85mm Razor vs 65mm ATS at lowlight

[Schoolhousegrizz]

I have had a gen 1 85 mm razor for quite a while now. Really love it. I am getting tired of carrying it around the mountains in my backpack however. Thinking hard about going to the 65 mm swaro ATS to cut down on weight and have better glass. I know the 85 mm Razor has a much bigger objective lens so it should be brighter. However, wondering if the quality of glass in the swaro makes up for it in low light situations. Does anyone have any experience relative to this?

 

[Tahoe1305]

Haven’t even looked through a Swaro 65.

But compared my 65 Razor to the 85 a few weeks back and took back the 85. I either had a bad sample or simply couldn’t find a single reason to keep it over the 65. Both Gen I btw. I have to image the 65 swaro is better than the 85.

 

[Schoolhousegrizz]

Haven’t even looked through a Swaro 65.

But compared my 65 Razor to the 85 a few weeks back and took back the 85. I either had a bad sample or simply couldn’t find a single reason to keep it over the 65. Both Gen I btw. I have to image the 65 swaro is better than the 85.

Were you looking through them in the store or outside in low light?

 

[Tahoe1305]

Outside. For a good amount of time using Air Force optic charts. Was hoping for more.

Fwiw I’ve done thorough reviews on probably two dozen optics at this point. Not saying I didn’t miss something. Not saying it wasn’t as good or maybe a smidge better. But nothing worth the size and weight for sure.

 

[Schoolhousegrizz]

Outside. For a good amount of time using Air Force optic charts. Was hoping for more.

Fwiw I’ve done thorough reviews on probably two dozen optics at this point. Not saying I didn’t miss something. Not saying it was as good or maybe a smidge better. But nothing worth the size and weight for sure.

Thanks for the response!

 

[Hnthrdr]

Outside. For a good amount of time using Air Force optic charts. Was hoping for more.

Fwiw I’ve done thorough reviews on probably two dozen optics at this point. Not saying I didn’t miss something. Not saying it wasn’t as good or maybe a smidge better. But nothing worth the size and weight for sure.

Ever put the gen 1 vs the gen 2 razor both in 65’s?

 

[Schoolhousegrizz]

Ever put the gen 1 vs the gen 2 razor both in 65’s?

I have not, but talking to the guys at camera land they say the Gen 1 razor is the better of the two.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I have not, but talking to the guys at camera land they say the Gen 1 razor is the better of the two.

I have not either. Good luck getting me away from dual focus

 

[ilikefunkymusic]

I went from a gen 1 85mm razor to a 65mm ats (25-50x).

You will not miss your razor.
There is a noticeable difference in brightness at first and last light, it is noticeable but not significant.

The increased quality of resolution in the swaro does indeed seem to compensate for the difference in objective lens size (the light gathering ability).

 

[Schoolhousegrizz]

I went from a gen 1 85mm razor to a 65mm ats (25-50x).

You will not miss your razor.
There is a noticeable difference in brightness at first and last light, it is noticeable but not significant.

The increased quality of resolution in the swaro does indeed seem to compensate for the difference in objective lens size (the light gathering ability).

At first and last light are you saying the 85 was noticeably brighter or the swaro 65 was brighter?

 

[ilikefunkymusic]

At first and last light are you saying the 85 was noticeably brighter or the swaro 65 was brighter?

The 85mm gathers more light and does give you the ability to see a lit image longer, but the quality of the image you get through the swaro is better, and negates the apparent advantage of the larger objective.

 

[Erussell01]

Outside. For a good amount of time using Air Force optic charts. Was hoping for more.

Fwiw I’ve done thorough reviews on probably two dozen optics at this point. Not saying I didn’t miss something. Not saying it wasn’t as good or maybe a smidge better. But nothing worth the size and weight for sure.

Your reviews have saved me a ton of time and money man. I know this is an old thread but I much appreciate you

 

[Tahoe1305]

My pleasure. I enjoy doing them.

 

[jimh406]

I have a Razor Gen 2 85 and a Gen 2 65. The 85 is significantly better at low light. My guess is the Swaro would be better than the Razor 65. I don't know if it would be equal to the Razor Gen 2 85, but it probably would be close.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Just re-reading thru this thread. I’ve actually had a swaro 65 now for about a year. I still have my gen 1 razor 65 (and a new baby razor fwiw). As mentioned earlier I preferred my razor 65 to 85. The swaro 65 is an upgrade and there is personally no way I’d pack the razor 85 weight over the swaro.

I snagged one of the older magnesium model swaros. They are about 45oz with the 20-60 eyepiece. It’s tough to beat for size, weight, glass performance. Doubt I’ll upgrade in the 65 realm (btw chose it after comparing new Kowa 66a…mainly price and weight).

 

[JGRaider]

I've got a Gen 1 65mm Razor HD and am pleasantly surprised.

 

[Erussell01]

Just re-reading thru this thread. I’ve actually had a swaro 65 now for about a year. I still have my gen 1 razor 65 (and a new baby razor fwiw). As mentioned earlier I preferred my razor 65 to 85. The swaro 65 is an upgrade and there is personally no way I’d pack the razor 85 weight over the swaro.

I snagged one of the older magnesium model swaros. They are about 45oz with the 20-60 eyepiece. It’s tough to beat for size, weight, glass performance. Doubt I’ll upgrade in the 65 realm (btw chose it after comparing new Kowa 66a…mainly price and weight).

Do you think a 1st gen 65 razor for 500$ is a decent enough deal to jump on? I have an 11-33 razor and I am pretty enamored with it but want a bigger angled scope for digiscoping from the truck summer scouting.

 

[nphunter]

Do you think a 1st gen 65 razor for 500$ is a decent enough deal to jump on? I have an 11-33 razor and I am pretty enamored with it but want a bigger angled scope for digiscoping from the truck summer scouting.

The 85mm will be much better for truck/digiscoping spotter. $500 is about the going rate for a 65mm Gen 1, if you get a good one they are hard to beat for the price. I’ve seen some quality difference in Gen 1’s from scope to scope, if you end up with one that is sub par you can always send it to Vortex and they will send you a new Gen 2 if there is something wrong with yours.

I don’t think you would be out much paying $500 if you decide to sell it and upgrade down the road you should be able to get your money back.

 

[Sundodger]

I rarely use my spotter at first and last light, and if I do it's even more rarely on the high end of the mag range.

After the sun has come up, sure I use my spotter a lot. This is why I can never convince myself get carry around a 80+mm spotter.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Do you think a 1st gen 65 razor for 500$ is a decent enough deal to jump on? I have an 11-33 razor and I am pretty enamored with it but want a bigger angled scope for digiscoping from the truck summer scouting.

I think it is. I have owned nearly every top end 65mm spotter on the market. I still have my Gen 1 65 razor. (And the swaro).