I just read Jerry Blinn's scope dropping incident. I had a similar thing
happen with my Kowa TSN-2. I have a quick release attachment which I didn't
have properly seated when I attached the scope to the tripod and the scope
fell to a gravel road. The side of the hood which was not extended received a
severe dent and the lens cap was broken. But to my surprise the lens was not
broken. The hood would not extend and I had to carefully use pliers to bend it
enough to be able to extend the hood. So I am also very pleased with the Kowa
durability.

Also, after reading the comments about scope weight, I decided to weigh my
outfit as I knew it was reasonably heavy. With the scope, scope cover,
universal ball head, Bogen 3033 tripod, and foam pipe insulation I added to
soften the weight on my shoulders it comes to 12 lbs which would be more than
most scope/tripod combinations. I regularly carry this on 2-1/2 mile walks at
Spencer Is. and 5 mile walks at Nisqually NWR without undue suffering. And, I
am not a spring-chicken at 72 lbs. So, if you are in reasonably good condition
carrying a scope should not be a problem.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
hughbirder at aol.com