Acuter spotting scope with in-built camera

[alanjns]

I have just taken possession of the Acuter 70mm spotting scope and am just getting to grips with the functions and capabilities etc (arrived today) I'm waiting on delivery of a suitable tripod before I can give it a test run. I've posted a link for you all to peruse and offer opinions as you wish. I'll post a review after my first test run - wish me luck

Acuter Digital 70 Spotting Scope with Built in Digital Camera

Regards,

Alan

[bassist]

Nice one! what is the resolution of the camera...?Am myself at the moment saving up for a scope,have decided to go for the nikon ed 50,with a 30xw eyepiece its quite a lot of money,but it is small and has had excellent reviews.Small is important for me as i cycle everywhere and size and weight become real factors if i go any distance.Look forward to reading your comments,are there any reviews of your scope that you have come across on the net?Peace.....!

[alanjns]

It's a 3.1mp camera with up to 14 x zoom - I'm itching to get out and about with it - where's that ruddy tripod!

Cheers,

Alan

[Neil Rigby]

Acuter Digital 70 Spotting Scope

Specifications for Spotting Scope

• Magnification 14x
• Object Lens Diameter 70mm
• Focal Length 210mm
• Field of View 4 °
• Near Focus 4.8M
• Length 280mm
• Weight 1.59kg
• Specification (Digital Camera)

This exciting new State-of-the-Art product features a fully Multi-Coated 70mm Refractor Spotting Scope with a fully integrated 3.1 Megapixel CMOS Digital Imager. The spotting scope, in standard optical mode, operates at 14x magnification. The camera however with its 2” LCD flip-up screen, can operate at 7x or 14x or more by operating the 4x digital zoom feature. Now you can get up close and personal with your favourite subject matter and capture the moment instantly, in either Still Photo or Continuous Video format. The spotting scope has its own 32Mb internal memory and in addition has an SD Card slot. In addition there is a TV Out connection for viewing images directly on your TV, and a USB port to connect to your PC. Supplied with soft, protective carrying case. Can fit a photo tripod via its standard ¼-20 tripod bush. Colour/Material: Black Rubber.

Specifications for Image Sensor CMOS Digital Camera

• Resolution (Max) 3.1MP (2056x1536 Pixels)
• Digital Zoom 4x
• Memory 32MB Internal, SD Card Slot
• Focus Assist Sharp Focus Meter
• Camera Magnification 7x or 14x
• Field of View 5.6 ° -2 °
• Hi-Res Images 38 pics @ 3.0MP (Fine)
• Lo-Res Images >600 pics @ 0.3MP (Econ)
• Continuous Video (VGA) 30 secs VGA @ 30fps
• 4.5 mins CIF @ 15fps
• TV Out Preview PAL/NTSC
• Connectivity Ports USB/TV Out/Shutter Release/12v DC
• Cables Supplied USB/Video/Shutter Release Cable
• Software Included Photobase 4.5, Panorama Maker 3

System Requirements Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP, 600MB free, Hard drive space, 128MB SDRAM, CD ROM Drive, USB Port, Video card with 2MB RAM (16 bit colour)
Power Requirement 2 x AA Alkaline

Approx Price: £200.00 Inc VAT

[clydebirder]

Originally Posted by alanjns

It's a 3.1mp camera with up to 14 x zoom - I'm itching to get out and about with it - where's that ruddy tripod!

Cheers,

Alan

Will be interested in seeing how you get on with that

cheers, John

[alanjns]

Oh My God,

First impressions aren't that great.

The scope itself is ok. At x 14 I wasn't expecting great things, I wasn't disappointed - I had good views of birds out in the middle of the mere, and could see enough detail for ID purposes.

The camera and it's functions are a different matter. The controls are clunky and not smooth. I focussed on a subject through the scope, then changed to the camera view to photograph it, but the subject moves from scope view to camera view, to a different position, and you have to find it and re-focus.

Then, if you want to zoom in, the controls are so stiff you end up moving the entire setup and focussing on a different view entirely!!

I only had about an hour and a half with it today, and I'm not impressed. Maybe with some practise I can get it sorted, but this isn't what it said on the can.

I didn't try the video capability - but I won't hold my breath.

This is not for dedicated birders of any level.

I've had my figers burnt - don't buy it.

PS: I haven't posted any photos's 'cos I'm too embarrased with them!!

I will keep practising - it may just be a matter of technique - but again, don't hold your breath.

[bassist]

£200 is a lot of money for something you are not happy with......!like your honesty as well..............bird forum has a good scope/review section.

[Maggie28]

Thanks for that input Alanjns,

I've been looking around for a digiscope to use with either a compact digi or dslr.
The dslr seems a bit awkward to handle for me at the moment with a digiscope, unless I had a non moving subject
was thinking of the built in camera ones but I guess you have to pay a fortune to get a decent one.

So I think I will just get a digiscope and use a cdc with it.

Or get a super dooper camera and camera lens.
Living off my redundancy just now so until I get a permenant job, I wont be buying anything too expensive just now.