Swarovski vs Vortex Spotting Scope

[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.