THE Best Spotting Scope...Not Best Value??

Swarovksi STS 65MM, have the 80 mm myself and wish I bought the 65mm I really like the straight as I could not get used to the angled, lots of guys swear by the angled though.

They came out with a new wide angled eyepiece also which is supposed to make the best spotter on the market even better.

I would not bother with the HD model unless you plan on taking pictures.

Swarovski also came out with a new lighter weight model this year called the ATM in angled or straight combined witht here new wide angled eyepiece it is supposed to be the best out there.

Do not look past Lecica as they make a great spotter and also the New Vortex Razor spotting scope is quite impressive for the money.

http://cameralandny1.reachlocal.net/

NOW if youre talking 3000 I would just buy the big Doctors binos which is two spotters put together to create a vey high powered glassing setup you will not be sorry if you did purchase them

I were in your shoes I would buy the Big Doctor's 20-50x80 binos. Then you can leave your spotting scope home. Best big glass out there.


You can get them here

http://www.eurooptic.com/Docter-Optic/Docter-Optic-Binoculars.asp?category=XXDB&vendor=XXDO&parent=XXDO

I like anything from Vortex, way nice people too!

"182BC...4Now!" wrote: I'm not looking for the best 'value', strictly the best scope. Say $3000 fell out of the sky and hit you on the head....what do you buy?...and let's keep the focus on spotting scopes here. :)

swaro or leica!!!! no questions asked

i have heard really good things about the new KOWA scopes, but have yet to look through one, something else to consider :))

9er

Swaro for me,By far the clearest I have ever used :thumb

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm partial to Swarovski too, as I own a pair of 10x42 EL's and think they are awesome! I didn't want to be too biased in my research because of this, so I figured the more feedback I can get, the better off I'll be. I've looked through some Leica binos before, and although they were very nice, I still thought the swaros were a little better, but never had the chance to compare spotters.

I have the Swarovski ST65 with angled eyepiece...sometimes I wish I had gotten the straight eyepiece though.

Everyone is going to say Swaro, or Leica, but do your own research when you buy them. That is the best advice I can say. If money is not a object which is what it sounds like than I would Get the HD glass in whatever i get, it does make a difference in super low light and when using it as a camera lense. I pick either Zeiss or the new vortex razor. The Zeiss 85 TFL. It has a little bigger objective so you can pull more light in. Also, the glass comes from the same place as Swaro, and Leica. So there is not a difference in the glass itself. Plus the finish pretty sweet. The Vortex on the other hand is sweet cuz of the finish, and i looked through one the other day and was very very impressed. It also has an 85mm objective too... But do your own studying and just go look through them all... It is a big investment and can help you sooo much in the field.

Swarovski or Lieca or Kowa with my pick being Swaro. Swarovski seems to honor thier warranty better than Lieca and has more attachments, eye pieces and digiscoping friendly adapters. Lieca quality is just as good and maybe even better but Swaro has more going for them with the other stuff that I mentioned. Kowa is great quality but I don't know enough about them to comment accurately. I currently owne the Swarovski 20x60x80 ATS spotter in non HD but plan on selling it and getting the 65mm HD ATM because I backpack hunt and take pictures through the scope. The smaller size will cut down on weight. In my opinion angled is the only way to go. Goodluck. fatrooster.

Thanks for the feedback fatrooster. I think I've decided on the swaro, now it's just determining which model....too many dang choices! I guess that's a good thing though....can't wait to see some pics from your digiscoping set up!

I've used Leupold VX-7L 4.5-18X56 Long Range Rifle Scope which I got from http://www.riflescopepro.com for $1925.00. Though a bit expensive, its giving me great results. And I don't regret spending so much on it.

If money is not an issue then defiatly the doctor binos hands down, and out of the truck they will be great but when you start backpack'n you may have wished for somthing a little lighter? Maybe a pair of doctors and then cause of the value a votex 65mm spotter for just the backpack trips :-k good luck :thumb

I'd like to add that the swarovski focus adjustment is sweet! It is one big round adjustment that encompasses the whole body of the spotter allowing you to put a forefinger on the top and your thumb on the bottom to focus. The other models have two small focus knobs (one for coarse adjustment and one for fine adjustment) which in my opinion are not as user friendly. Just personal preference but a biggy for comfort and ease of use.
Also, the angled is very nice for looking uphill and down hill allowing you to use a smaller tripod when sitting on the ground. Just another personal preference. fatrooster.

I will agree with all whom said the Swarovski 65mm. And if you have a $3000 budget, then why not go with the HD glass. I would bet that when you see a huge muley out there on a crystal clear morning, you will be grabbing for the camera. I feel the exact best spotting scope for hunting is the Swarovski 20-60 X 65mm HD straight body.

I know the camera adapter for the Swarovski is expensive, but I think you would still be within the budget or at least close to it. I just ordered the Zhumell Universal Digiscoping Adapter for $30, so we'll see how well it works here in a few days.

Check all the stuff out here: http://www.bestforhunting.com/?page_id=230

Hi there,
I understand very well your anticipation of Sept. I live here in Colorado and guide, hunt, and fish extensively. I went with what much research and experience pointed out to be the best. I have a pair of 12x50 HD Ultravids for binos and 2 Swaro scopes, the STS 80mm HD with 20-60x eyepiece and the STM 65mm HD with the 25-50X wide zoom. I went with the straight because it helps to locate your target better, is fusiform, and slightly lighter. All of these are fantastic tools that will last a lifetime. However, I am looking to buy a bigger raft this summer as I sold my Puma and I decided I don't need 2 spotting scopes.
The STM 65mm HD is practically new and has very, very little use.
The STS 80mm HD is 2 years old and in excellent shape.
ALL lenses on both are perfect and the scopes overall are in excellent shape.
I am torn between which I want to keep.
I will sell the STM 65 mm HD with 25-50X wide zoom eyepiece for $2,400 plus shipping.
I will sell the STS 80 mm HD with 20-60X eyepiece for $2,500 plus shipping.
Further, I will include a Targus Tripod and Nikon window mount with either of these. These are both new items I got in another purchase and don't need as I have another of each.
I also will be shipping the scopes in their original boxes with all the papers and warranty card,etc.
My email is justingreshko@yahoo.com
Best regards.

Invest in a good tripod.. Those scopes are fairly heavy and will loosen the heads on the cheaper tripods in a hurry.