Meopta S2 VS swaro ATX ?

[Nick Wysocki]

Looking to see if anyone has done a head to head on the Meopta S2 spotter Vs the Swaro ATX? Im
Curious on how close they are. If this has been brought up already I do apologize I did a search and didn’t find anything on the subject. I do know of some folks trading their 15x56 swaros for the new B1 plus 15s.

 

[pc3]

There was a test around where the S2 trumped the Swaro all except for "last light" performance....the swaro that beat it was the 95mm, the S2 is a 82mm objective so that was to be expected.

I own an S2 they are brilliant in every respect.

I have never looked through a Swaro spotter but I can say the S2 doesn't leave me wanting, I have the 70x eyepiece and it is useable and clear right through the whole magnification range. Apparently they are a very rugged unit as well, as are their Meostar bino's.

 

[dapesche]

Do not feel the pressure of buying a swaro.
They are excellent. Unless you're flush and want to own the best I'd argue that you'd struggle to tell the different between the meopta and swaro.

I really could see the difference between my kowa 663 and the 65atx (very subtle and not worth the extra 2k).

Buy the meopta. Know it's great. Spend the savings on other cool shit.

I bought the kowa 773 and love it. Actually going up to the 883 b/c the size isn't that different and I managed to get a good used one at a price.


Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

 

[Tmac]

The S2 is Alpha glass.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

I’ve used both and would be happy with either. But I kept the ATX. In daylight for me, there was little difference except at the edges. The Meopta had less clarity around the outside of the picture. The Swaro color looked richer and more defined. At dawn and dusk is where the ATX shined for me. I don’t have any hard science but I glassed more easily in the lowlight and could more easily look into the dark timber. My ATX is the 85, so not exactly apples to apples but very close. Either one will suit the need but if the budget has room, I would recommend the Swaro.

 

[jaredg]

I own both. If it wasn't for the fact that you can run a BTX eyepiece on the Swaro (BTX not being mentioned by OP), then the Meo S2 is the far better value. In terms of straight clarity, they are sixes. But even if they were priced the same, I would still say I could not tell the difference in quality / clarity

 

[6.5x284]

Both phenomenal. If you don’t need the multiple objectives of the ATX then the S2 is outstanding. Main difference is how colors look through them and maybe a touch more resolution in the far outer edge of the ATX. Animals do pop more in the ATX color wise if that makes sense.


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[ILPete]

Looking to see if anyone has done a head to head on the Meopta S2 spotter Vs the Swaro ATX? Im
Curious on how close they are. If this has been brought up already I do apologize I did a search and didn’t find anything on the subject. I do know of some folks trading their 15x56 swaros for the new B1 plus 15s.

If you don't need the absolute best, get the S2. I've been using one (with the 20x-70x) for the last couple years in place of the ATX95 I used previously. Switched due to ergonomics. Optically the S2 is 95-98% of the ATX95. The difference is only really noticeable in very dim conditions. In bright light the difference in sharpness and contrast is barely noticeable at 60x-70x.

One thing I miss with the S2 is the ability to use an extender like Swaro's 1.7x. Recently picked up an 85mm and trying to pick between the S2 and the ATX85/95.

 

[Elikini]

Have any of you guys compared the 20-70 eyepiece on the s2 to the wide angle eyepiece? Curious which you guys prefer?

 

[ILPete]

I preferred the 20-70. It was a touch sharper. And I've always valued magnification over FOV.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Look at the following comparison (do take with a grain of salt):

19 Best Spotting Scopes For Hunting | Backwoods Pursuit

Looking for the best spotting scope for hunting? Maybe you are looking for the overall best spotting scope on the planet or maybe the best spotting scope for

backwoodspursuit.com

For about $100 over the Meopta, take a hard look at the Kowa 88X. While I love my STX 65/95, I'm a big fan of Kowa's fluorite glass as my 554 continues to impress me.

 

[nphunter]

Look at the following comparison (do take with a grain of salt):

19 Best Spotting Scopes For Hunting | Backwoods Pursuit

Looking for the best spotting scope for hunting? Maybe you are looking for the overall best spotting scope on the planet or maybe the best spotting scope for

backwoodspursuit.com

For about $100 over the Meopta, take a hard look at the Kowa 88X. While I love my STX 65/95, I'm a big fan of Kowa's fluorite glass as my 554 continues to impress me.

It really depends on the availability, currently there’s a Meopta (cabelas version) on eBay for $1699 and a Meopta S2 for $1900. Your going to have to dish out another $1K or more for the Kowa.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

It really depends on the availability, currently there’s a Meopta (cabelas version) on eBay for $1699 and a Meopta S2 for $1900. Your going to have to dish out another $1K or more for the Kowa.

I just provided a viable option to the OP. The prices I provided were for a new S2 and a new 88x; both with eye pieces. I showed that for $100 more the Kowa is about the same cost as a new S2 and worth looking at.

You took the prices of used S2s and compared that price to a new 88x. That’s not a fair approach.

 

[ILPete]

The current retail price difference between the S2 and 88X is around $550-$650.

 

[nphunter]

I just provided a viable option to the OP. The prices I provided were for a new S2 and a new 88x; both with eye pieces. I showed that for $100 more the Kowa is about the same cost as a new S2 and worth looking at.

You took the prices of used S2s and compared that price to a new 88x. That’s not a fair approach.

Wasn't trying to say you are wrong or anything, if looking strictly at new retail prices they are all within a few hundred dollars of each other depending on where you look. However a person can pick up a used S2 for $1500-$1700 and it is still going to be a great piece of glass, there really aren't many used Kowas floating around like the S2 which has been around for so long, they made the Cabelas version too so there is a pretty good used market for them so it is very realistic to pick one up.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

The current retail price difference between the S2 and 88X is around $550-$650.

What places are you looking?

Can get the 88x with their new wide angle eye piece for $2499 from Liberty optics.

Most places have the S2 for $2399.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Wasn't trying to say you are wrong or anything, if looking strictly at new retail prices they are all within a few hundred dollars of each other depending on where you look. However a person can pick up a used S2 for $1500-$1700 and it is still going to be a great piece of glass, there really aren't many used Kowas floating around like the S2 which has been around for so long, they made the Cabelas version too so there is a pretty good used market for them so it is very realistic to pick one up.

Could have said…

Yes, new costs are comparable. If you want new, then do look at the Kowa.

If you’re open to used, it’s fairly easy to get a used S2 for a sizable discount which makes the it even more compelling. There are very few used 88x on the market; make your own assumptions about that.

It’s all good and the words above are just Monday Morning Quarterbacking.

 

[ILPete]

What places are you looking?

NoCan get the 88x with their new wide angle eye piece for $2499 from Liberty optics.

Most places have the S2 for $2399.

I'm looking at BHphoto, S&S Archery, Sport Optics, Cameraland, etc.

That's a unusually low price for the 883, most places have it for $3,150-$3,200. I wonder if those are refurbs or returns. Also, wonder why they're only selling Kowa & Vortex.

And most places have the S2 at $2,550 - $2,650.

 

[S.Clancy]

I couldn't really tell the difference between S2 and ATX 95, and @ 50% the cost the S2 is an absolute steal.

 

[Browninglover1]

At 30x on a Meopta S2 and the 95 ATX it's pretty dang tough to tell a difference even at last light. Crank them both up to 45x or higher and the Swaro will have a better image in the low light situations. I usually leave my scope on 30x so the first few times I compared them I didn't notice the aforementioned difference at higher powers but it's there. I would love to compare against the 85mm ATX but I haven't had the opportunity.

I have off and on debated about swapping out my S2 for an ATX but at the end of the day my S2 just leaves me happy every time I use it. That's all the more I can ask for.