Good but save your money for the APO version

I have written this review from a birder’s perspective. The Televid scope is a popular choice with birders and hunters. I have the angled non-APO version with the wide-angle 32x eyepiece. Combined with a lightweight tripod (the Bogen Junior) and a custom case, I felt this to be the best compromise (weight & size verses optics) for dragging around the world birding. And as long as you never get to compare it with an APO version you would agree with my choice. However, our life lists would be smaller and there will be some really dodgy ticks.

With the 32x eyepiece, the view is exceptionally good: bright, sharp, flat field of view, no color fringing. Eye relief is perfect for my eyes but others have difficulty centering their eye. This is probably the #1 reason you should always try a scope before buying it. I can use the scope with or without eye glasses.

In Ecuador, I was able to compare both APO verses non-APO side by side. I was listening to a Pale-eyed Thrush but nobody could find it. Eventually, in the far distance (400 yards +) we had a candidate. The light was excellent but the bird was half in the shade and facing away. Through my scope I could not make out enough features to ID it but had convinced myself that I could see it move when it sang! Next to me was the APO version with the zoom eyepiece. At 60x you could see the details – eye, bill and feet colorations plus it did actually move when it sang. I swapped eyepieces and found the zoom was not the determining factor. At ~30x magnification the combination of APO body and 32x eyepiece gave the sharpest results. At 60x magnification there was no comparison. I repeated the exercise a number of times under different conditions with the same results.

The non-APO version of this scope has a surprising design flaw. It is not balanced for use on a tripod! Put it on the tripod and watch it tilt backwards so that the prism housing smacks against the tripod. Sure, you can try to remember to keep the tripod controls tight but come on Leica, for a $700 scope you could at least get the basic right. It is obvious that Leica designed the scope around the heavier APO version and when it came to the non-APO version they just could not be bothered to reposition the tripod mount.

This scope is marketed as being rugged and for outside use thanks to the waterproofing, fog-proofing and shock resistance. The one aspect they forgot to include was sufficiently armoring the scope against bumps, scratches etc. Sure, the brushed aluminum looks elegant but is of no practical value unless you want to attract thieves. The only solution is to buy one a custom case. Naturally, the one from Leica is very expensive but those from Eagle Optics do a great good job of protection although the positioning of the zips relative to the scope controls is poor.

Other minor issues with the scope – the plastic hood’s only function is to keep rain off the glass. It is too short to offer any reduction in glare. Lastly, why not offer a high magnification eyepiece, e.g. 60 or 70x to go with the 32x. eyepiece?

Numerous publications have compared APO with non-APO glassware and drawn the same conclusion: the more expensive glass is better. However, they usually qualify this by saying it is only apparent under certain conditions such as low light, high magnification or high-contrast situations. I came away from these reviews feeling that the huge jump in price (almost double) was not worth it and a typical marketing ploy. Well, not anymore, if you want to see more lifers and see them better every time get the APO version. Most manufacturers offer both versions except Zeiss who has clouded the issue with their achromatic/fluoride-containing scopes. In terms of size and weight, the Televid scope it is on the heavier side. Here is a comparison with the latest (angled) scopes:

Zeiss Diascope 85 + 20-60 eyepiece – 65.3 ounces & 13.8 inches (body length)
Pentax PF-80ED + 21-63 eyepiece – 75.8 ounces & 16.3 inches
Leica Televid 77 APO + 20-60 eyepiece – 69.4 ounces & 16.1 inches
Swarovski ATS65 HD + 20-60 eyepiece – 49.2 ounces & 12.8 inches
Zeiss Diascope 65 + 15-45 eyepiece – 52.9 ounces & 12 inches
Leica Televid 62 APO + 16-48 eyepiece – 44.6ounces & 11.8 inches
Nikon Fieldscope III ED + 20-60 eyepiece – 47 ounces & 11.5 inches

As to which is best? Bottom line is try the scope and eyepieces even if it is just in a store and all you can do is to test it by looking across the street. Many optic shops have a return policy without the “restocking fee” crap. You just pay for postage. Not only are you evaluating the optical and handling performances but most importantly, how comfortable is the image on your eyes. You should be able to see the whole field of view at all magnifications without eyestrain. Some eyepieces offer longer eye relief to help but this really depends on your eyes. (If you wear eyeglasses make sure the field of view is not compromised especially at higher magnifications).

None of these scopes are really going to let you down, your final decision will probably be based on simple personal preferences. I have no complaints about the quality of the scope or the durability. With periodic servicing it should last a lifetime.