bulky scope, replaced it with a cheap and cheerful Hawke Endurance 12-36x50, and now I only use that one. And when I look to buy nearer the top end of the market at some point in the future, I could definitely see myself going the compact route again. Very impressed with the quality of modern mini scopes.

 

[KaterinBortle9]

I started the use of a spotting scope with a celestron 56mm hummingbird-a travel scope. As Mono said of spotting scopes, different from binoculars, fun and rewarding when all set up to glass away, yet a pain to haul the tripod and scope around on the shoulder or in the bag. I chose the 60mm Nikon monarch scope instead of the Kowa 553, ATS 65 HD and the 82mm Nikon Monarch for a variety of reasons. I wanted a larger scope I will still use every time I go bird watching, optics that won't disappoint, adequate FOV to find targets, compact, have a sunshade and a rotating collar. The 82mm is out- too big as I see its a more specialized equipment. Kowa 553 no rotating collar-out. ATS 65 HD tempting but expensive. I gave the cheaper 60mm Nikon a go as I am willing to tolerate its heavy weight for the big prism and less than ideal eye relief of the 3x zoom eyepiece. Been over a year using it with a 30x eyepiece everywhere I go. There are times I wished I have a 80-100mm scope for the distant rare and shy black-capped kingfisher, but that scope would spend most of its time in storage. I can still see it through the 60mm, just human craving and greed tugging for more magnification haha. The 60mm serves well for my type of usage in the parks, coastlines and reserves. I'm also a minimalist: 1 bino, 1 scope, 1 or 2 eyepieces and 1 tripod.

I'd say go for a small & compact scope if that's what you want and of course a good and tall quality travel tripod with a center column. Having a small scope, I find myself very often looking up into trees and the occasional soaring raptors (or the amusing crows vs raptor), hence the need of a center column to adjust height. The Gitzo Traveller series 1 and 2 tripods are good options. The former for a 56-60mm, the latter for more stability and upscaling potential. Do decide if you really need a rotating collar on the scope though. I find it very useful when sharing views, restricted line of sight for the scope to target and standing in an awkward position especially among a crowd of bird photographers.

 

[fazalmajid]

Have a look at the inexpensive Kowa TSN-502. Very light, decent optical quality despite lacking ED glass, and straight-through viewing makes more sense than angled in this format IMO. Otherwise I have the Opticron MM4/50 with SDLv3 eyepiece, it's phenomenal, but nowhere near as light as the Kowa that you can just pack in a backpack and forget you even have it with you until you need it.

 

[Dyrlege]

I use an opticron MM4 60 exclusively.
With an SDL 15-45x eyepiece.
They do everything I need them to.

I have an MM3 60 with the same zoom eyepiece on a Sirui carbon tripod: easy to carry, perfectly acceptable optics, a good 80% solution. That said, I have ordered an ATC to get closer to 90% based on the lovely experience of the Curio 7x21which has become my "always there" bino.
If you always have your car nearby, i e no walking/hiking/carrying I would say buy the best and largest you can afford. But for bringing it with you on foot: a 50-65 mm lightweight will be acceptable company.
My bigoted opinion!