Swarovski spotting scope Which one to buy??

[Muley Crazy]

Looking at up grading to a swaro spotting scope but not sure which one to get any recommendations would be of great help. which one do own use and why??:confused:

[Big Fin]

I have the 80mm straight tube. Not HD. I look at HD, and could not justify the price, unless I was digiscoping, or some other specialized application.

I love it. Everyone who uses it loves it. Almot have to hide it from people, as it has a habit of mysteriously ending up in the other guys pack.

If you do a lot of glassing, it will be worth it.

[Big Shooter]

Looking at up grading to a swaro spotting scope but not sure which one to get any recommendations would be of great help. which one do own use and why??:confused:

Stay away from the angled eye peice IMO. They get a little tricky to find things in. I have used them some and don't much care for the angled, the glass is unbeatable. I am looking at up-grading from my Nikon HD to a Swarovski as well.hump

[Oak]

Don't overlook Zeiss if you have not completely decided what you want. Zeiss only makes "HD" versions of their Diascopes, and they are comparably priced to the Swaro's standard glass. I compared the two side by side and preferred the Zeiss. I know at least one other person who has used both and feels the same way. And I went with the big objective (85mm) and straight tube as well.

[Muley Crazy]

THANKS Big shooter that was one of my concerns straight or angled good info for sure !!

Oak I hunted with a Zeiss all last year, it was great for sure but I got a deal on Swaro's
%50 any 2 items so for the money I have to go with Swaro's. Why did you go with the 85 mm and not a 65 mm Thanks again for all of the great info !!

[IdahoBugler]

I had the same debate a few years ago. I bought the 65 instead of the 80. The price and weight were big reasons. The main reason was because I don't use my spotter to glass much, I should but don't. I mostly use it when something a few miles away seems out of place or just for judging the animal. When using a spotter it seems like the heat waves get bad so early in the morning anymore that no matter what obj I'm using wouldn't help.

I'd get the straight lens. I can't find a dang thing with the angled scope after I have found it with my bino's. I don't by the part where it is easier on your back/neck whatever when using the angled. Most of the time you need your scope and tripod really low so you can look down into your scope. Hard to do sometimes when in flat country unless your standing or kneeling. Just let me look straight ahead like every other optic we use and I'm happy.

[Oak]

Why did you go with the 85 mm and not a 65 mm

Greenhorn told me to go big or go home.

Actually, I was using an 82mm Kowa before I bought the Zeiss. I use the scope a LOT for work, and prefer the increased magnification of the larger scope (65mm is 15-45x, 85mm is 20-60x). I also like the wider field of view with the bigger scope. I'm willing to lug the thing around while hunting now. When I get to be noharleyyets's age, I'll probably want to drop down to something a little lighter.

[Greenhorn]

I suggest laying the 80 and 65 side by side. Not much difference in weight (specially when you have cannons like IDBugle), an extra 2" in length, everything else is the same. I packed a loaner 65 for 2 years and loved it until I tested an 80 next to one in low light. I skipped the HD option also. I've been happy with my decision. Lely just bought the straight 80 last week.

[noharleyyet]

When I get to be noharleyyets's age, I'll probably want to drop down to something a little lighter.


...prolly wanna shed that baby fat too.:D

[Muley Crazy]

My cannons look nothing like MR ID Bugler my belly yes ! HAHHAHA (by the way ID Bugler I enjoyed your mule deer info at the sport show!)My plan is once I get down to 185lbs I going to pull the trigger on the spotting scope so weight is not a major issue. Again great info guys thanks !! now my only worry is will the 80mm fit in my Eberlestock blue widow pack ??

[noharleyyet]

I'll keep settling for Fin's hand me downs. Hurry up and get tired of the 80 Randy...you can send it with the rifle.:)

[IdahoBugler]

My cannons look nothing like MR ID Bugler my belly yes ! HAHHAHA (by the way ID Bugler I enjoyed your mule deer info at the sport show!)My plan is once I get down to 185lbs I going to pull the trigger on the spotting scope so weight is not a major issue. Again great info guys thanks !! now my only worry is will the 80mm fit in my Eberlestock blue widow pack ??Man I wish you would have introduced yourself. I was pretty nervous up there being a virgin speaker and all. After it got rolling I was ok and got into it a little more.

[IdahoBugler]

I suggest laying the 80 and 65 side by side. Not much difference in weight (specially when you have cannons like IDBugle), an extra 2" in length, everything else is the same. I packed a loaner 65 for 2 years and loved it until I tested an 80 next to one in low light. I skipped the HD option also. I've been happy with my decision. Lely just bought the straight 80 last week.Ha ha. I guess that's why I have the 65 and complain about the weight. I do agree that the 80's would be better at low light but by that time I'm hoping I'm using my rifle scope instead of my spotter.

[Big Fin]

I'll keep settling for Fin's hand me downs. Hurry up and get tired of the 80 Randy...you can send it with the rifle.:)

Standby Harley. Wife has threatened another "fire sale" of my stuff, if I don't get a few things taken care of around the house. Since I don't do handywork, might be some good deals to be had. :eek:

I have that rifle ready to ship, just need to break it in a little longer. Would hate to send it to you without making sure it was operating properly. I am sure you understand. ;)

[Spitz]

I've been looking at the straight 80 for a while now. Hopin about Christmas time will be able to get one. Has anyone looked through the new 25-50 wide angle lens Swarovski just put out for them? Thoughts?

[ashersdad]

I have the straight 80 and love it. I tried the angled and just couldn't get used to it.

[elk_hunter]

Hey Oak, do you still stand by the straight tube 85x Zeiss? Any additional pros (or even cons)? Can you confirm the link below is for the one you might recommend? If there's a specific model (especially if there's a bang for the buck), please let me know. Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZEISS-Diascope-85-T-FL-Spotting-Scope-20-60-Eyepieces_W0QQitemZ190335916254QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ LH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c50e798de&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Bambistew]

As an FYI, Cameraland has demo models of the 65mm Diascopes with variable eye pieces for $1200... They're the non Lotutech version (which does nothing to enhance the quality of image only for ease of cleaning from what Doug said). The eye piece retails for $500 alone. I picked one up about a month ago and so far love it. I think new this package is about $1600

Once I find a 85mm at a decent price it will go into my collection.

[elk_hunter]

Cool, bambi. Looking for the 85mm myself......

[JLG]

I have the 80HD angled. I don't really have a problem, finding things in it. Mine and I am sure they all do have that little sight that runs down the side. I just bought the 25-50 eyepiece. I have had it out a few times scouting for my Az Desert Bighorn sheep hunt this Dec.
I not sure I have noticed a big diference between the 20-60 and the 25-50. I used it a couple weeks ago and it did seem to make spending a bunch of time behind it easier, Take Care, JLG.

[Grizzley]

FYI...

New HD Cabela's Swarovski 65mm 20x60x65 Spotting scope that has never been taking out of a box. Water tight up to 13ft. Fits tripods with 1/4 and 3/8 threads. Paid $2600 for it selling it for $2000.

http://www.bismanonline.com/getListing.php?tcat=10&cat=82&p=1&a=454446

[M. R. Byrd]

I am looking at a Bushnell 20-60 x 80mm straight thru design, Model 780080 for $759.99

[Elk-hunter]

I'm lucky to have looked through top end spotting scopes.

The kowa 883 and the Swarovski 80 hd are the best I'v seen.

I bought the Swarovski ats 80 hd but did not like the 20-60 eyepiece
so I bought the 30X wide angle, Man what a big inprovement!!

The Swarovski 25-50 wide angle in my next buy:D

The Swarovski 65mm is 2" shorter but in my tests at dusk it just
darker then the 80mm by 15% or so.

Plus the Swarovski base fits in a bogen rc128 head no adaptor needed.

The ats is easyer to look through but it harder to find thangs.
The sts needs a taller tripod then the ats.

check ebay and the .samplelist.com for a good deal on one.

just me 2cents..

[Moosie]

Am I the only one with an angled one ?!??! Eye piece that is ?

Maybe becasue I look at everything in live at a Squewed angle, but I like them over the straight ones. I also couldn't jsutify the HD.

[Wyodeerhunter]

Am I the only one with an angled one ?!??! Eye piece that is ?

Maybe becasue I look at everything in live at a Squewed angle, but I like them over the straight ones. I also couldn't jsutify the HD.

I have the swarvo 80mm Angled too. I love it. I also skipped out on the HD version.

[RockyDog]

anybody willing to tell me what they think of this deal? im considering it, might be willing to go with the angled because i like to use a short tripod. i was trying to compare prices but apparently cabelas doesnt sell the ATS anymore.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID49/965.html

[Randy11]

anybody willing to tell me what they think of this deal? im considering it, might be willing to go with the angled because i like to use a short tripod. i was trying to compare prices but apparently cabelas doesnt sell the ATS anymore.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID49/965.html


http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/swarovski.pl?page=swarovski80

You'd save some money with the tripod thrown in, but not a lot.

[WapitiBob]

I have the same tripod and head.
The head is big and heavy. Much heavier than say a Vortex ball head.

I won't be back packing with mine so I went with that head to hold my 80mm scope but if weight is a consideration, take that into account.

[Khunter]

For guys looking at buying swaro gear, consider buying from the rocky mountain bighorn society. They sell at the lowest factory-allowed price and thus readily match the best prices various dealers may advertise.

Most important, the 'required mark-up' that Swaro requires of authorized dealers is considered (and is) a tax deductible donation to the bighorn society and goes directly to putting more sheep on the mountain. Does Cabela's really need a few more bucks in profit?

I bought my 65 mm STS from them.

http://www.bighornsheep.org/swarovski.htm

[Oak]

Khunter speaks the truth. Thanks for the plug...