Got out to my backyard this evening and compared the ATX with and without the 1.7 magnifier. I found that it was very bright using the 115mm objective lens while not using the magnifier and while using the magnifier as well and image with the eye was stunning while looking at a cell phone...
Yes I do like it more. But I do not plan to pack it anywhere except in my truck or side by side for scouting or glassing for fun. The BTX also works great with the 65mm but I still do not pack it. I use the 65mm with the ATX for backpack hunting. Fatrascal.
The 110 is actually a 115mm objective making it 20mm bigger than the 95mm objective and it will be brighter. I sold the 95 to get the 115 so I could not do a side by side comparison but I never found the 95 to be dark with the BTX but did find it to be dark with the atx at high magnification...
I like to look at the spots that look the best for deer first and scan everything. Then I start grid glassing and going slower. I glass my morning spot for a couple or several hours then move on to the next drainage or climb over the top of the mountain and glass the other side or sneak accross...
Slow down. Sometimes when I haven't gotten out for awhile and I finally do get out im excited and glass too fast. I have to stop myself and slow down and methodically grid glass instead of just randomly scanning all over the place.
Its ok to look over an area quickly to find anything obvious...
As far as keeping or selling the spotter, it depends on your style of hunting. Backpack hunting for days at a time, or day hunter? Are you riding an atv or truck or horse? I like a 65mm spotter for backpack hunting but something bigger for vehicle hunting. I've got the kowa 553 for future...
I personally like a zoom eyepiece and don't like to limit my magnification to a fixed number. Sometimes that extra power will show you a kicker or some trash that you could not see with 30 power. 60 power is double 30 power and makes a difference. Granted, there are times in certain lighting...
I cannot say its better optically but I love the modularity of the atx, stx, and btx system. Also you have the option of the 1.7 magnifier. In the future who knows what other kind of attachments could be created. Fatrascal
JustinPNW, kudos to you on your handling of the situation and not bad mouthing the seller and handling it between you and him. My hat is off to you. Fatrascal.
The Cabelas Euro's are are great binocular and in mu opinion well worth $650. For those of you looking for a quality bino under $1,000 this is it. Fatrascal.