Swarovski 25x50 eyepiece or 20x60

[WVELK]

I am almost certainly going to buy a new spotting scope. Unless something really changes my mind, it will be a swarovski since I have always used and been pleased with their products.

Here are my two primary issues still dancing in my mind:

1. Do I go with the 25x50 eyepiece or the 20x60? Like all items it is personal preference, but I do find the opinions here very helpful on darn near every subject. For those of you have tried both, what did you like and dislike.

2. I was 90 percent certain I would go with the HD 80 two days ago. But, I am now really considering a HD 65. I don’t care about the last 5 minutes of light. I do care about judging elk, but I will be backpacking and at most hunting elk three weeks a year if hunting two states. I have not been able to get my hands on the 65 so it is hard for me to really appreciate size difference. Weight is a little less, but not a lot in reality. The 65 would be fine for me the remaining months of the year. At most I would use it to look at whitetails in Ohio.

And yes, I will have to decide straight vs angled, but I fully appreciate those differences and can figure that one out on my own. Have used both, but not sure which way I will go. Both have pros and cons.

 

[RMEYERS1295]

I have 25-50x ATM 65HD. Couldn’t be happier with the size. Was originally going to go with a straight, decided to go with angled because it just felt more comfortable. I was thinking of picking up a 20-60x eyepiece just to have both. Can’t go wrong with Swarovski. Spend once, cry once! Good luck with purchase.

 

[handwerk]

I've had both but kept the 25-50, to my eyes it provided a better view and was more helpful when scanning.

 

[fatrascal]

I've had both eye pieces and both are great quality. I prefer the 20x60 because sometimes you need that extra 10 power to judge antlers on an animal way out there.
I started out with an 80mm and down sized to a 65mm. Fits in the pack much more nicely, weighs a little bit less and I never noticed a low light difference that was significant. Fatrascal.

 

[BBob]

I'd say the 25-50x is a superior lens and I own both. I think it's rare to have conditions where 60x is better than 50x. More often then not I find I back down on power with the 20-60x to buck the conditions to get a the best image possible and that generally lands around the 50x mark. Overall I'd say that the 25-50x is a brighter, sharper lens than the 20-60x.

I own both a 65HD and an 80HD. I originally bought the 80 and packed it everywhere because that's what I had. At some point I needed to cut weight and purchased the 65. I don't backpack with the 80 anymore and I'd say the 65 gets used 80% or more of the time when I'm using a single spotter. I don't feel handicapped much at all with the 65. The 80 does seem to handle mirage better in bad conditions if that matters.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

It would be our pleasure to discuss these different options with you if you have a few minutes to call, 516-217-1000, to chat about it

 

[WVELK]

Shout out to Doug at Camera Land!!! Called him and he and his brother were two of the most helpful individuals with which I have ever dealt. Have a new Swarovski scope and tripod headed my way. Can’t say enough for this Forum pointing me in his direction and for his help. Thanks to all!

 

[Travis2282]

What did you purchase?

 

[WVELK]

What did you purchase?

65HD with VA/5 head on carbon tripod the 635 i think

 

[fatrascal]

Did you get the 20x60 or 25x50?

 

[Hogyotedeer]

I bought a 25-50 zoom to put on my Swaro and planned on selling off my 20-60 zoom--compared the zooms and the 25-50 definitely had a wider FOV. I took back the 25-50 zoom because I could never get my eye centered over the eyepiece without getting kidney beaning blackouts no matter how I adjusted the eye relief on the eyepiece! Stuck with the 20-60 zoom, never have had any issues with blackouts with it.

 

[WVELK]

I got the 25x50 wide angle.

Did you get the 20x60 or 25x50?

25x50

 

[TSimons9]

I think you will love the 25-50 wide angle. I have one on a 65 HD and it’s the perfect balance between clarity, magnification, and weight/size. I have used a 20-60 on an 80 HD and it is also awesome, but I don’t miss anything with the smaller 65. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

 

[WVELK]

I think you will love the 25-50 wide angle. I have one on a 65 HD and it’s the perfect balance between clarity, magnification, and weight/size. I have used a 20-60 on an 80 HD and it is also awesome, but I don’t miss anything with the smaller 65. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

That makes me feel pretty darn good about my purchase!

 

[justin davis]

I prefer the 20-60. I use a scope only for verification at distance. I glass with my binos. I know some guys glass with a spotter but I do not

 

[fatrascal]

I agree with abovw comments about the 25x50 has a sharper image. But i cannot see it with my eye. But it does show up in my digiscoped videos. Fatrascal.