Spotting Scope Upgrade - Maven vs. Swarovski

[FattyBinz]

I was fortunate enough to draw a Utah Central Mountains Manti bull elk tag with five points this year. Super excited but I think I have to upgrade to a better spotting scope for this hunt. Started hunting in 2018 and I’ve been able to get away with just packing a little Maven CS.1. For this hunt though, if things go the way I hope, I’ll be looking at a lot of bulls and will have to be able to get a good look to be able to judge them. I’m keeping the CS.1s for future hunts when I want something lighter and I just have to be able to see whether something has antlers or not. For binos I have Maven B.2s 11x45 almost always on a tripod.

So I’m looking at both the Maven S.1A 25-50x80 and the Swarovski ATS 20-60x65 non-HD. I’ve seen both pop up used for about $1500-1600. I think if I’m patient I can probably find an ATS HD for $1700-$1800.

So is the Swarovski the obvious pick here? I know the Maven is bigger but I’m not too worried about weight. If I am backpacking somewhere I have a lighter option in the CS.1s I have. From what I can tell, this late season Manti tag I will be mostly glassing from a vehicle or on high points not far from the road. Also almost always in a group where we take one spotting scope and spread the weight around, so a heavier scope isn’t a deal breaker. Other question...is the ATS HD a no-brainer over the non-HD?

Alternatively, any other spotting scopes I should consider in that price range?

 

[WI in the west]

I just got a kowa 774(straight) its commonly said to be equal or better then the ats 65 from reading forumns. It can also be found for 1700-1800 as well.
I had it side by side woth a maven cs1. Its quite a bit better in color, clarity, extra zoom, and its not near as bulky as youd expect a 77mm scope to be. Im not saying the cs1 is a bad scope but the kowa was a very noticable upgrade. Good luck on your tag.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

This isn't even a question. If you have the money buy a Swarovski. If you don't have the money then save and buy a Swarovski. I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference between swaro hd and non-hd. I use an STS65 non-hd and have no reason to upgrade. So don't pass up a good deal on a non-hd model thinking an hd model might come available.

What tripod setup do you have?

 

[eaglemountainman]

Given your two choices, I'd go for a Kowa TSN 773/774.

 

[sndmn11]

I have a Maven S1a (NOT cs1) and a Kowa 884. The Swarovski ats65 stuck around for about a week before I was convinced it wasn't of any value to me.

As suggested above, I'd probably do the Kowa 77X if I were in your shoes. You would be able to sell the cs1 you have now.

 

[Jacack]

I have hunted that unit, if your talking a archery tag you don't need to have the best spotter unless you plan to do alot of scouting before season.

That said Maybe during the rifle tag it would be worth carrying

 

[FattyBinz]

I have hunted that unit, if your talking a archery tag you don't need to have the best spotter unless you plan to do alot of scouting before season.

That said Maybe during the rifle tag it would be worth carrying

I have the late season rifle tag. It goes Nov 12th to the 20th

 

[Jacack]

Ok that chages things a little.

 

[Mhopper5]

This isn't even a question. If you have the money buy a Swarovski. If you don't have the money then save and buy a Swarovski. I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference between swaro hd and non-hd. I use an STS65 non-hd and have no reason to upgrade. So don't pass up a good deal on a non-hd model thinking an hd model might come available.

What tripod setup do you have?

What said but I would say go HD as well. They cost more for a reason.

 

[Lil-Rokslider]

I've tried both. I wanted the maven to stack up to swaro and it just didn't. I've also got maven binos and they're great.


I've also used a kowa spotter and it definitely does stack up to swaro. My next spotter purchase will be kowa for sure

 

[OspreyZB]

Don't overlook the old Nikon fieldscopes. They beat the non-HD swaros, at way less than half the price. I have the 60mm, 78mm, 82mm, and multiple eyepeices, with less invested than what a used swaro ATS 80 would cost.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Given your two choices, I'd go for a Kowa TSN 773/774.

Our Father's Day Sale runs through midnight tonight and the Kowa TSN-773 & 774 with the TE-11WZII Eyepiece is on sale for only $1,999.00.

It's our pleasure to discuss other options and opportunities with you if you have the time to give a call, 516-217-1000

 

[Alaskan89]

I just went through a similar search, needing a newer, better spotting scope and it was between the Swarovski or Kowa and after several months of researching I decided to go with the Kowa 774. I got a smoking deal on it, brand new with the scope, eye piece and stay on cover for $1975 shipped. Should get it this week. The Kowa 883/884 also comes very highly recommended by many ROKslide members as well.

 

[BBob]

If you go the Swaro 65 route I’d highly recommend the 25-50 over the 20-60. The wide angle, better clarity and brightness is worth the extra cost. I’ve owned both and have sold off the 20-60’s.

There’s a subtle difference in the HD to non HD. It’s not huge but it’s there. In most situations it probably doesn’t make much of a difference.

 

[RRC444]

What did you end up going with?

 

[FattyBinz]

I ended up going with the Kowa TSN 773. It is kinda big, but I'm happy with it so far. The clarity is amazing. Not sure if this is a good way of demonstrating that...but yesterday I took this photo of a bull 3 miles away. I didn't think it was even possible to judge an animal at that distance.

 

[Mojave]

I ended up going with the Kowa TSN 773. It is kinda big, but I'm happy with it so far. The clarity is amazing. Not sure if this is a good way of demonstrating that...but yesterday I took this photo of a bull 3 miles away. I didn't think it was even possible to judge an animal at that distance.

View attachment 467459

I am selling a Swarovski ATS to fund a Kowa. Kowa has no peer.