Swaro ATX/STX or ATS/STS

[shallowforks]

What are the benefits of the ATX/STX over the ATS/STS? I understand its versatility With mixing and matching objectives and eyepieces but is that the only advantage? I dont see myself investing in multiple pieces so if thats the only benefit i would go with the ATS/STS. Thoughts??

[N7XW]

Good question, following along. 

[yorketransport]

The only benefit I saw with the ATX/STX when I was shopping for a spotter  was the modularity. I guess it would be cheaper to have one eyepiece and two different sized objectives if you wanted a more portable for hunting and a larger one when glassing from a truck. I ended up with the ATS 65mm and I don’t regret it. The larger objective would be nice sometimes but not to a point where I’d spend the money to buy two different objectives.

[jjhunter]

The X series spotter's are an upgrade almost every category.   I prefer the larger ocular of the X, the glass is better, the finish is better, seems easier to look through for extended periods...

I have the STX eyepiece, the BTX eyepiece, 1.7x extender, 65mm and 95mm objectives.   I have an option for every hunting situation which is really a nice luxury to have.

The BTX eyepiece is reason enough to purchase.   I haven't posted much about mine, mainly because I don't want the general population to pack them around     The are a GAME CHANGER in the field.

[jjhunter]

For reference, I packed an S series spotter for 15 years.  STS 65/STS HD80

[whacker1]

jj is a guy that spends enough time behind glass to know.  His word on this subject I would definitely be listenting to.

I personally don't pack the spotter in many locations, so I have stuck to the STS HD 65.  If I ever draw some of the tougher Nevada / Arizona mule deer tags where big glass is mandatory.  I will be looking to upgrade.  Dense timber country with shorter need for the distance has made it less of a priority for me.  That will change over time for sure.

[BULLBLASTER]

I upgraded to a sts 65 hd this year. I looked through the stx and the btx and while I would have loved to have one they were just more than I wanted to spend, and weight savings was part of why I upgraded and they are a chunk heavier than the ts ones.

[Magnum_Willys]

Even the STS 65 is 5# with a light tripod.  Just depends where you draw the line on weight ?  Love to have 80/95 but I know it would be back in the truck a lot. 

[shallowforks]

This is all great info. So I CAN bump up my budget to the x series. Use will be roughly 50/50 backpack/close to vehicle use. Weight is fairly high on my priority list. So apples to apples how much lighter is the s than the x? Lets say in the 65mm. I seem to have trouble comparing the specs on the website. Also Is the weight penalty worth having the 80mm over the 65mm? Opinions? What is tge difference between the two in each series? JJHUNTER, ive never read anywhere that the glass in the X is better than the S. I thought they were both HD SWARO VISION. What is the difference?

[jjhunter]

I can't speak the technical side of why one is better than the other.   I can only speak to what my eye is seeing (clarity/color/edge-to-edge clarity) and how "easy" the image is on the eye.

My "X" series scopes seem more "brilliant" to me than the "S" series; also, they seem to have much better edge-to-edge clarity.   Again, this may come back to the large ocular on the "X" series eyepieces.   It would be similar to comparing the original EL ocular to the Swarovision ocular if you have done that comparison?

If you are going to stick to the 65mm scope, you may just want to stick with the "S"; I think that the "X" really shines when you bump up to the 95mm objective.  This scope (95mm) is regarded to be in a class of its own and based upon my experience, I would have to agree.

To be honest, the STX 95 was the first spotter that I have ever been truly impressed with.   My other Swarovski spotters were only amazing to my eye in the right conditions and at lower power (40x ish).  If you have the opportunity, I would go demo a couple of them in the field on a hot September day.

And, if it were me, I would eat a few ounces and buy the "X".   It just gives you options down the road if you ever want another objective, BTX, etc.   You may not now, but tomorrow is another day.      

[shallowforks]

thanks JJHUNTER, I will definitely have to demo the X and S side by side.

[whacker1]

Stx 25-60x65 is 2 ounces lighter than the STS HD 20-60x65.

You gain 20 ounces in the BTX eyepiece over the STX 25-60

Then the 1.7 magnifier is another 10.4 ounces.


So all in you are around 2lbs heavier than the STSHD 20-60x65, with the combination JJ mentioned.  But I have no doubt his set up would be worth the weight for what he is using it for.

[whacker1]

The comment that JJ made on edge to edge clarity is accurate.  And it is the main talking point that folks will discuss on the X vs the S.

I think that is why they seem so much more brilliant.

And the 95 mm objective JJ carriers is significant chunk of quality glass to make that brilliant view pop.

someday, I will draw a tag where he may just want to Sherpa some glass around for me just to be part of the experience.  lol

[jjhunter]

The comment that JJ made on edge to edge clarity is accurate.  And it is the main talking point that folks will discuss on the X vs the S.

I think that is why they seem so much more brilliant.

And the 95 mm objective JJ carriers is significant chunk of quality glass to make that brilliant view pop.

someday, I will draw a tag where he may just want to Sherpa some glass around for me just to be part of the experience.  lol

Absolutely.   Gotta be a darn good tag, though.   

[elkslayer069]

If you can drop the coin difference buy the x like previously stated ocular lense size, edge to edge clarity through the entire power range. And huge selling point for which without a doubt was worth the extra cash between the two was the focus on the x is so smooth.   

[elkslayer069]

By the way mine is an atx 85. I had a hard time finding the 85mm seems like everyone carries the 65mm & 95mm so ended up ordering from outdoorsmans in az got free shipping an no tax!

[elkslayer069]

JJ is the btx eyepiece that much better i have slc 15x56 that also pack along for general tripod glassing until i find something then i slide in the spotter

[jjhunter]

JJ is the btx eyepiece that much better i have slc 15x56 that also pack along for general tripod glassing until i find something then i slide in the spotter

I really hate to talk it up too much; but yeah, it’s gonna be like the first time you ever looked through a tripod mounted 15x56, only better.

[jjhunter]

Size comparison between STX 65 and BTX 95.   




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Call em in]

Jjhunter, which tripod/head combination do you prefer?

[jjhunter]

Jjhunter, which tripod/head combination do you prefer?

Outdoorsman Tall tripod with their panhead.  I used the medium/pistol grip combo for years, but it won’t handle the 95mm.   I also really saw the benefit of being able to stand and glass in SE Nevada the last couple of years.  Allows a lot more flexibility when glassing in the PJ’s.

[Call em in]

Jjhunter, which tripod/head combination do you prefer?

Outdoorsman Tall tripod with their panhead.  I used the medium/pistol grip combo for years, but it won’t handle the 95mm.   I also really saw the benefit of being able to stand and glass in SE Nevada the last couple of years.  Allows a lot more flexibility when glassing in the PJ’s.

Thx. I’m running the outdoorsman medium/pistol grip combo but I added the extension to the middle so I could stand. I could see how that wouldn’t be the best for the 95’s.

[shallowforks]

The comment that JJ made on edge to edge clarity is accurate.  And it is the main talking point that folks will discuss on the X vs the S.

I think that is why they seem so much more brilliant.

And the 95 mm objective JJ carriers is significant chunk of quality glass to make that brilliant view pop.

someday, I will draw a tag where he may just want to Sherpa some glass around for me just to be part of the experience.  lol

Absolutely.   Gotta be a darn good tag, though.   

How bout a blue mountains elk tag? 

Well i feel pretty talked into the x series. Now since its been brought up, you really like the outdoorsmans tripods? Ive never actually used one but for the height, weight and price ive just never been compelled to buy one. Why do you choose that setup over the numerous other brands of pods and heads?

[MtnMuley]

I dont chime in much anymore, but feel need to say if you have an Outdoorsman medium with extension and their regular pan head, it will support the 95 fine. The large is ideal if you plan on standing the majority of the time, but the medium and extension is much more universal in my book. I was fortunate to buy several large Brunton carbon tripods for under $50 on an 80% off sale, so I have no need for a full size standing tripod. I run the BTX 95, 65, 15s, Zeiss 85, and others off several tripods from Slik, Gitzo, to the above mentioned. Best overall in my book is the Outdoorsman medium with extension.

[Call em in]

I dont chime in much anymore, but feel need to say if you have an Outdoorsman medium with extension and their regular pan head, it will support the 95 fine. The large is ideal if you plan on standing the majority of the time, but the medium and extension is much more universal in my book. I was fortunate to buy several large Brunton carbon tripods for under $50 on an 80% off sale, so I have no need for a full size standing tripod. I run the BTX 95, 65, 15s, Zeiss 85, and others off several tripods from Slik, Gitzo, to the above mentioned. Best overall in my book is the Outdoorsman medium with extension.

I have the pistol grip on mine. I’ve never used the 95’s but I have used other big glass. I’m considering switching to a pan head. What are your thoughts?

[MtnMuley]

I dont chime in much anymore, but feel need to say if you have an Outdoorsman medium with extension and their regular pan head, it will support the 95 fine. The large is ideal if you plan on standing the majority of the time, but the medium and extension is much more universal in my book. I was fortunate to buy several large Brunton carbon tripods for under $50 on an 80% off sale, so I have no need for a full size standing tripod. I run the BTX 95, 65, 15s, Zeiss 85, and others off several tripods from Slik, Gitzo, to the above mentioned. Best overall in my book is the Outdoorsman medium with extension.

I have the pistol grip on mine. I’ve never used the 95’s but I have used other big glass. I’m considering switching to a pan head. What are your thoughts?

I've never heard of anybody that regretted buying the pan head.

[BULLBLASTER]

I went from the pistol grip to the pan head and am glad I did. Much steadier and easier to make fine adjustments for me

[Call em in]

I went from the pistol grip to the pan head and am glad I did. Much steadier and easier to make fine adjustments for me

Perfect. Thx for the input.

[whacker1]

I am running the compact medium with pistol grip and quick release panner.  The 95's I think would be to heavy for the pistol grip to use them effectively anyway.  Outdoorsman is by far the most steady glassing setup I could find for long extended periods of glassing.