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 won’t 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 the 85mm 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.

 

[Steve O]

They are a highly specialized piece of gear. If you have a place they fit they are incredible. If they had a zoom there would be no peer. I’m working on piecing together a couple of compact spotters to make such an animal next.

I’d think you would need at least the 85mm objective to get the best use. I use the 95mm, the 65mm I had was not impressive at all compared to the 95.

 

[mikkel318]

I've also used my buddy's 95mm on a couple hunts. It is really heavy and requires a big tripod. I absolutely loved it when we got set up somewhere. If you are moving spots often, even with a truck or side x side, it becomes a hassle to get out each time.

I was glassing hillsides for late season elk and I've never felt like I was walking through the terrain until I used that.

 

[Beendare]

They are a highly specialized piece of gear.

Well said....

 

[Steve O]

I’ll also add if you like to digiscope I find the BTX very frustrating. I have a hard enough time with that I’ve given up and just use the ATX objective when I digiscope.

 

[Cowboy20x]

I’ll also add if you like to digiscope I find the BTX very frustrating. I have a hard enough time with that I’ve given up and just use the ATX objective when I digiscope.

I agree with that, wasn’t a huge fan of digiscoping with the the BTX

 

[S1n1ster]

I have the 115mm and 85mm. 115 is heavy, but incredible optically at 35x and super bright. I haven’t tried the 1.7x for it yet but want to. The 85mm at 30x is solid too, and much shorter / lighter / not as wide. Way easier to pack.

BTX eyepiece weight: 50oz or 3.125lbs

ATX zoom eyepiece weight: 29oz or 1.8lbs (saves 1.3lbs of weight, not worth it in my opinion)

115mm objective 35x weight 74oz or 4.6lbs

65mm objective weight 27oz or 1.7lbs

85mm objective weight 39oz or 2.5lbs



Total BTX

With 65 - 77oz or 4.8lbs (is a 30x fixed zoom)

With 85 - 89oz or 5.5lbs

With 115 - 124oz or 7.75lbs, mine is 8.5lbs with case and tripod adapter rail


Btw - I got a MagView made for ELs that fit the BTX eyecup well, just installed the metal on the back of my otter box case on my iPhone and it’s been pretty solid for digiscoping in my experience. Maybe I got lucky on the setup, haha.

 

[Hnthrdr]

FIL has a BTX with 95mm object, it’s awesome, but it’s big bulky and heavy. He is hunting/ glassing in AZ, looking for stuff miles away often.

 

[waspocrew]

My dad has the BTX and 95 objective. Very nice glass, but it doesn't get packed around much. Wide open glassing and while shooting steel. I much prefer carrying my ATX with 85mm.

 

[missjordan]

I have a BTX with the 115mm objective and the extender as well. We sold our other spotter after a full year becuse we never used it anymore. We really love it a lot. Had it 3 years now i think.

The fixed power doesn’t bother me at all. It has great clarity 700-1500 yards out and you can still see beyond that quite well. I don’t find that we use the extender as much. It really affects the quality of the image and really is only useful for the beyond 2,000 yard glassing. I’d really like to buy a smaller objective at some point just not sure how small.

We digiscope off it no problem too. Never had an issue with it


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