Leupold's HD vs. non-HD glass

[DeerHarvester]

Guys I'm looking at getting a Leupold 12-40X60 Golden Ring HD Spotting Scope.  I found some feedback on this scope from previous posts, but have any of you used the HD vs. the standard glass.  Can you notice the difference and is it worth the $200 extra dollars.   

[halflife65]

I'm interested in the answer to this question, as well.  I've been using a fixed 20 X 50 Leupy (small, light and really packable) forever but need to upgrade.  I'd love to spend the $$ on a Swarovski, but can't swing it (but did by a pair of Swaro 10 X 42s this year   ).  $1200 for the Leupy would be a nice compromise of quality and money, I think.  

[DeerHarvester]

I've talked with guys who own the standard glass in the 12-40X60 Goldring, and they love them.  I need to make a trip to cabales and look through them side by side.  I just live too far. 

[MtnMuley]

I've used them both quite a bit.  Wouldn't ever get rid of mine.   The HD is nicer, but unless digiscoping, I personally wouldn't upgrade from the older style.  However, if I didn't own one and wanted to buy one, I'd spend the little extra and go with the HD.  I'd be more than happy to let you compare them without going to Cabelas, just shoot me a PM.

[ecnclan]

I've used them both quite a bit.  Wouldn't ever get rid of mine.   The HD is nicer, but unless digiscoping, I personally wouldn't upgrade from the older style.  However, if I didn't own one and wanted to buy one, I'd spend the little extra and go with the HD.  I'd be more than happy to let you compare them without going to Cabelas, just shoot me a PM.

[DeerHarvester]

That was my first thought.  I had also heard you only notice the difference with a camera. 

[Jamieb]

I've been wanting to try the HD but like me, my hunting partners love their older non-HD's and none of us have felt a need to trade up. I dont know a single person that owns a HD yet.

[Bearhunter]

Ill tell you that there is a big difference in the Swarovski's standard def. to the high def.  But there is a huge price difference.  For only $200 Id go with the HD.

[norsepeak]

I have the HD and love it.  You really notice the diff. in the low light conditions just before sunrise and just after sunset.  It's a very sharp image, worth the money.  I got mine brand new off of ebay for $840, so shop around and see what kind of deal you can find.

[tpcollins]

My understanding was the HD is for more color enhancement, nothing to do with sharper images. I have the standard Gold Ring and it's good enough for me.

[videoman]

I have noticed in the swaro brand the HD's pick up more heat waves.

[Cascade_Sherpa]

I've used them both quite a bit.  Wouldn't ever get rid of mine.   The HD is nicer, but unless digiscoping, I personally wouldn't upgrade from the older style.  However, if I didn't own one and wanted to buy one, I'd spend the little extra and go with the HD.  I'd be more than happy to let you compare them without going to Cabelas, just shoot me a PM.

I've heard this term for the second or third time now...."digiscoping" what does this mean?

[croix]

I've used them both quite a bit.  Wouldn't ever get rid of mine.   The HD is nicer, but unless digiscoping, I personally wouldn't upgrade from the older style.  However, if I didn't own one and wanted to buy one, I'd spend the little extra and go with the HD.  I'd be more than happy to let you compare them without going to Cabelas, just shoot me a PM.

I've heard this term for the second or third time now...."digiscoping" what does this mean?

Digiscoping is a neologism for the activity of using a digital camera to record distant images by coupling it with an optical telescope. The term usually refers to using either a digital single-lens reflex camera with lens attached or, more often, a fixed lens point and shoot digital camera to obtain photos through the eyepiece of a birdwatcher's spotting scope[1] using a technique called afocal photography. It has also been associated with using a digital camera and spotting scope equipped for prime focus photography[2]. The word "digiscoping" was coined in 1999 by French birdwatcher Alain Fossé. Less notable neologisms for this activity are digiscope birding, digiscopy birding, digi-birding, digibinning (using digital camera with binoculars), and phonescoping[3] (using a digital camera phone with a spotting scope or binoculars).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digiscoping

[Pathfinder101]

I've used them both quite a bit.  Wouldn't ever get rid of mine.   The HD is nicer, but unless digiscoping, I personally wouldn't upgrade from the older style.  However, if I didn't own one and wanted to buy one, I'd spend the little extra and go with the HD.  I'd be more than happy to let you compare them without going to Cabelas, just shoot me a PM.

I've heard this term for the second or third time now...."digiscoping" what does this mean?

Digiscoping is a neologism for the activity of using a digital camera to record distant images by coupling it with an optical telescope. The term usually refers to using either a digital single-lens reflex camera with lens attached or, more often, a fixed lens point and shoot digital camera to obtain photos through the eyepiece of a birdwatcher's spotting scope[1] using a technique called afocal photography. It has also been associated with using a digital camera and spotting scope equipped for prime focus photography[2]. The word "digiscoping" was coined in 1999 by French birdwatcher Alain Fossé. Less notable neologisms for this activity are digiscope birding, digiscopy birding, digi-birding, digibinning (using digital camera with binoculars), and phonescoping[3] (using a digital camera phone with a spotting scope or binoculars).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digiscoping

Wow.  That's a great answer.

I would have just said "Takin' pichers thru yer spotting scope"....

[high country]

my 15x56 swaros came with a camera adapter, does theat mean I digi-monc?