Thanks Jim and it's just fine that you are a Kowa rep. I'm cc'ing my reply to Tweeters at large because other folks may like to know that you offer Kowas. Right now I may have an opportunity for a private purchase of an older Nikon scope/Bogan tripod package from another Tweeter. Kowa would be a consideration when I want to look at new scopes down the road. Right now, I just want to have equipment that will get me through the Winter Seabird Survey at a price my immediate budget can handle (my policy is to buy only what I can pay for outright, other than my mortgage and maybe a car.) Getting recruited for the survey was a nice surprise, and my needing a $cope very soon was unexpected. I appreciate most all the responses I've gotten was various Tweeter folks, very educational and mostly helpful.
Thanks again, me2
****************************************
Maureen Ellis, PhD, Research Scientist
Woods Lab, Toxicology Group at Roos 1, Box 354695
Lab/Office phone: 206-685-1938 Email: mj2ephd at u.washington.edu
DEOHS, SPHCM, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
****************************************
"The highway of life is full of flat squirrels that
couldn't make up their minds." ____unknown

"To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities
as you do at conclusions." ____Ben Franklin

"Be the change you want to see in the world." ____Ghandi

On Wed, 19 Sep 2007, Jim Danzenbaker wrote:

> Hi Maureen,
>
> Jim Danzenbaker from Battle Ground here. I read your e-mail requesting
> information on spotting scopes for your participation in the upcoming
> Audubon Waterbird Survey. Eagle Optics is a very good source of refurbished
> products. You could also get on to e-Bay to see what deals are out there.
> Regarding which spotting scope to get, I will admit that I am a Kowa sales
> manager. However, even having said that, the Kowa line of spotting scopes
> are fantastic and will provide you with a crystal clear image in all
> lighting conditions. Here are some weights (without eyepieces) on our
> current models:
>
> TSN-601 25.9oz
> TSN-602 25.4oz
> TSN-603 26.3oz
> TSN-604 25.7oz
> TS-501 20X 13.6oz
> TS-501 ZOOM 14.8oz
> TS-502 20X 13.4oz
> TS-502 ZOOM 14.5oz
>
> Let me know if you need any additional information.
>
> Jim Danzenbaker
> Sales Manager for the Americas
> Kowa Optimed
> perched in Battle Ground, Washington
> 310-722-3333
> 360-723-0345
>
> On 9/14/07, Maureen E Ellis <mj2ephd at u.washington.edu> wrote:
>>
>> Folks,
>> I have put off for years buying a scope, sneak-peeking through others'
>> scopes or relying on a tour leader to provide scopes. Now, the opportunity
>> to participate in the 2007-2008 fall-spring Seattle Audubon Waterbird Survey
>> is a good excuse to finally get a scope. I am hard on optics, banging
>> things into rocks in the field, so the upper price range $cope$ are not a
>> wise or affordable option at this time. Eagle Optics is recommended far and
>> wide as a reliable online ordering source. I have perused their website for
>> options and see that they also offer pre-owned, refurbished scopes 'n
>> related stuff. I have saved emails from many Tweeters across the years
>> discussing various and favorite brands/models of scopes, zoom lenses, mounts
>> and tripods and carrying cases, and tripod leg paddings, oh my, and I
>> already feel weighed down. Help, please.
>>
>> Kowa TSN-4 was highly recommended as was the Bogan-Manfrotto 3130/3221
>> tripod "kit." Items with these number notations are not listed for sale;
>> numbers have changed. A 20x-60x zoom and a 60mm eyepiece seems to be a good
>> start or is the standard, no matter what price range? Is there a local
>> optics business to recommend as an honest source of used/older scopes and
>> tripods? Can anyone suggest a 'starter scope/tripod set' that will allow me
>> to adequately survey seabirds from the east Puget Sound shores. I hope to
>> do my surveys along the Seahurst Park and, perhaps, Three Tree Point, in the
>> Burien area. I think that budgeting up to $700 to get scope, lens, mount,
>> tripod is what I can do right now for equipment that will serve well enough
>> for a while. Advice/suggestions, please.
>> Thanks, Maureen
>> ****************************************
>> Maureen Ellis, PhD, Research Scientist
>> Woods Lab, Toxicology Group at Roos 1, Box 354695
>> Lab/Office phone: 206-685-1938 Email: mj2ephd at u.washington.edu
>> DEOHS, SPHCM, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
>> ****************************************
>> "The highway of life is full of flat squirrels that
>> couldn't make up their minds." ____unknown
>>
>> "To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities
>> as you do at conclusions." ____Ben Franklin
>>
>> "Be the change you want to see in the world." ____Ghandi
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Tweeters mailing list
>> Tweeters at u.washington.edu
>> http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Danzenbaker
> Battle Ground, WA
> 360-723-0345
> jdanzenbaker at gmail.com
>