leupold vs swarovski vs zeiss

[bugs n bones]

Is it really worth the extra money for a swarovski or zeiss in the spotting scope department over the leupold?

[Bigshooter]

Which leupold model?

[bugs n bones]

The golden ring 60 power

[Bob33]

Generally speaking the image will be better.  Whether or not it is worth it depends on your requirements and your eyes. For a rifle scope I would say no. For binoculars, yes.

[Bigshooter]

The golden ring 60 power

If you have never used Swoarovski then I think the Gold ring would be fine.  If I was you I would check out Vortex.  I like all of the higher end Vortex glass over any of the Leupold glass I have looked through.  And price is compareable.

I've never looked through any thing made by Zeiss that I liked.

[hunter12]

Bought Swarovskis last year. They are by far the best glass. I had leupolds which were good but even close to Swarovski.  The sticker shock is only bad part. They are also little heavy.

[Bob33]

I have a Leupold Gold Ring HD 12-40x60mm spotting scope, and a Swarovski 20-60x80mm scope. Is the Swarovski better? Slightly, yes. However, I use the Leupold more because it's smaller, lighter, has a wider field of view at its lowest power, and more eye relief. I think the biggest difference and the best justification for alpha glass products is in binoculars.

[bugs n bones]

Just trying to make up my mind on which spotting scope to buy

[Bigtine96]

You get what you pay for, if your looking in swarovski route the 65 mm with a 25-50 wide angle lense is the way to go. I compared it side by side with the 80 mm and you couldnt tell the difference. Checkout bearbasinoutfitters.com they have the best combo packages and price I have found.

[norsepeak]

Not worth the money.  I've used just about everything out there and keep coming back to my gold ring HD Leupy spotter.  Smaller, lighter and very good glass.

[bugs n bones]

Not worth the money.  I've used just about everything out there and keep coming back to my gold ring HD Leupy spotter.  Smaller, lighter and very good glass.

thanks norse

[Bean Counter]

I am from humble beginnings and now blessed with a good job. I am  still frugal and I don't think I'll ever shake it. I still shop at the Goodwill. Buy used cars. Still clip coupons, etc. I would look for a good deal but at the end of the day, not settle for cheap optics. I don't regret even the worst deal I've got on glass. Blow a lot of money on this one and don't ever look back.

I would only buy a spotter with HD glass. I love the wrap around focus ring as opposed to the small thumb knob. I think if I could do it over again id get something in the 50-65mm range rather than the 82mm that I have right now. Just a little too heavy for 2 mile pack ins that I have done with it. Top contenders on my list would be Swaro HD 65, Nikon 50mm, and Vortex Razor if they make a small one. 

Enjoy the search!

[go4steelhd]

Yes they are worth the money! If you want to see every detail. If your not using it at daylight or dark or looking under 800 yards you will not see the difference as much. Set them up 15 minutes after day light looking to see if its a spike bull or a three point buck there is no comparison.

[Crunchy]

Last year I purchased the Swaro 65mm spotter.  I wouldnt pay for HD glass in the Swaro spotter, I just dont know how it could get more clear than their standard glass.  I got the 20-60 eyepiece, but I rarely zoom much further than 50.  Leupold glass is ok, if you just looking for ok glass, and they do have an excellent warranty.  Vortex glass is similar to Leupold unless you get into their Razor line which is good glass, but not as good as Swaro at nearly the same price.  Go to a store where you can put there different spotters on a tripod and do the comparison yourself so you know where your money goes.

[jjhunter]

I owned the Leupold gold ring and STS 65 at the same time.  Swarovski is head and shoulders above the Leupold.  Especially when the thermals come up and you are looking into shade.  I also owned the STS 65 and STS 80 HD at the same time.  You can see the difference in some conditions.  I wouldn't say that there was a much of a difference, though.

To tell the truth, I have never been impressed by any spotter.   Put a pair of 15x56 SLC on a quality tripod and you have impressive!