Swarovski AT Balance 18-45x65 Stabilized Spotting Scope Tested and Reviewed

[Stonia]

Is there any chance of a 3rd party adapter for 18650 batteries? Regardless of how well the spotter performs, proprietary batteries, and expensive ones at that, are a real pet peeve of mine.

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[YodaSends]

Is there any chance of a 3rd party adapter for 18650 batteries? Regardless of how well the spotter performs, proprietary batteries, and expensive ones at that, are a real pet peeve of mine.

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and a proprietary charger too... yet another thing to find room in the cases for. I wish it just guzzled cr123 like almost everything else I have.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Is there any chance of a 3rd party adapter for 18650 batteries? Regardless of how well the spotter performs, proprietary batteries, and expensive ones at that, are a real pet peeve of mine.

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18650s are longer than the proprietary battery, so an adapter wouldn't work.

 

[Oman]

I am also interested in knowing any real world experience with these against the traditional scopes. Really trying to decide as well about best kit to invest in.

 

[Stonia]

18650s are longer than the proprietary battery, so an adapter wouldn't work.

Ok, that makes sense, how about cr123, as mentioned? I get thst Swarovski is all expensive, but come on, its a lithium battery.

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[Matt Cashell]

Ok, that makes sense, how about cr123, as mentioned? I get thst Swarovski is all expensive, but come on, its a lithium battery.

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I am not aware of any cr123 adapters.

CR123s have less voltage, so may not be suitable for the Balance scopes.

 

[SLDMTN]

Less than a month before I’m headed out for a peninsula brown bear hunt. I’ve had the AT for a week roughly and I’m absolutely in love thus far.

My one and only complaint, even aside from the batteries being proprietary is that they require a charger base. If the USB-C plugged straight into the battery like a lot of similar units, it would be much handier. My thermal optic came with a USB-C splitter so both batteries charge at once with just a cord.

Absolutely not a deal breaker but in my opinion, an oversight in design for folks who’ll be using the scope in an extended field capacity.

 

[DMV&NYC]

For those of you who bird as well as hunt, how do you like the compact 50 mm spotters for long days in the field? I spend a lot of time glassing shorebirds and raptors, and I’m wondering if the 11–33x range on the Viper HD 50 class is enough for ID work out past 300–400 yards, or if I’d immediately wish I’d gone with a bigger 60–65 mm objective. Curious what you’ve actually seen in terms of resolution on fine field marks and heat shimmer.

 

[Bri0242]

Less than a month before I’m headed out for a peninsula brown bear hunt. I’ve had the AT for a week roughly and I’m absolutely in love thus far.

My one and only complaint, even aside from the batteries being proprietary is that they require a charger base. If the USB-C plugged straight into the battery like a lot of similar units, it would be much handier. My thermal optic came with a USB-C splitter so both batteries charge at once with just a cord.

Absolutely not a deal breaker but in my opinion, an oversight in design for folks who’ll be using the scope in an extended field capacity.

What case did you buy for it? What kind of battery life are you getting as well? FWIW, I have one on order

 

[SLDMTN]

What case did you buy for it? What kind of battery life are you getting as well? FWIW, I have one on order

The Marsupial Mini Spotter case fits it like an absolute dream. I don’t have days on end using it yet but I have several hours and haven’t had to charge the battery yet.

 

[Western Sky]

I plan to replace my STM 65/tripod with the AT balance to save weight and space in the backpack. Is the ATBphysically smaller than a STM/STM/STX?

 

[Matt Cashell]

I plan to replace my STM 65/tripod with the AT balance to save weight and space in the backpack. Is the ATBphysically smaller than a STM/STM/STX?

Similar in volume, but a bit shorter than the ATX65:

 

[Western Sky]

For those that have recent preorders, has anyone received any recently or been given any shipping updates? My order thru guidefitter says 4 months wait but I'm seeing some in stock at other vendors so I'm hoping that an overestimate.

 

[Western Sky]

Similar in volume, but a bit shorter than the ATX65:

It looks bigger in diameter than that ATX. Is that the case or is it just the angle in the picture?

 

[SLDMTN]

I plan to replace my STM 65/tripod with the AT balance to save weight and space in the backpack. Is the ATBphysically smaller than a STM/STM/STX?

Not exactly the comparison you were looking for but this is a Gen 1 - Vortex Razor 16-48x65 next to it. It’s not overly bulky.

 

[Matt Cashell]

It looks bigger in diameter than that ATX. Is that the case or is it just the angle in the picture?

That is mostly the perspective in the photo. It is just slightly thicker, but pretty similar. It is shorter in length.

 

[rt1061]

Torn between going all in on the new technology with the ATB or buying the ATC and shaving a little weight. Never know the future of new products and the pros and cons that may come out about them with time under tension in the backcountry.

I have an ATC I’ll sell you, works perfectly. As for me, I’m all in on the image stabilization after using Sig Binos for a while.