new Leica spotter coming? (16 Viewers)

[handwerk]

I recently listened to hunting podcast where there were some hints of a new Leica spotting scope in the works.
Anybody have any intel to share?

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Any chance of a link to the podcast? I believe the 82mm televid was recently updated with a few aesthetic / mechanical changes and perhaps an updated eyepiece? It is certainly a competitive scope at the top end.

 

[HenRun]

Since I just got that APO Televid 65 THEY BETTER NOT COME OUT WITH A SMALLER COMPACT ONE WITH THE SAME OCULAR.

Make it huge and expensive so I won't even have a look at it.

 

[HenRun]

Montanawild podcast perhaps? I am listening to that now.

#7 - Leica Optics w/Hamilton Boykin | Montana Wild Podcast

Zack and Jared meet up with Hamilton Boykin and Ryan Holm of Leica Optics at the Western Hunt Expo for an in depth dive on Leica's product line. The guys cover rangefinding binos, spotting scope, rifle scopes and a new line of thermal handheld and clip on scopes.

montanawildpodcast.podbean.com

44 minutes in the Leica rep says that they are working on something that will be announced this year, something "different" from them. Interesting.

 

[handwerk]

yes HenRun, that's the podcast. Good detective work!

 

[Harry Stottle]

Perhaps a thermal scope or IS scope?

 

[HenRun]

Harry: perhaps, that would be in line with current trends/development in the optical industry.

My personal hope would be a binoviewer, like the Swarovski BTX module.

With zoom capability it would be truly different.

 

[DRodrigues]

...

My personal hope would be a binoviewer, like the Swarovski BTX module.

With zoom capability it would be truly different.

And with >=100mm aperture and straight versions... 🦆

 

[Thotmosis]

Hopefully a small wide field straight spotting scope as an alternative to this Austrian brand, forgot the name 😜.
Preferably a 15x50.

 

[HenRun]

DRod and Thotmosis: I would be happy to see any of them on the market!

A widefield about 20X scope would fill a gap for me. But I would be happy with 15 to 18X. Hehe

 

[4 The Birds1]

@Thotmosis and @HenRun - curious why would you opt for a straight scope in the 15-18 magnification range when you can get binoculars (with IS) with the same magnification and objective size/exit pupil?

 

[HenRun]

Thotmosis you are right. Sorry if I was unclear - I was thinking of a binoviewer still. I did not think it through….

So not really a straight ”scope” and a fixed binoviewer is… …a binocular. 🤣

I would love to find a 18-20 something binocular with good view and stabilized, but there are no such options here yet.
Or a stabilized spotting scope - why not?

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

Leica already has something 'different', the Duovid.

Think about a modern alpha 30x drawscope, filled with gas. An extremely compact, portable, all-weather scope for hunters and hikers. Maybe with something to attach it to trees without hurting our wooden friends, some sort of strap, and/or a Platypod plate for mountains and areas with large rocks.

 

[Thotmosis]

Vortex makes an 18x but i never checked it out. Roger Vine did:

Vortex Razor 18x56 UHD Review

www.scopeviews.co.uk

 

[Thotmosis]

@Thotmosis and @HenRun - curious why would you opt for a straight scope in the 15-18 magnification range when you can get binoculars (with IS) with the same magnification and objective size/exit pupil?

I thought about it but i don’t like the idea of electronics in my optical gear. Yes i know, im old fashioned…still driving a 25 year old BMW 6 cilinder car. My brother has an electronic Toyota and it makes me very nervous when i drive it. I leave this kind of things to the youngsters.

 

[Thotmosis]

Leica already has something 'different', the Duovid.

I have the Duovid 8-12x42 and i love it. My favorite travel binocular.

Think about a modern alpha 30x drawscope, filled with gas. An extremely compact, portable, all-weather scope for hunters and hikers. Maybe with something to attach it to trees without hurting our wooden friends, some sort of strap, and/or a Platypod plate for mountains and areas with large rocks.

Sounds great 👍

 

[4 The Birds1]

Think about a modern alpha 30x drawscope, filled with gas.

magic gas that is not subject to the laws of physics?

 

[MiddleRiver]

A 553/ATC type travel scope would rock my world ;-)

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

magic gas that is not subject to the laws of physics?

Yes I know, that comes with a drawscope but that's also one of the reasons birders don't buy them. For me too, I've tried the largest Swarovski in the past, really liked it but it felt like a colander. Maybe there is a solution for that, or think about a waterproof hardshell case.

For a year I have the STC 17-40 x56, a perfect scope. To beat that Leica has to do something different.

Before that, I had the Zeiss Dialyt 18-45x65, an indestructible baseball bat that doubles as a spotting scope. Beautiful vintage look, funny focus ring in the front for extra stability (because that's where you hold it). Had to sell it because of my eyes. After surgery the eyepiece didn't work for me anymore.

Now it's up to Leica.

 

[Thotmosis]

Yes I know, that comes with a drawscope but that's also one of the reasons birders don't buy them. For me too, I've tried the largest Swarovski in the past, really liked it but it felt like a colander. Maybe there is a solution for that, or think about a waterproof hardshell case.

For a year I have the STC 17-40 x56, a perfect scope. To beat that Leica has to do something different.

Before that, I had the Zeiss Dialyt 18-45x65, an indestructible baseball bat that doubles as a spotting scope. Beautiful vintage look, funny focus ring in the front for extra stability (because that's where you hold it). Had to sell it because of my eyes. After surgery the eyepiece didn't work for me anymore.

Now it's up to Leica.

Interesting, i have the Zeiss Dialyt and i love it but i was thinking to maybe trade it in for the STC because it’s smaller for hiking in the mountains. In addition i have an eye on this big Swarovski drawscope because i think its easier to take it on a plane than a conventional scope.