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I have been on the hunt for a good spotting scope, and thought I would share my observations in case someone else is pondering it as well. Dont assume that $ will get you quality. Sometimes it will, sometimes it wont.
Yesterday I compared Zeiss 65 mm, Zeiss 85mm, Swarovski 85 mm, and Leica APO 77mm scopes, using a distant object (a pile of branches on the ground) about a mile away to compare. Back to back tests. I had a friend along, Ted, who is an optics nut, and he and I compared notes afterwards, so we wouldnt influence each other's opinion. Our observations were identical.
First, the Swarovski was a big surprise. Despite being very expensive, I removed it from the lineup almost immediately. It couldnt bring the small branches into focus, and since evaluating antlers is the goal, that scope would be useless. We were both shocked, because the swaro name gets such a lot of play.
Surprise number 2. The difference in resolution between the 65 mm and 85 mm Zeiss was not that great, despite the max power of 45 versus 60 power respectively. I could make out a bit more detail with the 85mm, but it was questionable whether the extra weight and cost would make it worthwhile. Both Zeiss scopes made the Swarovski look like a Tasco.
Next came the Leica 77 APO, compared to the Zeiss. It was no contest. The Leica blew the Zeiss's away, despite both being German glass. With the Zeiss scopes, the image resolution was good, but you had to hunt for it - we both found that we would turn the fine focus knob back and forth, searching for the focus, and sometimes it took awhile to decide you had max resolution. With the Leica, your fingers moved the knob and instantly stopped. When focus happened, it was like someone threw a switch -there was no doubt it was in focus. Very high wow factor with the Leica. Not a subtle difference, a very pronounced difference that left you thinking man oh man, how can I take this home with me. I also studied some water about a mile away, and was astonished to see it was completely covered with thousands of pintail ducks I could not see with the naked eye. I could see their markings and colorings of the drakes, and their beautiful tails.
I am still thinking on it, and dont know if I will be willing to pay the extra dough to get the Leica, but since the wow factor was there I am now spoiled. The Zeiss 65 would get my nod if I dont take the Leica, as it is a pound lighter and much less expensive.
Yesterday I compared Zeiss 65 mm, Zeiss 85mm, Swarovski 85 mm, and Leica APO 77mm scopes, using a distant object (a pile of branches on the ground) about a mile away to compare. Back to back tests. I had a friend along, Ted, who is an optics nut, and he and I compared notes afterwards, so we wouldnt influence each other's opinion. Our observations were identical.
First, the Swarovski was a big surprise. Despite being very expensive, I removed it from the lineup almost immediately. It couldnt bring the small branches into focus, and since evaluating antlers is the goal, that scope would be useless. We were both shocked, because the swaro name gets such a lot of play.
Surprise number 2. The difference in resolution between the 65 mm and 85 mm Zeiss was not that great, despite the max power of 45 versus 60 power respectively. I could make out a bit more detail with the 85mm, but it was questionable whether the extra weight and cost would make it worthwhile. Both Zeiss scopes made the Swarovski look like a Tasco.
Next came the Leica 77 APO, compared to the Zeiss. It was no contest. The Leica blew the Zeiss's away, despite both being German glass. With the Zeiss scopes, the image resolution was good, but you had to hunt for it - we both found that we would turn the fine focus knob back and forth, searching for the focus, and sometimes it took awhile to decide you had max resolution. With the Leica, your fingers moved the knob and instantly stopped. When focus happened, it was like someone threw a switch -there was no doubt it was in focus. Very high wow factor with the Leica. Not a subtle difference, a very pronounced difference that left you thinking man oh man, how can I take this home with me. I also studied some water about a mile away, and was astonished to see it was completely covered with thousands of pintail ducks I could not see with the naked eye. I could see their markings and colorings of the drakes, and their beautiful tails.
I am still thinking on it, and dont know if I will be willing to pay the extra dough to get the Leica, but since the wow factor was there I am now spoiled. The Zeiss 65 would get my nod if I dont take the Leica, as it is a pound lighter and much less expensive.