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Landscape viewing scope
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karhill View Drop Down
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Points: 8 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote karhill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Landscape viewing scope
    Posted: December/27/2021 at 17:58
I have a house that sits on a bluff 160 feet above the ocean.  Islands and mountains rise in the distance.  Ships of different shapes and sizes sail back and forth. The view is pretty nice.

 

I have decided that a telescope would be a great instrument to augment the view. However, other than determining that I probably want a spotting scope rather than an astrometry telescope, I don't know much.

 

What would you recommend? Big Smile

 

Usage:

  1. Assumingly the scope would be permanently tripod mounted and would not have to be that mobile.  Imagine something in the living room pointed out the window.
  2. This scope is for viewing the landscape.  Objects would be anywhere from 0.5 to 20 miles away.
  3. It would be great if the scope had "video out" (e.g. HDMI or something) such that the scope could serve as input to a video screen.

 

Thanks for any ideas.
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Points: 8295 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2021 at 19:02
Budget?
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karhill View Drop Down
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Points: 8 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote karhill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2021 at 19:17
Well, I don't want to spend James Webb money, something more like mid four figures.
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karhill View Drop Down
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Points: 8 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote karhill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2021 at 19:23
Regarding the "digital output", I'm not sure where to look, but it seems that most scopes don't have any digital output, which seems kind of odd and archaic.  There are a number of adapters for "digiscoping", but that seems like such a kludge.  I'm probably missing something.
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Points: 14958 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2021 at 19:30
https://www.swfa.com/vortex-27-60x85-razor-hd-spotting-scope-3.html?___SID=U
Vortex has a very good warranty their razor line of products is quite good.
It's not Swarovski but its pretty good.   I have a friend with a Konus spotter that I like and those are not that expensive, but pretty nice.  Mine is a Bushnell but I could use an upgrade.

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karhill View Drop Down
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Points: 8 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote karhill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2021 at 20:12
From reviews, it seems everyone likes the Vortex Razer.  Seems like a quality product.
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Points: 8295 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2021 at 20:14
Kowa makes some very well regarded spotters that could work well but you’ll need to dig into your pocket a little. The TSN883 is highly regarded for digiscoping among birders but viewing through windows won’t help your image quality.
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karhill View Drop Down
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Points: 8 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote karhill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2021 at 21:08
Thanks.  After looking, I have found discussions/reviews from many people that love the Kowa TSN883 and many use it for digiscoping.

The whole digiscoping setup seems like a mess, but I guess that's the way to go.  My initial thought would be to get a phone adapter and then possibly chromecast from the phone to a TV.

I found this scope that is built for digital output (includes small screen and hdmi output), but the thing is ugly and clearly not on the same optical level as something like the Kowa or Vortex.  But it seems like a step in right direction.  I would not want a screen: just the eyepiece and an integrated hdmi output.

***REMOVED LINK TO COMPETITOR***    please conform to forum rules


Edited by SVT_Tactical - December/29/2021 at 15:43
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karhill View Drop Down
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Points: 8 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote karhill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2021 at 21:42
Yep, this digiscoping is not generating good vibes.

Here's an article about attaching a webcam to your spotting scope (using rubber bands!).  Needless to say: kludge.
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Kowa!

Like Craig said.
When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.
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Dogger View Drop Down
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Good luck your search.
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Check out the bird forum you will find lots of reviews.
When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.
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Nice advertising trick. 
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I like ocean views from cliff tops....it comes from watching all those old Hitchcock movies.....
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Points: 4039 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/30/2021 at 10:57
I was going to say Kowa
Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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karhill View Drop Down
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Points: 8 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote karhill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2022 at 15:26
I think I'm going to go with the Kowa (TSN883) and a tripod.   I'll figure out how to get the image to a screen later.
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Thunbs Up
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Points: 13242 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2022 at 17:31
Originally posted by karhill karhill wrote:

I think I'm going to go with the Kowa (TSN883) and a tripod.   I'll figure out how to get the image to a screen later.


You won’t be disappointed.
When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

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Scrumbag View Drop Down
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Points: 4039 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/03/2022 at 04:55
Originally posted by karhill karhill wrote:

I think I'm going to go with the Kowa (TSN883) and a tripod.   I'll figure out how to get the image to a screen later.

Solid choice I think
Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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