Meopta S2 82mm vs. Swaro ATS 65mm?

psirus7

WKR
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Apr 21, 2019
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I just sold my Vortex Viper HD 65mm and am looking to upgrade. Does anyone have experience comparing the Meopta S2 82mm to the Swaro ATS 65mm? I can get a good deal though Meopta's Mil program on the S2 (about $1750), but the thing is Huge and I'm wondering if I'd be better off with a used Swaro around the same price-point. I checked out both at Cabelas (Cabla's Instinct 82mm = Meopta S2), and they both looked great from what I could tell inside of the store. Looking for some low-light comparisons. Thanks!
 
I should mention that I'm looking for a do-it all spotter. Hunting backcountry Elk and Plains Mule Deer. I would also like an effective spotter at the range.
 
If you don’t mind carrying a heavier spotter I would go with the Meopta for the extra light gathering. That being said I have a ats 65hd and I love it.
 
The S2 is a better spotter. Period. I have owned both, at the same time, and compared them endlessly. The S2 is better.

That said- it is huge and heavy. If you are serious about packing it with you, the ATS is what you will want. The ATS is no slouch- it is a very good spotter. Might even say it is better- because you will actually pack it with you.

I always said I didn't care about the weight/size of the S2, I would pack it no problem, blah blah blah. Eventually, I found reasons why I didn't need it for this trip, or I could do with out it on that trip. It is big and heavy. The ATS is smaller and lighter.
 
Seriously look hard at the kowa 664, looked through a pair of big eyes with these tonight and they are on par with swaro.
 
Thanks for the responses. I didn't like packing my Viper 65mm because the juice wasn't worth the squeeze in terms of weight to optical clarity. I think I'm going to run the S2 and augment with a set of 12x50 binos and a doubler for longer, more remote trips. For those of you who have used the S2, do you recommend the 30-60W or 30-70 eyepiece? 30-70 seems like it would be at home at the range. I'm guessing 30-60W would be more effective for breaking apart the terrain and spotting game. Cheers.
 
I have the 20-70 eyepiece, and would choose the 30-60w if I were to do it over again. While the glass is good enough to support the magnification, it takes almost perfect conditions to do so. For hunting, I would want the wider FOV and rarely find myself cranking it up to 70x due to the lack of those "perfect" conditions. Hope this helps.
 
I want an S2, that’s the way I’m personally leaning right now. I was on the Swarovski train for a few months but right now I think I’m getting the 82mm nightforce scope which is the meopta meostar all armored up.
 
I had an ATM 80 HD and the Cabelas Euro HD (S2) for a few months together. I sold the ATM and kept the Euro. The S2 is a great scope, it beats the ATM in performance other than size/weight.
 
Thanks for the responses. I didn't like packing my Viper 65mm because the juice wasn't worth the squeeze in terms of weight to optical clarity. I think I'm going to run the S2 and augment with a set of 12x50 binos and a doubler for longer, more remote trips. For those of you who have used the S2, do you recommend the 30-60W or 30-70 eyepiece? 30-70 seems like it would be at home at the range. I'm guessing 30-60W would be more effective for breaking apart the terrain and spotting game. Cheers.
I believe you probably already got your answer, but I'll add my two cents also. I participated in a side-by-side comparison of several spotters, including the S2 and a Swaro 65. Granted it's a 65mm vs an 82mm, the Meopta S2 was clearly the best and the easiest to look through on all power settings.

My buddy bought a Cabelas version after that (20-70x), and I followed a couple years later with my own, although the Meopta model with the 30-60x WA eyepiece. I wasn't sure which eyepiece I preferred, so I bought the 20-70x also. I have both, and have been using the 30-60x wide angle more. I know, some guys prefer the 30-60x, and some the 20-70x. I'd lean toward the 30-60x if I had to choose one.
 
Thanks Snakelk, that’s very insightful. I haven’t ordered yet, but I think I’ll go with the 30-60W eyepiece. Any regrets choosing the S2 in terms of weight and size?
 
No regrets at all.

It is big, it is heavy, and to top it off, I carry a medium Outdoorsmans tripod with panner and pistol grip head for it to ride on. All of that is a load, but for what I primarily use it for I'll take the weight penalty. The tripod and head set up doubles as a great rest for my 10x bino as well.
 
im in the same boat debating light vs big heavy and good.i went on a sheep hunt last year guide had a swaro 95 said he wouldn't have anything else.i have meopta binos an love them cant imagine the glass being any better I would like to have the s2.
 
im in the same boat debating light vs big heavy and good.i went on a sheep hunt last year guide had a swaro 95 said he wouldn't have anything else.i have meopta binos an love them cant imagine the glass being any better I would like to have the s2.
It's tempting to go with a smaller and lighter spotter. I used a fixed 30x Leupold Gold Ring for years and it served me well. However once I had a taste of the Meopta S2, I was hooked and had to have one.

When we had 5 or 6 variable spotters side by side for comparison, what impressed me the most about the Meopta S2 was the eye relief and the ability to zoom to the highest power and actually still have a useful image. At that time, I had barely even heard of Meopta, but that test made me a believer! It was hands-down my choice out of all the scopes we had set up.

I too own Meopta Meostar binoculars and again, although they are heavy relative to a lot of other 10x roof prisms, I love them. There may be lighter options that are just as good, but for the price, I doubt it.
 
Keller, what size Binos are you running? I’m debating getting a set of Meopta’s Meostar 12x50s for an all-around Bino supplemented with a doubler off a tripod. Is suspect they are heavy.
 
I have 8×42.glassed 10+ hours a day on Kodiak no eyestrain no discomfort
Keller, what size Binos are you running? I’m debating getting a set of Meopta’s Meostar 12x50s for an all-around Bino supplemented with a doubler off a tripod. Is suspect they are heavy.
 
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