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  1. 4

    Prism size in spotting scopes.

    Thank you, sir! That information is super helpful. I wasn't sure what relationship exists between porro binoculars and porro scope, and didn't want to assume anything! When the coatings are optimized in the Schmidt prism, is it a balance between color wavelengths and resolution? Or...
  2. 4

    Prism size in spotting scopes.

    This is a very interesting and enlightening topic! Regarding the Nikon EDIII and ED82 specifically, would there be any advantage of the straight porro design compared to the angled Schmidt - in terms of optical performance, based on average assembly quality? In other words, would one design be...
  3. 4

    Which Zoom Eyepiece for Kowa 663M Opticron SDLV3 or Baader Hyperion Mark IV

    Have you considered using the 1.6x extender with the 30x wide? I'm interested in trying it myself. I have zero experience adapting other brands of eyepieces to a Kowa.
  4. 4

    Any customer review of new tsn-99?

    I can't help with 95 vs 99, but appreciate you joining here, and posting your observations and star test pictures. Thanks! Jason
  5. 4

    Looking for Travel Scope but Cheaper End of Market

    I'm interested in your thoughts with the 50mm Hawke. It seems like a well regarded scope. I recently got the 13-39x50 version, also second hand, mainly due to various anecdotal reports of sharp focus with the model that you have but I don't know how much they share in terms of design. The...
  6. 4

    16x and steady views. Sig Zulu6 16x42

    I may try comparing my 15x50 Canon to the 16x42 HDX again, but this time with both tripod mounted so I can quickly go back and forth. I don't expect my initial impressions to change much, but am curious if the HDX can actually resolve more in that center FOV region. Hopefully a different...
  7. 4

    16x and steady views. Sig Zulu6 16x42

    That was a long winded and poorly written post. Hopefully there's something useful to somebody in it!
  8. 4

    16x and steady views. Sig Zulu6 16x42

    A local store has the non-HDX 16x42 and new HDX 16x42. I took my Canon 15x50 to compare outdoors, but I was really there to see the new 56mm scope from Vortex! Most of my time and attention was on the scope but I did take some notes. Conditions were hot and sunny. Lot of heat haze but I was...
  9. 4

    New spotting scope from KOWA

    Thanks John, especially the details on the TE11WZ eyepiece. Over the past ~12+ months I have owned four 60mm, one 65mm, and one 66mm. They do seem dim compared to a larger scope but I have still found them useful even at 60x with the 60mm scopes. That stated, I like a bigger scope when...
  10. 4

    Scope advice

    Although not a perfect solution, I would also consider a superzoom camera. I know that some members here, and at other forums, have made the switch. A superzoom will not have the highest resolution, or pleasing image for hours of observation, but can be very handy to capture images. Image...
  11. 4

    New spotting scope from KOWA

    Regarding magnification, I was worried that it would be ~50x as I would prefer more magnification. I do value having the option of less than 25x on the other end though. Makes me wonder if Kowa kept the same focal length to improve the robustness of the design or to simply avoid having to...
  12. 4

    New spotting scope from KOWA

    Hi Henry, I'm glad you mentioned that. I don't have a good sense for f/numbers but recalled your interview where you had mentioned f/8 for fluorite and f/5-6 for a fluorite triplet. So f/7.7 for the new 66 seems promising for possibly low aberrations. Assuming a good sample. I was hoping...
  13. 4

    New spotting scope from KOWA

    $3000 USD is what I see here. And the 770 is supposedly discontinued.
  14. 4

    Product Review Part II: Svbony SA405 85mm ED Spotting Scope: Eyepieces & Imaging Capabilities.

    I should clarify and state that the 65mm SVBONY was OK in my mind for a ~$200 scope. If I didn't already own a scope(s) I might have kept it. Overall it seemed better than some of the low budget scopes that I have owned and used. For example, I had also tried a 65mm Athlon that seemed worse...
  15. 4

    Product Review Part II: Svbony SA405 85mm ED Spotting Scope: Eyepieces & Imaging Capabilities.

    That's good to know about the focuser on that 80mm. The coarse focuser on my 65mm was a bit stiff, but the fine focus was OK. I really don't have a preference for helical or dual focus belt drive mechanisms, other than the helical seems easier to use with gloves on. I've never noticed helical...
  16. 4

    Alpha IS?

    Good question, Paul. I wasn't overly thrilled with the 16x42 SIG image and sold it. I had used it for several months on my local walks and a backpacking trip where I viewed wildlife at extended distances where I didn't want to bring a scope and tripod. It was certainly functional, but I had...
  17. 4

    Alpha IS?

    Hi Paul, I bought the 10x30 and 16x42 over a year ago, and used them for several months before eventually selling both. In use, I didn't find either especially dark. I didn't have another 15x/16x to compare brightness to, but I had a few 10x42 and the SIG 10x30 did much better in low light...
  18. 4

    Product Review Part II: Svbony SA405 85mm ED Spotting Scope: Eyepieces & Imaging Capabilities.

    Hi Henry, I checked my notes on the 65mm SVBONY but unfortunately I didn't have any details on under or over correction. Sorry about that. It was an extremely quick look to check for obvious flaws. However, I have tested quite a few scopes and I don't recall ever seeing one over corrected at...
  19. 4

    Product Review Part II: Svbony SA405 85mm ED Spotting Scope: Eyepieces & Imaging Capabilities.

    I don't know if I can be much help Henry, but I had one sample of the SV406P that I can provide some observations on. The 16-48x65mm ED version. It seemed OK at 48x on simple targets indoors, but didn't exactly snap into focus even with the dual focus mechanism. I could get decent focus with...
  20. 4

    Spotting scope aperture and heat waves. Seeing?

    I asked a similar question last year. How can 60mm be better than 80mm (help needed)? In post #10 of that thread I described one situation where the smaller scope was definitely better than the larger scope, however I have not been able to repeat it since. That one situation was really bad...
  21. 4

    Star test images, first attempt - how did I do?

    Thanks for the information, Joachim. This was a different scope and I think that the elliptical shape was due to heat haze. By the time I got my camera settings close enough to capture a decent image the haze got bad. I missed my window of time when the haze was minimal. I didn't see the...
  22. 4

    Star test images, first attempt - how did I do?

    I tried taking some photos of artificial stars outdoors today. I didn't get many good shots. Probably due to my photography skills and definitely with the heat haze. This was outside of focus with my favorite scope, using sunlight and a green Christmas ornament. I think Henry had mentioned...
  23. 4

    16x and steady views. Sig Zulu6 16x42

    Thanks for the information, Henry. I have not been able to get to the store to try the flashlight test yet.
  24. 4

    16x and steady views. Sig Zulu6 16x42

    Interesting observation and thoughts, Henry. I wish I had access to the 10x30 format, as I want to say that the exit pupil on that model had an octagon shaped exit pupil and not just the one flat side of the 16x42. My local store doesn't have the 10x30, and I sold my sample. Do you think that...
  25. 4

    16x and steady views. Sig Zulu6 16x42

    Thanks, Henry. That doesn't seem like a good thing, having reflections like that. Jason
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