Swarowski ME 1.7 extender -- thoughts (1 Viewer)

[leonardo_simon]

I've just bought an ATX 85 -- interested in the 1.7 extender -- as seems potentially useful for a reasonable price....

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have one about what situations might it be useful?

Just that even at full magnification (e.g. 60x) tripod wobble & heat haze becomes quite noticeable -- so is going up to ~100x practically useful in "real world" use?

For those who've bought one and use with an ATX/STX system -- how often do you actually use it? (I can see it's use with BTX where no zoom)

Thanks

 

[leonardo_simon]

anyone got this & willing to post their experiences with it? thanks.....

 

[Tringa45]

Potential uses: doing a star test, measuring the resolution of your scope, reading rings or looking at the planets if seeing is good.
The reduced depth of field at the higher magnifications will probably make it very difficult to reach precise focus.
There are at least a couple of birders here on the forum, who frequently use magnifications >60x but I think they do so from elevated positions shortly after sunrise or shortly before sunset or in cool northern climes.
Personally, I appreciate the bright views afforded by the lower magnifications in my Kowa 883 and seldom go above 50x.

John

 

[ajfossey]

Although you specifically mention the ATX/STX system I’ve never found a need for using the extender with either the 95mm or 85mm objectives as the zoom always meets my birding needs. On occasion, I did employ the extender on a 95mm with the BTX to good effect; as you suggest, with no zoom it perhaps can make sense.

The extender is now predominantly used on a 115mm (with BTX) as this affords full use of the objective capabilities rather than just the 110mm when used with the BTX on its own (no extender). The nearly x60 magnification and resolving with two eyes is both incredibly comfortable and useful for differentiating various wader and duck species when carrying out estuary census work or just birding for pleasure.

I generally avoid fitting or removing the extender in the field. It’s too awkward juggling multiple components and not worth the risk in my opinion; particularly as my system all sits on a Swarovski balance rail complicating matters further! Instead, I prefer to make my choice at the start of the day and use accordingly. Usually I’m birding with my wife so we usually have another scope with lower/higher magnification available if needed.

 

[DRodrigues]

The extender it's a must have if you look at birds at great distances.
On my cr-birding I use it for reading duck nasal saddles at >220m with the X95. Bellow it's not needed.
Obviously you need a good tripod and tripod-head, and stable air.

 

[WCA]

It can prove invaluable for colour ring reading. That’s the only reason I have one.