Swarovski STS 80 vs competition

[iahunter08]

I am kicking around the idea of selling my 20-60x80 sts non hd and grabbing something else a little smaller and lighter. So my question is what's a mint sts worth and optically what will beat it from meopta, or vortex, or am i better off just hanging on to the sts. Thanks for any input

 

[LaHunter]

Have you looked at the Swaro sts HD 65 mm spotter? It will be smaller & lighter vs your 80 mm spotter and it is an excellent spotter.

 

[wyosteve]

I have the same scope. If I were selling mine without the Swaro. stay on case, I'd probably be in the $1300 to $1500 range. Can't see a whole lot of difference having looked through mine and the HD version.

 

[iahunter08]

Does anyone think there are options from either meopta or vortex that is better than what i have

 

[goat1958]

Nothing out there is better than what you have now quality wise...

 

[iahunter08]

I know its bombproof but being non hd didnt know if any of the newer offerings were superior in glass quality to this 12 yr old model.

 

[wymtnpounder]

Does anyone think there are options from either meopta or vortex that is better than what i have

Yeah. Meopta Meostar S2 edges the sts out, now the stx that's another story

 

[iahunter08]

Also kicking around selling and just getting a nice pair of 15s really like glassing with binoculars. Would you say the S2 is a noticeable upgrade or minimal? I really hate looking through a spotter for any duration.

 

[HookUp]

I have owned the Leupold gold ring, Swaro atx 65mm and now a Athlon Kratos 65mm and I am blown away by the Athlon. I paid $330 used/new and its one of the best optic values I have ever seen. It is fully functional and provides plenty of clarity. Its no swaro but I am a bino first guy and find my self rarely using a spotter and if I do use the spotter I get enough information from the sight picture to stalk or pass. I also feel better about the possibility of it getting lost or stolen Im not out as much money. My next scope wiil be the small kowa until then I am rocking the krotos.

 

[wymtnpounder]

Also kicking around selling and just getting a nice pair of 15s really like glassing with binoculars. Would you say the S2 is a noticeable upgrade or minimal? I really hate looking through a spotter for any duration.

Minimal and I its a touch bigger

 

[iahunter08]

What binos u running

 

[wymtnpounder]

10x42 el range

 

[Shrek]

The Meopta S2 is better but heavier. The S2 I had was a really nice scope and if it had been an angled scope I wouldn’t have sold it. I had an ATS 80 HD and I have the ATX 95 currently.