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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Steve C" data-source="post: 3342217" data-attributes="member: 56622">Wow, what a place.  It leaves the impression you will not be put off by the $2,200 price of the Swarovski 15x56 SLC.  That and a good tripod, either Manfrotto or SLIK with a fluid head. That magnification, used over your panoramic distance needs to be steady.  Actually the tripod is probably more important than what binocular you choose.  Aside from the Swarovski, look at the Zeiss Conquest, Meopta, Minox, and Vortex offerings at that magnification.  Don't skimp, get good stuff for the habitat, terrain, and distances you are viewing.In my opinion, 15x on a tripod mounted binocular will trump a Spotting scope set at 20-25x.  Primarily that is due to the binocular vision from using both eyes and the increased depth from the double barrel configuration of the binocular vs the monocular aspect of the scope.  Much less stress on the brain when using both eyes.</blockquote>