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

[Matt Cashell]

As we have frequently discussed here at Rokslide, electro-optics are the future for hunters. I recently spent some good field time with a stabilized spotting scope and really saw the potential in the technology.

Now, we have one of the world’s best optics manufacturers combining top shelf optics and stabilization.

I have had the Swarovski AT Balance in the field hunting elk for the last couple weeks. I have more testing to do, but I am really seeing a change in how I glass with this new stabilized optic. I don’t just automatically grab my tripod if I am going to use my spotter. That is a big difference.

What about you? Is this on your radar? What questions do you have? I am still hunting but I will check in as often as I can.

 

[Wapiti151]

Saw these just hit Swaro’s site, I wonder what the reasoning is for the difference in magnification and objective in the AT vs ST? These are definitely on the radar and considered moving my Kowa 77, as I knew these were coming. But bummed that the ST isn’t also 18-45x65. Guessing you will only be reviewing the AT w/o comparison to ST…would be curious as to how they stack up against each other. I think if the ST was also a 65, I’d be jumping all over one as an early adopter. Looking forward to hearing more about your experience!

Replaceable battery or rechargeable only?

 

[BBob]

Been waiting on these to finally drop to get the specs. I’m also curious why they didn’t do the straight in 65 with the added magnification as well?

Mby we’ll see some stabilized binoculars out of them at some point. One can hope

 

[Dirtbag]

in the market for an alpha spotter, was leaning towards the ATS 20-60x65. But might give the AT balance a look. What’s the thoughts on if the image stabilization will make up for the loss in power?

 

[Wheels]

From what I've read so far, the reason for the smaller magnification and objective size on the ST is in order to get the "balance" while hand holding they went smaller. Larger size would have been foo big around to comfortably hand hold.

 

[rodney482]

When will they introduce this tech into binocs? 15x56 would be awesome

 

[K_pem]

While a spotter is cool, Swaro quality glass WITH image stabilization in binoculars is what we want!

 

[gtriple]

While a spotter is cool, Swaro quality glass WITH image stabilization in binoculars is what we want!

And a rangefinder! That would basically crush everything else.