Swaro STC worth $1800 more than Mini Razor?

[tracker12]

Only you can decide if the price is worth it. But one thing for sure is the quality and performance of the Swaro is way above what you will get in a Vortex.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Had both, I kept the swaro, it will be my go to for a long long time, wish I kept the vortex to loan out haha, I’m stingy when some of my buddies refuse to buy spotters and then want to bum mine all the time haha, nothing beats the vortex warranty

 

[Blockcaver]

Sold my 2011 Swaro ATM 20-60x65 HD this spring (for what it cost back in 2011 with a lot of use) after extensive comparisons to my new ATC 17-40x56. For my older eyes the new ATC was better in dim light conditions, had a better field of view and was brighter at equal magnification. Really liking the ATC!

 

[Tahoe1305]

That’s funny. I guess I’m the opposite. If I didn’t have my STM 65HD, I’d be more interested in the mini Swaro.

IMO, through a ton of testing, zoom will always be king for verifying things (not the case for seeing things move). I couldn’t give up having 60x zoom for 40.

Which I why personally I like the vortex. It fills a mini spotter void when I want to go light on certain hunts. But for me it couldn’t replace a full size spotter and I’d prefer not to have that much $$ tied up in multiple spotters.

Objective difference between what can be seen at 40x vs 60x (my STM was same at 60x as the Kowa fwiw).

It is a really cool bro or kid spotter too that I won’t worry about breaking.

Not sure I’ll ever be able to get ride of the mag model swaro. At like 43oz it’s the best/lightest full size spotter out there IMO.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Here’s the Razor as well if that helps anyone.

 

[pacoalcracker]

The only people stating a vortex compares favorably with a Swaro are the ones that can't afford one. PERIOD.

 

[Tahoe1305]

you’re funny.

I don’t think anyone has stated it is the same or better (if that’s what you claim as favorably).

The question was is it worth triple the cost ($1800). Some, including myself have said it is not for various reasons.

Have you owned both? Compared both objectively? What do you base your statement on?

I promise I, and many can afford it. I had one. And still have 12x NLs and a 65mm Swaro.

 

[Hnthrdr]

The only people stating a vortex compares favorably with a Swaro are the ones that can't afford one. PERIOD.

Nah man, I had both, kept my swaro and kind of regretting getting rid of the vortex, but I don’t need two and it would have been my buddies scope haha he needs to buy his own, I still use vortex 8x razor binos on some hunts and nl pures on glassing intensive hunts. Tahoe has done some fantastic side by side testing this isn’t just a poor boy vortex fan boy thing. Not a big vortex fan at all but their optics definitely have a place in the sub 1k price range

 

[Blockcaver]

I also sold my Nikon ED50 HD with the 13-30 zoom that for years I had paired with the Swaro ATM 20-60x65HD. It was light and a very decent small scope but I felt it wouldn’t get used with the Swaro ATC available.

As per upper magnification, the Phone Skope and iPhone 14+ seems to cover my needs at up to 40X thru the scope lens plus phone photo magnification.

 

[MontanaMuley]

A few follow-up notes that might help someone else out…


I ran the Vortex Razor Mini on a 4-day scouting trip. I now own the Swaro STC...


Razor Mini — what I liked: Compact, built-in Arca foot, lightweight, and seemed durable. It was absolutely usable. If money were tight, I’d have been content with it. I mainly used it to get a closer look at bucks after spotting them with binos. For this it worked great out to a mile, possibly further. For me, it wasn’t really practical to grid and find animals.


Razor Mini — what I didn’t like: The focus wheel was tough to adjust without shaking off target. The bottom lens cover sometimes fell off when pulling it from my pack. And zooming in got clunky the further I went. The eye box was a bit finicky and had to get it just right for me to stay focused.


STC vs. Razor Mini — early comparison: The STC is just on another level. To answer my own question — “Is it worth $1800 more?” — yes. Even if I had to save for a year or two, I’d still pick the STC. While using the Razor, I kept wondering what the Swaro would be like. Now I know, and the tinkering is over.


STC — what I like so far: Super smooth focus and zoom wheels, comes with a small Arca plate (not built-in, but works), really thoughtful eye/bell cover design, and similarly small, compact design. I feel content and no more “what ifs.”


STC — what I don’t like (so far): Nothing. I still need more field time, but right now I’m very happy with this purchase.

 

[Blockcaver]

My Swaro ATC has a built in Arca plate that I bought this spring in BC. (Came with an adapter plate but I did not need to use it. Worked very well with the Aziak Backcountry tripod/ball head. Great system with the Swaro NL 10x32 binos and Aziak clamp too.

 

[hereinaz]

My vote for the Kowa 553/4 for the money over the Vortex mini. The Swaro are just better, but I hear the new Kowa are as good.

I have read/heard several times from sheep guide that to really count rings with any spotter you have to get close enough that you can use the 65s. Don’t know it personally but it matches my experience dealing with atmospherics at extended ranges no matter how clear glass is.

I like the Kowa 554 and that is what I run. When I get to go on a sheep hunt I think I would get the best Kowa 66.