Leopold hd spotter vs swarovski or zeiss

[Elknut1]

I see a lot of threads on subjects as these so I just had to check the Swaro out myself. I've been using all Vortex Spotters from the 50 to 65 to 85 & have not been disappointed to date, they seem to do very well in all conditions. I see guys swear by this one & that one & that Swaro blows things away, geez I just had to see! (grin) Maybe I was missing something!

  I took the plunge and ordered a Swaro ATS 80 HD 25X50 wide angle lens 2015 model, I figured if I was going to do it I might as well choose a nice one & one that was supposed to be close to the Razor HD 85. It came in last Thursday so I was able to use it for several hours worth of comparison in early morning, midday & right at night fall & an hour before. I wanted to see how these two paired up for myself. I put them on the same Tripods & went to viewing.

  Funny thing was, just before we started to check both of these out (there were several of us) we were talking with a good friend that had the Swaro 65 HD, he was telling us that he put it side by side with the Razor HD 65  & could tell little differences if any at all, I said hmm, oh well we'll see.

  After several hours of comparison with the Swaro 80 HD & the Razor HD 85 I can honestly say that guys who say the Swaro blows the Vortex away is nuts! (grin) It shows me they haven't looked through the 80 & 85 side by side. They may be comparing the Viper HD or the Razor 65 next to an 80 HD Swaro or something, that would be an unfair comparison. I feel guys are defending themselves & convincing themselves that their money was well spent. Heck I don't blame them but let's be honest here. -- I will say I like the outside look & feel of the Swaro but guys we buy for the glass not the cosmetics of our Spotters, we want results, plus the Razor is no slouch in looks either! The differences between these two is so small that it's hardly worth mentioning, no kidding.

  For me I will stay with the Razor HD & save the extra 1700.00 that the Swaro was over the Razor. I now know for a fact that I'm using one heck of a nice Spotter! (grin) The Swaro was returned! Nothing wrong with Swaro it's just way over priced.

  ElkNut1

 

[b23]

I see a lot of threads on subjects as these so I just had to check the Swaro out myself. I've been using all Vortex Spotters from the 50 to 65 to 85 & have not been disappointed to date, they seem to do very well in all conditions. I see guys swear by this one & that one & that Swaro blows things away, geez I just had to see! (grin) Maybe I was missing something!

  I took the plunge and ordered a Swaro ATS 80 HD 25X50 wide angle lens 2015 model, I figured if I was going to do it I might as well choose a nice one & one that was supposed to be close to the Razor HD 85. It came in last Thursday so I was able to use it for several hours worth of comparison in early morning, midday & right at night fall & an hour before. I wanted to see how these two paired up for myself. I put them on the same Tripods & went to viewing.

  Funny thing was, just before we started to check both of these out (there were several of us) we were talking with a good friend that had the Swaro 65 HD, he was telling us that he put it side by side with the Razor HD 65  & could tell little differences if any at all, I said hmm, oh well we'll see.

  After several hours of comparison with the Swaro 80 HD & the Razor HD 85 I can honestly say that guys who say the Swaro blows the Vortex away is nuts! (grin) It shows me they haven't looked through the 80 & 85 side by side. They may be comparing the Viper HD or the Razor 65 next to an 80 HD Swaro or something, that would be an unfair comparison. I feel guys are defending themselves & convincing themselves that their money was well spent. Heck I don't blame them but let's be honest here. -- I will say I like the outside look & feel of the Swaro but guys we buy for the glass not the cosmetics of our Spotters, we want results, plus the Razor is no slouch in looks either! The differences between these two is so small that it's hardly worth mentioning, no kidding.

  For me I will stay with the Razor HD & save the extra 1700.00 that the Swaro was over the Razor. I now know for a fact that I'm using one heck of a nice Spotter! (grin) The Swaro was returned! Nothing wrong with Swaro it's just way over priced.

  ElkNut1

 

Went through this with my dad few years ago.  Started with non HD Swaro and went all the way to the HD w/25x50 wide angle lens.  It was good but I was never really blown away by it and the cost, as everyone knows, is steep.  He got that one stolen so we started all over again and after spending some time behind them, we both felt the Kowa was the best choice and that's what he replaced his HD Swaro with.

[Bob33]

Marine and Army snipers think that Leupolds are good enough.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/09/marines-and-army-use-compact-leupold-mk4-spotting-scope/

[thinkingman]

Marine and Army snipers think that Leupolds are good enough.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/09/marines-and-army-use-compact-leupold-mk4-spotting-scope/

They have a choice?

[huntnphool]

Marine and Army snipers think that Leupolds are good enough.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/09/marines-and-army-use-compact-leupold-mk4-spotting-scope/

They have a choice?

 +1

[Bob33]

Marine and Army snipers think that Leupolds are good enough.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/09/marines-and-army-use-compact-leupold-mk4-spotting-scope/

They have a choice?

 +1

They use some German rifle scopes so it appears they can get what they want.

[JDHasty]

 

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.

I Have a 12-40X60 Leupold that is 25 years old and I have a Vortex Razor 85 that is a couple years old.  I will haul that Leupold in a pack, the Vortex - not so much.  The Leupold HD is a better scope than mine.  It is really something you should consider if you are going to be packing it at all. 

What has been said about the Swarro is true, a buddy has one and when we are set up for chuck shooting it is right beside other really nice scopes in the field.  It is the gold standard.  If you are not packing it that Razor 85 is something to consider as well though. 

My family owns Leupold, Leica, Nikon EDG and Vortex optical instruments.  I was talking to Vortex about buying another straight spotting scope after one of ours was stolen because when I set up so the kids can see through it it was killing my back.  They recommended an angled scope, especially because we like to look at the stars and planets in the summer and the rep offered me loan of his angled Razor 85 for a week. 

I bought one.  Plus they offer two variations of the 30WA eyepiece w/reticle MOA or MRad.  Having a reticle is a BIG deal if you are hunting with some folks, especially those who are new to the game.  Until they learn what to look for it makes all the difference in the world to have a reticle to put on the animal.  The graduations on the reticle are great for chuck shooting too.