If you use a spotting scope, you understand the value it can add to a range session or competition. Out of the box, spotting scopes are a one-person tool – how would you love to share what you’re seeing with the people around you and preserve the footage for later review? Today I’m comparing two such systems: Longshot Hawk and MagView S1.
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About the Longshot Hawk
The Longshot Hawk is a single unit that comes in a convenient carrying case with a charger. Turning it on is as simple as pushing a button.
Four lights on the front indicate battery life. Connect to its Wi-Fi on your device, open the Longshot app, and take full advantage of the features.
It is incredibly versatile, fitting eyepieces from 36mm to 58mm. A screw on the top of the unit moves a rubber clamp that secures the eyepiece — all you have to do is slide it over top. It is also important to note that the Hawk does not need to be level on the scope. After you clamp the unit to the scope, you can rotate the front half to level the screen.
Connecting to the Longshot App allows you to see a live feed of your target. You can zoom in, take screenshots, record the screen, and even more. Take note that if your spotting scope moves, so will the video feed. If you have your scope on a stand or tripod rather than on your shooting bench, it won’t be an issue.
We’ve long been using the Longshot Hawk to capture content and tell our stories. Watch the video for full details!
From Longshot:
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- Fits eyepiece that is between 36mm and 58mm
- Live HD video
- App-Based software (iOS and Android compatible)
- Quick and easy setup
- 12+ hour runtime
- Lightweight, portable, and extremely compact
- 2-year warranty
- Drop-resistant
- Weather-resistant
- No cell or WiFi service required
The Hawk spotting scope camera is the next evolution of digiscoping, it turns any camera spotting scope into a smart scope in just minutes. Simply slide the hawk over the eyepiece of the spotting scope camera and open the Longshot app on a smartphone or tablet to view the video camera feed and unlock all of the app features (track and number shots, save photos, review sessions, record video and stills). Seeing your shot has never been easier.
Specifications:
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- Resolution: 1920 X 1080
- Batteries: rechargeable Lithium-Ion
- Band: 2.4GHz
- Weight: 1 lb.
In the Box:
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- HAWK
- Hawk Spotting Scope Charger
- Custom soft case for easy carrying
Inside the app are a number of features. Selecting the shot identification button causes the screen to “blink” showing your last shot.
You can also number each shot and identify them by color. This is ideal for load development or shooting groups.
Though it requires calibration, an integrated group measurement system allows you to gather and preserve even more data from a range session. All of these capabilities allow you to conduct a number of different tests without having to go down range to adjust, change, or check your target.
About the MagView S1 Scope Adapter
The MagView S1 is an adapter with a really strong magnet that holds a phone in place over the spotting scope eyepiece. It comes with a variety of shims and spacers to fit eyepieces ranging from 51mm to 60mm.
This adapter is intended to remain on the scope as a replacement rear lens cap. The unit also comes with a magnetic metal plate for the back of a phone to secure it to the adapter. Note that these plates are not reusable. If you get a new phone or phone case, you will have to replace it.
From MagView:
Utilizing strong rare-earth magnets built into the adapter, the S1 digiscoping system creates an incredibly stable platform, requiring only a super thin stainless steel plate adhered to the phone to secure the device to the optic. Simply flip open the S1 cap, connect your device to the magnet with the included MAGVIEW Phone Plate, position the camera and you are ready to film.
The design is incredibly durable and multifunctional. When not in use, the S1 shields the eyepiece from dust and precipitation, keeping your glass clean and clear. The MAGVIEW S1 digiscoping system will streamline the way you capture content on your next hunt.
S1 Fits eyepiece sizes 51mm-60mm (2.0in-2.36in).
Includes: S1, x1 MAGVIEW Phone Plate.
Made in the USA.
I had an issue using the MagView S1 with my Kowa 663 and 25x wide angle eyepiece. MagView systems are designed to fit all eyepieces, but their fitting chart indicated the Kowa 660 should take the standard S1. The S1 (51mm – 60mm) proved too big, so I picked up the S1 mini, which fits eyepieces 38mm to 49mm.
The eyepiece I use is not common and fits directly between the S1 and S1 mini ranges, so I had to get creative to use the system. I didn’t use any spacers, I just tightened the cap on the eyepiece.
Compared
Firstly, the Longshot Hawk has a universal fit whereas there are two MagView systems, the S1 and S1 Mini, for different-sized eyepieces. Accommodating 36mm to 58mm, the Hawk eliminated the 50mm gap in the MagView lineup. MagView’s S1 does accommodate up to 60mm, two more than the Hawk, but the Hawk also accommodates 36mm eyepieces, two mm less than the MagView. The Longshot Hawk uses a companion app available on both phones and tablets. This app has live view, screen capture, and video recording as well as shot marker and shot blinker functions. You can also measure group size and add more value to your shooting session.
MagView does not provide any additional features outside of your phone’s capabilities. It is in its simplest form a low-profile mounting solution to add smartphone capabilities to a spotting scope. One downside is that you cannot use your phone for notes, a ballistics program, or any other purpose while it is mounted. MagView does offer an app that records video, but it does not have the group measurement and labeling features that the Longshot app does. One advantage the MagView has over the Longshot Hawk is that it allows you to use your camera’s optical zoom in combination with your spotting scope’s magnification.
There is a price difference between these two products: approximately $250 for the Longshot Hawk and $170 for the MagView S1. Remember, these are not identical products, but similar ones with different features.
Conclusion
Digital accessories on an optical unit come with some occasional imperfections like interpolation, but I have not found that it has degraded my ability to use either system as intended.
While both systems have their place, for me, the Longshot app capabilities push it to the top. I primarily shoot groups, run tests, and film videos. This also leaves my phone free to use as another camera.
Get the Gear
MagView at Midsouth Shooters Supply
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Thanks,
F-Class John
