Swarovski vs Vortex Spotting Scope

[Wolfdog2314]

Looking at buying my first spotting scope. I know the phrase "buy once cry once"...

I'm looking at the Swarovski ATS/STS for 2,268 vs the Vortex Razor HD for 1,200. Both in 65mm objective.

I may be able to get a deal on the Swarovski. Not sure how much. I've got a couple hundred $ in cabelas bucks to throw at either also.

Looking for personal experiences with them both. I've never hunted with one before. I don't do a TON of "higher mountain sit all day on ridgetop glossing" type hunting. More so out of state stuff. My use for it wouldn't be frequent I'd say/think. I just want to have one for when the type of hunt does arise that I would use it, I would have one.

(I know I can look at them side by side at the store)

Thanks for any suggestions!

[Stein]

Only suggestion I would have is to buy the Vortex from Elknut instead of Cabelas and save $150.

Unless you just have a grand laying around with nothing to do, I couldn't justify the extra money for the Swaro if you don't anticipate needing it a bunch.

[ctwiggs1]

Do you have good binos and a good tripod?  I don't do much hunting in open areas, so I haven't put any money into a spotter yet.  I do have great binos though and I'm buying a tripod for them in August.  Later I can use that tripod for my spotter if I get one.

 

[Wolfdog2314]

Oh ya ok I'll check with elknut if I go with the vortex.

I've got vortex viper 10x42 binos that are pretty good and I like a lot

I'm just not sure for how much I will use it if the 1000 will be worth it. I'm not an inch counter with my animals anyway. What I hear the benefits are with the Swarovski is mainiy low light conditions.

A lot of hunters are using these razors it seems these days. Seems like a real nice affordable option

Thanks for the input all!

[Stein]

To further complicate things, I just got an ad from Cabelas that has the Vortex angled 20-60x85s on sale for $1099.99 if you are looking for bigger glass.

[Wolfdog2314]

To further complicate things, I just got an ad from Cabelas that has the Vortex angled 20-60x85s on sale for $1099.99 if you are looking for bigger glass.

I saw that too.... thanks!

I'd like something I can put in the pack too. I'd like to get in to some backpack style hunts in the future. Those 85's are hogs!

I think I'm pretty well decided on a 65 size.

Thanks again

[Crunchy]

Nothing wrong with the Vortex, but I do think the Swaros are better, and I thought lighter?  I did a side by side comparison at Sportsman's Warehouse which sold me on the Swaros.  If I were to do it again I would get the 25-50 eye piece instead of the 20-60.

[JDHasty]

To further complicate things, I just got an ad from Cabelas that has the Vortex angled 20-60x85s on sale for $1099.99 if you are looking for bigger glass.

Buy it if it is not too big/heavy for your application!  We have the same scope and that is a heck of a deal on it. 

We use our Vortex Razor 85 side by side w/Swaro and it is does not have not quite as high resolution, but you really have to be looking to see the difference.   

[Magnum_Willys]

To further complicate things, I just got an ad from Cabelas that has the Vortex angled 20-60x85s on sale for $1099.99 if you are looking for bigger glass.

Buy it if it is not too big/heavy for your application!  We have the same scope and that is a heck of a deal on it. 

We use our Vortex Razor 85 side by side w/Swaro and it is does not have not quite as high resolution, but you really have to be looking to see the difference.

And have good eyesight - if you have less than good vision you may notice little difference.

[highside74]

Sportsmans was having a vortex blowout for $799 just the otber day might call a local store.

[JDHasty]

To further complicate things, I just got an ad from Cabelas that has the Vortex angled 20-60x85s on sale for $1099.99 if you are looking for bigger glass.

Buy it if it is not too big/heavy for your application!  We have the same scope and that is a heck of a deal on it. 

We use our Vortex Razor 85 side by side w/Swaro and it is does not have not quite as high resolution, but you really have to be looking to see the difference.

And have good eyesight - if you have less than good vision you may notice little difference.

Very true

[Wolfdog2314]

A lot of the sales on the vortex sporting scopes are for last years model. I think I'd like to get their new model for this year. Seems to have a couple small upgrades. Wheather it's worth the money or not, I don't know. BUT I have budgeted at least the 1200 for this years new model razor spotter anyway. And like I said wheather I use my cabelas bucks or go thru elknut I'll save an additional amount.

So I could potentially end up paying well over 1,000 to get the Swarovski. (Unless I can get a deal on one)

I think I'd like to stick with the 65. The 85 just seems huuuge to try and pack around in a pack???

Thanks for all insight and help!

[White Pass Outfitters]

Ive got the new vortex 27x60x85 and Ive got the Swarovski 25x50x80 In my opinion the swarovski is the better spotter.
But if you dont use one all that much the vortex spotter will do the job. 

[G-S]

I was lucky enuf to be given a swaro to use when I was guiding elk hunts in NM but wasn't allowed to bring it home. But went out with my brother in law and looked at deer with his vortex and when I decided to cry once i will sobbing over a swaro

[Mossyoak]

I have the Swaro 65 ATS HD, I bought it last year. I like it a lot, I chose to go with an Outdoorsmans medium tripod.. I feel it's a good combo. Have not got to use it much, hoping to this year. I think it's worth the extra cash.

[Magnum_Willys]

I got the Vortex 65 and it wasn't as sharp as I hoped so I sent it back and got the Swaro 65 with 50x wide angle lens.  But it also wasn't as sharp as I hoped. Ha.  But with a Swaro at least I knew the problem was me not the equipment. 

[Bushcraft]

As with most hunting gear, there are diminishing returns when it comes optics.

If you do a reasonable side-by-side comparison during all hours of the day you'll find that the Swaro glass provides more information to your eye(s) than Vortex, particularly during the all important early dawn and late dusk hours.    That is - as other's have stated, assuming you've got good vision.

Now, what is your objective?  Simply trying to find critters?...Answer, save your money and buy Vortex.  Or, do you want to find and study in detail a possible OIL animal?...Answer, Swarovski.

I'd note that Swarovski products seem to hold their resale value dramatically better than Vortex.

Good luck with your search.

Allen

[Wolfdog2314]

Thanks all for your input!

I bought the Swarovski 65 today with the 60 zoom. Dealer said I can exchange the zoom for the wide angle if I ever decide to. Having little experience behind a spotter I don't have much of a preference anyway. So I'll see how I like it.

Got to get to cabelas now to use my points there on a tripod!

[JDHasty]

Thanks all for your input!

I bought the Swarovski 65 today with the 60 zoom. Dealer said I can exchange the zoom for the wide angle if I ever decide to. Having little experience behind a spotter I don't have much of a preference anyway. So I'll see how I like it.

Got to get to cabelas now to use my points there on a tripod!

We use our fixed power eyepieces more than our zoom eyepieces on scopes that have interchangeable eyepieces.  But only you can make the determination what is best for your situation. 

[OLYTAX]

TRY THE LEICA SPOTTING SCOPE FIRST BEFORE YOU BUY

[T-Dozzer]

I have a 65mm Razor. One of my buddies has a swaro and the other 1 has a maven. Swaro out performs both in super low light. If I were to do it over again I would go with maven.
The Razor is still nice glass though.

[Edward Cullen]

  Did you buy the Swarovski 65?  I  think it's a good scope. Good luck! 

[teanawayslayer]

Buy Swarovski. You can't compair the two. If you buy the vortex, you will end up buying Swarovski. Do it once and be done.

[Wolfdog2314]

Did you buy the Swarovski 65?  I  think it's a good scope. Good luck! 

Yes I did! It made its first voyage to Idaho last week. And man did I need it. It's an absolute must have for big country.

-I can see how I may definitally want the wide angle lense. The shop I bought it from said I could exchange my 20-60 and pay the difference if I wanted. Although it was real nice zooming to 60.

-I will probably be upgrading the tripod to one of the ones suggested in the future. The vanguard I bought is "okay". Biggest problem is when I try and lock it down it settles up and to the left a little bit. Not bad when zoomed out, but at almost full zoom it takes the target out of center.

Overall super happy!
Thanks again all.

[jjhunter]

Get a good tripod and it will make all the difference on the world!

Be careful though, good glass can become addictive!   

[2MANY]

Gotta love green.

[Wolfdog2314]

Nice pile of optics there!

Binos are my next upgrade.

Although I've been looking at a new scope for my rifle too... 

[Tundra]

Good glass is worth the $$. I've wasted my fair share on "deals" and wish I had just sucked it up and saved up the first time.  Resale on budget items is poor so its hard to make up the difference. My Swaro spotter is amazing. I need to pick up the wide angle lens as an option. 

I did save cash on the optics cover by using the Scope Coat covering vs. the Swaro brand.  I got mine off of Optics Planet, but I did notice King's Camo sells them as well.  Around $50 or so.