Swarovski spotter 65mm or 80mm

PhantomLord · Aug 19, 2005

I know this is suppose to be in the optics part, but not getting enough info back

Is the 80 worth the extra cash? I will only be using it to hunt, no taking pictures(yet, anyways)

and also ATS or STS?(angled or straight)

Bura Nut · Aug 19, 2005

I personally like the 65mm straight. I think the straight is better for me because if you use bino's on a tripod with the adapter plates, you pull your bino's off and put the spotter back on and very little tripod leg adjustment is needed to get right back on the animal you need a closer look at. Seems quicker and less chance of losing the animal because the bino's are almost in the same position as the straight scope when switching. Hope this makes sense and helps..... Thanks, Allen Taylor......

BUCKSPY · Aug 19, 2005

I had an 80 and sold it to buy a 65. There is a size and weight difference for the backcountry hunter. I like the straight for putting on my window mount to glass out of a truck in the winter. The angled just seems awkward for most purposes IMO.

I have the HD but don't know if its worth the price if you aren't videoing or taking photos through it.

mickeyelk · Aug 20, 2005

I have the STS80 and love it, but, if you are going to use it for backpacking then I would get the 65mm model. As far as it goes towards getting a straight or angled, I would ask myself how I would be using it. As stated above, its nice to have the straight if putting on a window mount and viewing from the car. I previously had an angled version and also loved it. When I would be hunting and looking in the area where the sun was rising the angled worked out so much better. You look down into the scope and the sun will not effect your view by you having to squint, and, if wearing a ball cap, it will help block the sun while looking thru it. I believe if you take digital camera images thru it I think the straight would be better. But for my purposes I wish I had bought the ATS65 instead of the STS80. My 2 cents. Kerry

Sheepshooter · Aug 20, 2005

I have the straight 80 . It's a monster for sure but worth every ounce , I think . I was going to trade it in for a 65 but comparing the two the light gathering capabilities of the 80 won me over . All my hunts are back pack hunts so I pay a price in weight , big scope = heavy tripod = lots of weight . I hope to be looking at some BIG bucks this year in Wy. , Ca and Nv. GOOD LUCK this season .

PhantomLord · Aug 21, 2005

Hey what about LONG,LONG range spotting, would the 80mm be alot clearer especially when i am zoomed in 40-60 power? and would an 80mm get rid of some of the heat waves?

and I noticed that when a big rain cloud came over the light dimished drastically, would an 80 be better in that situation also?