Swarovski BTX. Who has used one?

[Ahugemuledeer]

Hey guys,

I’m looking at pulling the trigger on some Optics that dreams are made of in the new year.

I was interested in the Kowa prominars just based on the reviews I’ve seen claiming they are the nicest of the nice. But I have stumbled across the Swaro BTX and I am inlove.

Using 2 eyes would be game changing for glassing huge areas. I really think I enjoy glassing more then any other part of the hunt when it comes to spotting for Mules and elk.

Looking for some feedback on how practical people find the BTX and if the fixed Magnification is an annoyance.

Probly would get it with an 85 mil objective

 

[svivian]

I would try before you buy. Rent one for a hunt sometime. Just my .02

 

[kota]

I love mine to the point that I pack it on every single hunt, including backpack hunts. And it’s like a boat anchor in my backpack… I can see deer from a long ways away, and don’t get the eye fatigue I did with traditional spotters. With the relatively low fixed power it can be hard to size up a buck at distance, but that is my only complaint. I do use the 1.7 extender for that purpose. It helps, but is also a pain. At that distance you start to run into mirage issues as well.

FWIW, I love 15s and used to use them. I couldn’t free hand those, so I needed 10s in a harness. They didn’t have enough oomph to get a read on a buck or pick apart cover a long ways away either, so I carried a spotter too. I was able to consolidate the 15s and spotter into just 1 optic with the BTX, and have been very happy with it. I find more deer too.

All that said, the suggestion to rent one first a is great one. They are big/awkward, heavy and really expensive. You probably will need to beef up your tripod and head too. Is that something you really need?

 

[Cowboy20x]

I’ve spent a decent amount of time behind a company owned BTX on a 85 mm objective over the last 2 years.
Pros: binocular vision is easier to sit behind a long time. Good but not amazing clarity.
Cons: fixed power (I don’t have the 1.7 zoom piece), sometimes makes it hard to get on something once I’ve picked it up on binos. For some hunts I could see them being nice, but I probably be purchasing one for myself.
Heavy and don’t pack up nicely in a backpack.

 

[Beendare]

I've used my Guide buddies BTX/95....and another buddy uses them on our annual late season deer hunt in the desert. Incredible if you need to scan big country out to 6-8 miles. The range on these is beyond belief. My buddy had 5 big bulls at 6 miles away [verified on GPS app] that I couldn't make out with my 15x binos. He had the 85mm and traded for the 95- significant difference in low light.

That said, they are great at or right out of the truck. I can't see using them on a backpack hunt of any kind- bulky and heavy. I would own them EXCEPT Most country is not conducive for using them- limited functionality. They are best in high desert and PJ country.