Which 80mm Buy Once, Cry Once Spotter?

[WyoRob]

I think I'm just going to go all in on an 80mm spotter. If you were going to buy one that you planned to keep for at least the next 10 years without upgrading, what would it be?

 

[Idahohillboy]

Swaro

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[paleraider]

I recently went looking at all the spotters I could. Neither the the Zeiss or Vortex could hold up to the Swaro. Yet if money were truly no object I would get a Hensoldt 60x. I have two friends who have them and they are amazing to look through.

 

[ianpadron]

Kowa 883, not even Swaro ATX will touch it.

Incoming Swaro fanboys.

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[handwerk]

swaro HD

 

[5MilesBack]

I had a Swaro and sold it, now I have the Meopta S2. I prefer the S2.

 

[Browninglover1]

If money was no issue l'd snag an X series from Swaro. The best I could reasonably afford was the Meopta S2 and I have never been left wanting more. It's one of the only optics I've ever owned that just leaves me happy every time I use it.

 

[Shrek]

Swarovski ATX or Meopta S2 with the wide angle eyepiece. The Meopta is a steal of a deal. I've had an S2 , Swarovski ATS HD , and now an ATX. If I was starting out now knowing what I do now I'd have the S2 with the 30-60w. I'd put the cash I saved into something else I needed.

 

[1signguy]

I have an ATX eye piece for sale if you want to save a little money. I bought it 3 months ago and replaced it with the BTX. Shoot me a PM if you are interested...

 

[Shrek]

I have an ATX eye piece for sale if you want to save a little money. I bought it 3 months ago and replaced it with the BTX. Shoot me a PM if you are interested...

And I have either an 85 or 95 objective I'd sell. I have both and both have pluses and minuses. I can't decide which I like better so I'd sell either and let that be the decision.

 

[WyoRob]

I have an ATX eye piece for sale if you want to save a little money. I bought it 3 months ago and replaced it with the BTX. Shoot me a PM if you are interested...

What's the difference between the ATX and BTX?

What's the difference between the ATX and ATS?

 

[WRO]

What's the difference between the ATX and BTX?

What's the difference between the ATX and ATS?

The x series uses the same glass as the EL's, they do colors and contrast better than the S series. The X series is all modular, so the objective bells are separate and interchangeable from the eye pieces. The BTX is the dual eyepiece set up, where as the STX (Straight) and the ATX (angled) are variable power eye pieces.

The S series is lighter..

Ian, I've used both the STX 95mm and the 883, They're pretty close and its a push to say one is better than the other.

 

[ianpadron]

The x series uses the same glass as the EL's, they do colors and contrast better than the S series. The X series is all modular, so the objective bells are separate and interchangeable from the eye pieces. The BTX is the dual eyepiece set up, where as the STX (Straight) and the ATX (angled) are variable power eye pieces.

The S series is lighter..

Ian, I've used both the STX 95mm and the 883, They're pretty close and its a push to say one is better than the other.

Except for the fact that the 883 is significantly less expensive and has arguably the best eyepiece options of any scope.

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[WRO]

Except for the fact that the 883 is significantly less expensive and has arguably the best eyepiece options of any scope.

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I didn't like the eyepiece on my buddies 883, I much prefer the ergo's and the eye relief of the Swaro.

But once you factor in the fact that for like 600 -700 more on the 95mm cost you can have a 65mm scope too and you can get the BTX, its not cut and dry anymore.

BTW if you know anyone who wants a set of highlanders, my buddies are up for sale.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Like binoculars, spotters are so subjective. Ten guys looking thought the same three spotters will tell you something different. So if you can, get them in the mountains and look through them.

Here are my top three
ATX 85
Leica Televid 82
Kowa 883

I agree with WRO.
Take all the emotions out of your purchase. Nothing is beating up on the ATX.

If you can I would also look at the
Meopta S2 and Maven Spotter.

The Meopta might just get best in show, if you take the price into consideration.


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[lee peet]

i really suggest you look through them because everyones eyes are different.

Last year i owned an 883 kowa and had a swaro atx 85, leica 82 and zeiss 85 sent to me to compare. I thought I was going to end up buying the leica because of the extender option. I ended up selling my kowa and buying the zeiss the 20-75x power was the clincher.

They are all so good though you really couldnt go wrong with any of them.

 

[WyoRob]

Which Zeiss, Lee?

 

[Ryan Avery]

This is another reason to look. Zeiss has a blue tint to me which I can't stand.

If high magnification is your goal than the ATX is it. With the ME1.7 installed you get 100x on 65 and 85. On the 95 you get 120. It's just money right

SWAROVSKI OPTIK – ME 1.7x magnification extender




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[1signguy]

This is another reason to look. Zeiss has a blue tint to me which I can't stand.

If high magnification is your goal than the ATX is it. With the ME1.7 installed you get 100x on 65 and 85. On the 95 you get 120. It's just money right

SWAROVSKI OPTIK – ME 1.7x magnification extender




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Agree 100%. I think about what I spent on glass (very decent Vortex stuff) before trying a friends Swaro spotter. I started buying Swaro stuff the following day! The extender- game changer!

Spotting game with Swaro stuff has really become enjoyable. Last night my son and I spent two hours up on the hill behind us spotting deer- and enjoyed every minute of it!

I am not gonna say I see more deer with Swaro versus Vortex. But I know I can spend way more time behind Swaro and just enjoy it so much more. The glass is so much more comfortable to look through... This is not say that Zeiss or others aren't just as good- But I can tell you Swaro has my business for life.

 

[lee peet]

Which Zeiss, Lee?

Its the zeiss diascope 85 with the 20-75x eyepiece