Swarovski STS-80 HD 80mm yes? Or no?

[Ike85123]

Im itching for a new spotting scope. Had my nikon forever.
Looking for any real world experience with it.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I will follow this post very closely. If we can get to the U.S.A. this year I would like to buy the same one.
If anyone has any thoughts on the binocular eye piece I would like your opinion on that option. I have read that they are heavy and require a very stout tripod (and expensive).

 

[Philip Glass]

I have this Swaro spotting scope. It will blow you away compared to your Nikon. Do yourself a favor and GET IT! I don’t know about the bino option. I would like it for my eyes but it would be so much less packable.
Good glass costs money, There is simply no way around it. I hear people beat this subject to death trying to get by with something cheaper. Once you’ve had Swaro (or it’s close competitors in the same price range) at dusk and then really understand how good it is the debate is over.
Regards,
Philip

 

[pimes]

Hi together - thinking the Swarovski spotting scopes are the best scopes on the market (Zeiss is close but after comes long nothing ...)
I use diffent typs of Swarovski Scopes as long as long i'm hunting/guiding/scouting in the Austrian mountains.
I can recommend the STS in combination with the 20x60 Okular for all typs of hunting a scope is usefull. The ATS (the view from above is rere a matter of practice) is sometimes easier to handl for long time spotting/scouting (throug viewing from above your neck doen't comes tired as fast as using the STS) - the STS is deffinately easier to handl in using during the hunt = you are faster with spotting in differnt situations.
But what I can really recommend is the 65er-body = deffinately enough for hunting + 300gr more lighter then the 80er.
The bit more lighttransmission of the 80er-body is only a few minutes you can use it earlier/longer in the first/last light of the day -But if you use it also for digiscoping or only for spotting from car = the 80er body is an advantage.

The ATX/BTX-System - is for sure the best currently on the market - offers you more flexibilty but also cost's you $1000-3000 more + tripod. = So it's a purchase for a lifetime - mainly designed for professional use!!! - If it's necessary only for hunting it's your decission ...
I use it in my are only for game management (countings, spotting/scouting over long distances for long time) and here only the binocular eye piece = it's the best for "long time use" or for using it from a place overlooking a wide area = it doesn't strain your eyes as you look only with one and try to keep the other one closed.
For using the binocular objektive you need a tripod - it's not necessessary using the Swarvski carbon tripod, there are lot's of on the market which are cheaper.

 

[Ike85123]

I have this Swaro spotting scope. It will blow you away compared to your Nikon. Do yourself a favor and GET IT! I don’t know about the bino option. I would like it for my eyes but it would be so much less packable.
Good glass costs money, There is simply no way around it. I hear people beat this subject to death trying to get by with something cheaper. Once you’ve had Swaro (or it’s close competitors in the same price range) at dusk and then really understand how good it is the debate is over.
Regards,
Philip

Thanks for the heads up.
I figured it was pretty spectacular!
I have 2 pairs of their binos and use their scopes.
My nikon is old, probably close to 20yrs old. Would definitely like to upgrade !

 

[Ike85123]

Hi together - thinking the Swarovski spotting scopes are the best scopes on the market (Zeiss is close but after comes long nothing ...)
I use diffent typs of Swarovski Scopes as long as long i'm hunting/guiding/scouting in the Austrian mountains.
I can recommend the STS in combination with the 20x60 Okular for all typs of hunting a scope is usefull. The ATS (the view from above is rere a matter of practice) is sometimes easier to handl for long time spotting/scouting (throug viewing from above your neck doen't comes tired as fast as using the STS) - the STS is deffinately easier to handl in using during the hunt = you are faster with spotting in differnt situations.
But what I can really recommend is the 65er-body = deffinately enough for hunting + 300gr more lighter then the 80er.
The bit more lighttransmission of the 80er-body is only a few minutes you can use it earlier/longer in the first/last light of the day -But if you use it also for digiscoping or only for spotting from car = the 80er body is an advantage.

The ATX/BTX-System - is for sure the best currently on the market - offers you more flexibilty but also cost's you $1000-3000 more + tripod. = So it's a purchase for a lifetime - mainly designed for professional use!!! - If it's necessary only for hunting it's your decission ...
I use it in my are only for game management (countings, spotting/scouting over long distances for long time) and here only the binocular eye piece = it's the best for "long time use" or for using it from a place overlooking a wide area = it doesn't strain your eyes as you look only with one and try to keep the other one closed.
For using the binocular objektive you need a tripod - it's not necessessary using the Swarvski carbon tripod, there are lot's of on the market which are cheaper.

Im hoping the Swarovski is lighter !

 

[pimes]

Look at www.swarovskioptik.com here you can see all prudukts and you can compare them ...
The STS in 65 and the 20-60 okular weights 1340 gramm in 85 it’s 1610 Gramm - a good Option is the carrying system = that brings a bit more weight but you can use the scope very quick ...

 

[Travis2282]

I have the STS in the 65 mm. I would prefer the 20-50 wide angle eye piece if you are glassing. Good glass regardless. If you have more money to spend step up to the stx/atx. Just more versatile.

 

[Ike85123]

Well, had a few beers and thought about it. I pulled the trigger on it. Will give some an update when it arrives. Only bought it for the range. On back order, so hope within april ?
No hunting this year, might aswell get a better optic !

 

[Travis2282]

What eye piece did you order with it?

 

[Ike85123]