Alpha spotting scope questions

[Texasbuckeye]

Looking to jump into the foray of spotting scopes, and very much like the idea of buy once cry once, so with that in mind, i have narrowed the list to a couple of scopes. Please give me real world feedback in regard to preferences, ergonomics, form factor, and value for price.

1. Swarovski ATX 65- creme de la creme from everything i read, except maybe in color contrast. I have read where some people are not happy when compared to #2-4 below re: color saturation esp in shadows.

2. Leica APO 82- i know this is not the same “size class” as the 65 swaro but its all i see offered (if it is in stock).

3. Kowa 773/4- more in the 65 class, but ultimately about 2/3 the cost of the swaro. I have read colors are better out of the kowa and clarity is superb and not 1500 less than swaros clarity.

4. Meopta S2- dont know as much anout this brand but hear good things. It would be at the bottom of my list (just due to unfamiliarity) unless i saw a smoking deal.

Cost factors into the equation somewhat, but not afraid to spend the dineros IF there is a reason to. The beauty of the swaro is the flexibility and i could add a 95mm if i wanted down the road, but i could also buy a whole other set up in a different brand for slightly more if i felt i needed to as well.

So please give actual feedback and how well these carry, feel in hand/tripod, clarity if you have comparisons between several.

Thanks for the info.

Also, if anyone has a screaming deal they want to unload on one of the above, feel free to reach out.

 

[Mhopper5]

I would go with the same brand of binos you have to keep the colors the same (warm vs cool)

Leica discontinued the 65.

I have the 82 and like it. They are all the top glass with slight differences with each, the biggest being color. You can’t go wrong with any of them and you will be the envy of all your friends. To each their own.

 

[JGRaider]

A little dated, but still relevant. The Meopta S2 is the real deal.

https://www.gunsandammo.com/editori...-testing-and-rating-40k-worth-of-glass/247948

 

[SneakyThunderCat]

Kowa 77 is closer to the 80 mm scopes than it is a 65, and It’s 1 oz heavier than an ats 80. They just always get compared to the ats 65 for some reason. While the kowa 77 is a really nice piece of glass, I’d recommend the 88 if you’re not afraid to pack it, maybe add a kowa 553/554 down the road. Otherwise the versatility of the atx/sts line would be the route I would take if you want to spend the coin.


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[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Grab the Kowa 883 if you don’t plan on using the modularity of the ATX.

 

[MtnMuley]

You can't compare a 65mm Swaro to a 82mm Leica. Apples to oranges. Either you're looking for a 65ish or a 80ish.

 

[Texasbuckeye]

Guys, i realize there is a difference in objective size and glassing experience. I was more looking for opinions on ease of use, packability, ergonomics in the tripod, etc.

In medical terms we talk about quantity of life (how long you are expected to live: objective of glass) and quality of life (all the above for glass). I am asking for quality of life issues with the above, realizing that certain ones will give a better quantity of life, is the quality of life equal among them or is there a clear winner?