I’ve been conferring recently with a friend who runs an eco-lodge about the prospect of upgrading the onsite optics array; in essence, she’s looking for a spotting scope. Anytime the conversation turns to optics, my thoughts turn of course to Swarovski Optik, the purveyors of the cutting-edge quality glass I use in the field. However, my friend is interested in entertaining all options with an emphasis on quality and value. Any suggestions?

Also, what tripod would you recommend for a scope that will be deployed onsite as opposed to in the field?

Written by Mike
Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but he's also a traveler who fully expects to see every bird in the world. Besides founding 10,000 Birds in 2003, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining but now extirpated nature blog resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network and I and the Bird.