Hi everyone,
For those of you looking at scopes who also want to throw your purchasing power
behind companies whose values align with your own, you might want to do some
digging into Vortex, which touts its support of the Second Amendment on its
website. I realize this is probably not an issue for many folks in our region,
but it may be for others.
Best,
Sandra Babcock
On 4/29/20, 12:03 AM, "bounce-124589348-73410...@list.cornell.edu on behalf of
Upstate NY Birding digest" <bounce-124589348-73410...@list.cornell.edu on
behalf of cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu> wrote:
CAYUGABIRDS-L Digest for Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
1. Re: Spotting scope question
2. RE: Spotting scope question
3. Etna: Low Sandhill Crane Flyover
4. RE: Spotting scope question
5. Re: Spotting scope question
6. RE: Spotting scope question
7. Re: Spotting scope question
8. Re: Spotting scope question
9. RE: Spotting scope question
10. Re: Spotting scope question
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Spotting scope question
From: Jody Enck <jodye...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 07:02:50 -0400
X-Message-Number: 1
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 <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:*
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> --
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Spotting scope question
From: "Gone" <gon...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 10:26:36 -0400
X-Message-Number: 2
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
--
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Etna: Low Sandhill Crane Flyover
From: "Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes" <c...@cornell.edu>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:24:44 +0000
X-Message-Number: 3
Around 10:45 this morning, as I was working at home with the window open, I
heard a single SANDHILL CRANE give out it’s loud, prehistoric-sounding,
bugling calls, twice. I scrambled downstairs with sunglasses, binoculars, and
camera, expecting a high-flying migrant.
To my surprise, the bird was actually quite low, perhaps only 200 feet up.
It was flying roughly from ENE to WSW, perhaps angling more Westward as it went
out of sight, seemingly following above the Route 366 and Route 13 side of Fall
Creek in Etna. This bird was bugling repeatedly, about once every 5-10 seconds.
Because it was so low, and with so many trees in the way, I was only able
to snap a single distant and blurry butt-end shot of the bird flying away.
Classic Sandhill Crane with long straight neck, long trailing legs, long
broad wings with noticeable primaries, and shallow, quick-snapping wingbeats.
Hope someone else also saw this bird or relocates it in a wet field
somewhere, such as the Hanshaw Road or Freese Road fields or other fields near
Varna—so many possibilities.
First Sandhill Crane in Etna for me!
Sincerely,
Chris T-H
--
Chris Tessaglia-Hymes
PO Box 488
8 Etna Lane
Etna, NY 13062
607-351-5740
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Spotting scope question
From: "Wesley M. Hochachka" <w...@cornell.edu>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 17:04:10 +0000
X-Message-Number: 4
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
<bounce-124587702-3494...@list.cornell.edu> On Behalf Of Gone
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 10:27 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L <cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu>
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
--
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Spotting scope question
From: Lynn Bergmeyer <lynnbergme...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 13:45:08 -0400
X-Message-Number: 5
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 <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:*
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> *Please submit your observations to eBird
> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!*
> --
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Spotting scope question
From: "Kevin J. McGowan" <k...@cornell.edu>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 17:54:54 +0000
X-Message-Number: 6
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 <petersarac...@gmail.com>
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L <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
<petersarac...@gmail.com<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
--
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Spotting scope question
From: Jody Enck <jodye...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:07:11 -0400
X-Message-Number: 7
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 <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 <
> bounce-124588328-3493...@list.cornell.edu> *On Behalf Of *Lynn Bergmeyer
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 28, 2020 1:45 PM
> *To:* Peter Saracino <petersarac...@gmail.com>
> *Cc:* CAYUGABIRDS-L <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 <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
>
> --
>
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> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!*
> --
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Spotting scope question
From: Glenn Wilson <wil...@stny.rr.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:17:33 -0400
X-Message-Number: 8
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 <lynnbergme...@gmail.com>
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 <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
> Rules and Information
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive
> Surfbirds
> BirdingOnThe.Net
> Please submit your observations to eBird!
> --
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Spotting scope question
From: Leo Thomas Sack <lt...@cornell.edu>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 19:34:15 +0000
X-Message-Number: 9
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 <k...@cornell.edu>
Cc: Lynn Bergmeyer <lynnbergme...@gmail.com>; Peter Saracino
<petersarac...@gmail.com>; CAYUGABIRDS-L <cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu>
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
<k...@cornell.edu<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>
<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 <petersarac...@gmail.com<mailto:petersarac...@gmail.com>>
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L
<cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu<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
<petersarac...@gmail.com<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
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Subject: Re: Spotting scope question
From: Peter Saracino <petersarac...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 20:39:34 -0400
X-Message-Number: 10
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 <lt...@cornell.edu> 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
“goodâ€
> 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 <k...@cornell.edu>
> *Cc:* Lynn Bergmeyer <lynnbergme...@gmail.com>; Peter Saracino <
> petersarac...@gmail.com>; CAYUGABIRDS-L <cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu>
> *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 <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 <
> bounce-124588328-3493...@list.cornell.edu> *On Behalf Of *Lynn Bergmeyer
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 28, 2020 1:45 PM
> *To:* Peter Saracino <petersarac...@gmail.com>
> *Cc:* CAYUGABIRDS-L <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 <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
>
> --
>
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