A leader in birding optics, Swarovski brings hunters, golfers, and serious birding enthusiasts the HD-STS 80. Sleek and stylish, the HD-STS 80 offers a 20-60x zoom eyepiece and gives a precise, clear viewing experience for distant details. At 13.9 inches and 42 ounces, the HD-STS 80 is light and portable.

What’s Included

The HD-STS 80 comes in two options: straight barrel or angled barrel. Both options provide the same image quality. The straight barrel makes it easy to find game with a camera attached to the scope, and the camera is easily removed from the HD-STS 80. On the other hand, the angled barrel is best for group viewing. For users leading a birding group, the angled barrel makes adjustments for the height of viewers unnecessary. Also, the angled barrel makes it easy to scope birds at different altitudes.

Pros

The 80mm aperture of the HD-STS 80 affords maximum light to enter the scope. With maximum light comes optimum clarity and brightness. The HD-STS 80 gives birders the kind of high contrast viewing that makes colors pop. With sharp outlines, birds are scoped easily and with good visibility. The zoom lens offers clear imaging, and the attached lens cap is an attractive feature. The focus wheel of the zoom lens is large and easy to use, yet not intrusive to the overall design of the lens. The lens offers clean lines and an overall professional look.

Cons

The price of the Swarovski HD-STS 80 is steep. Priced upwards of $2000, the cost may intimidate novice or casual birders. However, for experienced or serious birders, the quality of the HD-STS 80 is makes it a great purchase. The durability of the scope more than justifies the investment.

What’s Great

The angled barrel is great for viewing birds at a variety of altitudes. Once the barrel is set, viewers of all heights will be able to experience scoped birds without making adjustments. Swarovski provides a Swaroclean coating on the scope, adding to the durability to the HD-STS 80’s optic parts and keeps the scope clean. The coating is waterproof and dust-proof. It generally resists sap and other debris results from using the scope in a wide range of outdoor settings. On the optic parts, there is also a coating that reduces blur while still maintaining great image quality.

Drawback

The price of the Swarovski HD-STS 80 is itsonly downfall. Because Swarovski does not deal in “low-end” scopes, opting to buy a scope will necessarily be an investment. However, the quality of Swarovski products is enough to justify the cost of the HD-STS 80.

Fun and Surprising Feature

The HD-STS 80 has a sight tube. This feature allows users to spot even the quickest-moving game or birds. In the field, this responsiveness is essential to the birding experience. Catching birds in flight is breath taking, and Swarovski makes sure that bird enthusiasts are able to experience the spectacle of flight. The scope comes with a carrying case that is soft and portable but durable enough to protect the valuable scope and lens components.

Overall

Serious birders will want the image clarity of the Swarovski HD-STS 80. The HD lens offers consistently clear, sharp images. The durability of the scope makes it a wise investment. With the angled and straight barrel options, the HD-STS 80 offers birders flexibility. Both options provide Swarovski quality, and each barrel has much to recommend it to birders. The Swarovski Spotting Scope HD-STS 80 provides outstanding technology that yields fantastic results. It is a must for serious birders.

The Minox MD50 is one of my go-to spotting scopes. Lightweight spotters have always been one of my favorite companions out in the field. I do think that it is useful to have large lenses that can gather more light during those critical twilight hours, but my personal preference is towards lighter and smaller spotting scopes. They’re more fitting to my hunting style, I love that they’re generally much more agile. The Minox certainly fits into this profile. I’ve used 50mm objective spotting almost exclusively for a few years now, mostly while hunting in the backcountry.

The first time I saw the Minox was at a friend’s house. The size impressed me immediately, and when I held it I was even more impressed by the build. The twist-up eyepiece was really nice, since I haven’t seen that feature in many other compact scopes. Not long after my visit, I had one of my own waiting for me on the porch. I started putting it to work right away.

It wasn’t long before I was carring the Minox with me all through shed hunting season, and then summer scouting, and then right on in to the next fall season. The Minox is really well made, and the designers put some good thinking into it. I can’t say I ever thought about switching it out for one of my older spotters. This is surprising, considering its low price.

The size of the Minox is what caught my attention at first, because it is surprisingly small, even for a lightweight spotter. It’s just under 8 inches in length, and doesn’t sit too heavy in the hand with a nice 24 oz. weight. It’s almost small enough to fit in my pockets. I mentioned the twist-up eye piece before because it’s not something that you usually see on compact scopes at all. I’m glad they made it work. The eye-piece is plenty sturdy, and is very comfortable. The focusing ring is set on the body of the Minox, which is different from the usual configuration which places it on the eyepiece. The scope is very easy to use. At first it starts out a little stiff, but over time it loosens up a bit. After that brief break-in period it has worked flawlessly every day. The focus ring has a large diameter, which makes it easy to focus. I really like it because it makes those small focus adjustments easier than you would expect on a small scope like this.

Now on to the optical quality, the real deal-maker (or breaker) for a scope. The Minox has a 16-30x zoom, and I’m pleased to say that it is clear on every magnification. Optical quality overall is good, and when you consider the price this scope comes at, optical quality is very good. The waterproof body works together with a nitrogen filling and coated glass to keep the optics clear at all times, which has really been appreciated on some of my hunts.

This scope has been with me for a while now. I’ve used it on several hunts and in all kinds of adverse weather and hunting conditions. The scope has performed better than I could ask of a scope at that price, and it will fit in with the budget of almost any hunter. If you’re like me and you prefer light-weight spotters, then you should definitely consider the Minox MD50. Take a close look at it even, I recommend going in to a store or to a show to see it in person. It’s hard to impress just how small it manages to be. There are two models for your preference, one is straight and the other is angled. It’s hard to find a lightweight spotter that is this well-made and as optically clear as the Minox at such a low price. I definitely recommend you pick one up.

Leica has a long history of building fine spotting scopes, and that tradition lives on in the APO Televid 82 scope. With a massive 82mm objective lens and a highly-adjustable 25-50x eyepiece, this sturdy scope delivers terrific images in even the toughest conditions.

Optics

Leica’s Televid has four fluorite-coated lens elements for maximum light yield. With a massive 82mm objective lens, the results are astonishing. This scope delivers a best-in-class picture that is simply unbeatable. Like the rest of the Televid’s design, the optics have been protected from any damage — a neutral glass shield protects the fluorite optics, and every piece of exposed glass has Leica’s AquaDura coating to shed water and dust.

The 25-50x wide-angle zoom eyepiece which is included with the scope is a tour-de-force in its own right. (Although like many of the latest eyepieces, it’s given up on 60x magnification.) The eyepiece attaches with a simple bayonet mount. It features 4 stable eyecup positions, each of which provides a full 19mm of eye relief. At this time Leica has not produced any alternative eyepieces, but the possibility is there for the future.

Construction

The Televid has a sturdy magnesium alloy body that’s fully coated with rubber armor for superior durability in the field. The included caps for the objective lens and the eyepiece mount are tight, with dual pinch clips, and they resist accidental dislodging very well. The large objective lens makes for a wide body at the end of the scope, with the diameter being roughly four inches in diameter.

Every part of the Leica APO Televid 82 is completely sealed against water and dust intrusion, and the manufacturer’s claim of the scope being waterproof is not just marketing hype. The Televid can handle complete submersion up to a depth of 16 feet without any adverse effects whatsoever.

Usage – With A Note On Digiscoping

Anyone who has used Leica’s older spotting scopes will be pleased to see that the manufacturer’s reliable dual focus adjustment system makes a return on this Televid. The two focus knobs are recessed and mounted in line with each other, making them easy to operate. The coarse adjustment is extremely speedy and the fine adjustment makes it easy to bring a target into perfect sharpness.

Spotting scopes are commonly combined with digital cameras today, a process known as digiscoping. The Leica APO Televid 82 is fully compatible with digital cameras, although it requires a separate digital adapter to get the best results. The official Leica adapter (the Digital Adaptor 3) costs $450, so users may be tempted to create their own, cheaper digiscoping rigs.

Advantages

• Unbeatable image quality. Bright, clear, highly immersive images with a wide field of view – even better than top-of-the-line Swarovski scopes.
• Tremendous versatility. In testing the Televid proved capable of bringing targets as close as 12 feet into sharp focus.
• Legendary Leica durability. The all-around optic coating and body armoring ensures that this scope will serve reliably for many years.
• Ease of use. The smooth focus adjustment, the angled eyepiece, and even the well-designed tripod mount all contribute to make the scope quick and easy to use in the field.

Drawbacks

• Cost. With a suggested retail price close to $4,000, this is not a scope for amateurs.
• Weight. With the eyepiece attached this scope weighs nearly 4.5 pounds. (It does have excellent balance, though.)
• No case included. Cautious users will want an extra layer of protection in the form of a case for this scope, adding another few hundred dollars to the price.

Conclusion

The APO Televid 82 is a clear reminder of why Leica deserves its place at the very top of the heap in optics and camera technology. It’s undoubtedly a pricey piece of equipment, but the quality it delivers in every respect justifies its cost. For serious spotters who want the best of the best, the Televid 82 is an excellent choice.

For a definitively top-notch telescope, look no further than the MINOX MD 50 W 16-30x Waterproof Spotting Scope. This travel-friendly device boasts innovative specifications and unparalleled manufacturing excellence. The cutting-edge design is fine-tuned to suit the lifestyles of nature enthusiasts, bird watchers and campers. To showcase machinery that is truly unsurpassed in its industry, the following review demonstrates the sheer brilliance of this MINOX masterpiece!

The Lens

Sharpness and clarity are boldly accentuated by the 50mm lens. A generously wide range of vision is enabled by the expansive angle of view. At its base magnification of 16x, the MINOX MD 50 W 16-30x Waterproof Spotting Scope is equipped with a 2.7° angle. At 30x magnification, the angle comfortably reaches 1.9°. The minimum focus distance is 5 meters, and its field of view measures between 33m and 47m. Eye relief spans 11mm to 15mm, and the exit pupil diameter goes between 1.6mm and 3.6mm. These specifications are setting the industry standard for crystalline telescoping!

Meanwhile, here’s how the brand describes their zoom: “Go from just five meters from your subject right through to infinity.” There is nary an exaggeration in this claim, but the focus may lose consistency in the far distance. Still, this is an unprecedented line of vision for any telescope, especially a handheld one!

The Size

Portability is a key part of this scope’s appeal. The product weighs approximately 1.3lb or 615g. The dimensions are meant to fit in your luggage on the move. It conveniently measures 213 x 63 x 123mm. It defies the conventions of mainstream telescopes by being cleverly compact. The lightweight frame provides powerful resistance against regular wear and tear. This structure maintains the machine’s precision for life. For being so tiny, the MD 50 W 16-30x Waterproof Spotting Scope is remarkably robust. The gadget is great for accompanying binoculars. Overall, it is a little powerhouse!

The Structure

MINOX has outfitted this telescope with their trademarked multi-layer M* coating. This preserves an immaculately high rate of light transmission, so brightness is never an issue with your viewing habits. The finish also results in fantastic resolution alongside authentically natural color renditions and a resolutely sharp contrast. With the refined controls, focusing is almost automatic. Adjustments are streamlined with extraordinary efficiency!

It is built with a special angular design that ensures a relaxed posture for the user. The scope also is embedded with a swivel tripod connection, which enshrines maximum pivoting and positioning. To support handheld operation, the units also possess a soft rubber grip that maintains comfort for long durations of use. This system incorporates nitrogen filling to stave off misting within the optics. The threat of condensation can be permanently eliminated, and this protection even works under intense temperatures. Every MD 50 W 16-30x Waterproof Spotting Scope is prepared to handle relatively extreme conditions!

The Features

To ensure lasting enjoyment, this profoundly intuitive product comes with a protective nylon carrying case. It is waterproofed to withstand 5m of depth. The exterior is also weatherproofed and dust-proofed. With these quality assurances in place, there will be no disruptions to your scoping pleasures.

The Price

Upon release, the magnificent machine was listed for $339. This already generous asking rate has been lowered to around $250 at most retailers. Reliable telescopes have never been this affordable before!

Final Note

This MINOX scope can fit anyone’s needs. The craftsmanship caters to a lot of particular spotting preferences, and it is fine-tuned for personalized calibrations. For those who love the outdoors, there is no companion more faithful than the MD 50 W 16-30x Waterproof Spotting Scope!

Seeing the ground ahead of you is the most important part of the hunt or scouting. Binoculars are heavy, and they can be difficult to carry. A single spotting scope is easy to carry, easy to use and easy to hide when you are in the field. Look over the features of the Vortex Optics Razor HD Angled Spotting Scope before making your purchase.

#1: It Is Small

The small size of the spotting scope helps you manage it in the field. Walking across the forest with the scope in your hand is easy, and you may tuck the scope in your pocket when you are scurrying through the woods.

The scope will be hidden in your hand when you start using it, and the scope will not draw attention to you. Animals in the forest will not take notice of a scope that small, but you can see at great distance with the scope.

#2: Sighting Angle

The angled style of the scope makes sighting much easier. Leaning your head down slightly to look into the glass is more comfortable than craning your neck to move the scope around. The angled scope style makes the resolution clearer.

The HD glass and technology inside the scope helps you get the clearest image possible of your prey. The animals you are tracking must be identifiable, but you cannot identify them if you cannot see them. You will get a good look at every animal you hunt, and you may choose patterns on the animal that make it unique.

#3: Spotting Distance

You can see objects at up to 15 times the original distance of the glass. You may hunt in a particular area, but you may spot animals in an adjoining area with this powerful scope. Keeping your distance from the animals prevents you from startling them, and you can track a pack of animals without fear of being attacked.

Spotting distances are very important if you have a perch that is high up a tree. Your perch increases the distance at which you are viewing your prey, and you must have as much flexibility with your scope as possible.

#4: Guiding Others To A Kill

You may use the spotting scope to guide other hunters to your kills. Staying in the perch to guide others to a kill is a responsible way to look out for others, but you must have a strong scope that will help you see the kill you have just made. You may keep an eye on the people who are still in the field, and you can clearer see what is around them as they move about.

#5: Durability

You bring your scope into the forest for every hunt, and you will encounter changing weather conditions during the hunt. Your scope must hold up to the inclement weather, and you must be able to spot in the rain for hours while you hunt. The sturdy construction of this spotting scope will prevent damage or breakage while you are on the hunt.

Carrying a spotting scope into the woods for your next hunt is wise. You must have a scope on you that allows you to see animals in the woods without drawing attention to yourself. Your spotting scope will give you a clear view of your prey at up to the 15 times the magnification of the original glass, and you will be safer when you can see everything around you. Your journeys into the woods are aided by a spotting scope that helps you see what is coming while you are on the hunt. Consider this excellent offering from Vortex for your spotting scope purchase.

Today we’re lucky enough to have two complete reviews of the same scope, Celestron’s Regal M2 65ED. It overall sounds like a great spotting scope. Here they are:

First Review:

Whether you love bird watching or taking pristine photos of other wildlife in nature, the Celestron 52304 M2 65ED Spotting Scope can help you take the perfect pictures. Celestron is a trusted brand when it comes to creating a multitude of different scopes to give the user the best-quality view possible. This M2 series spotting scope is made from state-of-the-art materials to ensure maximum durability that allows you to use it in any type of weather. The scope also comes with a variety of adjustable options as well as accessory upgrades to make your viewing experience even better.

Celestron Quality Scopes

For years, Celestron has been creating high-quality optics. They make telescopes to view the stars, microscopes for the smallest objects on earth, binoculars and best of all they make spotting scopes. Celestron ensures that that they keep up with the latest technology by creating smartphone and tablet apps for your convenient. Not only can you access different Celestron apps, but they also make accessories that allow you to hook up your smartphone to this M2 series spotting scope. Their goal is to stay on top of innovation and provide the best quality possible for every one of their customers.

Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope Material

Celestrong has created the Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope with a magnesium alloy body. It’s light in weight, extremely strong and durable. Celestron understands that outdoorsman who use their products trudge through some rough terrain, so they ensure that this spotting scope can take a hit if it were to drop. The material is completely waterproof as well, so whether it’s raining or snowing when you’re out spotting wildlife, you won’t have to worry about water damage.

The M2 Spotting Scope Lens

The lens in the M2 65ED Spotting Scope is created with the same proprietary material that Celestron uses for their best telescope that helps astronomers view stars and galaxies millions of miles away. When you purchase this spotting scope, you’ll have the choice of a three different sizes that include 65mm, 80mm and 100mm. The extra-low dispersion glass helps you spot the tiniest of creatures hidden in brush or in the dimmest of light by providing maximum light transmission. No matter what the situation may be, you can rest assured that you’ll have bright, sharp images. The scope also has an easily-accessible dual focus knob so you can quickly spot your subject with crystal-clear quality.

The Comfort of the Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope

Celestron has engineered this spotting scope to provide the maximum amount of comfort for anyone who is using it. The tripod that the spotting scope sits on is completely adjustable. You’ll be able to adjust the height and the angle of the spotting scope with ease to get the perfect angle. The spotting scope also comes with a fully adjustable lens shade and twist-up eyecup.

Accessorizing the Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope

You’ll be able to instantly share the photos you take with the 65ED Spotting Scope with the smartphone adaptor that’s compatible with a variety of iPhone and Android products. This adaptor lets you attach your camera to the twist-up lens to take perfect pictures to save to your phone and easily upload the photos to your social media accounts or email them to friends and family. Another great accessory that Celestron makes for this scope is the stay-on case. This case gives you extra protection from the elements while not hindering the quality of your viewing.

When you want to experience nature and wildlife at its finest, the Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope is one of the best on the market and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Second Review:

For enthusiastic amateur viewers, the Celestron 52304 Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope makes a sound choice. It features many standout components, including an ED objective lens, XLT coatings and a rotating tripod mount. The quality of images is exceptional. The telescope comes in a durable magnesium alloy body, which gives users the confidence to take it out in all types of viewing conditions. This scope also offers uncommonly good features for an average price. This makes astronomers looking for a solid, high-performing telescope at a reasonable price quite happy.

The objective lens, a notable feature, produces a clear and vivid image. It replicates images in a high quality and precise color scheme. The lens has a 16-48x eyepiece with automatic zoon. It also reduces chromatic aberration and shows remarkable contrast. The eyepiece mount measures 1.25 inches — a standard dimension that makes the scope compatible with many types of telescope eyepieces. The eyepiece has a diverse magnification range, a rubber eyecup and a 20mm eye relief, which enables comfortable and accurate viewing for long viewing sessions. In addition to enabling easy adjustments and creating a precise, clear image, the lens has a special coating –Celestron’s own—that enriches color and produces a bright picture. This coating includes BaK-4 prisms and a low-dispersion ED glass piece that reduces chromatic aberration but expertly gathers light to produce a great photo. The Regal M2 boasts a long-rang viewing field of 1,000 yards and has a 16.4 foot, or 5-meter, close focus capacity for clarity and precision.

This telescope has several adjustments and mechanisms to help astronomers customize the scope to their specific viewing needs. The Celestron rests on a rotating tripod, which makes setting up and changing positions a breeze. Rounding out the tripod’s notable features are a ¼-inch mounting socket and sighting aid. A sliding sunshade lets users allow or seal out the correct amount of light for the best viewing, while a dual-focus mechanism makes the scope perfect for looking at objects nearby and afar. Once in position, the tripod locks in place with a special locking system. This gives viewers peace of mind knowing that the scope will stay safely in place.

The Regal M2 comes with a T-adapter ring, which helps astronomers easily mount a DSLR camera to the objective assembly. In less than a minute, viewers can transition from tradition viewing to digital viewing and back again. This feature is one of the scope’s greatest assets, as it makes it perfect for traditional astronomers as well as the more technologically oriented crowd. Users can adjust the scope with a set of coarse and fine adjustments to create a personalized and enjoyable experience.

The Regal M2 weighs in at 46.8 ounces, which makes it a bit heavier than other scopes in its class. This excess weight comes in handy for stabilizing the scope in a prime viewing location, but makes it less transportable. In addition to stability, the Regal M2 is constructed with magnesium alloy, which makes it ideal for withstanding all types of weather conditions. It also resists erosion, thanks to a proprietary addition of nitrogen filling, which protects them from the inside. The nitrogen filling also does double duty by keeping the viewing pieces from fogging up.

Overall, the Celestron 52304 Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope makes a fine instrument for amateur astronomers looking for a high-quality device without spending a fortune. The scope’s rugged design and versatility make it perfect for other outdoor viewing activities too, such as birding and looking at insects. As a bonus, this instrument comes with sturdy carrying cases to transport the components with care and ease.

Bonus Video Review!