Swarovski spotting scope weight, digiscoping, accessories

Q, from Mike:
I purchased Swarovski binoculars today but am still struggling with which spotting scope to get.

As I travel a lot the weight and length of the spotting scope becomes important. Can you give me the weight and length comparison between the Swarovski 80mm ATM HD angled and the 65 ATM HD angled spotting scopes.

Web page shows the Swarovski Digital Camera Base for angled scopes. I presume this fits both the 80mm and the 65mm spotting scopes. Are there any other attachments/adapters required to fit camera to the spotting scope.

Does the spotting scope come with a case or equivalent?

Hopefully with your reply I can make as decision without asking more questions though if there is a preferred camera for this type of digiscoping please don't hesitate to let me know.
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A:

Thanks for your order. The scope doesn't come with a case, but there are cases available:

The base does fit both scopes, but it'll depend on what camera you have. If you can give us a call with your camera model in front of you, we'd be happy to help talk digiscoping. With this adapter, you'll need a point-and-shoot camera with a below 4x optical zoom.

The 80 scope and 65 are 45.2 and 36 ounces, respectively.

This information is located on the specifications tab of each product.

Thanks, Mike. -Kate

Kowa 883 eyepieces and eye relief

Q, from Robin:
I am hunting for a spotting scope but am having trouble finding one that I can use without experiencing vignetting.

From experience with binoculars and using several scopes, my wife and I have determined that we need at least an eye relief of 18mm to avoid vignetting.

We are most interested in the Kowa TSN-883 Prominar but the eye relief is insufficient. Do you know of a different eyepiece that I could use with the TSN-883 (a zoom eyepiece) that would deliver at least an 18mm eye relief?

The only scopes I know of that seem to be in the quality range that I would like and have enough eye relief are the Leica, which is too expensive, and the Vortex Razor. I have a strong preference for the Kowa, if I can, somehow, make it work but may have to settle for the Vortex.

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Robin, unfortunately no other eyepieces but Kowa will fit the Kowa scopes. I'd take a serious look at the Vortex. It is a very good quality scope for the money, with a more comprehensive warranty coverage than Kowa.

Steiner 12x40 Predator Pro vs. Vortex Diamondback 12x50

Q, from Rich:
I just received the Steiner Predator Pro 12x40 that I ordered.
They are fine, BUT I didn't think that they would have a near focus of
over 60 feet. As I use binoculars for birding that is a problem.
I will be returning these.
What do you recommend in a 10 power that has a near focus of 15 feet (is
that reasonable?).
I'd like to stay in the price range of the Steiners ($270).
Thanks for the help.
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A: Rich: Sorry to hear you aren't happy with the Steiners. I'd suggest taking a
look at the Vortex Diamondback 12x50:

They're very good quality with a far more comprehensive warranty
coverage than the Steiners, are more durable, and have better
accessories for a bit less money.

Hope this helps.

Pentax scope and warranty

Q, from Scott: I have some questions about the Pentax PF 80ED. Can you tell me about the Pentax Worry Free Warranty? I couldn't find specifics on it anywhere. Also, you mention that its packaged with a 21x63 zoom eyepiece. Is that a Pentax eyepiece? If not, what brand is it? Thanks.
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Here is an excerpt from Pentax's website:

Sport Optics "Worry-Free" Warranty

The PENTAX “Worry-Free” Warranty is available on all PENTAX Sport Optics products purchased in the United States, on or after March 1, 2006, from an authorized PENTAX Sport Optics dealer.

PENTAX Sport Optics products are of the highest optical and mechanical quality. If your PENTAX Binocular, Spotting Scope or Riflescope purchased in the USA from an authorized PENTAX Sport Optics dealer requires repair, PENTAX will repair or replace it to the original purchaser (even if damaged by fault) for a charge of $19.95, to cover handling and return shipping.* This warranty does not cover cosmetic damage, theft or loss. (Replacement may be with comparable model at PENTAX’s discretion if the original model is no longer available.)

*Applies only to unmodified equipment or product with modifications performed by authorized PENTAX repair personnel.

You can find that excerpt here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/support/customer-care/

The eyepiece that is included with the 80mm ED scope is a Pentax eyepiece. The part number is 70509. Here is a link to the eyepice on our website: http://www.eagleoptics.com/spotting-scope-eyepieces/pentax/pentax-smc-zoom-eyepiece

Eagle Optics Ranger warranty

Q, from David in Ohio:
Yesterday I bought a pair of Eagle Optics Ranger 8x42 binoculars from the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Strongsville, Ohio. The binoculars were the display unit, and had the box, and packing materials and instruction manual, but there wasn't a warranty card. Should I have received one? Do I have to do anything to register the binoculars to activate the lifetime warranty?

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A: Thanks for the question, David. There isn't a warranty card for the Ranger binoculars. The binoculars come with a lifetime, unconditional, transferable warranty. They are always covered under warranty whether or not you are the first or fifth owner. If you ever find that they need service, you can simply send them in to us and we will take care of it. There should be a detailed description of the warranty in the owner's manual, but not a warranty card.

IPD

Q, from Povl:
I just have a quick question about the Burris Signature Select 8x42 binoculars. What is the minimum interpupillary distance (IPD) these binoculars can do. Unfortunately my eyes are fairly close together, so not all binoculars fit me...
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A: Thanks for your question. The IPD of the 8x42 Signature Select is 57mm. If they don't fit, let us know what your IPD is and we can make some suggestions of a binocular that will work better.

Digiscoping

From Peter: I would like your information packet on digiscoping methods. In advance, thank you.
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Thanks for your interest, Peter. We don't have a printed guide of digiscoping that I can send, but we do have a section of our website devoted to digiscoping equipment and techniques. Take a look!

Pentax eyepiece

Q, from Alan in Oregon:

Does the zoom eyepiece that I have for the 80mm Pentax scope also work on the 65mm ED? If so, what magnifications does it produce?
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A: Yes, the zoom eyepiece for your 80mm Pentax will fit in the 65mm ED scopes. Some people find it to be a bit of an awkward setup due to the large size of that zoom eyepiece and the relatively compact body size of the 65mm scope. The magnification of that eyepiece on the 65mm ED scope is 16-48x.
If there is anything else we can do for you, please let us know.

Vortex Razor HD straight body?

Q, from Henry: Does or will the Vortex Razor HD come in a straight-bodied version?

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A: Thanks for your question, Henry. Right now there is not a straight version of the Razor HD available. I have heard that they will be producing one and that we may see it as soon as January of 2011.

If you would like us to notify you via email when they are available, just let me know. We would be happy to do so.

Which binocular magnification?

Q, from Steve: I'm having a problem deciding between the 8.5x or the 10x ELs. I live on the east coast and will be primarily using these binoculars for hunting, but will also be used when my wife and I travel. I have recently looked through the 10x at a local seller and found them to be amazing. What's interesting is that I had little issue with holding them steady, which surprised me, But, I'm still concerned about the 10x, and the ability to keep them steady in hunting situations. Aside from the FOV, what else might I be giving up if I go with the 10x? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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A:

In addition to FOV, the 10x is going to be more sensitive to shake or body movement in regards to image steadiness, though it sounds like that wasn't much of a factor for you. Typically, a 10x is going to be slightly dimmer than its lower magnification equivalent. Having said that, with the quality of optics that you get with the current Swarovski EL's, the difference is brightness tends to be negligible in all but the dimmest viewing conditions. Overall, assuming you can hold the 10x steady, I would say the matter simply boils down to an issue of personal preference. Both are very user friendly and provide outstanding views. I myself own an 8.5x EL and have been very happy with it. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to email or call.

Eagle Optics gift certificate

Q, from Lauren: I am writing with a question about your gift certificates. I am interested in purchasing a gift certificate for my husband but would like to have a question answered before I do so. If the amount of the gift certificate is under the price of the binoculars he would like to purchase can he pay for the difference or can you only pay with one type of currency at a time? The other question is if the gift certificate is over the amount of the binoculars he wishes to purchase what happens to the rest of the amount? Does it sit there for any further purchases he would like to make or does he, or I, get the rest of the amount? I presume the former but wanted to make sure that if it was something like $20 it wouldn't go to waste or something like that. Thank you for your time.
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A: If the amount of the gift certificate is less than the purchase price of what you are buying, you can pay the difference with a credit card. If what he purchases is less than the gift certificate value, the balance remains available to you/him for future purchases. If the balance is less than $10, we can issue you a check for the remainder.

Right now customers do not have the ability to place online orders using gift certificates. To redeem your gift certificate, you would need to place your order over the phone.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to email or call.