Sure, there is a difference in optical quality between the two, all be it very slight at most. Physical quality, not much. But here's the deal. I hunt with an 80mm Vortex Skyline non-HD, that I paid 300 bucks for about 8 years ago. I can guaran-damn-tee you there aint a $3000 difference, no way, no how!
Not once, not even close, have I ever been on the mountain and thought to myself "crap!, I would have killed that buck if I would've just had a Swarovski!". Or "Crap, I can't tell how big that buck is, dang I wish I had a swaro right now". Not one single time have I ever, ever felt limited by my optics, not once.
I'll add this. I took a nasty spill on my 4 wheeler two years ago. I mean I was hurting. I had my scope in my back pack and fortunately or unfortunately, it took the brunt of the crash. The eye piece broke off. I'm telling you, a Swaro wouldn't have fared any better after that crash.
I sent the two pieces of the scope in hoping it could be repaired...it couldn't. A week and a half later a brand new free replacement was on my door step! I guaran-damn-tee you again, that you wouldn't get that kind of customer service from Swarovski.
Just some food for thought. I'll catch heat for this post, I know, cause there's a lot of Swaro guys out there, but if I'd just spent $3500 on a scope I'd have to justify it to myself too.