I am gonna purchase a new Swarovski spotting scope, but dam which one should you get? I am definetly wanting the 80mm, but which eye piece do you guys like and have used? the 25x50 or 20x60, I know the 25x50 has the wide view which could be nice, but I want some input on it. And which model do you get, I was leaning toward the aluminum sts 80 HD, but the new modular model looks sweet too, but I will mainly be using this for hunting and sometimes long range target practice. Is there two models one aluminum and one standard in the sts? Not sure? Also which tripod do you guys like? Thanks for any input on this, I just want someone who has used these to chime in before I drop 3000k on it.
- Thread starter wyosniper
- Start date
So there are basically two models of spotters:
-ATS/STS- traditional spotter design with a 20-60 or a 25-50 wide angle aspherical eyepiece. 65 or 80 mm lenses
-ATX/STX- modular system. 65mm (25-50x), 85mm(25-50x), or 95mm(30-75x) lenses currently available.
Both systems utilize HD lenses.
The "x" series is modular and incorporates their field flattening lens technology to give ridiculous edge to edge quality, flat images, and ridiculous fields of view.
With a modular system you are opening the door for more diversity of the product. Think ar platform but in a spotter. Binocular eyepieces, range finding modules, its really fascinating once you start thinking outside the box how they have really revolutionized how a spotter is built.
With that being said, the STS system is great optical instrument and a real value for those wanting to get in to some alpha glass.
I really reccomend taking a look at our Swarovski Spotters . We have kits put together that make them ready to go out of the box.
If you need help, give us a ring or drop us a PM.
-Chris
-ATS/STS- traditional spotter design with a 20-60 or a 25-50 wide angle aspherical eyepiece. 65 or 80 mm lenses
-ATX/STX- modular system. 65mm (25-50x), 85mm(25-50x), or 95mm(30-75x) lenses currently available.
Both systems utilize HD lenses.
The "x" series is modular and incorporates their field flattening lens technology to give ridiculous edge to edge quality, flat images, and ridiculous fields of view.
With a modular system you are opening the door for more diversity of the product. Think ar platform but in a spotter. Binocular eyepieces, range finding modules, its really fascinating once you start thinking outside the box how they have really revolutionized how a spotter is built.
With that being said, the STS system is great optical instrument and a real value for those wanting to get in to some alpha glass.
I really reccomend taking a look at our Swarovski Spotters . We have kits put together that make them ready to go out of the box.
If you need help, give us a ring or drop us a PM.
-Chris
I have the STS 65 with the 25-50x eyepiece. Primarily use the scope for hunting but also at the range. Chose the straight body and 65mm size primarily for the compactness of the unit when humping the mountains of NM on hunts. Been very satisfied with the unit and the wide angle eyepiece is great at lower power for scanning large areas for game.
Chris: It would be great if Swaro made a reticle eyepiece for their spotting scopes. BTW your customer service is great.
Chris: It would be great if Swaro made a reticle eyepiece for their spotting scopes. BTW your customer service is great.
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Chris, do you think I would be better off in the long run with the new model? I thought the new was more for digi scoping? But I wonder if its a better spotter overall? Probably give you a buzz this week thanks? Anyone else have any opionions on the new model vs the old?
I would apart from a good zoom also get Vortex eyepiece for it, as it comes with an reticle.
Of course depending on use, but sometimes is the reticle in a spotter extremely usefull.
Of course depending on use, but sometimes is the reticle in a spotter extremely usefull.
the new ATX/STX model is better but not worth to pay extra $1000, i would rather to save extra money for the rifle scope and buy the STS/ ATS model. I have the ATS HD 80mm model, i can tell you, it is amazing....and you are looking at the high end Swarovski spotter. For digi scoping just get the iphone 5 or iphone 4s-4 adapter Kowa about $50....and mount it on the scope.
I have owned a 80mm with a 20-45 eye piece in HD for 6 years best optics I ever purchased, I have used the point and shoot camera adapter, and shot some amazing, picture's, deffintyl get a strait IMHO they are much easyer to use, I got a carbon fiber tripod, and a pistol grip head for locating animals/objects
I own 2 Swaro's, an ATM-80HD and a STM-65HD. The M's are magnesium bodied scopes that aren't made anymore and the main difference was the body material. A friend is an optics dealer and we have done quite a few side by side comparisons between lots of different glass over the years. The HD glass has a tiny edge over the non HD glass and I could probably live without the HD glass if cost was the deciding factor. I also prefer the 25-50 eyepiece over the 20-60. The 25-50 is noticeably superior at higher magnification and the wide view is a plus too. I own both and hardly ever use the 20-60 anymore. With the 25-50 I reach for the 30 wide angle less often as well where I used to use it much more often when I had just the 20-60 and 30. It's a rare day in the field that 60x is usable on the 80mm and hardly ever usable on the 65mm. The 25-50 is just brighter and crisper under all conditions over the 20-60. If I'm not packing too far for too long or too high I'll take the 80mm with me over the 65mm every time. The 80mm is noticeably better when conditions are not optimal especially at higher magnification. If I could own just one I would own the 80mm. These comments apply mostly in hunting situations, I do use them at the range but my priority is in the field.
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