Good afternoon, It's my first post and a thread right away as well, but I've been lurking around this place, trying to search and find some info to what to do.
I'm starting with watching birds, but I already have some equipment.
I have a Leica Monovid 8x20. Easy to pack, always with me and really good quality.
Then I have an 8 or 9 year old Zeiss Conquest 8x30. Since I have the Monovid I hardly ever use them, I don't like them as much because the Monovid is IMHO better as the Conquest (besides dusk-conditions) and more portable.
Last I have is a Optolyth 30x75. This is an age-old draw telescope that has one big advantaged (it was really cheap at €60 orso) but it's not easy to hold, not easy to use on a tripod or monopod, and the optical quality isn't very good as well.
The question I have is easy: what to upgrade?
The Optolyth gives a really appalling view so upgrading would be a huge difference, but I use the bins much more.
Is there a standard wisdom in birding? First buy good bins, then find some scope? I could probably give the Optolyth with a good service as it is somewhere between 15 and 35 years old according to the manufacturer.
I am looking at Swarovski's EL 10x50's or at an ATM80HD. Both end up around €2200-2500 MRSP but the EL's have no discount yet (way too much demand and not enough production yet, so it seams).
One more thing is that I'm not a stationary guy, I like to walk and when I see something, I grab some optics. But I live in the Netherlands and when you want to watch something it's usually at the other side of some pasture, often 200-500meters away.
Advice would be very welcome!
I'm starting with watching birds, but I already have some equipment.
I have a Leica Monovid 8x20. Easy to pack, always with me and really good quality.
Then I have an 8 or 9 year old Zeiss Conquest 8x30. Since I have the Monovid I hardly ever use them, I don't like them as much because the Monovid is IMHO better as the Conquest (besides dusk-conditions) and more portable.
Last I have is a Optolyth 30x75. This is an age-old draw telescope that has one big advantaged (it was really cheap at €60 orso) but it's not easy to hold, not easy to use on a tripod or monopod, and the optical quality isn't very good as well.
The question I have is easy: what to upgrade?
The Optolyth gives a really appalling view so upgrading would be a huge difference, but I use the bins much more.
Is there a standard wisdom in birding? First buy good bins, then find some scope? I could probably give the Optolyth with a good service as it is somewhere between 15 and 35 years old according to the manufacturer.
I am looking at Swarovski's EL 10x50's or at an ATM80HD. Both end up around €2200-2500 MRSP but the EL's have no discount yet (way too much demand and not enough production yet, so it seams).
One more thing is that I'm not a stationary guy, I like to walk and when I see something, I grab some optics. But I live in the Netherlands and when you want to watch something it's usually at the other side of some pasture, often 200-500meters away.
Advice would be very welcome!