[cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope

[James Gaffney]

I’m in the market for a new spotting scope. I was trying to find the most 
recent review in all about birds. Any suggestions?  Price range 1000$ or less. 
Thanks 
Jim


Sent from my iPhone
--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[cayugabirds-l] Spotting Scope

[Jerry Skinner]

Lightly used intermediate spotting scope for sale.
Please contact me offline.
Jerry Skinner

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope for sale?

[Kelly Sams]

Someone posted a spotting scope on here in the last week...wondering if it
is still available?

The thousands of geese today, and 4 sandhill cranes at Montezuma visitor
center were fantastic! But sure made me wish for a scope!

Great day out there!
Kelly

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[cayugabirds-l] Spotting Scope - Pete Saracino

[Stephen Taylor]

Hi Pete,
I have a Kowa TSN824 spotting scope with a 20x-60x zoom lens. It is over 20 
years old and its optics quality isn’t up to today’s standards. But it could 
meet your needs. If you’re interested contact me privately by email. 

Steve Taylor 
Pittsford NY
steve...@rochester.rr.com

Sent from my iPhone

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Peter Saracino]

Folks thank you so much for the myriad responses i have received concerning
my spotting scope question! It is so heartening to see the outpouring of
advice you have provided. I am truly touched by your willingness to help
me. Truly.
That being said I can see I should have been should more clear. I already
have an angled spotting scope (Vortex Razor 85mm Ultra High Definition) and
am in the market for a straight barreled one to use mounted on a window as
I drive the wildlife drive (for example). I do have a window mount for my
angled Vortex but I often find I have to contort my body into a human
pretzel to get it on a particular bird. Also given the fact that I already
have a scope I didn't want to spend lots on it if I was only going to use
it now and then.
So there is a clearer description of my question/issue. Something half-way
decent/reliable without having to spend a lot of money on it.
Again, thanks so much for your willingness to help. It is
greatly appreciated.
Be well and stay healthy. Even as I write I can hear those warbler
wingbeats heading our way.
Pete Sar

On Tue, Apr 28, 2020, 3:34 PM Leo Thomas Sack  wrote:

> A slightly different perspective:
>
>
>
> I have two spotting scopes, one straight and one angled… on two tripods,
> one sturdy and tall and one shorter but very light-weight and easy to
> carry. I use both scopes and both tripods regularly.
>
>
>
>- Which is better definitely depends on your personal needs and how
>you prefer to use it! If I’m birding by myself and not walking far, on a
>super windy day, I’ll use the straight scope on the tall sturdy tripod. If
>I’m sharing with others who are not my height, then I use the angled scope.
>If I’m walking far, I use my very light-weight tripod so I can carry it
>easily, plus the angled scope because it’s easier to use with a shorter
>tripod. I’ve added a shoulder strap to my light-weight tripod and enjoy
>carrying it and my angled scope on multiple-mile hikes.
>
>
>
>- I don’t have a lot of money to spend. Yet I’ve bought 2 scopes and 2
>tripods within a couple years, and plan to buy more soon just to have
>extras to teach with. How? I bought inexpensive models, $60-$75 per scope
>and $50-$100 per tripod. Are they as good as the $1,000+ scopes that I know
>some of you own? No. Do they work well enough for me successfully ID and
>enjoy watching birds that are way too distant for my binoculars? Yes,
>absolutely! And, when I started with a straight and then decided I wanted
>an angled, I didn’t feel stuck with my first purchase forever.
>
>
>
> Before moving to NY, I used to teach astronomy. When asked about choosing
> an astronomical telescope, the advice that I and fellow astronomers always
> gave was this:
>
>
>
>- Start by looking through a variety of other people’s scopes, and
>borrow a couple “loaners” to learn what you like before you buy. (Most
>astro clubs have loaner scopes – why don’t bird clubs???)
>
>
>
>- Your first purchase should be usable quality but not outrageously
>expensive, so you’re not stuck with it if you decide it’s not the right
>scope for you. Upgrade when you’re ready. (With astro telescopes, there *
>*IS** such a thing as too cheap to be “usable quality,” and we had to
>give guidance on that. With birding optics, I’ve intentionally looked for
>this lower limit, and have **NOT** found it yet!)
>
>
>
>- The “right scope for you” is the one you’ll want to use most often.
>If it has incredible power and quality but you rarely touch it because it’s
>too heavy, too difficult to use, or otherwise doesn’t meet your personal
>needs and interests, then it’s the wrong scope for you no matter how “good”
>it is!
>
>
>
> Cheers,
> Leo
>
>
>
> *From:* bounce-124588382-83239...@list.cornell.edu <
> bounce-124588382-83239...@list.cornell.edu> *On Behalf Of *Jody Enck
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 28, 2020 2:07 PM
> *To:* Kevin J. McGowan 
> *Cc:* Lynn Bergmeyer ; Peter Saracino <
> petersarac...@gmail.com>; CAYUGABIRDS-L 
> *Subject:* Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question
>
>
>
> Great advice from everyone!
>
> I can't emphasize enough to practice, practice, practice with your scope.
> Your enjoyment level will go up by leaps and bounds.
>
> It's a bit like buying a musical instrument.  I've seen people by
> expensive instruments, but they don't know how to use them effectively.
>
> I'll second what Kevin said about turning the angled scope on it's side.
> I don't have one, so I can't do that.  But, I have seen plenty of folks use
> it that way for various reasons (not just to make it easier for a
> shorter-than-you person to see throu

RE: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Leo Thomas Sack]

A slightly different perspective:

I have two spotting scopes, one straight and one angled… on two tripods, one 
sturdy and tall and one shorter but very light-weight and easy to carry. I use 
both scopes and both tripods regularly.


  *   Which is better definitely depends on your personal needs and how you 
prefer to use it! If I’m birding by myself and not walking far, on a super 
windy day, I’ll use the straight scope on the tall sturdy tripod. If I’m 
sharing with others who are not my height, then I use the angled scope. If I’m 
walking far, I use my very light-weight tripod so I can carry it easily, plus 
the angled scope because it’s easier to use with a shorter tripod. I’ve added a 
shoulder strap to my light-weight tripod and enjoy carrying it and my angled 
scope on multiple-mile hikes.



  *   I don’t have a lot of money to spend. Yet I’ve bought 2 scopes and 2 
tripods within a couple years, and plan to buy more soon just to have extras to 
teach with. How? I bought inexpensive models, $60-$75 per scope and $50-$100 
per tripod. Are they as good as the $1,000+ scopes that I know some of you own? 
No. Do they work well enough for me successfully ID and enjoy watching birds 
that are way too distant for my binoculars? Yes, absolutely! And, when I 
started with a straight and then decided I wanted an angled, I didn’t feel 
stuck with my first purchase forever.


Before moving to NY, I used to teach astronomy. When asked about choosing an 
astronomical telescope, the advice that I and fellow astronomers always gave 
was this:


  *   Start by looking through a variety of other people’s scopes, and borrow a 
couple “loaners” to learn what you like before you buy. (Most astro clubs have 
loaner scopes – why don’t bird clubs???)



  *   Your first purchase should be usable quality but not outrageously 
expensive, so you’re not stuck with it if you decide it’s not the right scope 
for you. Upgrade when you’re ready. (With astro telescopes, there *IS* such a 
thing as too cheap to be “usable quality,” and we had to give guidance on that. 
With birding optics, I’ve intentionally looked for this lower limit, and have 
*NOT* found it yet!)



  *   The “right scope for you” is the one you’ll want to use most often. If it 
has incredible power and quality but you rarely touch it because it’s too 
heavy, too difficult to use, or otherwise doesn’t meet your personal needs and 
interests, then it’s the wrong scope for you no matter how “good” it is!

Cheers,
Leo

From: bounce-124588382-83239...@list.cornell.edu 
 On Behalf Of Jody Enck
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 2:07 PM
To: Kevin J. McGowan 
Cc: Lynn Bergmeyer ; Peter Saracino 
; CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

Great advice from everyone!
I can't emphasize enough to practice, practice, practice with your scope.  Your 
enjoyment level will go up by leaps and bounds.
It's a bit like buying a musical instrument.  I've seen people by expensive 
instruments, but they don't know how to use them effectively.
I'll second what Kevin said about turning the angled scope on it's side.  I 
don't have one, so I can't do that.  But, I have seen plenty of folks use it 
that way for various reasons (not just to make it easier for a shorter-than-you 
person to see through your scope).  Because I don't have an angled scope, I 
don't know how folks with one have suffered.  But I can tell you as a 10+ year 
owner of a straight scope that I have suffered mightily from that 
configuration, and would trade it away in a heartbeat.
I suppose they have their purpose, but not for the kind of birding I like to do.

Have fun!


Jody W. Enck, PhD
Conservation Social Scientist, and
Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network
607-379-5940


On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 1:55 PM Kevin J. McGowan 
mailto:k...@cornell.edu>> wrote:
I use an angled scope from my car all the time. You just have to rotate the 
barrel so the eyepiece is pointing to the side. When scanning, you’re going to 
have to rotate it to the opposite side at one point, and you might also have to 
move the mount to another part of the window. You can even cover a much greater 
horizon than with a straight scope. You just have to get used to it.

Kevin McGowan


From: 
bounce-124588328-3493...@list.cornell.edu<mailto:bounce-124588328-3493...@list.cornell.edu>
 
mailto:bounce-124588328-3493...@list.cornell.edu>>
 On Behalf Of Lynn Bergmeyer
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 1:45 PM
To: Peter Saracino mailto:petersarac...@gmail.com>>
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
mailto:cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu>>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

This is probably a ridiculous question but does anyone have an idea of anything 
out there for using angled scope within a vehicle?  Its not impossible from an 
engineering perspective but don't think any company has pursued for obvious 
reasons

On Mon, Apr 27, 2020, 8:45 PM Peter Saracino 
mailto:petersarac...@gmail.com>>

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Glenn Wilson]

I too use an angled scope from my car a LOT. Works great. 

Glenn Wilson
Endicott, NY
www.WilsonsWarbler.com

> On Apr 28, 2020, at 1:45 PM, Lynn Bergmeyer  wrote:
> 


This is probably a ridiculous question but does anyone have an idea of anything 
out there for using angled scope within a vehicle?  Its not impossible from an 
engineering perspective but don't think any company has pursued for obvious 
reasons

> On Mon, Apr 27, 2020, 8:45 PM Peter Saracino  wrote:
> Hi folks. I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive (but halfway 
> decent)spotting scope (straight barrel), and am wondering if anyone out there 
> can recommend one.
> Thank you.
> Pete Sar
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Welcome and Basics
> Rules and Information
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive
> Surfbirds
> BirdingOnThe.Net
> Please submit your observations to eBird!
> --

--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Welcome and Basics
Rules and Information
Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
Archives:
The Mail Archive
Surfbirds
BirdingOnThe.Net
Please submit your observations to eBird!
--
--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Jody Enck]

Great advice from everyone!
I can't emphasize enough to practice, practice, practice with your scope.
Your enjoyment level will go up by leaps and bounds.
It's a bit like buying a musical instrument.  I've seen people by expensive
instruments, but they don't know how to use them effectively.
I'll second what Kevin said about turning the angled scope on it's side.  I
don't have one, so I can't do that.  But, I have seen plenty of folks use
it that way for various reasons (not just to make it easier for a
shorter-than-you person to see through your scope).  Because I don't have
an angled scope, I don't know how folks with one have suffered.  But I can
tell you as a 10+ year owner of a straight scope that I have suffered
mightily from that configuration, and would trade it away in a heartbeat.
I suppose they have their purpose, but not for the kind of birding I like
to do.

Have fun!


Jody W. Enck, PhD
Conservation Social Scientist, and
Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network
607-379-5940


On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 1:55 PM Kevin J. McGowan  wrote:

> I use an angled scope from my car all the time. You just have to rotate
> the barrel so the eyepiece is pointing to the side. When scanning, you’re
> going to have to rotate it to the opposite side at one point, and you might
> also have to move the mount to another part of the window. You can even
> cover a much greater horizon than with a straight scope. You just have to
> get used to it.
>
>
>
> Kevin McGowan
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* bounce-124588328-3493...@list.cornell.edu <
> bounce-124588328-3493...@list.cornell.edu> *On Behalf Of *Lynn Bergmeyer
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 28, 2020 1:45 PM
> *To:* Peter Saracino 
> *Cc:* CAYUGABIRDS-L 
> *Subject:* Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question
>
>
>
> This is probably a ridiculous question but does anyone have an idea of
> anything out there for using angled scope within a vehicle?  Its not
> impossible from an engineering perspective but don't think any company has
> pursued for obvious reasons
>
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 27, 2020, 8:45 PM Peter Saracino 
> wrote:
>
> Hi folks. I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive (but halfway
> decent)spotting scope (straight barrel), and am wondering if anyone out
> there can recommend one.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Pete Sar
>
> --
>
> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:*
>
> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME>
>
> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES>
>
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm>
>
> *Archives:*
>
> The Mail Archive
> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html>
>
> Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds>
>
> BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html>
>
> *Please submit your observations to eBird
> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!*
>
> --
>
> --
>
> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:*
>
> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME>
>
> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES>
>
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm>
>
> *Archives:*
>
> The Mail Archive
> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html>
>
> Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds>
>
> BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html>
>
> *Please submit your observations to eBird
> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!*
>
> --
> --
> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:*
> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME>
> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES>
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm>
> *Archives:*
> The Mail Archive
> <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html>
> Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds>
> BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html>
> *Please submit your observations to eBird
> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!*
> --
>

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

RE: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Kevin J. McGowan]

I use an angled scope from my car all the time. You just have to rotate the 
barrel so the eyepiece is pointing to the side. When scanning, you’re going to 
have to rotate it to the opposite side at one point, and you might also have to 
move the mount to another part of the window. You can even cover a much greater 
horizon than with a straight scope. You just have to get used to it.

Kevin McGowan


From: bounce-124588328-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
 On Behalf Of Lynn Bergmeyer
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 1:45 PM
To: Peter Saracino 
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

This is probably a ridiculous question but does anyone have an idea of anything 
out there for using angled scope within a vehicle?  Its not impossible from an 
engineering perspective but don't think any company has pursued for obvious 
reasons

On Mon, Apr 27, 2020, 8:45 PM Peter Saracino 
mailto:petersarac...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Hi folks. I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive (but halfway 
decent)spotting scope (straight barrel), and am wondering if anyone out there 
can recommend one.
Thank you.
Pete Sar
--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Welcome and Basics<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME>
Rules and Information<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES>
Subscribe, Configuration and 
Leave<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm>
Archives:
The Mail 
Archive<http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html>
Surfbirds<http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds>
BirdingOnThe.Net<http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html>
Please submit your observations to eBird<http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!
--
--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Welcome and Basics<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME>
Rules and Information<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES>
Subscribe, Configuration and 
Leave<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm>
Archives:
The Mail 
Archive<http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html>
Surfbirds<http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds>
BirdingOnThe.Net<http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html>
Please submit your observations to eBird<http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!
--

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Lynn Bergmeyer]

This is probably a ridiculous question but does anyone have an idea of
anything out there for using angled scope within a vehicle?  Its not
impossible from an engineering perspective but don't think any company has
pursued for obvious reasons

On Mon, Apr 27, 2020, 8:45 PM Peter Saracino 
wrote:

> Hi folks. I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive (but halfway
> decent)spotting scope (straight barrel), and am wondering if anyone out
> there can recommend one.
> Thank you.
> Pete Sar
> --
> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:*
> Welcome and Basics 
> Rules and Information 
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> 
> *Archives:*
> The Mail Archive
> 
> Surfbirds 
> BirdingOnThe.Net 
> *Please submit your observations to eBird
> !*
> --
>

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

RE: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Wesley M. Hochachka]

I doubt that there is any such thing as the “perfect” all-purpose spotting 
scope…regardless of price.  So I think that it’s important to decide how a 
scope will typically be used, and then buy a style of scope that maximizes 
utility for the most likely use cases, without eliminating the possibility of 
other likely use cases.  Jody, and Melissa and Wade described a couple of 
different use cases for which different styles of scopes would be preferred.

Oh, and there really is a difference between scopes whose optics include “ED” 
(or “high dispersion” or some other “special” glass), if a company makes models 
with and without any “special” glass.  Images are just crisper when 
special-glass elements are included.  I’ve seen this in side-by-side 
comparisons of scopes even from high-end companies like Swarovski.

I’ll second Jody’s suggestion that it’s important to budget for a good tripod 
and tripod head (with a decent quick-release system for removing the scope), in 
addition to the scope.  One thing to consider regarding the combination of 
scope + tripod is that (in my opinion) an extendable center column of a tripod 
a the devil’s own invention, because an extended center column is a lever arm 
that magnifies any vibration caused by wind, or touching the scope or tripod.  
It’s better to get a scope up to the desired height by only extending the 
tripod’s legs than to have to raise a center column in order for the scope to 
be raised to a suitable height for use.  That’s another reason why an 
angled-eyepiece scope can be better (assuming that angling would meet other 
requirements): the scope doesn’t have to be raised as high in order to look 
into the eyepiece.

Wesley


From: bounce-124587702-3494...@list.cornell.edu 
 On Behalf Of Gone
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 10:27 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

My wife and I use straight 60x  80mm scopes, hers is a Vortex Optics Viper HD 
and mine is a  Clestron Ultima 80  with a BAADER PLANETARIUM  Hyperion zoom 
8-24 mark III eyepiece. I found my Celestron lacking after looking through my 
wifes Viper with the ED glass so I added the BADDER eyepiece to mine which made 
a world of difference putting my scope on par with hers. We found the angled 
scopes did not work for us because looking in a close tree the angle was good 
but the field of view was limited so our 10x42 and 12x42 binos worked just fine 
for that. Another reason for straight, for us, is that we scope more than 75% 
of the time with car window mounts and the angled scope will not work for that.
Melissa and Wade


From: 
bounce-124586701-26966...@list.cornell.edu<mailto:bounce-124586701-26966...@list.cornell.edu>
 [mailto:bounce-124586701-26966...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Peter Saracino
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2020 8:45 PM
To: Cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu<mailto:Cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu>
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

Hi folks. I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive (but halfway 
decent)spotting scope (straight barrel), and am wondering if anyone out there 
can recommend one.
Thank you.
Pete Sar
--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Welcome and Basics<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME>
Rules and Information<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES>
Subscribe, Configuration and 
Leave<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm>
Archives:
The Mail 
Archive<http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html>
Surfbirds<http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds>
BirdingOnThe.Net<http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html>
Please submit your observations to eBird<http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!
--
--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Welcome and Basics<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME>
Rules and Information<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES>
Subscribe, Configuration and 
Leave<http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm>
Archives:
The Mail 
Archive<http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html>
Surfbirds<http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds>
BirdingOnThe.Net<http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html>
Please submit your observations to eBird<http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!
--

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

RE: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Gone]

My wife and I use straight 60x  80mm scopes, hers is a Vortex Optics Viper HD 
and mine is a  Clestron Ultima 80  with a BAADER PLANETARIUM  Hyperion zoom 
8-24 mark III eyepiece. I found my Celestron lacking after looking through my 
wifes Viper with the ED glass so I added the BADDER eyepiece to mine which made 
a world of difference putting my scope on par with hers. We found the angled 
scopes did not work for us because looking in a close tree the angle was good 
but the field of view was limited so our 10x42 and 12x42 binos worked just fine 
for that. Another reason for straight, for us, is that we scope more than 75% 
of the time with car window mounts and the angled scope will not work for that.


Melissa and Wade


 

 

From: bounce-124586701-26966...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-124586701-26966...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Peter Saracino
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2020 8:45 PM
To: Cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

 

Hi folks. I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive (but halfway 
decent)spotting scope (straight barrel), and am wondering if anyone out there 
can recommend one.

Thank you.

Pete Sar

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:

 <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME> Welcome and Basics

 <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES> Rules and Information

 <http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> 
Subscribe, Configuration and Leave

Archives:

 <http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> The Mail 
Archive

 <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds> Surfbirds

 <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html> BirdingOnThe.Net

Please submit your observations to eBird <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> !

--


--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Jody Enck]

Hi Pete,
For good value for price, check out Vortex products.  I bought my scope 10
years ago, so I won't mention specific products as they change over time.
However, I did learn several important lessons that I'd like to pass
along.  In no particular order

Get a decent tripod.  You want one that is stout enough to be steady in
wind, but not too heavy.  If the scope is bouncing around because the
tripod is not steady, the use of the scope is seriously diminished.  Also,
consider how small or big it is when it breaks down.  It's one thing to
reduce it to half size to fit in the back of your car.  It's a
completely different thing to want to take it in your carry-on on a plane.
Or, even get it to fit in your checked suitcase.

Consider power carefully.  I considered quality of the glass in the
eyepiece and whether it maintained clarity and correct color out to the
edges.  However, I chose a smaller power (45x) to cut costs.  Big mistake.
Everyone else has 60x or even 85x.  Ducks and grebes they are picking out
and discussing the finer points of feather molt just look like dark dots in
my scope.  Don't scrimp on power.

Shape of barrel (straight or angled).  Don't even consider a straight
barrel.  I have one.  That was by far the single worst decision I ever made
with any of my optics.  If the bird you are trying to look at is up in a
tree, the straight barrel is completely useless unless you lay on your back
on the ground.  If you want to show other people something through your
scope, you'll be constantly moving the scope up and down.  I lead field
trips, and my straight barrel is very, very frustrating.  Angled barrels
allow you to see things that are nearly straight up (at least 70 degrees),
and you can turn the scope on its side with a quick adjustment to allow a
shorter person to use it.

When you get it, practice with it a lot.  Carry it around with you all day
long.  Most importantly, use it to locate birds for hours on end.  The more
used to it you are, the more functional it will become, and the more fun
will be your birding.

Good luck!
Jody



Jody W. Enck, PhD
Conservation Social Scientist, and
Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network
607-379-5940


On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 8:45 PM Peter Saracino 
wrote:

> Hi folks. I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive (but halfway
> decent)spotting scope (straight barrel), and am wondering if anyone out
> there can recommend one.
> Thank you.
> Pete Sar
> --
> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:*
> Welcome and Basics 
> Rules and Information 
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> 
> *Archives:*
> The Mail Archive
> 
> Surfbirds 
> BirdingOnThe.Net 
> *Please submit your observations to eBird
> !*
> --
>

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[cayugabirds-l] Spotting scope question

[Peter Saracino]

Hi folks. I'm in the market for a relatively inexpensive (but halfway
decent)spotting scope (straight barrel), and am wondering if anyone out
there can recommend one.
Thank you.
Pete Sar

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[cayugabirds-l] Spotting Scope, tripod, and birding backpack for sale

[Sandy]

Preference to someone who wants all for $800 total:

Vortex Viper spotting scope with protective neoprene cover, $750 obo
includes tripod (scope is in very good condition)
https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-viper-hd-20-60x80-spotting-scopes.html

Vanguard Endeavor 1600 Travel birding backpack (26L), paid $120, asking $90
(used for one trip, nearly spotless)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CZLGQBI/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8=1

*S.L. Wold, author/originator/publisher of the Cayuga Basin Bioregion Map*
*https://www.sites.google.com/site/cayugabioregionmap/
*

http://www.sandy-wold.com/

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[cayugabirds-l] Spotting Scope

[Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes]

I don’t know if anyone is in the market for a spotting scope, but I just saw 
that someone is selling their Swarovski ATS-80 HD on the Ithaca Craigslist:

http://ithaca.craigslist.org/for/5903608363.html

Sincerely,
Chris T-H


--
Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes
Field Applications Engineer
Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850
W: 607-254-2418   M: 607-351-5740   F: 
607-254-1132
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp


--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--