Swarovski scope case strap attachement?

Q, from Greg: I just purchased a case for my Swarovski spotting scope. It is impossible to see how to attach the strap to the case. Can you help?

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A: Good question, Greg.
There are some instructions on how to attach the strap on the underside of the paper sleeve the strap was in.

When you hold one of the 3 ends of the strap., you will see a metal ring, and above that a black clip.
Hold the black clip and slide it away from the metal ring. You may need to use a little force. Once the clip is moved a small ways towards the strap you are now able to open the metal ring. You attach the end of the strap that has just 1 ring to the black loop between the 2 snaps where the eyepiece is, attach the other side of the strap that has 2 rings to the objective lens end of the case right below the zipper, to a back loop.

I hope this helps! If this does not make sense please call Eagle Optics and we can talk you through it.

Lens cover?

Q, from Mary:
My husband and I both have your Swift Ultra Waterproof 8x42 binoculars.

The lens covers (top) have both cracked in two and we need to get replacements ones.

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A: We do not have exact replacement for the lens covers that are cracked on your binoculars although odds are we have covers that will be a good replacement/alternative. We have a top lens cover, often referred to as a rainguard.

I believe this pretty well resembles the part that you currently have that needs replacement.

Let us know if this looks like what you are after. If not, we can see what other options may be available. Thanks!

Swarovski Digital Camera Base

Q, from Robert in Illinois:

Does the Swarovski Digital Camera Base for Angled Scopes fit the Zeiss Diascope 65/85 Angled Spotting Scope?

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A: Good question, Robert. Unfortunately, the Swarovski digital camera bases were designed to specifically fit the Swarovski scopes and are not compatible with any other manufacturers' equipment.

Digiscoping?

Have digiscoping questions?

Visit our Eagle Optics digiscoping video for answers to all your questions!

Understanding Optics: Magnification?

Have magnification questions?

Visit our Eagle Optics magnification video for answers!

Broken binocular?

Q, from Mitch:

Hello. I just accidentally bumped my wife's binoculars off the frig (easy access for birds in the yard). They landed in such a way that the adjustable eyecup and lens popped out. I can easily thread it back in, but only part way. I don't see the problem, but want to avoid further damage in my untrained attempts at repair.

So, can I mail these back to you for repair? We bought them from you (along with three other pairs over the years). They are labeled "Audubon", Sheltered Winds. I feel pretty badly; we try to take very good care of our optics.

Thanks for your advice.
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A:

Yes, you can absolutely send your Audubon binoculars back here for service. Please send them to us at:

Eagle Optics

2120 W Greenview Dr

Middleton, WI 53562

Please include correspondence with the binoculars including your name, return address, a contact phone number, and a note describing what on the binocular needs service. If there is any service charge for the repairs, our technicians will call you prior to proceeding.

Nikon Fieldscope III digiscoping?

Q, From Ed:

I purchased the Fieldscope III last year from Eagle Optics and am now interested in a digital camera setup. What type of digital camera and digital camera adapter would be used for this type of Fieldscope and do you offer these items on your website?

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A: Thanks for your question, Ed. Nikon doesn't really make any complete setups for that scope.

Your best bet would be to use a universal type adapter such as our Vortex and pair it with a small-bodied point and shoot digital camera that has a below 4x optical zoom.

If you already have a camera, we'd be happy to chat about if it will work with this adapter and your scope.

Minox BD 8x44 BP

Q, from Dennis:
I'm still on the lookout for a good porro binocular. The single reviewer of this binocular on your website was impressed with it. I was wondering whether you can confirm that the focusing is indeed smooth (not stiff) and if eye relief for an eyeglass wearer is adequate? Any other impressions would be appreciated.

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A:

Thanks for writing and for your interest in Eagle Optics!

As far as porro prism binoculars go, the Minox BD is pretty decent with very sharp optics. I wear glasses and have no problem with its eye relief. The focus knob is fine for me (not stiff at all), but due to the width of the binocular it helps to have large hands in order to reach it. I can easily see how someone with smaller hands than me would have trouble focusing this particular binocular.

Trouble getting one image in binoculars?

Q, from Jennifer:

My sister loaned me her Eagle Optics 8 x 42 Rangers while we were out birding and I found I could focus them to see only one circle through them with no dark shadows. On other binoculars, I usually have lots of trouble getting that to happen.

So I bought a pair. Farther distances, no problem. One circle. But I noticed that when I focus on shorter distances, I see 2 overlapping circles. Is that normal? Is there something else I should be doing for shorter distances?

Also, is there anything optically wrong with holding the binoculars with the focus wheel on the bottom? I find I can reach it with my thumb that way. It's much easier than trying to reach over the top with my fingers.
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A: What you are experiencing with focusing at shorter distances is somewhat normal. It's an effect called parallax. Some people experience a more pronounced parallax effect than others. This is a factor of your IPD (inter pupillary distance) or the distance between your eyes. Here is an article that explains the phenomena in more detail if you are interested.

If you are focusing at shorter distances, the best thing to do is take a few steps backward and the problem should be less noticeable. You can also simply close one eye if it really bothers you. There are not going to be other binoculars out there that will reduce or eliminate this effect.

Regarding how you hold the binoculars, I don't see anything wrong with holding them upside down if that's what you find most comfortable. Thanks, Jennifer.

Zeiss Victory FLs

Q, from Rod in Kentucky:

Which Zeiss Victory FL would you buy, the 10x42 or 7x42 Victory?

A:

The 7x42 will be brighter in low light and have a wider field of view. As you increase magnification things appear larger, but there are a few compromises. Another is that the 10x will be less easy to hold steady versus the 7x. If these two were my only choices, I'd probably go with the 7x because I place more of a premium on field of view and brightness.

travel tripod?

Q: From Neils: I am looking for a travel tripod to carry a small 50mm spotting scope. With today’s airline restrictions, that mean a tripod that folds short and weighs little, so definitely CF, but I am not interested in having to remove the head every time I put the tripod in a suitcase. Given these constraints, what would be your recommendations?

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A: Good question, Neils.
I would start with the Manfrotto 7301 tripod kit, which has a folded length of 20.1 inches.

This would be the sturdiest aluminum option with a pan arm on the tripod head.

The Vortex High Country tripod is 18.8 inches folded but has a ball head without a pan arm:

Here's the Compact Gizto kit, at 21.3 inches without the head.

The price goes up on the carbon fiber tripods, but they are lighter weight and stronger.

comparing binocular weights?

Q, from Mary Lou: My husband and I are using Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 Model #804 wide field binoculars. We enjoy their ability for close focus. They have a lot of metal in the construction, however, so are quite heavy. For some time now, we notice the focus drifts, making it difficult to find and observe birds.

Your company is highly recommended to us, and we would appreciate your recommendations for comparable strength birding binoculars. A friend recently got 8 x 42 binoculars from you, I believe.

Please advise us as to which options you recommend.

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A: Thanks for the question, Mary Lou. You didn't mention your price range, but I'll be happy to suggest some options. Your Swift Audubon weighs about 29 ounces, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a lighter option with close focus in different price points.

One nice one that comes to mind is the Eagle Optics Ranger 8x42. It weighs 21.8 ounces and has a nice close focus of 5.2 feet. It's one of our top sellers for birders in its price range at $329.99.

Another popular choice for birders is the Nikon Monarch 8x42. It has a similar weight as the Ranger, 21.5 ounces, but is not quite as bright optically as the Ranger, and not as close a focus (8.2 feet). The price is $279.95.

Moving up in price, I like the Leupold Pinnacles 8x42. At $439.00, it has a close focus of 6.6' and weighs 23 ounces.

If you can spend more, I would steer you toward the Vortex Viper 8x42. At $539.99 it is a definite step up in optical quality (nice sharp, bright image), with a close focus of 5.1 feet and weighs 23 ounces.

All 4 of these are waterproof, fogproof, and come with a case and strap. Nikon carries a limited 25-year warranty; Leopold has a limited lifetime warranty; and these Vortex and Eagle Optics products have a transferrable lifetime unconditional warranty (we will fix or replace them free).

FedEx Ground shipping is free, and Eagle Optics has a 30-day return policy so you may test-drive one before making your final decision.

zoom binoculars?

Q, from Wayne:

Do you make zoom binoculars? Please advise.

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A: Thanks for your interest, Wayne.
We don't make zoom binoculars though we do sell a few different models made by Nikon.

Swarovski eyepiece?

Q, from Dan:

Hi, I have the HD 80 with a 20Xsw eyepeice. I see that you now have a 32x wide angle. Where can I get the specifications to compare these 2 eyepieces? I'm especially interested in the field of view at 1000 between the two. Any trade-up/in programs that you have would be interesting too. Thanks.
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A: Thanks for your question, Dan.
Because the 20Xsw has been discontinued, I don't know of anywhere online where I could point you to compare the two.

I do have the specs here from an old catalog:

FOV: 180' @ 1000 yds

eye relief: 17mm

close focus: 10'

For the 30x WA

FOV: 126' @ 1000 yds

eye relief: 20mm

I couldn't find a published close focus anywhere on the 30x WA eyepiece, but otherwise I hope that answers most of your questions.

Swarovski replacement tethered objective lens covers

From Richard:

Unfortunately, and as you may already know, the supplied tethered lens covers for my Swarovski 8x32 EL's keep falling off although I haven't lost them yet. Just an annoyance if anything else.

I see several tethered lens covers (small or medium) on you web site but your on hand staff of expert experience is best advised. Please let me know the best choice, I will order via your 800#.
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Thanks for the inquiry. Yes, we are familiar with the shortcomings of the lens covers supplied with the 32mm EL's. Unfortunately, none of the lens covers we have are really a good fit for the EL's.

Our small tethered objective lens covers fit but due to the short barrel on the 32mm EL's, there isn't enough room between the center hinge and the objective lenses accommodate the tether.

If you were to use these lens covers, you would not be able to take advantage of the tether feature.

country of origin on Viper and Katmai?

From Bill:

I'm trying to make up my mind regarding two binos.

Can you tell me the country of manufacture of each of the following? I guess I'm asking, what is marked on the bino?

Vortex Viper 6x32

Leupold Katami 6x32

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Bill: Good question. Both the Viper and Katmai are made in Japan.