STX 95mm vs STS 80mm Swarovski

So who owns the big 95 mm Swarovski scope? How does it compare optically to the 80mm sts scopes? Is it worth the money?

I've got the 95mm and used to owne the 80mm several years ago. I have not compared the two sizes side by side but I don't think you will see any difference until low light hours of morning and evening. Also while digiscoping you should be able to get more light making your pictures and video better quality. fatrooster

LAST EDITED ON Aug-02-13 AT 00:10AM (MST)[p]Here is a comparison.

LAST EDITED ON Aug-03-13 AT 01:06PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Aug-03-13 AT 01:04?PM (MST)

I have had them side by side and the biggest difference you will find is field of view.

The new ATX and STX lines ocular objective has a wide angle field of view.

Now, if you were to buy the 80mm STS scope, and put the traditional 20-60X eye piece on there, you will have a narrower field of view.

If you were to go to the 25-50 wide angle eye piece on the STS, you would be closer in field of view to the ATS.

But, you would be significantly smaller in your zoom range, maxing out at 50X versus 70X.

One of my best friends has the 80mm STSHD, I run the ATX 95mm.
Side by side you don't visually see a large difference in anything.

Color, clarity, ect. The 95mm is slightly brighter.

Your question, is it worth the money?

Only you know.
Do you want the wide angle view at 70X or can you settle for the wide angle, maxing out at 50X?
Or, is the standard narrow angle good enough for you?

Do you want to be able to break your scope down and make it more compact, for packing purposes?
Or, are you just fine with the scope being full size all the time?

Do you want that extra light from the 95mm objective, or is space more valued?

Its not quality that you are comparing with these scopes.
You wont find a huge difference.

My opinion, don't compare the 95 to anything.

Look at the 85mm STX with its 25-60X wide angle view, and ability to be packed compact.
Compare that to the 80mm STS with a 25-50X wide angle eyepiece.

If you decide that the 85mm STX is the way to go, then decide if you want to bump up to the 95mm.

If you don't want the 85mm STX over the 80mm STS, then you dont need to worry about the 95mm.

To me, the wide anlge and high magnification of the new line up of scopes is awesome.

You can view something at 50X through both scopes, the animal will be the same size, but the space around it will be increased on the wide angle.
This makes animals easier to locate initially, and you have to move the tripod head less to follow moving animals, they stay in the filed of view longer.

Also, it seems silly to me to have an 80mm or higher objective and then only use a small portion of the lens to view with.
The rest is just gathering light.
With the wide angle eye pieces, you actually use more of the lens.

Let's break it down.

STS 80mm with a 20-60X narrow field of view. $2,818.
STS 80mm with a 25-50X wide angle field of view $2,978.

STX 85mm with 25-60X wide angle field of view $3,728.

That is your true comparison.

If you don't care for the wide angle or the ability to break down the scope to make it more pack-able, then save $900 and go with the STS 20-60.

If you want the wide angle, and you want that extra 10X to get to 60X, and you like the ability to break down, ask yourself, is it worth the extra $750.?

Would you pay $750 to get any extra 10X, 5mm more light, and the ability to break it down?

If you would, then look at the 95mm. Its another $350. Is that increase in 10X and 10 more mm light, worth $350?

That is how I would look at it.

Also, really consider your wide angle eye pieces.
The large opening in the wide angle eye pieces let more light through, they are going to be brighter than the narrow field of view eye pieces.

Hope that helps, and gives you a bit to think about.

Really, it depends on your budget. If you have the extra cash, I would go up to the STX 85mm. Its not even a question for me.

But, think back to what I said about my side by side comparisons.

My buddy runs the STS 80mm HD. He has the 20-60X eyepiece. The difference in what you see, and the quality of view, is almost indistinguishable.

You will be happy with anything you choose.

I have had both. If you are looking at 800 yards or less the STX is slightly clearer in good light. At dark it's very easy to see the difference. Over a mile it is very easy to see how much clearer the STX is. So it depends on the time of day you are using it and how far you are looking.

I appreciate all the info you guys gave me. Lots to think about.

Shedygaga, great answer. Lots of good info. fatrooster.