Pros: Convenient, lightweight and robust headlight with four very useful brightness levels. 1,200 Lumen "Turbo" mode ludicrously bright. Convenient recharging via micro-USB. 3000mAh 18650 battery included. Magnetic base makes for a convenient and versatile work-light when detached from the head-strap. Wide beam pattern ideal for headlamp and use and general area ilumination. … [Read more...] about Sofirn SP40 Headlamp Review
Wildlife Accessories
Fenix PD35 v2.0 LED Torch/Flashlight Review
Pros: Fantastically bright, versatile and compact every-day-carry torch/flashlight that's built to last. Eco mode of 3 lumen great for low-level task lighting and can provide an insane 430 hours (almost 18 days) of continuous light on a single battery. Battery charge level indicator is a handy addition. Rechargeable 18650 batteries work well. Also accepts CR123a Lithium … [Read more...] about Fenix PD35 v2.0 LED Torch/Flashlight Review
Vanguard Alta+ 264AO Tripod Kit
Pros: Compact, lightweight yet sturdy tripod that folds small for transport but extends to a decent height for comfortable use. Capable of supporting a full-size spotting scope or DSLR camera equipment securely. Two-way pan-head is smooth and easy to adjust with just one hand. Designed with birders in mind for spotting scope use. Flip lock-legs convenient and effective making … [Read more...] about Vanguard Alta+ 264AO Tripod Kit
Vanguard VEO2 265CB travel tripod
Pros: incredibly lightweight tripod and versatile ball-head suitable for both spotting scope and photography. Excellent height for a travel tripod.Cons: a little light to hold a full-size spotting scope steady in all but the calmest conditions (ideal for a small 50mm travel scope or even a 65mm standard scope though).Price: RRP GB£249.99 (c. €290 at time of … [Read more...] about Vanguard VEO2 265CB travel tripod
Gear Review: Vanguard Endeavor Bags
Pros: Designed with the birder / nature enthusiast in mind. Neutral olive colours and robust, non-rustle fabrics, thoughtful design. Insulated food pocket inspired. With three sizes in the range there's a bag for every occasionCons: Hard to find anything specific to fault here... a couple of spurious features I'd question the usefulness of, but none that would detract from … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Vanguard Endeavor Bags
Vanguard VEO 235AP Travel Tripod and VEO 37 Bag
For the wildlife enthusiast travelling light can be a real challenge. While you don't want to lug around too much heavy equipment, you also don't want to compromise too much on getting the best views of the wildlife you encounter while you're away from home.The main concern, of course, is optics. A quality, lightweight pair of binoculars is perhaps the single most important … [Read more...] about Vanguard VEO 235AP Travel Tripod and VEO 37 Bag
Vanguard’s new travel tripod impresses
When you're travelling, or even if you simply have a way to walk from the car to a favourite viewing point, carrying a bulky scope and tripod can be a tiresome business.There are solutions out there of course -- things like scope carriers (I use the Cley Spy MulePack to tote around my Meopta Meostar S2 on our Discover Wildlife Experiences). They make carrying bulky … [Read more...] about Vanguard’s new travel tripod impresses
Gear Review: LED Lenser P5R.2 Rechargable LED Flashlight
Pros: Great looking, exceptionally bright little rechargeable torch with excellent build quality. Small, sleek, lightweight and robust -- ideal for slipping in a pocket or pack. Outstanding flood-to-spot functionality with LED Lenser's patented fast-focus system. Extremely versatile little light. Convenient magnetic charging system powered through USB.Cons: Proprietary … [Read more...] about Gear Review: LED Lenser P5R.2 Rechargable LED Flashlight
Gear Review: CJ Wildlife Apollo “Easy Clean” Seed Feeder
Pros: Quality finish and materials. Robust construction. Easy and convenient to dismantle and clean (no tools required). Innovative "feeding rings". Ventilation system keeps food fresh.Cons: None so far.Rating: Highly RecommendedPrice: from €21.95 for the 3-port feeder to €31.95 for the 7-port feederAn excellent all-round seed feeder that's built to last from … [Read more...] about Gear Review: CJ Wildlife Apollo “Easy Clean” Seed Feeder
Fenix PD35 compact LED torch / flashlight review
Pros: Outstanding 850 lumen performance from a 14cm (c. 5") torch that fits in the palm of your hand. Great build quality. Insanely bright, clean beam with floody central spot and a large "spill" that illuminates the peripheral area. Excellent throw distance for a 20mm reflector. Great versatility with five brightness levels and mode memory. Handy "momentary" on/off with … [Read more...] about Fenix PD35 compact LED torch / flashlight review
Gear Review: Universal Digiscoping Adapters from Novagrade
Pros: compact and light -- easily throw in a pocket or camera bag. Universal... adapts easily to fit most scope eyepieces and unique interchangable "gripper" system works with any smartphone. Very easy to fit and use... simple, twist to secure, twist to release mechanism.Cons: the smartphone adapter can be a bit fiddly to set up and align initially, but you only have to do … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Universal Digiscoping Adapters from Novagrade
Gear Review: Lensmaster Gimbal RH-2 Tripod Head
Pros: Strong, lightweight and easy to set up. Professional grade finish. Very smooth pan and tilt, and extremely stable and well balanced once you've found your gear's centre of gravity. Excellent for photography (with long lenses or digiscoping), but also surprisingly effective for normal "scoping". Competitive price for a top quality gimbal head, and Rob at Lensmaster has to … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Lensmaster Gimbal RH-2 Tripod Head
Pettersson D240X Bat Detector Review
Pros: Very solid, well made detector that feels like a quality item in the hand. Large array of controls and options offer lots of customisation and tweaks for the discerning enthusiast or bat research professional. Very sensitive microphone picks up bats with ease. High quality speaker, dials and excellent backlit LCD display. Tuneable heterodyne detector great for listening … [Read more...] about Pettersson D240X Bat Detector Review
Zoom H2N Digital Audio Recorder Review
Pros: portability, impressive microphone array, outstanding battery life, manual gain dial, great sensitivity, superb sound quality and competitive price. Cons: the device is ALL microphone, and the mics are incredibly sensitive so you have to be careful not to shift your grip while recording or you will pick up the sound of your fingers moving on the case. Battery cover is a … [Read more...] about Zoom H2N Digital Audio Recorder Review
Bat Detector Review: Elekon Batscanner
Elekon BatScanner Short Review Pros: Simple to use -- just point and listen. Compact design ideal to slip in a pocket. Good sound quality and excellent microphone sensitivity. Scans across all frequencies so never miss a passing bat.Cons: Screw-on battery compartment cover would make changing batteries in the field a pain; a wrist strap would be a handy addition, and a … [Read more...] about Bat Detector Review: Elekon Batscanner
Gear Review: Vanguard Alta + 233AO Tripod
Vanguard Alta + 233AO Tripod -- Summary Review Pros: Extremely light, compact, easy to carry. Fluid pan head is smooth and easy to adjust, great features and quality feel. Excellent all-round package.Cons: Possibly a bit short in the leg for taller users. At 6' 5" I needed to extend the central column for comfortable viewing... making the tripod less stable. But hardly a … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Vanguard Alta + 233AO Tripod
Gear Review: Spotting Scope Carriers
Scopac’s “Scopac Lite” and the Cley Spy Mulepack go head to head in our Scope Carrier review.There’s no denying that a spotting scope can add a tremendous amount to your wildlife viewing enjoyment. For years I managed without one, but since getting my first one (an old Kowa acquired second hand through eBay) I certainly wouldn’t be without one. In some situations it’s … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Spotting Scope Carriers
Gear Review: Lowepro Scope Porter 200 AW
I was given my LowePro Scope Porter 200 AW as a birthday present last November and I must admit I was quite surprised. I never saw myself as needing such a thing. Most times when I go birding (and I do go birding a lot) I prefer to be a Highly Mobile Unit (HMU) and go sans telescope. However, there are times when a scope is a much needed accessory so maybe I would find occasion … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Lowepro Scope Porter 200 AW
