ATX 65 vs ATS 80

[BlackTail]

Has anyone had a chance to compare these side by side? I'm in the market for a spotter and these are what I've narrowed it down to. I've searched every page of the optics forum and can't find anything as far as a head to head comparison. Tony made a quick comment in his review (in the sticky) that he didn't feel like the ATX65 gave up anything to the ATS80 but that's literally the only mention of the two scopes that I can find. The weights are pretty much a wash. Price is pretty much the same. It would seem the 80 might be brighter but maybe the 65 makes up for that with slightly better glass or more user friendly eye piece?

I also understand the benefits of the modularity of the ATX but for the foreseeable future I would just be running the 65. I know that Kowa, Meopta, Zeiss, Leica, and others make great scopes but I can get a deal on Swarovski so would love to hear opinions on these two, especially if anyone has looked through both.

Thanks in advance!

 

[WCS]

I had the chance to spend a day comparing the two before purchasing...and also had the 95 along for the ride. The ATS 80 did have a little bit of an advantage at sunrise for light gathering, but it was minute. To me the ATX 65 had better edge to edge clarity and I found the eye piece to be more user friendly. The 95 almost made me jizz in my pants with how good it was, but that will have to wait.

 

[marktole]

I’ve got an ATX 65 and I can’t say I’ve tested it side by side with the ATS 80. I went through the same dilemma when I bought mine last year. Could get it at a deal, was wondering about the better quality glass 65mm vs slightly lesser quality glass, but an 80mm objective. What made the decision for me was when I called and talked to the fellas at Swarovski.

I simply asked what the biggest difference is between the ATS and ATX spotters. He explained the modularity part and then hit some details on the glass. He asked if I had experience with the EL and SLC binos. At the time I had 10x50 EL’s and 15x56 SLC’s. He compared the spotters to the binos. The EL/ATX has a very flat field of view, great edge to edge clarity, dynamic color range, and is crystal clear. The SLC/ATS, while good, doesn’t have the same field flatteners, or as good of edge to edge clarity. That made up my mind in about half a second because I liked using my 10x EL’s much more than my 15x SLC’s because of the difference in glass quality, power aside.

I would recommend the ATX 65, particularly because of the review you read that said “the 65 gives up almost nothing to the 80.” Especially because if you ever decide you don’t mind adding another 8oz or so to your optic setup you can jump to an ATX 85mm, and those things are incredible. And lastly, get the ATX 65 because no one ever looks back and says “man, I sure wish I didn’t buy the best product on the market.”

 

[brocksw]

I havent compared the atx 65 to the ats 80, but I did compare it to the ats 65, and the ats 80 to the atx 85.

Optically, the most noticeable difference to me was the field of view at equivalent magnification. This the reason and primary purpose for decrease in mag range in the atx/stx series. Less variable range in mag meant more field of view at equivalent mag between the two. Additionally, i felt like the atx optics were just easier and more pleasant to look through. Not as much eye strain, not that there is a lot in the ats.

I opted against the atx 65 and went with the atx 85 because I felt like the light transmission was better and it was worth carrying the difference in weight for that reason.

Physically, the atx seems to be more durable with the armored eye piece and i like the focus and mag wheel right next to each other. The mag wheel on the atx seems less susceptible to dust and grit.

The eye box seems bigger on the atx but to be honest, i didnt mind looking through the ats eye box at all. So to me this was a wash.

Many others would probably disagree, but for me, when i decide to carry a spotting scope, weight is out the window. I need a spotting scope that lets me see far away and in low light. So the 85 was the minimum and i found the 65s still left me wanting more. "Wanting more" seemed to go away once i got to the 85 mm. I suppose i might change my mind if i could afford a sheep hunt and thr weight was more of an issue.



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[Brightwhite]

I went the 65 ATX route myself. The only negative that I could figure out was that it's heavier and I went back and fourth between an ATS(ATM) in 65 or 80 like you're doing. For me the optional 85 or 95mm objective, plus the ability to add the 1.7 ME is what sealed the deal for me. Like marktole said in his post, if you get the X series you'll sleep well at night knowing theoretically there isn't anything out there you should be lusting after once you have that spotter.

 

[BlackTail]

Thank you guys for all your insight!! It just confirmed what I was already thinking in going with the ATX. Seconding guessing a purchase when I didn't buy the "best" is definitely a curse I suffer from, and the only prevention would be the ATX! I think I'm pretty set on getting the 65 to start with and adding the 95 later. Throw in the 1.7 ME and this would cover just about any need for a spotter I could ever have, though brocksw makes a compelling argument for the 85. I've even read a few reviews where users thought the 85 was better than the 95. In the end, I feel like if I went with the 85 I'd probably be done with the one objective and therefore defeating the benefits of the modularity (albeit with arguably the best spotter made and more money left in my pocket, hmmmm??). Either way, the ATX paired up with my 10x50 EL's, which I'm going to run on a tripod for the first time this year, should make a pretty lethal combo!

 

[Brightwhite]

Thank you guys for all your insight!! It just confirmed what I was already thinking in going with the ATX. Seconding guessing a purchase when I didn't buy the "best" is definitely a curse I suffer from, and the only prevention would be the ATX! I think I'm pretty set on getting the 65 to start with and adding the 95 later. Throw in the 1.7 ME and this would cover just about any need for a spotter I could ever have, though brocksw makes a compelling argument for the 85. I've even read a few reviews where users thought the 85 was better than the 95. In the end, I feel like if I went with the 85 I'd probably be done with the one objective and therefore defeating the benefits of the modularity (albeit with arguably the best spotter made and more money left in my pocket, hmmmm??). Either way, the ATX paired up with my 10x50 EL's, which I'm going to run on a tripod for the first time this year, should make a pretty lethal combo!

Your thoughts are totally inline with where I concluded. I also run EL's on a tripod (10x42's) as well.

 

[Steve O]

I think you’ve got it. I’d go ATX for the versatility. If I were ever to trade in my old Zeiss 65 it would be for a ATX 65/95/1.7 system. And in that order if I could not get it all at the same time.

 

[marktole]

I think you’ve got it. I’d go ATX for the versatility. If I were ever to trade in my old Zeiss 65 it would be for a ATX 65/95/1.7 system. And in that order if I could not get it all at the same time.

There must be a common theme here because that is also what I figured when I got my ATX 65. Maybe pick up that 95mm lens in the next few years for some of those hunts that aren’t too remote.