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Posts Tagged 'spotting-scope'
New ultra-compact scope: KOWA TSN-55 PROMINAR
June 13 2024, Stefan Rieger
KOWA, the Japanese manufacturer of premium spotting scopes has revised its range of ultra-compact spotting scopes. The TSN-55 PROMINAR is the successor to the popular TSN-550 model. The most significant innovation is the design of a new eyepiece based on the well-known TE-11 WZ wide-angle zoom eyepiece. This results in a magnification range of 17-40x and an extreme field of view of up to 65m at a distance of 1000m using the lowest magnification. In addition, it has the well-known, previously unrivaled quality fluorite crystal lens of course and the dual focus gives you absolute control over the sharpness at your fingertips with the option of a separate fast or fine focus.
All of this combined with extremely compact dimensions and a weight of less than one kilogram underlines the slogan ‘Travel Light – See Bright’. Available as TSN-55A with angled view and TSN-55S with straight view.
Deliveries will start at the beginning of July, so make sure you get one of the first models already today!
ZEISS Victory Harpia: The New Spotting Scope of the Deluxe Range!
November 1 2017, Stefan Rieger
Just a few weeks ago, the company ZEISS presented the new Victory Harpia during the most important orni-tradeshow, the Birdfair. The new premium spotting scope is available in two variants: With a front lens of 85mm or 95mm. The eyepiece has a zoom eyepiece of 22-65x for the 85mm and 23-70x for the 95mm model. Both models are also available in a Set with eyepiece. Since most spotting scopes are purchased with oblique viewing position, ZEISS has omitted the straight view.
This newly developed spotting scope differs considerably from its predecessors of the Victory Diascope series, simply in the way it is operated. The most significant points are the changes that have been made to the zoom adjustment and the focusing. Both control elements are now integrated in the spotting scope body in form of a well palpable ring, allowing for quick magnification changes and immediate sharpness correction. The big focus ring adapts the Dual-Speed-Focus-System from its predecessor. When turning the focus ring slowly, one is in the fine focusing mode at first: After zooming in on an object, one can smoothly readjust the sharpness to the point. Coarse focusing starts when turning further, where you can quickly change the viewing distance from close to far, and then make fine corrections.
The fact that the optical zoom is no longer located in the eyepiece but in the lens is called the lens-zoom concept. This has two advantages. Firstly, this does not cause “tunnel vision” when increasing the magnification. Secondly, it allows a more compact design of the eyepiece, which considerably enhances the comfort, particularly for users with a narrow inter-pupilar distance or a bigger nose. In addition, the eyepiece is secured against loss.
The third advantage of this new design is the very high and, most importantly, constant field of view!
This scope provides an apparent field of view of 72° over the entire range of the zoom eyepiece. Combined with the new 3x wide angle zoom, spotting birds is eased considerably after changing from binoculars to the spotting scope. The max. field of view is almost 63.2 metres for the 85mm and 58.8 metres for the 95mm, both over a distance of 1000 metres. This large viewing angle in combination with the short close focus limit of 3.5 or 4.5 metres makes this spotting scope the perfect companion for observations in forests. Moreover, it also allows the observation of insects, fungi or plants over the shortest possible distances. The wide field of view facilitates the important work of nature conservationists when counting sea birds or swarms.
Since Digiscoping is a subject that continuously gains in importance, ZEISS also offers suitable solutions for this subject. For quite some time, ZEISS has offered the ExoLens Bracket Smartphone holders for the Apple iPhone 6 or 6s and the Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 edge. An eyepiece adapter ring for the Harpia will obviously also be available. If you do not want to do without the quality of a digital camera, ZEISS will offer an adapter for the filter thread 49, 52 or 58 mm. This adapter will match DSLR, system or compact cameras with a filter thread. For compact cameras without a filter thread, the Quick-Camera adapter II is still available. A Stay-on-Case will also be available for the Harpia models. Once we have more information, we will also offer these products in our shop.
The new Deluxe Spotting Scope from ZEISS will be available for delivery starting in January 2018. We recommend placing your order already now. We initially expect to receive only small delivery quantities.
P.S.: If you own a product of the previous Diascope Series and are still looking for accessories, act now! Eyepieces and other accessories will no longer be produced!
New Kowa compact spotting scopes! For all those, for whom a spotting scope had previously been too big and unwieldy.
July 1 2017, Stefan Rieger
Kowa has recently introduced not just one, but four new compact spotting scopes. These convenient and travel friendly “telescopes” are ideal for all those, for whom a spotting scope had always been too big or too heavy. Or for those who already have a spotting scope, but do not use it because it is too impractical.
Kowa offers two quality classes, both with the choice of straight or oblique view. The inexpensive series TSN-500 offers a 20-40x magnification with a front lens diameter of 50mm. The conically shaped focusing knob gives you the feeling of an almost separately controllable coarse and fine focusing drive. The optics are obviously fully multi-coated. The spotting scope comes with a tripod connection and a sighting aid.
The model TSN-501 offers you the inclined or angular view, the TSN-502 is a scope with straight view. The recommended retail price of the manufacturer is 299 € incl. VAT.
When looking for maximum quality in combination with small dimensions, you will surely be interested in the TSN-550-Series with Prominar lens!
This small spotting scope has the same fluorite crystal glass as the bigger sister series TSN-770 and TSN-880. It has a magnification range of 15-45x and is also equipped with a fixed zoom eyepiece. The dual focus allows you to quickly focus roughly, and then point the fine focus to the beak of the bird. The lens shade is extendable and rotatable. The sighting aid is particularly helpful for first-time users of a spotting scope.
The fluorite crystal lens material minimises imaging faults, so that no disturbing colour fringes impair the viewing experience or make the determination of birds a difficult task. However, these high-end optics are not cheap, but they are worth every penny. The recommended retail price is 1799 € incl. VAT. The scope with the oblique view has the model name TSN-553 and when favouring the straight view you should decide on the TSN-554.
The smartphone adapters from Kowa are suitable for all 4 models. With their help, you can take pictures of your observations. For the TSN-550er series you need the adapter ring TSN-AR66Z, for the TSN-500 a specific adapter ring will be introduced in the near future.
Both model series are available from the 18th of August. Just reserve one of the first models for yourself!
IWA Nürnberg, the start into the new sports optics season!
April 15 2017, Stefan Rieger
Every year the first weekend in March sees the international weapons exhibition and the Outdoor Classics. This trade show, which experts simply refer to as IWA, is the right time for users of binoculars, spotting scopes, rifle scopes, night vision devices, wildlife cameras and range finders to become acquainted with the latest and most important product developments. We obviously attended the trade show as well to have a look at the innovations. Here is a small excerpt of the most interesting products we will see in the near future.
The most important innovation for any nature watcher is most likely the market launch of Swarovski Optik with their binocular BTX system for lens modules. This enables relaxing nature watching with both eyes. The eye relief can be adjusted, and even a difference in the acuity of vision between both eyes can be corrected. The adjustable forehead support stabilises the image even more. The BTX is available individually or in combination with one of the three lens modules as 30×65, 30×85 or 35×95.
If this magnification is not enough, you can even use the new ME 1.7 teleconverter between the lens and eyepiece modules. This also works with eyepiece modules ATX and STX. This increases the magnification by the factor 1.7, i.e. a 30x magnification then becomes a 51x magnification. Apart from that there is also a new PTH tripod head. To nature photographers such a construction is known as a “gimbal head”. Especially with moving targets this tripod head enables a soft resonant movement, e.g. for water birds slowly swimming past or birds of prey circling high in the sky. And a new balance rail, BR referred to in short, will soon be available. It serves the purpose of compensating the weight on a tripod head and enables the displacement of the centre of gravity in the longitudinal axis. This product will be available for delivery from the beginning of May.
LEICA has been using range-finding technologies in binoculars and monoculars for 25 years. This is the reason for the launch of a special edition of the Geovid HD-B 8×42 and 10×42 and of the Rangemaster CRF 2000-B in 2017. All models are dark green, and the two binoculars come in a loden cloth bag. The special editions are expected to be available from second half of the year. In only a few days the new accessories for binoculars and range finders will be available: For the APO-Televid 82 spotting scope there is now once again a stay-on-case available, which can be ordered in new colour combinations.
ZEISS introduces the successors of the popular Victory Compact-models: the Victory Pockets will be available in the future in 8×25 and 10×25. A bigger front lens diameter on the 8X magnifying model and high-quality FL-glass, which was previously only used in the 32 models, characterise these optical instruments. Apart from that ZEISS has also enlarged the field of view; it now stretches to 130 metres for the 8×25, and the close range was reduced to 1.9 metres. Unfortunately, the carrying case has become considerably bigger and will no longer fit into trouser pockets. However, these products will be available in our shop in a couple of weeks.
Steiner presents a new, light-weight pair of binoculars with range finder: The LRF 1700 in the variants 8×30 or 10×30 is ideal for mountain hunting or on hunting trips. Hunting in this case primarily takes place under sufficient daylight, so that the benefit of the weight overcomes the large aperture. The measuring range reaches up to max. 1700 metres. This is definitely unrealistic under hunting-related aspects, but shows what is technically possible. Apart from that there is also a new pair of roof binoculars from the Safari UltraSharp-series. As a 10×42 it is ideal for stalk hunting or when taking a walk through the woods.
Starting today, we can also offer you the complete range of FUJINON binoculars. While these are aimed more at astronomers or water sports enthusiasts, one or two products in the FMT-series may also be of interest to hunters. These high-quality Porro-system binoculars with single eyepiece focusing are particularly interesting for a hunting session during the night. Once they have been adjusted for your personal needs, nothing else needs to be adjusted for distances from approx. 25 metres all the way to infinite. Thanks to the field flattener eyepieces they provide you with an image which is sharp right to the edge. The legendary robustness and leak tightness of these binoculars even meets the stringent requirements of US authorities and, as a result, should withstand any hunting session in the snow or rain without any problems. For ornithologists, who have to consider the weight, the two KF-models might be of interest. And the Techno-Stabi feature compensates the restlessness of the hand electronically.
In the field of night vision devices we can introduce some new products, too: The current trend is thermal imaging cameras! In contrast to classical night vision devices, not only is the infrared light amplified, which is invisible to the naked eye, but also the heat radiated by an animal or a human being. The image therefore is not as detailed as when taken with generation 2 cameras or higher, but you can also use the device in case of a light fog. A sweat trail can be followed for a few seconds.
In our shop you will now find some products of this category: The best-known devices will surely be of the FLIR brand. In addition to the beginners model, Scout TK Compact, we also offer the Scout II model. This model is available with a resolution of 240, 320 or 640 pixels. In the near future you will also find device of the Scout III series in our shop.
Leupold is now also offering a thermal imaging camera. The design is quite similar to the eyepiece of a rifle scope and, in addition, it is very handy and light. The LTO tracker, however, is not suitable for mounting on weapons, as the very sensitive electronics would not withstand the recoil of a rifle.
New to our product range are also the devices offered by Seek Thermal. These are available as an extension module for your Android or Apple smartphone or as a Reveal-series in form of a hand-held device with display screen.
During the second half of the year we expect further wildlife cameras and rifle scopes from Bushnell and Leupold Tasco also has plans to thoroughly revise their range of binoculars. However, these products will probably only be available in autumn.
Be clever and get your hands on these IWA innovations today!
New in our shop Hawke Optics
March 1 2017, Stefan Rieger
And once again, we have a new brand name that was missing in our already wide range of products: the still very young brand Hawke Optics. Founded by Paul Walker in the 1980s, this brand has become part of the Deben Group Inc. Ltd., which sells even more well known brand products for outdoor use and marksmen, in addition to binocular-related products.
This English enterprise produces binoculars, spotting scopes, range finders, rifle scopes as well as matching accessories in the medium to low price range. The rifle scopes, in particular, have already proved themselves with their excellent price/performance ratio in some tests conducted by leading hunting magazines. Now we would like to introduce some product series in more detail.
Binoculars:
The Sapphire ED and Frontier ED-Series is a persuasive product with its high-quality multilayer coating, phase corrected roof prism and ED-lenses and thus a maximum in transmission, image sharpness and clarity.
In addition, the Sapphire-Series offers you a dielectric coating on the roof prism for even more brightness and the models from 32 mm and up are delivered in a sturdy hard shell case made of real leather.
The Endurance-Series comes with a special easy to grip rubber armouring, the pattern of which reminds you of the fish skin patter of a rifle stock. The Nature-Trek and Vantage-Series mainly appeals to price conscious customers, who would want good quality, on a small budget.
The Frontier and Endurance-Series are spotting scopes with a zoom eyepiece. Many of these models are also equipped with high-quality ED-glass lenses. With the large focus ring or the dual focus, you can quickly change the magnification, but also focus on details in a bird’s feathers. The numerous Digiscoping adapters allow you to digitally capture and share your observations.
The Professional Rangefinder is available in 3 variantions: They differ in their maximum measurable distance of 400, 600 or 900 meters. All models come with a 6-fold magnification and the possibility to measure the angle or the height of an object with an accuracy of +/- 1m, besides the horizontal distance
Novelties from the Birdfair 2016
December 1 2016, Stefan Rieger
Every year the most important tradeshow for ambitious bird watchers (twitchers) and nature photographers takes place in Egleton, Rutland in England: the Birdfair. This tradeshow may just be the biggest end-customer fair for followers of this hobby in Europe. More and more manufacturers use this platform to present their new products.
Here some of the highlights of this year’s fair:
ZEISS featured the new Conquest Gavia spotting scope. A completely new development with an oblique viewing position and a new wide angle eyepiece. The premium manufacturer from Wetzlar now also uses the large focus ring, as some competitors also do. At the same time ZEISS presented a range of useful accessories, for example, a new Carbon tripod set or a photo adapter for cameras with filter threads in various diameters, which are clamped by the eyepiece. And due to their cooperation with the company ExoLens, ZEISS now, for the first time, has a Smartphone digiscoping solution. It consists of a adapter ring and the so-called ExoLens Bracket (holder for the smartphone). These brackets are available for the Apple iPhone 6/6s and the Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 edge. ZEISS presented even more adapter rings, so that the ExoLens Bracket can also be used on the currently available binocular models from ZEISS.
Apart from that, ZEISS had a revised version of the Victory SF on display for examination. Here the colour of the rubber armouring was changed to black, following public requests. And also the eyepiece caps now have an additional locked position. This allows an even more individual adjustment for eye relief. The focus mechanics have also been slightly improved.
The other major manufacturer from Wetzlar, LEICA, already announced a few weeks ago, that they would present some new products during the fair. The new Leica top model of the type 42 binoculars is available under the name Noctivid. This name is derived from the Latin “Noctis”, meaning Night, and surely reminds friends of Leica photography of the fast Noctilux lenses. However, with a transmission of approx. 92% (acc. to the manufacturer), it is still no night vision equipment, but for the needs of ornithologists it is surely more than adequate.
For most nature observers it may be more important that Leica can now also compete against major competitors in the close-range area. With a close range distance of only 1.9 meters you can watch butterflies, dragonflies, spiders and other insects. Furthermore, the new Noctivid now comes with an open bridge structure, which considerably improves handling, especially when holding the binocular with one hand. Apart from that, Leica currently offers a complete combination consisting of spotting scope, camera and all necessary adapters. Optionally with angled or straight view, 82 or 65 mm lens diameter.
For twitchers no longer an insider tip: The company KOWA has expanded its Genesis model range. Besides the previous type 44 and 33, they now also offer pocket binoculars with a 22-millimetre lens diameter. This “hand full of binoculars” is available with 8-fold and 10-fold magnification. Due to the Prominar XD lenses, it can easily compete with the top-level binoculars from ZEISS, Leica or Swarovski. Unfortunately “high performance optics” cost a lot of money, the prices recommended by the manufacturers are therefore comparable with the prices of top models from Europe.
Nikon also presented new products: the new Monarch ED spotting scopes and the new Monarch HG binoculars. Both the scopes as well as the binoculars were equipped with a “Field Flattener Lens”, which reduces the field curvature and thus increases the marginal sharpness. Unfortunately Nikon only offers digiscoping solutions for their in-house system camera Nikon 1 and the compact cameras with small zoom range, which are becoming increasingly rare.
Last but not least, the new Legend E-, L- and M-Series from Bushnell are now available. These binoculars rather appeal to the ambitious novice of this hobby, who is looking for a very good pair of mid-range binoculars and for whom a ZEISS Conquest HD, Swarovski SLC or Leica Trinovid HD is simply too expensive. At this point we can offer you the predecessor Bushnell Legend Ultra HD in 10×42.