I've spent nearly the past year birding with various NC groups. In that time I've been priveledged to try a pretty good variety of the equipment out there. As a result of several conversations I've had with long-time, hard-core birders, I thought I'd post some general observations.
Tripods:
*Generally aren't given as much attention either in purchasing decision, or in minor maintenace as they should be.
*Bogen is the most popular brand, but many longtime Bogen users have complaints ranging from too-sharp edges for comfortable carry, to leg-locks that don't, to excessive weight for somewhat limited stability etc.
*The plastic column stop/reversible head on my 3221WN broke in the cold for no apparent reason. Since the leg locks are the same type of plastic, I've been wondering when they'll go.
*There's excessive play between the column and tripod on a good number of non-geared column extending tripods including the Bogen 3000-3200 series.
Tripod heads:
*The Bogen 3130 is by far the most popular spotting scope head, but I've met several birders who share my complaint that there is way too much slop in the horizontal head swivel which allows the scope to rock up and down.
*The Bogen wrench supplied with most of their tripods is usually the first thing that gets lost. Next are the head handles.
Spotting scopes:
*30-40 power seems to be best for 95% of viewing. 20 power isn't nearly enough. 60x often yields worse images than 30x.
*Swarovski AT scopes are great but they tint everything yellow. Also, the Swaro zoom constricts the FOV between 40-50x but then opens it back up again at 60x.
*Personally, I'd rather have a wide occular than a super wide FOV. I really like the "picture window" look that some of the best eyepieces give. The current Swaros are very good in that regard.
*There doesn't appear to be all that much truly relevant extra light grasp when going from 70mm to 80mm or from 80mm to 100mm. There is usually a tremdous extra boost when going from 60mm to 70mm.
*There is a phenomenal difference between $500-$600 scopes and $100-$200 scopes, but not as much between $600 scopes and those costing over a grand.
*Eyepiece selection is perhaps more critical than is generally realized.
Binoculars:
*I seriously question whether more folks wouldn't see more, and be happier with 10x50 porros as opposed to the more popular 8-40 roofs.
*I've now met 2 people with Leica BN's with stuck or malfunctioning diopter adjustments.
*I've never met a dissatified Swarovski EL owner.
*I've met extremely experienced birders with seemingly incredible life lists, that use nothing but very cheap or very small binoculars. Ditto for scopes.
So it just goes to show that gear isn't everything, but I'll take all the help I can in terms of using the best optics I can.
Mike Swaim
Tripods:
*Generally aren't given as much attention either in purchasing decision, or in minor maintenace as they should be.
*Bogen is the most popular brand, but many longtime Bogen users have complaints ranging from too-sharp edges for comfortable carry, to leg-locks that don't, to excessive weight for somewhat limited stability etc.
*The plastic column stop/reversible head on my 3221WN broke in the cold for no apparent reason. Since the leg locks are the same type of plastic, I've been wondering when they'll go.
*There's excessive play between the column and tripod on a good number of non-geared column extending tripods including the Bogen 3000-3200 series.
Tripod heads:
*The Bogen 3130 is by far the most popular spotting scope head, but I've met several birders who share my complaint that there is way too much slop in the horizontal head swivel which allows the scope to rock up and down.
*The Bogen wrench supplied with most of their tripods is usually the first thing that gets lost. Next are the head handles.
Spotting scopes:
*30-40 power seems to be best for 95% of viewing. 20 power isn't nearly enough. 60x often yields worse images than 30x.
*Swarovski AT scopes are great but they tint everything yellow. Also, the Swaro zoom constricts the FOV between 40-50x but then opens it back up again at 60x.
*Personally, I'd rather have a wide occular than a super wide FOV. I really like the "picture window" look that some of the best eyepieces give. The current Swaros are very good in that regard.
*There doesn't appear to be all that much truly relevant extra light grasp when going from 70mm to 80mm or from 80mm to 100mm. There is usually a tremdous extra boost when going from 60mm to 70mm.
*There is a phenomenal difference between $500-$600 scopes and $100-$200 scopes, but not as much between $600 scopes and those costing over a grand.
*Eyepiece selection is perhaps more critical than is generally realized.
Binoculars:
*I seriously question whether more folks wouldn't see more, and be happier with 10x50 porros as opposed to the more popular 8-40 roofs.
*I've now met 2 people with Leica BN's with stuck or malfunctioning diopter adjustments.
*I've never met a dissatified Swarovski EL owner.
*I've met extremely experienced birders with seemingly incredible life lists, that use nothing but very cheap or very small binoculars. Ditto for scopes.
So it just goes to show that gear isn't everything, but I'll take all the help I can in terms of using the best optics I can.
Mike Swaim
