Swarovski OptikBTX 35x95 Spotting Scope with Eyepiece

[LIK2HNT]

Anyone out there have one of these and willing to talk about pros and cons? Looking for high power binoculars or something like these. Staring through a spotter for long periods of time is really messing with my eyes the older I get. At 35x still need a spotting scope to really zoom in unless they made a spotting scope attachment.
Thanks
Q&A

Swarovski OptikBTX 35x95 Spotting Scope with Eyepiece​

 

[El Gringo]

I have one with the 115. I really like it, but it’s not a do-all tool. It’s pretty specialized for what it’s good for. I still use a Spotter a lot

 

[Oregonbased]

Have the btx with the 95. I ditched the 1.7x magnifier as it made the setup bulky and heat waves made it difficult at times. I use the zoom on my phone when I want to see closer.
If you need the eye relief this is the ticket.

 

[Homer]

You will thoroughly enjoy it......I can see better at 35x with both eyes open than at 50x with one eye....

 

[LIK2HNT]

You will thoroughly enjoy it......I can see better at 35x with both eyes open than at 50x with one eye....

My thoughts exactly

 

[Muleman]

They are a game changer IMO. If you glass a lot a long distance, they are awesome. You can glass all day with little eye strain. they take a little bit to get used to. They still have same problem as any spotter with heat waves and they don't replace 12-15X bino's. They are more a specialty tool for long distant glassing. You have to weigh how much you use a spotter compared to glassing with bino's. If you can only do 1 or the other, you will likely get more use out of 15X bino's

 

[Homer]

It’s worth getting the 1.7 multiplier…..but you won’t use it much…..it is nice to put on when you have something spotted and want a little better look…..

 

[LIK2HNT]

They are a game changer IMO. If you glass a lot a long distance, they are awesome. You can glass all day with little eye strain. they take a little bit to get used to. They still have same problem as any spotter with heat waves and they don't replace 12-15X bino's. They are more a specialty tool for long distant glassing. You have to weigh how much you use a spotter compared to glassing with bino's. If you can only do 1 or the other, you will likely get more use out of 15X bino's

For years I have been using my 10x50 Leicas on a tripod and love them. Then use the spotter to get a better look at spotted game, look out further, and pick apart what I looked at with the 10x50’s more detailed.
Since my original post I saw a video about this system. The combinations you can make are great. Use the 115 for short hikes then switch to a smaller body for longer hikes. Even pack the 40-70x spotter eye piece. Build up all the desired pieces over time.

 

[LIK2HNT]

Thanks again for the input. Those of you that have one of these in 115, what tripod and head do you use (or would use)?

 

[elkassassin]

Do You Have A Window Mount As Well?

It’s worth getting the 1.7 multiplier…..but you won’t use it much…..it is nice to put on when you have something spotted and want a little better look…..

 

[fatrooster]

Cons-#1. Heavy. I use it when scouting from my truck. I specifically got it to glass across private land at public land. If i find a biggun i will hike in at public access.
Cons-#2. I find myself using it a lot. Spotting scopes just don't seem to be practical any more even though they are. The BTX will spoil you.
Cons-#3. Things look bigger at 35x with the BTX than thet do with a regular spotter at 60x. I don't understand why and i still do not believe it but its true.
Keeps you questioning your sanity, lol.
Pros#1. Its awesome sitting in a full sized lawn chair for long periods of time glassing. Its just fun.
Pros#2. Eye fatigue is almost nonexistant.

I have two tripods. I use the Outdoorsmans fluid head on the Outdoorsmans large tripod.
My other tripod is a monfretto. Do not remember the model number of my manfretto tripod fluid head. Fatrooster

 

[Muley_73]

Once you use it and get use to the change you will never want to go back to a scope. Within my group it stared with one and then two and now all 5 of us roll with the BTX.

I'd give up my Gunwerks and hunt with my lever gun before I gave up my BTX at this point.

 

[fatrooster]

LIK2HNT, did you get the BTX? Fatrooster

 

[LIK2HNT]

LIK2HNT, did you get the BTX? Fatrooster

Yes I did. Purchased the 115mm. Going to use it awhile to see if I might want the 1.7 magnifier. Still need to order a hard case. Found what I want, just have not ordered it yet. Only used it a few minutes due to all the rain we have been having. Been really busy on the sunny days. Can’t wait to get a few hours behind it.
Thanks for all the replies.

 

[willfrye027]

Yes I did. Purchased the 115mm. Going to use it awhile to see if I might want the 1.7 magnifier. Still need to order a hard case. Found what I want, just have not ordered it yet. Only used it a few minutes due to all the rain we have been having. Been really busy on the sunny days. Can’t wait to get a few hours behind it.
Thanks for all the replies.

The 1.7 is pretty useful IMO. When there is mirage it is not good but I use it often to help judge an animal. I have no problem judging animals just as far as I would with a variable eyepiece spotter. Being able to sit there with both eyes open helps more than increased magnification, IMO. I am using with the 85mm objective.

 

[yotebuster17]

I’ve got the 95 with a BTX. I used the hell out of it for coues in MX and NV elk this year. Sheep as well. There’s a lot of things I don’t use if for though too. If glassing is under a mile for deer and 2 miles for elk it’s too much magnification. If I had to choose between it and a pair of 15’s and could only have one it would be then 15’s hands down. Between it and a variable spotting scope, I would choose the BTX hands down. I find it more useful to judge game at 35x then a spotter at 50 or 60x. Something about both eyes is better for me personally.

 

[LIK2HNT]

The 1.7 is pretty useful IMO. When there is mirage it is not good but I use it often to help judge an animal. I have no problem judging animals just as far as I would with a variable eyepiece spotter. Being able to sit there with both eyes open helps more than increased magnification, IMO. I am using with the 85mm objective.

Figured I might as well get the 115mm since I will not be packing this thing more than a few hundred yards. That’s what my 62mm Leica spotter is for.

 

[willfrye027]

Figured I might as well get the 115mm since I will not be packing this thing more than a few hundred yards. That’s what my 62mm Leica spotter is for.

In good lighting conditions it’s pretty awesome. I watched some bucks at 4.5 miles away with perfect evening sun at my back and I could tell what their frames were (roughly) ie shooter or not. I want to say it’s 50x on the 85mm.

 

[fatrooster]

I don't use the 1.7 magnifier very often but I like it. For judging racks its great. For extending range its great. But mirage will make it useless sometimes. Fatrooster.