Swarovski ATX vs ATS spotter

[BrushyHillGuide]

I was JUST about to pull the trigger on a new Swarovski ATX with the 85mm objective when the 'miser' in me started wondering whether I should just settle for a 80mm ATS? The price difference for me is about $600. I've never owned either and I'm stepping up from an old Razor. I only briefly looked through the ATX and ATS at a Cabelas and the ATX looked clearer and brighter to me. I really like the ability to break the scope down to pack it. I don't do much backpack hunting and mostly glass from a truck or following a fairly short hike. So weight isn't critical to me but I do plan on some more backpack hunts in the future; and, when I'm guiding, I have a lot of stuff in my daypack so being able to break a scope down would make things easier to pack.

Also, the modularity of the ATX system appeals to me because I could add a different lens or a different style of eyepiece down the road - mix and match for various applications.

Which one would you get? ......and why?




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[Stid2677]

I own an ATM 65mm, and an ATX 95mm, the little girl has not left the safe in 3 years. The ATX is simply awesome, and
the available 1.7 extender, it is also twice as good. Good big or stay at home.. or until the wife finds out.

 

[Northernpiker]

Someone had the ATX eyepiece in the classifieds for $1700-1800 very recently. I would not be afraid of buying used. And yes, the 1.7 extender is very nice...so is the BTX. The ATX/STX is a very versatile system.

 

[1signguy]

I went ATX for all of the reasons stated above-

Took the ATX with the 65 objective to Colorado for a back pack Elk hunt two weeks ago. Next week I head to Idaho with the same objective, 1.7 extender and the BTX for an elk/mule deer hunt where we have the side x sides so weight is less of a concern. For NM antelope in September I took the ATX/BTX and the 95 objective...

The modularity of the ATX system gives you lots of options!

 

[Whisky]

ATX

I've owned STS 80, STM 65 and now the ATX 85. It's the better scope.

On a hunt we set up the ATX 85, new Razor HD 85mm angled, and older STS 80 and all 3 guys agreed the ATX was the clear winner (as it should be). For $600 difference, I'd go with the ATX for sure!

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

Someone had the ATX eyepiece in the classifieds for $1700-1800 very recently. I would not be afraid of buying used. And yes, the 1.7 extender is very nice...so is the BTX. The ATX/STX is a very versatile system.

I went ATX for all of the reasons stated above-

Took the ATX with the 65 objective to Colorado for a back pack Elk hunt two weeks ago. Next week I head to Idaho with the same objective, 1.7 extender and the BTX for an elk/mule deer hunt where we have the side x sides so weight is less of a concern. For NM antelope in September I took the ATX/BTX and the 95 objective...

The modularity of the ATX system gives you lots of options!

How does the extender work with the cover that Swaro sells for the different modules? I mean, does it fit under the eyepiece or the lens cover, does it have its own cover or does it just not get cover?


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[1signguy]

I have a Swaro cover for all my stuff minus the extender- not sure if they sell a cover for the extender. Maybe someone can chime in on that. As I recall the extender was relatively inexpensive in comparison to the rest of the glass...

 

[mfllood3800]

I have the ATS and the eye piece comes off, and other eye pieces are available for it as well?
Not as good a glass as the ATX, but way better than my old Vortex, so I opted for a good deal on a used 80 ATS with wide 50 lens, and can buy the 60 if I want it for around $500.

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

Going to call and order a 85mm ATX tomorrow.....and pray my wife doesn't find out. Lol!

I have a Swaro cover for all my stuff minus the extender- not sure if they sell a cover for the extender. Maybe someone can chime in on that. As I recall the extender was relatively inexpensive in comparison to the rest of the glass...

Yeah, it's like $340. Still, that's $340. I wouldn't mind having it covered. Inevitably, like everything I own (seems like), it'll get tossed on the back seat of my truck and one of my blood tracking dogs will load up and walk all over it. Lol! I learned a long time ago that covers are a good thing for just about anything I own.


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[Stid2677]

Going to call and order a 85mm ATX tomorrow.....and pray my wife doesn't find out. Lol!



Yeah, it's like $340. Still, that's $340. I wouldn't mind having it covered. Inevitably, like everything I own (seems like), it'll get tossed on the back seat of my truck and one of my blood tracking dogs will load up and walk all over it. Lol! I learned a long time ago that covers are a good thing for just about anything I own.


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I own a swaro cover and a Kite cover and much prefer the Kite. The extender really would be hard to use with a cover as it it mostly a dial you turn to adjust zoom.

 

[dotman]

This cover might interest you, on sale for $50, Kite Skua Swarovski ATX Objective 85 Spotting Scope Case – Eagle Optics

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

I own a swaro cover and a Kite cover and much prefer the Kite. The extender really would be hard to use with a cover as it it mostly a dial you turn to adjust zoom.

What is it about the Kite cover that you like better than the Swaro cover? The Swaro covers are even more outrageously priced than the optics, lol. So, I wouldn't mind saving the money. I ran across this cover from Kings Camo that looks like it'd work as well as anything and it's inexpensive: Swarovski Spotting Scope Skins Cover in King's Camo

I've never had one of these fitted type of covers - I just had a bag that zipped around my old scope. So, I'm open to any criticism of the Kings Camo cover. Just trying to understand what makes one of these covers better than the other.


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[dotman]

What is it about the Kite cover that you like better than the Swaro cover? The Swaro covers are even more outrageously priced than the optics, lol. So, I wouldn't mind saving the money. I ran across this cover from Kings Camo that looks like it'd work as well as anything and it's inexpensive: Swarovski Spotting Scope Skins Cover in King's Camo

I've never had one of these fitted type of covers - I just had a bag that zipped around my old scope. So, I'm open to any criticism of the Kings Camo cover. Just trying to understand what makes one of these covers better than the other.


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I had a swaro cover on my ATS 80 and it was ok but I didn't like it that well, sold it and just ran the spotter naked this year. In the Eagle Optics sale I picked up a Kite. Wow, the quality and design is perfect, they designed it the way I wish swaro would have. I also prefer the neoprene that Kite uses and it weighs nothing. I posted a sale price on the Kite ATX 85 above with Eagle Optics, they are having a going out of business sale, same price as the one you posted for $50.

The picture for the kings camo one is for the ATS, compare its design to the Kite ATM/ATS and which looks like a better quality product , Kite Skua Swarovski ATM 80 Spotting Scope Case – Eagle Optics

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

I had a swaro cover on my ATS 80 and it was ok but I didn't like it that well, sold it and just ran the spotter naked this year. In the Eagle Optics sale I picked up a Kite. Wow, the quality and design is perfect, they designed it the way I wish swaro would have. I also prefer the neoprene that Kite uses and it weighs nothing. I posted a sale price on the Kite ATX 85 above with Eagle Optics, they are having a going out of business sale, same price as the one you posted for $50.

The picture for the kings camo one is for the ATS, compare its design to the Kite ATM/ATS and which looks like a better quality product , Kite Skua Swarovski ATM 80 Spotting Scope Case – Eagle Optics

The Kite cover you posted the link to is for the objective lens cover only, correct? I'm assuming the eyepiece cover is sold separately for about the same price?


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[dotman]

The Kite cover you posted the link to is for the objective lens cover only, correct? I'm assuming the eyepiece cover is sold separately for about the same price?


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To me it would be worth it.

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

To me it would be worth it.

I can't seem to find anyone selling the eyepiece cover. Several places in England listed it but they're out of stock. The place you linked to doesn't have it (that I can find) and I doubt they're interested in ordering one if they're going out of business. Any idea where else I can look?


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[Northernpiker]

Try Sports Optics.

 

[dotman]

I can't seem to find anyone selling the eyepiece cover. Several places in England listed it but they're out of stock. The place you linked to doesn't have it (that I can find) and I doubt they're interested in ordering one if they're going out of business. Any idea where else I can look?


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I would call Eagle Optics and see what they can do or order it from across the pond. The conversion price is $65 for the eyepiece only plus shipping which probably will not be too expensive http://www.onestopnature.co.uk/epag...GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es143788/Products/SZ012

Might be worth emailing Kite Directly to see how you could get just the eyepiece cover. Even if you can't a can cozy would probably work.

 

[Broomd]

Have owned both the ATX and ATS in 65 and 80/85mm and there is little difference optically..

My .02, Buy the ATS in 65 or 80mm pre-owned and with the 25-50 and don't look back. The newer ATX is a ton of cabbage, especially with the covers. If you have endless funds, a compliant wife, and will use it constantly with the differeny objectives, but the ATX.

 

[dotman]

I haven't looked through an ATX but it is a heavy spotter compared to the ATS.