Date: 3/31/25 3:18 pm From: Jon Strong via groups.io <jon.strong...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Scope question (no sighting)
Hi Paul, about 25 years ago I asked Joel J. the same question about scopes. He recommended Kowa and I bought one and still use it. It has served me well. I know optics have changed over the years but I think the brand that I am still using is pretty good. Jon StrongOmaha
On Monday, March 31, 2025 at 04:41:12 PM CDT, pastorpaultdunbar via groups.io <pastorpaultdunbar...> wrote:
Hey, friends,I know this forum is for sharing Nebraska bird sightings, so I'll be brief, and if you care to respond, please do so privately so this doesn't become a long, off-topic, public thread.
My adult daughter is getting more into birding -- plus, she's currently doing a 6-mo stint on Cape Hatteras NC with US Fish & Wildlife, so lots of birding opportunities! -- and I'd love to get her a scope, but I haven't shopped for one in years. I know the top scopes (Zeiss, Leica, Swaro) with eyepiece and tripod can run 5 grand or more; I'm thinking more in the $1500 range or less. I've got a Zeiss Diascope 85 with 20-60x zoom that I've had 20+ years and love. What scopes (and tripods) do any of you use and love?
A year or two ago Thane turned me on to the Nikon Monarch HG, a truly excellent pair of binoculars for well under $1000. I guess I'm hoping I can find another great deal like that but with a scope, something surprisingly good but not as wildly expensive as the industry leaders now are. Thoughts?
Paul Dunbar
