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.

 

[thegoosano]

These are super cool. @Matt Cashell what is your take on optical quality vs the STC/ATC? With less FOV and smaller objective in the straight model comparison I’m guessing the STC will still be a bit better in low light and for tripod glassing where you are locked in on an animal for a long time, but the “wow” factor of the STB stabilization might give some sense of “better quality” or at least the ease of use without a tripod for quickly getting on an animal at distance. Do you think the STC and ATC still have their place compared to these?

I’ve seen some claims that the STB/ATB glass is BETTER than the STC/ATC which I find hard to believe and I’m wondering if that claim is being influenced by the stabilization just being so impressive combined with the quality glass.


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[Oregonhuntrboi]

And a rangefinder! That would basically crush everything else.

I would pay some stupid $ for Swaro image stabilizing binos with a built in ballistic solver

 

[Wapiti151]

These are super cool. [mention]Matt Cashell [/mention] what is your take on optical quality vs the STC/ATC? With less FOV and smaller objective in the straight model comparison I’m guessing the STC will still be a bit better in low light and for tripod glassing where you are locked in on an animal for a long time, but the “wow” factor of the STB stabilization might give some sense of “better quality” or at least the ease of use without a tripod for quickly getting on an animal at distance. Do you think the STC and ATC still have their place compared to these?

I’ve seen some claims that the STB/ATB glass is BETTER than the STC/ATC which I find hard to believe and I’m wondering if that claim is being influenced by the stabilization just being so impressive combined with the quality glass.


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agreed, I’d imagine it’s good but hard to believe it’s better. I don’t know the answer to this, but do they have to compromise at all on glass quality for IS like they do RF? If the electronics fail in the field, do you still have a spotter left with the best of Swaro glass quality left behind.

IS is definitely the future, but it is a bit concerning considering the investment we make in glass. How fast will obsolescence occur with rapid improvement or failure?

 

[Sako300]

How is the quality of pictures and videos with digiscoping compared to ATC/STC or ATS/STS? How much are these going for?

 

[Wheels]

How is the quality of pictures and videos with digiscoping compared to ATC/STC or ATS/STS? How much are these going for?

$3849 for the straight and $3999 for the angled.

 

[Ryan Avery]

PRESS INFORMATION ​

SWAROVSKI OPTIK AT/ST Balance
New Premium Spotting Scope with Image Stabilization
​

SWAROVSKI OPTIK is setting a new milestone in the world of premium compact spotting scopes with the AT/ST Balance. The Austrian company has launched a pioneering model that combines the outstanding optical performance of SWAROVSKI OPTIK with state-of-the-art image stabilization technology in one device. The result is a spotting scope that reveals a shake-free image – even without a tripod. Its integrated image stabilization means that the system precisely balances out the slightest movements and even allows handheld observation at high magnification. The AT/ST Balance was developed for discerning users who don’t want to compromise between technical performance and practical application. Compact size, light weight and stabilization will allow the use of a spotting scope virtually anywhere. The new spotting scope is available from the end of November 2025 at SWAROVSKI OPTIK retailers and from the SWAROVSKI OPTIK online shop.

Innovation has always been part of SWAROVSKI OPTIK’s DNA. With the AT/ST Balance, the company is setting a new benchmark in spotting scope technology. SWAROBALANCE image stabilization, used for the first time in a SWAROVSKI OPTIK spotting scope, compensates for even the slightest twitch of the hand and ensures a shake-free, clear image, even at 45x magnification. Thanks to its low latency, the system reacts without hesitation to any movement.

“The image stabilization of the AT/ST Balance uses highly sensitive sensors to detect even the slightest movements and compensates for them in real time. The AT/ST Balance can process more than 1,000 measurements per second and corrects the lens position accordingly. The ability to observe at this quality and identify accurately using a spotting scope that can be handheld marks a major turning point in observation optics”, said Roland Wolff, CEO of SWAROVSKI OPTIK North America.

MAP U.S. Pricing: AT Balance 18-45x65: $3,999; ST Balance 14-35x50: $3,849

​

​

 

[Ryan Avery]

​

The world belongs to those who can see beauty.
Experience the moment!
SEE THE UNSEEN.

WWW.SWAROVSKIOPTIK.COM​

​

TECHNICAL DATA​

AT BALANCE ST BALANCE
18-45x65 14-35x50

Magnification	18-45x​	14-35x​
Effective objective lens diameter (mm)	65​	50​
Exit pupil diameter (mm)	3.6 – 1.4​
Exit pupil distance (mm)	20​
Field of view (m/1,000 m) / (ft/1,000 yds)	55-30/165-90​	70-39/210-117​
Field of view (degrees)	3.16 – 1.74​	4 – 2.2​
Field of view for eyeglass wearers (degrees)	3.16 – 1.74​	4 – 2.2​
Field of view, apparent (degrees)	57 – 71​
Shortest focusing distance (m/ft)	3.4 / 11.2​
Diopter correction at ∞ (dpt)	> 5​
Light Transmission (%)	88​
Objective Filter Thread	M72 x 0.75​
Dimensions L* x W x H* (mm/in)	268 x 83 x 148 10.6 x 3.3 x 5.8​	268 x 91 x 80 10.6 x 3.6 x 3.1​
Approx. weight (g/oz)	1.470 / 51.9​	1.300 / 45.9​

Functional temperature: -25°C to +55°C (-13°F to +131°F) · Storage temperature: -30°C to +70°C (-22°F to +158°F) ·

Submersion tightness: 4 m (13 ft) *Value with eyecups twisted in

 

[Cervid]

These are super cool. @Matt Cashell what is your take on optical quality vs the STC/ATC? With less FOV and smaller objective in the straight model comparison I’m guessing the STC will still be a bit better in low light and for tripod glassing where you are locked in on an animal for a long time, but the “wow” factor of the STB stabilization might give some sense of “better quality” or at least the ease of use without a tripod for quickly getting on an animal at distance. Do you think the STC and ATC still have their place compared to these?

I’ve seen some claims that the STB/ATB glass is BETTER than the STC/ATC which I find hard to believe and I’m wondering if that claim is being influenced by the stabilization just being so impressive combined with the quality glass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

haven't looked through the new Swaros, but just wanted to point out that image stabilizing technology does increase apparent brightness because the exit pupil isn't bouncing around your eye and also does increase apparent image clarity somewhat relative to non-stabilized optics because of the dampening of the micro-vibrations from wind, etc. even when securely mounted on a solid tripod.

 

[Dirtbag]

IS is definitely the future, but it is a bit concerning considering the investment we make in glass. How fast will obsolescence occur with rapid improvement or failure?

Right there with you, what does this do to the market and value of non stabilized glass people have dropped thousands on…

 

[dreamingWest]

I like to think this marks the pinnacle of traditional optics. i.e. The Swarovski NL 10x52 is the absolute best traditional binocular ever made and it will never be surpassed. Buy your piece of history. Then jump on the electro-optics bandwagon.

 

[stan_wa]

Biggest question for me is how does the image and fov compare to traditional optics . Tripods work pretty well at stabilizing so I just wanna see in depth image comparison.

 

[thegoosano]

Biggest question for me is how does the image and fov compare to traditional optics . Tripods work pretty well at stabilizing so I just wanna see in depth image comparison.

There are a few YouTube videos already up with some digiscoping footage of handheld shots with and without stabilizing on. The GoHunt video was probably the best I saw. Brady goes full zoom on image stabilized mode and honestly the clarity felt like it increased it was pretty impressive. But digiscoping video is always pretty subjective to the phone being used, the adaptor, the focus settings, so take it for what it’s worth.


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