Swaro STC vs Gen 1 Razor 65mm

The STC and the newer Kowa 55 are in a completely different class than your vortex. Kinda like asking, “I’ve got a 2012 Nissan Altima, but I’m curious if a 2025 BMW 3 series would be an upgrade?”
I see what you’re saying, but the razor has a bigger objective and more zoom. That matters. What I’m trying to figure out is if the swaro has such high image quality that even with the smaller objective and zoom, it is still brighter and more useful at 40x than the Razor. I’m guessing it is, based on my Swaro experiences, but I figured I would ask.
 
The new baby Kowa are on my list for that. Definitely a use for it there.

I can’t wait to get back to AK.
I’m lazy so I’ll ask - I found a thread comparing the old Kowa 55 to the STC, but is there a thread that compares the new Kowa 55 to the STC?
 
I see what you’re saying, but the razor has a bigger objective and more zoom. That matters. What I’m trying to figure out is if the swaro has such high image quality that even with the smaller objective and zoom, it is still brighter and more useful at 40x than the Razor. I’m guessing it is, based on my Swaro experiences, but I figured I would ask.
My experience is that the increased clarity improves light transmission and depth of field on the smaller spotters. The larger objective that doesn’t make up for light transmission and image quality of worse glass.
 
My experience is that the increased clarity improves light transmission and depth of field on the smaller spotters. The larger objective that doesn’t make up for light transmission and image quality of worse glass.
Why the Kowa vs STC/ATC?
 
I’m lazy so I’ll ask - I found a thread comparing the old Kowa 55 to the STC, but is there a thread that compares the new Kowa 55 to the STC?
 
Here is my comparison (with help from others) mentioned above.


FWIW I’ve looked thru them all. I own a mix of swaro and vortex still including the gen I 16-48 and the newer mini razor. No where near as smooth and refined as the ATC, but IMO really good for what it is.
 
Long story shorter? Went thru same deliberation. Just couldn't yet quite justify that sum for the STC.

Picked up a used Maven S.2 and have been very pleased with it!

EDIT: I started out with 50mm Razor, then bought a ZEISS Dialyt, like that but too heavy for mountain stuff, so got the Maven.
 
Oh yeah?! Well I have a couple of aggressively mediocre tags that really don’t justify my stupid over priced European glass on, but I’ll use them to wade through the army of rag horns for the most spectacular, barely legal 2.5 year old bull!

Where I hunt in CO I need to make sure that rag horn is legal, hence the extra magnification.
 
I love my arc for being a compact spotter it definitely give other brands 65mm a run for there money if not beating them out completely
 
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