Birdwatching Dot Com

Ratings Chart

Nov./Dec., 2009, Bird Watcher's Digest
Copyright Michael and Diane Porter 2009-2013


Manufacturer
Name of Scope
Obj. (mm)
2013 Update
Eyepiece
Zoom
Range
Eye Relief
(max.)
Eye Relief
(min.)
Eyecup Style
Max. FOV
Min. FOV
Focus Style
Close Focus
(ft)
Focus Swipes
Weight
Length
(in.)
Special Glass
Street Price
Resolution Score
Image Quality
Score
Ergonomics Score
Kowa TSN-883 Prominar
88
 
20-60x
17.0
16.5
indents twist
115
55
Dual Knobs
16.4
3.0
64.5
15.5
FC
$2905
5.0
4.8
4.6
Leica 82mm APO Televid
82
 
25-50x*
19.0
19.0
indents twist
123*
84*
Dual Knobs
12.5
7.0
67.9
15.2
FL
$3995
4.8
5.0
4.8
Swarovski ATM-80 HD
80
Replaced by ATX
25-50x*
17.0
17.0
smooth twist
126*
81*
Barrel Band
16.0
4.0
56.1
15.4
HD
$3338
4.8
4.9
5.0
Zeiss Diascope 85 T* FL
85
Replaced by DiaScope
20-60x
16.0
16.0
push-pull
129
60
Dual Knobs
16.3
9.0
61.2
15.6
FL
$2500
4.8
4.6
4.4
Kowa TSN-773 Prominar
77
 
20-60x
17.0
16.5
indents twist
115
55
Dual Knobs
16.4
3.0
58.5
14.6
XD
$2365
4.7
4.5
4.5
Vortex Razor HD
85
 
20-60x
20.0
18.0
smooth twist
117
60
Dual Knobs
16.4
3.0
65.5
15.0
HD
$1600
4.6
4.5
4.7
Nikon EDG Fieldscope
85
 
20-60x
18.4
16.5
indents twist
115
58
Barrel Band
16.4
2.0
85.5
17.6
ED
$3300
4.0
4.1
2.5
Pentax PF-80 EDA
80
 
20-60x
22.0
18.0
smooth twist
93
49
Single Knob
19.0
8.0
73.1
19.1
ED
$1179
3.6
4.0
4.0
Celestron Regal 80F-ED
80
 
20-60x
20.0
16.0
reverse twist
112
56
Dual Knobs
20.0
9.5
76.2
18.7
ED
$575
3.0
3.5
3.9
Alpen 854 Rainier
80
 
20-60x
17.0
17.0
indents twist
96
54
Single Knob
17.8
8.5
56.9
17.4
HD
$821
2.9
3.1
3.5
Brunton Eterna  ED
80
 
20-60x
17.0
17.0
indents twist
98
53
Single Knob
17.8
8.5
68.5
17.5
ED
$1000
2.8
3.0
3.7
Bushnell Elite ED
80
 
20-60x
18.0
18.0
fold down
98
50
Single Knob
17.8
8.5
60.4
17.4
ED
$679
2.8
3.0
3.3

Legend

Copyright Michael and Diane Porter 2009

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