Spotting scope ???? Need opinions

[tipsntails7]

It's clear you know a lot more than I and have more experience behind spotters. I've spent a few days calling around and being on bird forums trying to get as much information as I can. It seems no matter where I go, Swarovski ATX is number one followed by the Meopta S2. It appears that the Zeiss, Leica, vortex, Kowa, Nightforce don't really compete with the Swarovski and Meopta. Like mentioned, the Leica has brilliant glass but I will pass due to their poor customer service. Do you have any real experience with the Meopta???

I'd disagree. The Kowa 883 is arguably just as good as the ATX if not a bit better, and a heck of a lot cheaper as well. I'd been setting aside a bit of change for whatever scope I wanted. I had not decided between an 85mm and a 65mm. The two I ended up looking through at the end was the kowa883 and the Leica 65. If you wanted 2 spotters the ATX would be a good choice, but again everyone's eyes are different.


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[Shrek]

Tipntails7 , have you tried the Kowa looking towards a raising or setting sun ? I'm not sure if it was just the individual sample I looked through or if the Kowa coatings didn't manage the veiling haze well. My Meopta was much better in the harsh conditions of looking towards the sun low in the sky. Both my ATS and now my ATX handle sun shining into the lens best of everything I've used.

 

[Broomd]

Man, guys...geting thick in here!

Nothing compares to the ATX but the Meopta? When was the last time you looked through the Televid 82mm? Or the big Kowa 883 Prominar?
The Kowa is better than the ATX series? C'mon, seriously? Until you guys line these things up and look through them, put them through the paces all of this is pure B.S. .....respectfully.
Stid is likely nuts for lugging that 95mm beast with him, but I commend him for doing it, even if for just out of principle and believing in that glass. At his age he's a tough guy for doing that and it probably saves his legs.
I have an atx 85 coming, I bought it right, but even at 53y/o there is no way in heck that thing will hit the high country with me. I have the 65 HD swaro or Leica televid 65mm for that.
When hunting season ends, I'm going to start doing some scope comparisons and post the results. Real world testing with zero 'homer' bias.

 

[tipsntails7]

Tipntails7 , have you tried the Kowa looking towards a raising or setting sun ? I'm not sure if it was just the individual sample I looked through or if the Kowa coatings didn't manage the veiling haze well. My Meopta was much better in the harsh conditions of looking towards the sun low in the sky. Both my ATS and now my ATX handle sun shining into the lens best of everything I've used.

I have, I didn't notice it, but then again I was not looking for it, and like broomed says I didn't have them all lined up together at the same time. It very well could have something to die with the glass used, I'm not sure.


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[tipsntails7]

Man, guys...geting thick in here!

Nothing compares to the ATX but the Meopta? When was the last time you looked through the Televid 82mm? Or the big Kowa 883 Prominar?
The Kowa is better than the ATX series? C'mon, seriously? Until you guys line these things up and look through them, put them through the paces all of this is pure B.S. .....respectfully.
Stid is likely nuts for lugging that 95mm beast with him, but I commend him for doing it, even if for just out of principle and believing in that glass. At his age he's a tough guy for doing that and it probably saves his legs.
I have an atx 85 coming, I bought it right, but even at 53y/o there is no way in heck that thing will hit the high country with me. I have the 65 HD swaro or Leica televid 65mm for that.
When hunting season ends, I'm going to start doing some scope comparisons and post the results. Real world testing with zero 'homer' bias.

Here's the thing, most guys don't have 20K to line all these guys up in real world scenarios all the time. I actually joined a "Birding group" that frequents our local wildlife refuge just so I could tag along with groups that had serious hardware. To MY EYES for an 80+ mm scope the Kowa 883 is a good as anything, for 65 class the Leica apo 65 is the best. Everyone's mileage may vary. That doesn't mean the ATX is dogshit. It just means for me I wouldn't pay the price they want for it.


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[Matt Cashell]

Man, guys...geting thick in here!

Nothing compares to the ATX but the Meopta?

IMO, the Meopta is pretty close in overall optical performance to the ATX85. The ATX has a flatter field.

When was the last time you looked through the Televid 82mm?

It has been a few months. Great spotter, but doesn't compare to the ATX at 60x, given the Leica only goes to 50x.

The Kowa is better than the ATX series? C'mon, seriously?

While the ATX is the best hunting scope overall IMO(and the one I personally own), the Prominar 88 is better optically by a narrow margin. Aberrations are nearly perfectly corrected in the big Kowa.

When I tested the Kowa, I checked it for veiling glare and didn't have any of Shrek's reported issues.

 

[Shrek]

I suspect the Kowa I looked through had an issue. I've read too many glowing reviews of the Kowa by people I respect for my one time field use of a minute or two to be representative. But in that one instance my Meopta had a much more usable view. It seems that there are many people who refuse to believe that the Meopta S2 is that good optically. Seeing is believing.

 

[Broomd]

Here's the thing, most guys don't have 20K to line all these guys up in real world scenarios all the time. I actually joined a "Birding group" that frequents our local wildlife refuge just so I could tag along with groups that had serious hardware. To MY EYES for an 80+ mm scope the Kowa 883 is a good as anything, for 65 class the Leica apo 65 is the best. Everyone's mileage may vary. That doesn't mean the ATX is dogshit. It just means for me I wouldn't pay the price they want for it.


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I get it, thanks for posting...same goes for B.B. and TnTs insights.
A guy can read so much BS regarding optics, it's refreshing to see some cogent insight.
btw..."A birding group" is a great, practical place to start using and comparing glass. I'm also a member.
Kudos.

And I've been looking through scopes seriously for about a decade, some guys? four times that.
I personally have a lot to learn and I'm working on it, one scope at a time. I relish breaking out an optic for glass time under varying conditions.

 

[Shrek]

btw..."A birding group" is a great, practical place to start using and comparing glass.

This is where I have gotten to look through most of the glass I've been able to try. Most of it completely forgetable asian glass but every once in a while someone shows up with some interesting glass. Lots of Nikon and Vortex binoculars of varying grades. Locally there is almost no Leica or Zeiss users. I would like to try them out but I don't get the chance. I only started paying attention three years ago or so but I've bought and sold a couple of nice scopes I've used and trying others when I get the chance and I have certainly developed a sense of what I like.

 

[Pronghunter]

Sure glad everyone decided to chime in AFTER I just bought the ATX 95. I really would have liked the Meopta or Kowa I'm sure but didn't have the opportunity to ever look through them and never wanted to wonder if there "was" better out there. Now I'm second guessing my decision. The one major factor that made me buy it in the end was the fact I can buy the 65mm later instead of buying another scope.

 

[Matt Cashell]

. Now I'm second guessing my decision.

No worries. The big ATX is a sound decision, pronghunter.

 

[tipsntails7]

Sure glad everyone decided to chime in AFTER I just bought the ATX 95. I really would have liked the Meopta or Kowa I'm sure but didn't have the opportunity to ever look through them and never wanted to wonder if there "was" better out there. Now I'm second guessing my decision. The one major factor that made me buy it in the end was the fact I can buy the 65mm later instead of buying another scope.

No need to, if I had the cash I'd grab the 65 and the 95 ATX and never won't for anything after that.


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[Pronghunter]

I'll kee it short, but in a nutshell, the ATX 95 is amazing. So much better than the ATS 65. Is there comparable glass out there, probably but I haven't looked through it yet. Best money spent! Thanks for advice guys.

 

[Brasco20]

Where in MT are you? I live in butte. I own the big kowa with the wide angle eye piece if you ever want to put them side by side. I bet that 95 is bitchin! Congrats!!

 

[GKPrice]

I don't use spotting scopes but this thread intrigued me so I followed along - From an "outsiders" view I'd have to say Pronghunter made the right choice

 

[Pronghunter]

I live near Miles City. Along ways from Butte. A side by side of the Kowa would be interesting. So far, loving the 95 ATX though.

 

[Brasco20]

Might as well be in a different state. Lol. I hunted a ranch near forsythe a few years back. Neat country.

 

[Fireguy]

Where in MT are you? I live in butte. I own the big kowa with the wide angle eye piece if you ever want to put them side by side. I bet that 95 is bitchin! Congrats!!

Damn I just left Butte. All my family lives there. Really want to check out the big Kowa! Maybe next year.

 

[TBossHSauce]

I likey the Leica

 

[Sako]

Seems like a fun conversation. So I rented the 80HD Swaro and bought the Kowa 884. I figured I would return the Kowa within 30days if I did not like it. I cannot speak to the ATX, but the 884 was clearly better and I bought it. I spent a week with both on a trip to Nevada. The Swaro spent half the time in the trailer. Read the specs, XD eyepieces,, pure flourite, etc. I also also have a 664 but admit the 65mm HD Swaro is better. Swaro is the best for binos, 65mm but at 80mm, Kowa. I learned a long time ago to listen to the birders, they are much more OCD than we are. Most rank the Kowa 884 the best spotter being made right now. That being said, our eyes are different and the ATX offers alot of options. But for 2k with eyepiece, not a contest. If Kowa ever put the same effort in a pair of 15x56....wow.