You have NO MORE than $1500 to spend. You want a lightweight spotter in the 65mm class for backpack hunting high country muleys and elk. Potentially sheep and some winter range watching as well. What do you buy? I know there are alot of vortex fans on here but im hoping to hear some other options. I cant help but wonder if vortex followers are a bit brainwashed by a great advertising program. No offense intended. They are good scopes but is there anything better for the same price?? Thanks in advance.
Spotter Suggestions
- Thread starter Hunthigh
- Start date
muley505
Active Member
- Messages
- 194
+1 on the used Swarovski. I got mine new (non-HD, 65mm) on eBay for about $1500 last year, and I am very pleased with it. I have been a huge Vortex fan in the past, but I've seen the Swarovski light, and there's no going back. I carry a pair of Vortex HD 15x Vipers in my pack and they were my primary glassing tool until I got my Swarovski, and they just sit in my pack now (when I bother to take them) because the Swarovski is so much clearer. I even prefer the Swarovski to the Vipers for the closer (inside 1.5 miles)glassing I do because the image is just sharper.
Don't get me wrong, I have really liked all of the Vortex optics I've used, and I'm not trying to bash them, but once you go Swaro, I don't think you'll go back to Vortex because Swarovskis really are all they're talked up to be. They are expensive for a reason. If you can only afford the Vortex, you probably won't be disappointed, but once you can afford the Swarovskis, get them, and you won't regret it.
Don't get me wrong, I have really liked all of the Vortex optics I've used, and I'm not trying to bash them, but once you go Swaro, I don't think you'll go back to Vortex because Swarovskis really are all they're talked up to be. They are expensive for a reason. If you can only afford the Vortex, you probably won't be disappointed, but once you can afford the Swarovskis, get them, and you won't regret it.
muley505
Active Member
- Messages
- 194
Yes, a non-HD Swarovski is better than the Vortex IMO, especially between 45-60x. Additionally, the 65mm Razors don't go up to 60x, which eliminates them as an option for me, and if you go with the 85mm version to get the full 60x zoom, you're getting almost 20 ounces more in weight.
The scope I have is a non-HD scope. You'll probably be hard pressed to find an HD version in the price range you're looking for (I tried for several months and never did), but a non-HD can be found in that range. I've read good things about the Kowa and Zeiss scopes, but I don't have any experience with them, so I'm afraid I'm of little use there.
Hope that helps.
The scope I have is a non-HD scope. You'll probably be hard pressed to find an HD version in the price range you're looking for (I tried for several months and never did), but a non-HD can be found in that range. I've read good things about the Kowa and Zeiss scopes, but I don't have any experience with them, so I'm afraid I'm of little use there.
Hope that helps.
>right now there is a demo
>swarovski 65mm on gunsinternational.com for
>$1499
>I'd buy that and consider myself
>very happy.
Thanks for this. but unfortunately im just starting the serious research into this. Dont yet have the funds.
That kowa 660 is one i would love to compare side by side with a non hd swarovski.
I like the sound of the magnesium body swaros. Thanks for the advice!
what are some good places to watch for used spotters?
>swarovski 65mm on gunsinternational.com for
>$1499
>I'd buy that and consider myself
>very happy.
Thanks for this. but unfortunately im just starting the serious research into this. Dont yet have the funds.
That kowa 660 is one i would love to compare side by side with a non hd swarovski.
I like the sound of the magnesium body swaros. Thanks for the advice!
what are some good places to watch for used spotters?
wyohighcountry
Member
- Messages
- 74
How about Kowa?
grizzly
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 5,596
The Kowa scopes are excellent as long as they are the Prominar series. I would avoid the lesser versions and stick with Swaro. Another hunting website had a great comparison review of the ATX and the big Kowa and gave Kowa the slight edge in glass but gave the overall victory to Swaro due to tougher body and better ergonomics.
Personally, after looking at both of them very hard I ended up buying an ATM 80 HD (lighter than anything else of comparable size) and never looked back.
Grizzly
Personally, after looking at both of them very hard I ended up buying an ATM 80 HD (lighter than anything else of comparable size) and never looked back.
Grizzly
littlebighorn
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 5,316
I'm not sure where you live, but I know two KOWA dealers.
We have two KOWA scopes and love them.
PM me if you wish
We have two KOWA scopes and love them.
PM me if you wish
For what you are looking for, the Kowa 663/664 series spotter would be a much better choice than a non HD Swarovski. I think the Kowa would be a better choice than an HD Swarovski but that's just me. The Nikon EDIII is also an excellent choice and will easily out resolve a non HD Swarovski, but the eyepiece is not as comfortable for viewing. Where are you located?
BPKHunter
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,744
I have and use a 65mm HD Swaro, for past 8 seasons. They are very packagle and are as clear as you can possibly need, though frankly it's a rare day you can get the full benefit because of weather conditions.
There are so many well cared for used 65mm Swaro's that are fully supported by warranty and despite possible concerns about warranty tranferrability I have never been asked when sending in my various swaro's for clean us(never required a repair).
Other consideration is if you wish to resale later. I think no other brand is better to resale. Unless hardcore, many aren't aware of the quality of the Kowa's.
So my opinion is to be patient and keep looking or the right deal on the Swaro.
PS Seems the Vortex 85mm seems to be a real sweet spot for them and a very good unit, but the other versions don't seem to get the same reviews from owners when compared.
There are so many well cared for used 65mm Swaro's that are fully supported by warranty and despite possible concerns about warranty tranferrability I have never been asked when sending in my various swaro's for clean us(never required a repair).
Other consideration is if you wish to resale later. I think no other brand is better to resale. Unless hardcore, many aren't aware of the quality of the Kowa's.
So my opinion is to be patient and keep looking or the right deal on the Swaro.
PS Seems the Vortex 85mm seems to be a real sweet spot for them and a very good unit, but the other versions don't seem to get the same reviews from owners when compared.
Thanks for all the advice. A new Kowa 663 with 20-60 eyepiece, or a used Swaro ATM HD is on the hit list for me. Now i just have to be patient while saving the money!
Anyone know the difference in weights between the 65MM HD version of the ATM and the ATS. . . ??
How often are ATMs available used? seems like I only see ATS scopes for sale. . .
IF the ATM was lighter, Why did they stop making them? Durability issues?
Anyone know the difference in weights between the 65MM HD version of the ATM and the ATS. . . ??
How often are ATMs available used? seems like I only see ATS scopes for sale. . .
IF the ATM was lighter, Why did they stop making them? Durability issues?
grizzly
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 5,596
>Thanks for all the advice. A
>new Kowa 663 with 20-60
>eyepiece, or a used Swaro
>ATM HD is on the
>hit list for me. Now
>i just have to be
>patient while saving the money!
>
>
>Anyone know the difference in weights
>between the 65MM HD version
>of the ATM and the
>ATS. . . ??
>
>How often are ATMs available used?
>seems like I only see
>ATS scopes for sale. .
>.
>
>IF the ATM was lighter, Why
>did they stop making them?
>Durability issues?
The ATM used to be the upgraded version of the ATS. They used to make both but charged more for an ATM because it has a magnesium body and is lighter than the aluminum in the "S" series.
The glass in the two is identical, just different body metal. When they came out with the ATX they dropped the ATM so they had the ATX as the upgraded version and kept the "S" as their base model.
The ATS 65HD is 49.6oz. The ATM 80HD is 55.6oz and the ATS 80HD is 59.1oz. I don't have the weight for the ATM 65HD, but you can get an idea of the weight difference by going with a magnesium body as opposed to aluminum. (All those weights include the 25-50W lens). I know of no durability complaints with either model.
Good luck with your scope search.
Grizzly
>new Kowa 663 with 20-60
>eyepiece, or a used Swaro
>ATM HD is on the
>hit list for me. Now
>i just have to be
>patient while saving the money!
>
>
>Anyone know the difference in weights
>between the 65MM HD version
>of the ATM and the
>ATS. . . ??
>
>How often are ATMs available used?
>seems like I only see
>ATS scopes for sale. .
>.
>
>IF the ATM was lighter, Why
>did they stop making them?
>Durability issues?
The ATM used to be the upgraded version of the ATS. They used to make both but charged more for an ATM because it has a magnesium body and is lighter than the aluminum in the "S" series.
The glass in the two is identical, just different body metal. When they came out with the ATX they dropped the ATM so they had the ATX as the upgraded version and kept the "S" as their base model.
The ATS 65HD is 49.6oz. The ATM 80HD is 55.6oz and the ATS 80HD is 59.1oz. I don't have the weight for the ATM 65HD, but you can get an idea of the weight difference by going with a magnesium body as opposed to aluminum. (All those weights include the 25-50W lens). I know of no durability complaints with either model.
Good luck with your scope search.
Grizzly
>For what you are looking for,
>the Kowa 663/664 series spotter
>would be a much better
>choice than a non HD
>Swarovski. I think the Kowa
>would be a better choice
>than an HD Swarovski but
>that's just me. The Nikon
>EDIII is also an excellent
>choice and will easily out
>resolve a non HD Swarovski,
>but the eyepiece is not
>as comfortable for viewing. Where
>are you located?
Central Idaho
>the Kowa 663/664 series spotter
>would be a much better
>choice than a non HD
>Swarovski. I think the Kowa
>would be a better choice
>than an HD Swarovski but
>that's just me. The Nikon
>EDIII is also an excellent
>choice and will easily out
>resolve a non HD Swarovski,
>but the eyepiece is not
>as comfortable for viewing. Where
>are you located?
Central Idaho
Hunthigh -
I have an ATS 65 non Hd that is in great shape that I am getting ready to post for sale. I have the hard case for it and also a custom bucks bags soft case. I also live in Boise, so close. I want $1550.
I upgraded to the atx and to be honest in normal light conditions I have a hard time telling them apart. I stopped comparing them since the money was already spent!!
I have an ATS 65 non Hd that is in great shape that I am getting ready to post for sale. I have the hard case for it and also a custom bucks bags soft case. I also live in Boise, so close. I want $1550.
I upgraded to the atx and to be honest in normal light conditions I have a hard time telling them apart. I stopped comparing them since the money was already spent!!
>Hunthigh -
>I have an ATS 65 non
>Hd that is in great
>shape that I am getting
>ready to post for sale.
>I have the hard case
>for it and also a
>custom bucks bags soft case.
>I also live in Boise,
>so close. I want
>$1550.
>
>I upgraded to the atx
>and to be honest
>in normal light conditions I
>have a hard time telling
>them apart. I stopped comparing
>them since the money was
>already spent!!
A sincere thanks for the offer.
However, It will be a good 4 months or more before I have enough money saved up to make my spotting scope purchase. Thank you for your offer and good luck selling that scope.
>I have an ATS 65 non
>Hd that is in great
>shape that I am getting
>ready to post for sale.
>I have the hard case
>for it and also a
>custom bucks bags soft case.
>I also live in Boise,
>so close. I want
>$1550.
>
>I upgraded to the atx
>and to be honest
>in normal light conditions I
>have a hard time telling
>them apart. I stopped comparing
>them since the money was
>already spent!!
A sincere thanks for the offer.
However, It will be a good 4 months or more before I have enough money saved up to make my spotting scope purchase. Thank you for your offer and good luck selling that scope.
Buckhunter1
Active Member
- Messages
- 569
Regul, do u still have the spotter for sale? BH1
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