Hi I am new to birding. Heard good things about Swarovski scope which has a diameter of 65mm and 85mm. If I only need it for 10-15X magnification as I am viewing birdings that are quite near to me, should I get a Swarovski scope and a eyepiece that give me 10-15X magnification (If there is any). Will there be a improvement over my current bino setup as I was thinking the diameter represent the light-gathering ability and my Fujinon 70mm should be able to match with the 65mm Swarovski and the 85mm Swarovski should have marginally better performance than my Fujinon. Thanks in advance.
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Should I get a spotting scope when I already have a 10X70 Fujinon (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter baofeng
- Start date
Well, depends on the distance involved. Shorebirds & waterfowl are generally out beyond 100m and move a lot, requiring a lot of change in focus. Your Fuji is IF and unless on a sturdy mount, is going to be a handful. Also 15x, even thru a good scope, is likely not going to be enuf for the tougher ID's. 25-30x is about right for most of that. If, on the other hand, woods birding is on the menu, the big 10x is gonna be a handful, good as the optics are. For that, you might wanna consider a good 7-8x widefield bino. If you shop around a little, either the scope/eyepiece or the bino, can be picked up for very reasonable $.
so if I need only 10X, should I stick to the Bino or will buying Swarovski scope be better (I was thinking the IQ may be better because it is refractors). I be sometimes owling so I think a exit pupil of 7 is good.
Also, a 10X100 is useless as a 10X70 is adequate (as human pupil is 7mm at most). Does this apply to digiscoping too? Will digiscoping with a 10X100 scope be better than 10X70?
Also, a 10X100 is useless as a 10X70 is adequate (as human pupil is 7mm at most). Does this apply to digiscoping too? Will digiscoping with a 10X100 scope be better than 10X70?
Baofeng,
I was a stargazer long before I became a bird watcher. My first great binocular was the Fujinon 7x50, the 10x70's "little brother". When I started birding, I was happy to use my Fujinon, as you are now, because of its superb optics. But, upon discovering this forum, (I didn't know any birders personally at the time) I learned that the small 42mm or even 32mm binocular was the typical instrument, usually made with roof prisms. I slowly came to realize that my relatively large, heavy, and slow focusing Fujinon, despite it's satisfying view, was probably not the best for carrying around on a miles-long birding adventure, where one is likely to be surprised by close and fast-moving birds. In that sense your 10x70 is even more inappropriate than my 7x50.
I am now a convert to the typical birding binocular, and highly recommend something like an 8x42 or 10x42. I must warn you however that it is very expensive to buy a roof prism birding binocular that is optically as good as your Fujinon. It is fortunate that you are prepared to buy a Swarovski spotting scope, because it will cost almost that much. I cannot recommend less, or you will be disappointed in the view. I can tell you that you are spoiled rotten and may not realize it. But you would be beside yourself with joy, and would see more birds, with a lightweight binocular which is quick and easy to use. I also watch owls with my 8x42. Ease of use can be as important to what is seen as raw optical power and light gathering ability.
Ron
I was a stargazer long before I became a bird watcher. My first great binocular was the Fujinon 7x50, the 10x70's "little brother". When I started birding, I was happy to use my Fujinon, as you are now, because of its superb optics. But, upon discovering this forum, (I didn't know any birders personally at the time) I learned that the small 42mm or even 32mm binocular was the typical instrument, usually made with roof prisms. I slowly came to realize that my relatively large, heavy, and slow focusing Fujinon, despite it's satisfying view, was probably not the best for carrying around on a miles-long birding adventure, where one is likely to be surprised by close and fast-moving birds. In that sense your 10x70 is even more inappropriate than my 7x50.
I am now a convert to the typical birding binocular, and highly recommend something like an 8x42 or 10x42. I must warn you however that it is very expensive to buy a roof prism birding binocular that is optically as good as your Fujinon. It is fortunate that you are prepared to buy a Swarovski spotting scope, because it will cost almost that much. I cannot recommend less, or you will be disappointed in the view. I can tell you that you are spoiled rotten and may not realize it. But you would be beside yourself with joy, and would see more birds, with a lightweight binocular which is quick and easy to use. I also watch owls with my 8x42. Ease of use can be as important to what is seen as raw optical power and light gathering ability.
Ron
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Tvc15_2000
Well-known member
For the use you are describing a scope does not sound like a good solution. For me it is harder to find the bird with a scope (but it gets easier the more you use it).
I agree the Swarovski 80 is a fantastic scope.
I use 10x bins which are more than adequate for viewing the back yard feeder (70 feet away). But I often point the scope at our backyard feeder for a full frame view of a bird on the feeder. The additional details the scope provides are very enjoyable.
For long distance viewing (such as a hawk migration, ducks and shore birds) the scope is indispensable and worth its weight and cost (in my opinion).
I agree the Swarovski 80 is a fantastic scope.
I use 10x bins which are more than adequate for viewing the back yard feeder (70 feet away). But I often point the scope at our backyard feeder for a full frame view of a bird on the feeder. The additional details the scope provides are very enjoyable.
For long distance viewing (such as a hawk migration, ducks and shore birds) the scope is indispensable and worth its weight and cost (in my opinion).
edwincjones
Well-known member
If you REALLY only want 10-15x, stick with the binoculars;
but there are times when the 30-40-60X comes in handy that the binos cannot match.
I was watching a red tailed hawk on a power pole with 10 to 15x with binoculars-nice hawk. When I used 45x with a spotting scope, I could see that this was an old hawk, had a healing injury to back of head, may have had a leg injury.
For me, the spotting scope will never replace binoculars, but can compliment the binos.
edj
but there are times when the 30-40-60X comes in handy that the binos cannot match.
I was watching a red tailed hawk on a power pole with 10 to 15x with binoculars-nice hawk. When I used 45x with a spotting scope, I could see that this was an old hawk, had a healing injury to back of head, may have had a leg injury.
For me, the spotting scope will never replace binoculars, but can compliment the binos.
edj
Televue's TV-85 APO. Primarily used for astronomy but can also be used for birding.
http://televue.com/BirdScope/
Bob
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