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Swarovski spotting scope optics 65 vs 80

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dan385 View Drop Down
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    Posted: January/23/2011 at 16:22
I was trying to decide if there is a big difference between the Swarovski stm 80 vs 65.
I know the 80 allows more light but how much more for the extra cost (500 dif).
 
I also wonder with the price difference for stm 80HD vs stm 80 ($800) is there that
much of a difference. HD vs No HD
 
Last choice; the eyepiece 20 x 60 or the 25-50 wide angle same price
 
my use is for hunting only.
stm 65HD  -  $1850/  stm 65  -  $1240
stm 80HD  -  $2520/  stm 80  -  $1710 
 
thanks dan
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2011 at 20:44
Welcome to the OT dan385!
If your going with a 20-60x eyepiece then you will be much better off with the 80mm objective, as anything past 45x will start to look dark. As for the glass I would recommend the HD, as your image will be much sharper.
Since your using the scope for hunting, I think you would be better off with the 65 mm objective and the 25-50x eyepiece with the wider field of view and lighter weight and compactness of the scope.
I'm not an expert, or even a currentpert, I'm just a prepert, and this is what I've learned from the experts here. Plus a little observation of my own.Hippie
Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2011 at 22:53
The STM 80 is actually pretty light for a full-size scope.  The "HD" scopes give you better CA control, which is essential for digiscoping, but not hunting, IMO.  Better CA control leads to better apparent resolution and better contrast ... so a better overall view.  If you are not sensitive to CA, then a non-HD may work for you.  I am very sensitive to CA, and so personally only consider HD/APO/ED scopes.

The biggest effect of the 80mm class is the exit pupil size/ low light performance.  This can be important when the bulk of your glassing is at dawn and dusk.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/24/2011 at 09:05
Right on Bitterroot.  I wouldn't spend the extra $$ for HD just for hunting.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/24/2011 at 11:09
I'm going to lightly disagree with Matt and JGR here.  I'd get ED glass.  While the CA part is right, and I agree with both of them there.  Unless you are sensitive to color fringing, then there may not be much gain in that particular regard.
 
However, I will disagree in the fact that ED glass has made a definite improvement in brightness and in color contrast in those models of binoculars I have experience with in both ED and non ED versions of the same, or similar glass.  The ED improvement in these areas will increase with increase in magnification too.  It has been said that in lower power optics it may not be necessary, but as I said, I can see a definite difference in 8x and 10x binoculars.  So by the time I get into looking really long with all the magnification I can reasonably use with whatever spotter I have, I will personally take whatever advantage I can get from the ED glass.
 
ED is available for not a lot of money these days.  This is just me here, the Swaro is bound to be a whale of a glass, but I would not spend that kind of money unless I was needing it every day of the year.  There are astonishingly good scopes these days for $1,000-1,500.  Put another way, I'd personally prefer to go with something like a ZEN ED or a Razor HD in the above price range than a non ED Swaro for the price you quote, because of the ED.  But, that's just me.  I do tend to wonder if the ED in the Swaro is worth $800 too.
 
Also beware that whatever you pay for a spotter, wherever you get it, and whoever makes it, there seems a much higher chance of getting a defective scope new out of the box than frankly it seems there should be.  So buy as far in advance of need as you can.
 
Lastly I would use the 25-50 WA.  I have been using spotters a lot lately and frankly the gain in detail with 60x vs 50x is not as great as it might seem.  Even in a high end alpha glass like the Kowa 884.  I also personally find the viewing through a wide angle to be easier on the eyes than the standard.


Edited by Klamath - January/24/2011 at 11:29
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/24/2011 at 11:28
Steve,

I am going to lightly disagree with your disagreement, and say that we are, in fact, in agreement Cool:

As I said, I would also choose the HD/ED version, and there is a performance advantage that comes with HD glass in otherwise similar spotters.  However, the non-HD Swaros do perform at a high level, and they are adequate (although not necessary) for hunting-only purposes.

The OP was asking about Swaro spotters only.  If he was open to other options, I would recommend he look at some of the lower-priced ED spotters like your Zen Ray or my Vortex Razor HD.

I have used several models of the Swaro STS/STM spotters in both HD and non-HD, and they are all impressive instruments.

A side-by-side comparison would be beneficial to the OP to see if the CA reduction is worth the price premium.
-Matt
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dan385 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dan385 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/24/2011 at 19:35
well, i stayed up all night researching the majority of top end spotting scopes and
it would appear that for the money the Vortex razor HD 20-60 x85 might be my
best choice.  $1600 out the door.  For that price maybe i can by my son one too.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/24/2011 at 21:09
Originally posted by dan385 dan385 wrote:

well, i stayed up all night researching the majority of top end spotting scopes and
it would appear that for the money the Vortex razor HD 20-60 x85 might be my
best choice.  $1600 out the door.  For that price maybe i can by my son one too.
                                                           Thunbs Up
Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TGVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/10/2011 at 10:38
Guess I'll chime in here seeing as I'm looking to replace my stolen Meopta.  I have looked and compared for over a year now at all the high dollar spotters. Came real close to the Kowa TSN for 2500. Then I went to our local sports warehouse and saw the Razor 20-60 HD. The sales person was kind enough to take it outside where I could really evaluate it. Looking over a mile away I was able to distinguish remarkable detail of an individual standing out at the end of an observation deck on a mountain. Without a doubt, I was blown away. My needs for long range target spotting/shooting will be fulfilled with the Razor.  There is absolutely NO reason to buy any BIG name BIG dollar scope unless you are trying to impress others who can out spend you anytime they choose.

Final word, do the homework, compare Kowa, Zeiss, Leica, Swarz, Nikon.. ALL of them first. Then the Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85 preferably side by side if you can. Then use the extra $1,000.00 you'll save for any other accessory items you might want.

Now if I can just find it for under 1,600.00 that's been the challenge.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ManthonyR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2011 at 13:54
I am certainly not and expert but have done a little bit of research/shopping.  Other than higher cost and slightly better in low light conditions you are adding a bit more weight and size by going to the 80MM.  If you are packing the spotting scope this can be a big deal.
 
20-50 gives a wider field of view allowing you to acquire the object a bit quicker and not have to move the scope in the tripod as much when object is on  the move.  However you lose 10X of power on the top end, but depending on where you are glassing 50X is normally plenty in most cases.
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