On Sun, 14 Nov 1999, L. Wakeman wrote:


[snip..]

I haven't come across much discussion on 45 degree vs. straight
through view angle for the eye piece.

hmm-mmmm...well, couple of considerations..

if you intend to use the scope as part of group birding
trips, some feel the 45 degree angle eye piece is more
generally usable with a group where there are lots of
folks of different height.. it's a question of standing
on tip toes vs. bending over further..

straight throught is better if you intend to use a
window mount in your car..for those rainy days in the
Skagit when you don't want to get out and stand in it.

cat scopes are mostly 45 degrees..probably because
they were orignally intended for astronomy...you might
check them as you can find them used at camera swap
shows and they can deliver a lot of power for the dollar..
there just not as durable as the transverse ones..

of all the scopes I've looked through, the straight through
seems best to me..and I like the little focus wheel (like
on the KOWA) which takes 2 1/2 turns to infinity as opposed
to the helical focus (like on the Swarovski) which goes to
Infinity in one turn.

the Nikon 60mm (with ED glass) was Stephen Ingraham of
Better View Desired, choice as the best all around scope..
he felt the image was crisp and one doesn't need to fight
the weight lugging the bigger units around.. most people
agree the Swarovki 80mm is a wonderful scope, but it takes
a lot to lug it.

Tom