Spotters new kit for my Swarovski ATX scope

[secondofangle2]

I've owned Swaro spotters for almost 20 years and have settled on a tripod/head that I really really like for stationary observation and for the money: Manfrotto 055Xprob tripod (aluminum; $250) and the mvh502ah (a fluid video head that is superb for the application; $200). This setup is very steady/stable and works well for an iphone for digiscoping with a phoneskope case. I used to have the original balance rail for more support for the application and recently replaced it with the "balance rail ii" which has an ACRA Swiss base. This can be adapted to the mvh502ah base; however I stumbled upon this piece of kit by KES Kirk Enterprise Solutions, a camera shop in Indiana (https://kirkphoto.com/) which replaces the entire base of the mvh502ah with a beautifully machined alloy replacement part that has an ACRA Swiss plate on it. I'm very happy with this setup which allows the balance rail ii to be directly attached to the tripod head. It's a pricey but superb piece of kit. Just thought some of you might want to know this exists.

 

[USACS]

What size objective lens is that?

 

[j741]

Thanks for sharing this. Just got Swaro spotter setup and have been trying to figure out tripod setup to go with it. Debating whether to get dedicated 'lower cost' setup like this or go with RRS setup also usable for rifle.

For anyone interested, looks like B&H has a combo on the tripod & Head for $452.88 here

 

[secondofangle2]

What size objective lens is that?

95mm. I had the 115 on order for 6 months but got a refund. Was not convinced that the 115 would make a huge difference without the BTX binocular eyepieces, since I mostly do daytime viewing. Cost of purchasing 115, selling 95, and the extra size/weight had to be factored in too.

I used to have a 65mm one too but never used it and sold it. I think the 95 is a good "do it all" objective, for stationary viewing. A hunter may consider the 65 or 85 for size/weight considerations. Indeed, the 85 is probably the best "all around" size for folks who want to carry it around hunting and stuff like that (I used to have an ATS 80 [not the ATX 85 but almost the exact same size] so I've had the whole gamut except the 115).

 

[secondofangle2]

Thanks for sharing this. Just got Swaro spotter setup and have been trying to figure out tripod setup to go with it. Debating whether to get dedicated 'lower cost' setup like this or go with RRS setup also usable for rifle.

For anyone interested, looks like B&H has a combo on the tripod & Head for $452.88 here

This is a SUPERB setup for the money for this scope. I've been through several iterations, including the Swaro PTH (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020636292?pid=905316) which I just sold because it sucks - not stable enough; vibrates in the wind. (Lightweight though. The manfrotto setup is comparatively heavy (alloy vs carbon) but that's great for stationary viewing which is 99% of what I do.)

 

[ShaoKahn]

This is a SUPERB setup for the money for this scope. I've been through several iterations, including the Swaro PTH which I just sold because it sucks - not stable enough; vibrates in the wind. Lightweight though. The manfrotto is pretty heavy (alloy vs carbon) but that's great for stationary viewing which is 99% of what I do.

I have the Swarovski PTH head with the carbon fiber tripod and really like it. Does a great job of balancing the scope with the balance rail.

What I’m not happy about is the iPhone adapter. For digiscoping it’s best to just get the APO for a real camera. Way nicer mating with the scope.