Swaro STC worth $1800 more than Mini Razor?

[MontanaMuley]

Hi Rokslide,


I’m looking for one lightweight spotter for mule deer backpack hunts. Most of my glassing is with binos on a tripod, but I want a spotter to take a closer look at bucks.


I’m deciding between the Swarovski STC and Vortex Razor 56mm. For those who’ve used both, is the Swaro worth about $1,800 more?


Budget isn’t the issue — I just want one spotter that will last me a decade+ and avoid upgrading every few years.


Thanks,
MontanaMuley

 

[Tahoe1305]

It is not. Unless you have $1800 you need/want to spend.

That money buys you extra weight, smoother focus and zoom, brighter colors, more edge to edge clarity. The center resolution is the same and FOV close.

The razor is good, just much less refined. I kept the razor when I had/compared both. In this class of optics (mini spotters) I think this is a tool that complements good scanning glass (binos) and a full size spotter. Maybe not out with you but at least you have at home for certain hunts.

If I only wanted a single spotter and decided a mini was that tool, I’d go Swaro. But having a Swaro as a full size I like having the razor to compliment. I don’t use it to scan. I use to for more zoom once I find something and digiscope.

 

[Walkstoomuch]

I originally owned the razor and then compared side by side with a buddies swaro. I sold the razor and purchased a swaro. I felt there was a very noticeable difference between the two. This is my only spotter and primarily backpack hunt. It was a substantial purchase for me

 

[Wheels]

I’d throw the Kowa 55S in the mix.

 

[waspocrew]

Kind of in the same boat. The mini spotters have intrigued me, especially as my NWT dall sheep hunt is coming up in less than a year. My current spotter is a Swaro ATX 85mm. Phenomenal image, but definitely takes up space in the pack and weighs 68 oz. Not sure I want to pack that around on a sheep hunt, so a mini is appealing.

OP - I'd see if you can find a local vendor (like Scheels) that carries both so you can compare and see what your eyes think. I'll be doing the same soon.

 

[wweaver]

The KOWA 55 with the newer full sized eyepiece should be looked at for slightly less. $2500 retail- but they do 20 percent for military also. Which makes it about $700 less then atc/stc swaro. Just an opinion.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Kind of in the same boat. The mini spotters have intrigued me, especially as my NWT dall sheep hunt is coming up in less than a year. My current spotter is a Swaro ATX 85mm. Phenomenal image, but definitely takes up space in the pack and weighs 68 oz. Not sure I want to pack that around on a sheep hunt, so a mini is appealing.

OP - I'd see if you can find a local vendor (like Scheels) that carries both so you can compare and see what your eyes think. I'll be doing the same soon.

Depends on how you plan to age a ram (if required). If you are going to count rings, then the mini spotters may not serve your needs.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Grab either the ATC/STC or the Kowa 55 at whichever one gives you the best price. It is not uncommon to find the Kowa 553/554 for ~$1200 on the used market.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Grab either the ATC/STC or the Kowa 55 at whichever one gives you the best price. It is not uncommon to find the Kowa 553/554 for ~$1200 on the used market

Already stated but the kowa 553/4 and 55(a/s) aren’t the same. The 553/4 is not in same league IMO as the new kowa (55a/s) or atc/s.

The 553/4 are the ones selling for cheap these days. I prefer the razor to the older 553/4 personally.

 

[Tower13]

Hi Rokslide,


I’m looking for one lightweight spotter for mule deer backpack hunts. Most of my glassing is with binos on a tripod, but I want a spotter to take a closer look at bucks.


I’m deciding between the Swarovski STC and Vortex Razor 56mm. For those who’ve used both, is the Swaro worth about $1,800 more?


Budget isn’t the issue — I just want one spotter that will last me a decade+ and avoid upgrading every few years.


Thanks,
MontanaMuley

If money is not an option I would go with the Swarovski. I have looked through both side by side and the Swarovski is going to be a bit better on the clarity and detail.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Already stated but the kowa 553/4 and 55(a/s) aren’t the same. The 553/4 is not in same league IMO as the new kowa (55a/s) or atc/s.

The 553/4 are the ones selling for cheap these days. I prefer the razor to the older 553/4 personally.

I know.

But I’ve compared the ATC and the 554 on multiple Coues hunts and for all intents and purposes one was no better for confirmations than the other. I’ve compared the same 554 to my STX 65 and it gives 90%+ at 1/2 the weight.

Good to hear that the new mini Razor beats the 554 as that means they are better optically than the ATC/STC and likely the new Kowa 55.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I know.

But I’ve compared the ATC and the 554 on multiple Coues hunts and for all intents and purposes one was no better for confirmations than the other. I’ve compared the same 554 to my STX 65 and it gives 90%+ at 1/2 the weight.

Good to hear that the new mini Razor beats the 554 as that means they are better optically than the ATC/STC and likely the new Kowa 55.

I concur that center FOV resolution is close to same with all mentioned. The 553/4 suffers mostly with the Eyebox/eye relief and FOV.

Center is sharp. Vortex stuff normally has as sharp center resolution as higher end. That isn’t difficult to engineer.

Here’s a link to a comparison made by me and others last year.

Thread 'Crowd Sourced Optics Comparison (CO area) ***Updated 3/9/24***'

Dec 28, 2023

So I guess I’m bored. But 5 years ago or so I invested a good chunk of $ to purchase (then resell) a dozen or so $1000 binos and then eventually a few of the same in spotters and wrote some bro level, objective as possible, comparisons.

I know we see a lot of these online by folks who have way more resources and connections (provided from manufacturers) than I. I don’t know about you all, but I’m always a tad suspect of those based on whose getting paid for what.

Here’s what I have that I plan on comparing:

Spotters:
-Razor Gen I 65mm (I compared this five years ago and I loved it)...

• Tahoe1305
• Replies: 238
• Forum: Optics

• 

 

[Steve O]

Yes.

 

[WRO]

I concur that center FOV resolution is close to same with all mentioned. The 553/4 suffers mostly with the Eyebox/eye relief and FOV.

Center is sharp. Vortex stuff normally has as sharp center resolution as higher end. That isn’t difficult to engineer.

Here’s a link to a comparison made by me and others last year.

Thread 'Crowd Sourced Optics Comparison (CO area) ***Updated 3/9/24***'

Dec 28, 2023

So I guess I’m bored. But 5 years ago or so I invested a good chunk of $ to purchase (then resell) a dozen or so $1000 binos and then eventually a few of the same in spotters and wrote some bro level, objective as possible, comparisons.

I know we see a lot of these online by folks who have way more resources and connections (provided from manufacturers) than I. I don’t know about you all, but I’m always a tad suspect of those based on whose getting paid for what.

Here’s what I have that I plan on comparing:

Spotters:
-Razor Gen I 65mm (I compared this five years ago and I loved it)...

• Tahoe1305
• Replies: 238
• Forum: Optics

• 

Maybe the little razor got better, but there for a while my dealer friend refused to sell them because the return rate was so high.


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[Kurts86]

Yes it is. Spotting scopes demand nearly perfect optics and the 55mm class is already handicapped by physics so you will appreciate any improvement. If you can afford the Swarovski it’s worth it.

 

[cody4359]

My first spotter was a sawaro sts 20-60x65 if memory serves me right. Clear glass, 20x too high to scan anything say less than 1k easily and the dang weight. It was like 5lbs. Sold that for a massive loss and got a 11x33 razor when they were new as it fit my hunting style. The gen 2 is what i want now, and after 10 years had to send the spotter in and unfortunately didnt get the upgrade that time as they just put a new eye piece on, maybe next time. I have no regrets for going swaro to vortex

 

[BTH]

My opinion swaro is always worth the price. I’ve had too many vortex scopes and binos fog, reticle come apart, not hold zero etc.. to ever spend the money on them again. Had a razor spotter for a couple years, at 20 power if you adjusted the focus as close as possible could see little black spots on the inside of the glass. Never had any issues with my swaro glass ever!


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