Hi guys, this is my first post. How do the Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss 80mm Spotting scopes stack up against each other. Looked through thr Swarovski with the 20-60 eye piece and also wondered if the fixed 20 or 40 power eypiece will give me a better picture and field of view. The variable field of view appeared very narrow. An experiance with these. Thanks.

I have the Leica 77Televid APO scope. It is excellent. Before I purchased it, I looked through both the Zeiss and Swarovski in the same store. The Zeiss had the variable eye-piece, and I was not really impressed, as I got the same effect you did. I bought the Leica with the 32x "wide angle" eyepiece. Strangely, this eyepiece lists for more than the variable one. I've had the Leica for about two years now, and can say I've been very happy. It easily sees holes in targets at the range (200Yards), and have also spotted many antelope and deer with it. It really seems like you're standing next to the object being viewed. Contrast is excellent, no color distortion, and clear, clear clear. I have not felt the need of more magnification, feeling instead that resolution, clarity and field of view, more than make up for any perceived need the be "closer".

Both the Zeiss and Swarovski were also excellent. What sold me on the Leica was the eyepiece.

They are all very similar in quality, look at the Ergo's for your tastes. Of the ones mentioned, I like the new Swaro's. The fixed eye pieces are the way to go. I would be hard pressed to by something from western Europe right now that I could get from Japan or domestic. THe Euro is killing us and is going to kill Swarovski. The Nikon and Pentax scopes are superb and much less $$. If $$ is not an issue- Again I like the Swaro. I think the Leica looks to racey...

I recently ordered a nikon 82mm ED with fixed power eyepieces. They havn't been out for long so you don't hear about them much. I think the Swarovski zoom has the best FOV, but all the zooms FOV is poor. On the nikon there 50x fixed eyepiece has almost as large a FOV as the zoom set on 25X, but the eyepieces fixed or zoom are both expensive.

everyone raves about the swarvo hd, lecia apo, and new nikon. The zeiss gets some postitve and negative comments as well as the pentax spotting scope which alot of people swear is as good as the others (and alot cheaper), especially if using there fixed power eyepieces which are revered in astromy circles.

hope that helps your search I don't think you could go wrong with any of them really, for me I was torn between the pentax and nikon, but money was a issue.

Jad

Just a suggestion, but you might also want to check out the Minox ED 62 spotter. It is really an excellent spotter and very easy to pack. If I remember right, Mule Deer has used it on a couple of hunts and was very impressed with it, too.

It's really difficult to beat the Leica 77 APO, but it's a big scope. I was looking through the newer version (armored) of the Leica 62 APO yesterday (with the wide angle eyepiece that mrmarklin is using) and was very impressed with the image quality. It's a little lighter package and more compact.

None of them compare with the Questar, but it's too fragile for a hunting spotter.

fwiw,
I've found the Leica Televid 77 APO hard to beat, however, as is mentioned above they are large and heavy. With that in mind I intend to add a Leica 62 APO later this year...

I would HIGHLY recommend the fixed 32x eyepiece with the 77 as it was the eyepiece the scope was designed around... Makes for a magnificent view. The 20-60 is likely a necessary evil. Would also recommend the Leica Ever Ready Field Case which allows you to transport and use your Televid 77 without removing the protective cover. Very well thought out. The scope is mounted on a Manfrotto Tripod & Fluid Head...



Regards, Matt.

matt in va,

...how would you compare the 62apo with the 62-non-apo?...is the apo version worth the extra 3-400?...for a naturalist (but non-birder), star-gazer and casual hunter?...

...thanks...

I was told by the guy in the camera store where I bought my 77 that APO is only needed if you're into photography, but I was very skeptical. I thought at the time I might use it with a camera so I went APO.

But the more I thought about it, I think that as hunters we are always trying to distinguish very minor details, and not always in the best light. Without the color and contrast rendition that APO glass affords, can these details really be made out?? I'm not an expert, but at these rarified prices, why take a chance?
I also have the special case. Very pricey, but what the heck it's useful and it's only money. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Thomas,
In short I don't think the APO is "necessary", however, it can't hurt and you never have to wonder if you "settled" for second best...

You might find this website to be of interest: http://www.company7.com/leica/index.html ...

Best Regards, Matt.

matt / mrmarklin,

...appreciate your comments...

...thought that you would say that...since the 62 has already been purchased, may get a 77-apo later to accompany the field 62...