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:* > 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/>!* > -- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -- 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/> ! -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -- 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/>! -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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:* > 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/>!* > -- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -- 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/>! -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 > > -- > > *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/>!* > -- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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! > -- -- 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! -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -- 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: 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/>! -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 “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> 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 > > -- > > *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:* > > 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/>!* > -- > --- END OF DIGEST -- 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/ --