Swaro sts 20-60 X 65mm

[280ackimp]

All, I am getting ready to buy a Swarovski spotter. This is a purchase I have put off for more than 25 years and as a result have a collection of other spotters from cheap to mid priced that just didnt cut it in the field. The Swaro product quality and reputation seem to lead the marketplace?

While this is going to be a once in a lifetime purchase (I should have made years ago) should I consider another manufacturer like Leica or Zeiss or some other manufacturer? No one has done a shootout comparison of this class glass in a several years that I can see...... is it still the one to beat ?

I am thinking the 65 MM objective with a 20-60 eyepiece in the straight configuration, because its packable from a space perspective and the configuration is what I am used to having.

I will be using this on hunts in the west and on sight seeing trips, it will be babied 80% of teh time and carried on hunts once a year...not consistent rugged use.

Your thoughts and experiences are appreciated.

 

[JimP]

Here is a comparison that another member did.

http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/18180-Brought-home-4-Spotters-from-Cabela-s-tonight

 

[mntnguide]

I'll put my Kowa up against the Swaro any day of the week! Can't go wrong with any of the big names really. If you look into reviews from the birding world, who are ridiculously picky about clarity and distortion, you will hear a lot about the kowa being one of the best. Worth a look if you want to save a little coin but still get a phenomenal scope.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[AKaviator]

+1 on the Kowa! I love mine.

 

[ando_31]

All the big names are great. You may as well go with the swaro though if you want what you think is the best. I've never heard anyone say that "my swarovski is at least as good as .......". I think it is general consensus that Swarovski would sit on top of the list for the majority of the people (though likely not by much).

 

[JimP]

The long short of it is that if you have been saving and wanting a Swaro spotting scope get the Swaro. If not you will be second guessing yourself as long as you own the other brand that you purchased.

 

[LaHunter]

I have a STS 65mm Swaro with the 20-60 eye piece. This is an outstanding optic. I expect you will be happy with it. Just remember, even the Swaro spotter is at the mercy of the environmental conditions that you using it in.

 

[conibear]

Buy the Swarovskis, don't overthink it........

Plenty of good glass out there, and perhaps comparable glass out there, but absolutely no better glass out there.

 

[fackelberry]

Buy the Swarovskis, don't overthink it........

Plenty of good glass out there, and perhaps comparable glass out there, but absolutely no better glass out there.

What this guy said! I love my 20-60x65mm Swaro's

 

[Micah S]

The Kowa and The Swaro are really close I think the the Swaro has a slightly wider field of view. I've also heard some very good things about the Zeiss but I haven't had the opportunity to use one yet.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

My dream optics are a set of Docter 20-50x80 binos.https://www.eurooptic.com/docter-optic-20-50x80-ed-binoculars.aspx

Or these Kowa's. https://www.binostore.com/en/binoculars/panoramic-binoculars/highlander-82mm-magnification-32x-fl/?reffr=FRGL&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=catalog&ifrom=US&utm_campaign=Froogle-US&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8vq8uPqz2gIVFbbACh3DSgVlEAQYBCABEgLQrPD_BwE

For some reason I just see much better with 2 eyes instead of one.

As was mentioned earlier, birders give great reviews of optics IMO. Hunters can be biased to certain names and sponsors, birders don't seem to care as much about name and are really educated when it comes to optics.

 

[Daubs]

Here is a comparison that another member did.

http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/18180-Brought-home-4-Spotters-from-Cabela-s-tonight

I'm the guy that started the thread above...

And as I've gotten older (50 now) and maybe just a little wiser, I've come to realize how impactful marketing and mass media are.

For the longest time I too wanted to get me some Swaro glass (nocs, spotter, you name it). Heck, all the guys on TV were looking through Swaro glass, and even my buddies who worked at Cabela's corporate HQ in Sidney, NE talked great things about Swaro.

But the price...

So I decided to see for myself. I knew there was little chance I would keep the Swaro, but wanted to do a side-by side comparison with my own eyes.

It's amazing how many people get on the internet and advocate for XX brand, or swear at another brand. Typically people research, then make the decision to buy without doing a side by side. If they like the product, they tell others how great that product is. If they get a lemon, or don't like the product, they bash it and move to something else. Not many do the side by side comparison.

In the end, the $350 Cabela's spotter won and will be sitting in my pack. Will it last as long as a Swaro? Probably not. But @ that price point, hell, I could buy many more and still put money in my pocket.

This is just my opinion. I was able to compare side by side and pick what I felt was the best value for my $$. The Swaro glass was excellent, don't get me wrong.

If you can do a side by side comparison, i highly encourage it. And if you really want the Swaro, then by all means, get the Swaro.

 

[LaHunter]

I'm the guy that started the thread above...

And as I've gotten older (50 now) and maybe just a little wiser, I've come to realize how impactful marketing and mass media are.

For the longest time I too wanted to get me some Swaro glass (nocs, spotter, you name it). Heck, all the guys on TV were looking through Swaro glass, and even my buddies who worked at Cabela's corporate HQ in Sidney, NE talked great things about Swaro.

But the price...

So I decided to see for myself. I knew there was little chance I would keep the Swaro, but wanted to do a side-by side comparison with my own eyes.

It's amazing how many people get on the internet and advocate for XX brand, or swear at another brand. Typically people research, then make the decision to buy without doing a side by side. If they like the product, they tell others how great that product is. If they get a lemon, or don't like the product, they bash it and move to something else. Not many do the side by side comparison.

In the end, the $350 Cabela's spotter won and will be sitting in my pack. Will it last as long as a Swaro? Probably not. But @ that price point, hell, I could buy many more and still put money in my pocket.

This is just my opinion. I was able to compare side by side and pick what I felt was the best value for my $$. The Swaro glass was excellent, don't get me wrong.

If you can do a side by side comparison, i highly encourage it. And if you really want the Swaro, then by all means, get the Swaro.

So when you say the $350 spotter 'won', what do you mean by that statement? Are you saying the $350 spotter was better or did you feel like the #350 spotter was a better 'value'.

I have a very difficult time thinking a $350 spotter compares in any way to any top end spotter under actual field conditions / poor lighting / less than ideal sun angle / etc. Also, everyone discusses the glass/view, but everyone seems to forget the internal components and focus mechanism. Hope the $350 spotter works out well. When it comes to glass, and most things, you usually get what you pay for.