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

[tipsntails7]

I may be the minority but I think image stabilizing in sport optics at least in the hunting context is one of the biggest gimmicks going right now.

You can make a case for it in a pair of bino's that you plan on using free hand way more than on a tripod but to me thats about it.

This is just going to make glass more expensive, heavier, and probably worse picture quality and light transmission wise.

ibis or ois, or whatever tech is utilized to create the stabilization was ground breaking in photography because you are capturing a moment of time, where either setting up a tripod wasn't convenient or feasible, or lack of light forced you to push your speeds down, thats not the goal in glassing and it generally doesn't suffer from the same limitations.

It also introduces even more complex mechanical parts, which will either need to be serviced or can malfunction or break. Ask any photographer you know thats been doing it a while and I can guarantee they have had a body or lens thats needed the stabilization serviced.

The straight eye piece would make more sense, to be used as a spotting monocle of sorts I guess, but a 14-35 zoom for 4k is a bit outrageous as well. I could see it being for guys wanting the absolute lightest possible setup and dropping the tripod, but it's literally 2 ounces off of being 3 pounds.


I am sure they will sell, and I am sure there are niche cases where they will see use, but I feel like the hype and practical use is far over blown, especially for the price of entry here.

 

[MaybeLostNeverStuck]

How does this compare with the sig IS spotter ? Is the the glass quality commensurate with the significantly higher price ?

I see the value in these in the ultralight context.....I can save weight on a tripod (wiser quick stx w 3rd leg) ...but still pick apart mule deer country at distance.

 

[CodeMonkey]

I want the straight version so I can leave the tripod at home and just talk like a pirate whenever I'm glassing

 

[thegoosano]

How does this compare with the sig IS spotter ? Is the the glass quality commensurate with the significantly higher price ?

I see the value in these in the ultralight context.....I can save weight on a tripod (wiser quick stx w 3rd leg) ...but still pick apart mule deer country at distance.

Bee thinking about this too. If the sky were the limit now that IS is really stepping onto the scene with alpha glass, what’s my perfect setup if I could check all the boxes and could get away with no tripod or some crazy light tripod that maybe isn’t the most stable but that doesn’t matter anymore now that the optics are stabilized.

Was thinking a 10x42 chest swaro with IS and at least like 320ft + FOV, and this IS swaro spotter probably the angled. I could maybe ditch my NL 14x52 and the heavier tripod saving 3.5-4lbs


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[Sako300]

I want to see a chart test with these comparing all the alphas with tripods with it turned on and off. As well as pictures or videos digiscoping. I get for quick glances at making fast decisions for hunting.

 

[Wapiti151]

I want to see a chart test with these comparing all the alphas with tripods with it turned on and off. As well as pictures or videos digiscoping. I get for quick glances at making fast decisions for hunting.

Agreed, off is what I’m really curious about. With it on, I’m sure it’s incredible, even with the smaller objective ST model. But on a 7-10 day hunt and HOURS of glassing (plus very cold weather) what’s that glass quality like when/if the battery dies. The same question will apply when they do release a bino with IS. It is even more important then, at least for those of us out west who sit behind a tripod pretty much all day.

I think IS in the bino though really makes sense for a chest bino magnification with big FOV. If I’m glassing from a nipple for an entire morning, the last thing I want to do is hand hold a heavy pair of 15s or a spotter the whole time. I think I’d want a tripod…IS or not. And when I turn the bino or spotter off on a tripod, am I still getting the same glass quality of NL/Zeiss SF or ATX/Kowa, etc. If it’s not at least as good as the EL TA, OFF…I think I’d be out.

 

[Dirtbag]

I think IS in the bino though really makes sense for a chest bino magnification with big FOV. If I’m glassing from a nipple for an entire morning, the last thing I want to do is hand hold a heavy pair of 15s or a spotter the whole time. I think I’d want a tripod…IS or not. And when I turn the bino or spotter off on a tripod, am I still getting the same glass quality of NL/Zeiss SF or ATX/Kowa, etc. If it’s not at least as good as the EL TA, OFF…I think I’d be out.

Agreed here. I don’t think for a western hunter who glasses extensively these will eliminate the need for a tripod, if you are sitting on a knob for hours you aren’t going to want to hand hold anything after the first 45 minutes.

 

[thegoosano]

Yep agree, tripod will still probably needed for long session comfort.

BUT, the question is then how small/light/compact of a tripod can you handle if you can rely on the IS. Probably can shave at least a pound off in the tripod department for most folks.


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[BBob]

Yep agree, tripod will still probably needed for long session comfort.

BUT, the question is then how small/light/compact of a tripod can you handle if you can rely on the IS. Probably can shave at least a pound off in the tripod department for most folks.

You could get away with a very light tripod on the old Zeiss 20X IS binoculars. They were a mechanical design so no batteries to worry about. They worked very well but they were heavy, bulky and very few could afford them at the time.

 

[Dirtbag]

Yep agree, tripod will still probably needed for long session comfort.

BUT, the question is then how small/light/compact of a tripod can you handle if you can rely on the IS. Probably can shave at least a pound off in the tripod department for most folks.


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There could something to that, but you gain that pound back with the balance (51.9oz) versus the ATC(34.2oz)

 

[Bri0242]

How does this compare with the sig IS spotter ? Is the the glass quality commensurate with the significantly higher price ?

I see the value in these in the ultralight context.....I can save weight on a tripod (wiser quick stx w 3rd leg) ...but still pick apart mule deer country at distance.

I currently own a pair of Sig Is binoculars, and I have owned a pair of Canon in the past as well. Their glass is woefully inadequate to my Swaro EL 10x32 or Vector X 10x42. Even with poor glass, they are still very effective when riding in a vehicle or boat. FWIW, I'm selling my STX 65mm spotter to get the ATBs.

 

[Bri0242]

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?

Replaceable Swaro battery.