Swarovski ATC or STC feedback

My opinion is likely contrary to most. I'm also not a super seasoned spotter guy.

I used the stc on a mule deer hunt 2 seasons ago. I found the eyebox to be shit. Unusable past 25x with a magview on. I had to remove it so I could get my eye closer into the optic....to wit the large eyepiece would hit my brow. So I had to contort my head in a strange way which was very uncomfortable. Maybe I'm just a Neanderthal.

Over 30-35x it was difficult to use (eyebox/face issues as well).

I found my maven b2 11x binos way easier to use for finding critters at all ranges when compared to the 17x.

And the deer I was watching were at 1-2 miles. Which the stc wouldn't quite give me enough juice to really analyze the racks...not that I really care...but the one I ended up shooting I thought was a giant 2 point...turned out to be a 5x5 (lots of lil crabs).

So I sold it and got a kowa 66 to distinguish the optical use further from the binos and to try a different eye piece.


Now my unit may have been weird. Don't know. It's the only swaro I've ever looked through. If it was standard, and your current Swarovski eyepiece works with your face shape then your experience may be much better then mine. But damned that thing just felt like it was fighting me the whole time.
 
My opinion is likely contrary to most. I'm also not a super seasoned spotter guy.

I used the stc on a mule deer hunt 2 seasons ago. I found the eyebox to be shit. Unusable past 25x with a magview on. I had to remove it so I could get my eye closer into the optic....to wit the large eyepiece would hit my brow. So I had to contort my head in a strange way which was very uncomfortable. Maybe I'm just a Neanderthal.

Over 30-35x it was difficult to use (eyebox/face issues as well).

I found my maven b2 11x binos way easier to use for finding critters at all ranges when compared to the 17x.

And the deer I was watching were at 1-2 miles. Which the stc wouldn't quite give me enough juice to really analyze the racks...not that I really care...but the one I ended up shooting I thought was a giant 2 point...turned out to be a 5x5 (lots of lil crabs).

So I sold it and got a kowa 66 to distinguish the optical use further from the binos and to try a different eye piece.


Now my unit may have been weird. Don't know. It's the only swaro I've ever looked through. If it was standard, and your current Swarovski eyepiece works with your face shape then your experience may be much better then mine. But damned that thing just felt like it was fighting me the whole time.
I appreciate the opinion. Thanks for commenting.
 
If the eyepiece and eyebox worked for you...

I could see the stc being very useful for detail griding the shadows from 1000 yards to 1 mile.
I have the STX 95. The eye box works fine for me on that. Supposedly the eye box is the same as the STC. I use 14s for the gridding and the a spotter for confirming when I see something. For what I want this spotter for it will be fine. I'll always grab the 95 when I need to get serious about judging animals. The STC will be more for spring time outings.
 
Grab either one that works best for you; if you are open to it, also look at the new Kowa 55x (better eye piece than the 553/554 which was still really good). Note: I only use spotting scopes for confirmations and not "glassing".

These mini alpha scopes are money for their intended use. They'll give you 90%+ of a 65 at a fraction of the weight; my 554 is 1/2 the weight of my STX 65. Since I bought a Kowa 554, my STX 65 rarely comes out of the safe. My friend whose ATC I used for comparison (next paragraph) has parted ways with his STS 65 as he no longer needs it.

I was able to compare the ATC with my 554 for a week in Mexico last year while chasing Coues and javelina. For my eyes, it was a toss up on which one was "better". We had some nasty weather and the ATC and 554 were still fully functional while the larger spotters (BTX 95 and STX 95) vibrated too much from the high winds to be of use.
 
Grab either one that works best for you; if you are open to it, also look at the new Kowa 55x (better eye piece than the 553/554 which was still really good). Note: I only use spotting scopes for confirmations and not "glassing".

These mini alpha scopes are money for their intended use. They'll give you 90%+ of a 65 at a fraction of the weight; my 554 is 1/2 the weight of my STX 65. Since I bought a Kowa 554, my STX 65 rarely comes out of the safe. My friend whose ATC I used for comparison (next paragraph) has parted ways with his STS 65 as he no longer needs it.

I was able to compare the ATC with my 554 for a week in Mexico last year while chasing Coues and javelina. For my eyes, it was a toss up on which one was "better". We had some nasty weather and the ATC and 554 were still fully functional while the larger spotters (BTX 95 and STX 95) vibrated too much from the high winds to be of use.
Appreciate the reply. I'm probably going the STC route. The eyepiece is the same as my STX so I can use the same Ollin setup. Unless I decide to just get another.

Glad to hear the the compact spotters don't shake as much as the bigger ones in the wind. Thanks for the insight.
 
I am interested in the Swarovski STC or ATC. I have the STX 95 but I am wanting a lighter weight spotter while in the backcountry. Not wanting to replace the 95, just wondering if the lighter Swaro spotter is worth looking into. Thanks
Ignited By Nature has a really great review if you are comparing the two. I’ve been going back and forth but I think I am leaning towards the STC.

 
Grab either one that works best for you; if you are open to it, also look at the new Kowa 55x (better eye piece than the 553/554 which was still really good). Note: I only use spotting scopes for confirmations and not "glassing".

These mini alpha scopes are money for their intended use. They'll give you 90%+ of a 65 at a fraction of the weight; my 554 is 1/2 the weight of my STX 65. Since I bought a Kowa 554, my STX 65 rarely comes out of the safe. My friend whose ATC I used for comparison (next paragraph) has parted ways with his STS 65 as he no longer needs it.

I was able to compare the ATC with my 554 for a week in Mexico last year while chasing Coues and javelina. For my eyes, it was a toss up on which one was "better". We had some nasty weather and the ATC and 554 were still fully functional while the larger spotters (BTX 95 and STX 95) vibrated too much from the high winds to be of use.

I ended up going with the STC. Glad I did. I prefer a straight eyepiece over angled.
Yeah it’s probably nice and easy to use in conjunction with your binos as well.
 
I've debated picking one of these up for a year now. Well, it looks like I'll be taking a STC to Idaho next week. I'm looking forward to packing it around looking for bears, as opposed my ATX85.
 
I've debated picking one of these up for a year now. Well, it looks like I'll be taking a STC to Idaho next week. I'm looking forward to packing it around looking for bears, as opposed my ATX85.
You’re going to love it. It definitely won’t bring things like your 85, but for what it is and the weight savings, it's worth it in my mind. Don’t regret it at all.
 
I ended up going with the STC. Glad I did. I prefer a straight eyepiece over angled.
I just got my STC in this weekend and was using it on our trip to the Coast! It was excellent for spotting sea birds, seals and whales! I can't wait to take it out scouting this summer!
 
I just got my STC in this weekend and was using it on our trip to the Coast! It was excellent for spotting sea birds, seals and whales! I can't wait to take it out scouting this summer!
The best part is, you hardly know it’s there. The weight is perfect for a good little spotter.
 
I love my atc when I know the roughly where the animals are but pre season scouting and looking a long ways ( I don’t think it’s really meant for that) I wanted a little more magnification but needless to say I love it for what it is
 
Back
Top