Leopold hd spotter vs swarovski or zeiss

[bugs n bones]

Interested in a new spotting scope, there's quite a difference in price. Would like to know any thoughts and experience between them and if it's worth the money to go with the latter two.

[trophyhunt]

If I had a choice and the money, I'd go Swarovski every time.  Second choice would be zeiss. Swarovski is amazing glass and the customer service is top notch.

[X-Force]

If you have the money, swarovski everytime.

[Bean Counter]

I've looked though Swaros in low light and they are indeed awesome. But so are the other big name euro glass in the same price range. Thing about swaro is that they're never on sale and always have a high value on the used market. I got stellar deals on Nikon EDG and for the money I'm never wanting more and ive spent 8-10 hours a day now and then.

I think the particulars of your question are usually better answered on a bird watching forum cuz those dudes often own one of each of the big name glass. Someone who owns several different brands is usually a better source of info than a fanboy of one brand 

[UBA]

Don't cheat yourselve and go cheaper. If needed wait a bit and save some more cash. Go with the Swaro, u will never be wishing u had better glass.

[theleo]

Depends on how you hunt. If most of your hunting is fairly close to the vehicle swaros would be great, but if your spotter spends host of the time in your day pack where space is limited the leupold spotter is a better choice.

[Bob33]

I own both. I have a Leupold 12-40x60 HD, and a 20-60x80 Swarovski. While the glass in the Swarovski is slightly better, I usually end up taking the Leupold. It is smaller, lighter, has better eye relief, and the 12x is nice because of the wider field of view. If weight is no consideration I would choose the Swarovski, but that Leupold is a very nice piece of glass.

[dobby]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,176848.msg2341947/topicseen.html#new

 

[dreamunelk]

Only look through the Leopold.  You will be happy with it.

[Bigshooter]

Only look through the Leopold.  You will be happy with it.

Very true.  If you don't know what you're missing then you won't miss it.  The leupold is very nice for the price and it is what I have for a spotter.  But I would much rather have Swarovski or Leica.  I'm not a big fan of zeiss unless it says Carl zeiss on it. 

[Bigshooter]

I own both. I have a Leupold 12-40x60 HD, and a 20-60x80 Swarovski. While the glass in the Swarovski is slightly better, I usually end up taking the Leupold. It is smaller, lighter, has better eye relief, and the 12x is nice because of the wider field of view. If weight is no consideration I would choose the Swarovski, but that Leupold is a very nice piece of glass.

Bob buy the 25 power wide angle eye piece  for your swarovski if you like a wider field of view.  I was blown away the first time I looked through one.

[Magnum_Willys]

I own both. I have a Leupold 12-40x60 HD, and a 20-60x80 Swarovski. While the glass in the Swarovski is slightly better, I usually end up taking the Leupold. It is smaller, lighter, has better eye relief, and the 12x is nice because of the wider field of view. If weight is no consideration I would choose the Swarovski, but that Leupold is a very nice piece of glass.

Ive used both head to head - with us older eyesights it can be tough to tell the difference.  Have wide angle swaro HD but is it worth the extra weight and $$ ? Idk none of them are perfect so when you cant quite get that distant view in focus you think "I wish I had better glass".  With the swaro i still wish it was better but Im not regretting my purchase each time.

[xXLojackXx]

I went with the Swaro ATS HD. It outperformed. The Leupold and Vortex scopes I looked through by leaps and bounds. A lot of scopes look similar in ideal conditions. Where the Swaro shines is low light, thermal distortion, and image clarity at higher magnification.

[bugs n bones]

So your saying the ats 65  is hands down noticeably way better than the new golden ring 60 power hd?

[MtnMuley]

I own all the scopes you mentioned, except my Leupy isn't the HD. I've used several Leupy HD's though.  I find myself using the Leupy 90% of the time because of its ability to scan on 12 power and it's compact lightweight size to pack.  The Swaro and Carl Zeiss usually never leave the rig and are very nice when using high power when you need it. For several years, upgrading my Leupy to the HD has been on my list.