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Spotting scope advice


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Hi all.

 

I'm hoping to purchase a decent spotting scope in the near future, probably a Swarovski.

 

My question is....which one to get? What do all the different models do differently from the others? ATS, STS,ATX,STX what does it all mean?

 

Will using the spotter out to a mile.

 

Cheers.

 

Danny.

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Danny , The ultimate in scopes is the ATX / STX which means either angled or straight. You have the choice of 65mm , 85mm or 95mm objectives .

I have an ATM HD65 because I like the FOV of the 20x fixed eyepiece which the ATX system can't use but whichever Swarovski you pick you won't be disappointed.

Be aware that with the ATX / 95mm combo you'll have a minimum mag of 30x but it would be the best 30x you'll ever see !

To get the best out of any spotter you need weather conditions to be on your side no matter if it's 500 yards or a mile so if you can afford the 3k price tag then the ATX is the best but £1500 would get you a new ATM HD 65 with the 25-50 zoom which is better than the cheaper 20-60 zoom

Hope this helps

 

Greg

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What's it for ?

 

Range use , lugging about hunting , just spotting your shots on targets or PRS type matches where a reticule would be an advantage for your spotter?

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Danny , The ultimate in scopes is the ATX / STX which means either angled or straight. You have the choice of 65mm , 85mm or 95mm objectives .

I have an ATM HD65 because I like the FOV of the 20x fixed eyepiece which the ATX system can't use but whichever Swarovski you pick you won't be disappointed.

Be aware that with the ATX / 95mm combo you'll have a minimum mag of 30x but it would be the best 30x you'll ever see !

To get the best out of any spotter you need weather conditions to be on your side no matter if it's 500 yards or a mile so if you can afford the 3k price tag then the ATX is the best but £1500 would get you a new ATM HD 65 with the 25-50 zoom which is better than the cheaper 20-60 zoom

Hope this helps

Greg

Thanks Greg, this helps me a lot:)

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Then weight isn't really an issue , a reticule would be nice for measuring your corrections but that's covered by your scope if it has a reticule , just look through a few and see which you find the best optics for your eyes as everyone's different , with the high end stuff don't be afraid of second hand try checking out some birding forums etc

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Then weight isn't really an issue , a reticule would be nice for measuring your corrections but that's covered by your scope if it has a reticule , just look through a few and see which you find the best optics for your eyes as everyone's different , with the high end stuff don't be afraid of second hand try checking out some birding forums etc

Good advice thank you.

 

It'll be a Swarovski as I have a Swaro scope and bins for stalking.

The glass for me is second to none.....build quality in my opinion isn't the best but I can live with that.

 

Weight is not a problem, I'm still youngish and can hump a fair amount of kit about. It will only be for range use anyway. As for the ret it might be worth having it might not I can't make my mind up yet. It will ultimately depend on the budget.

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ANYONE HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH OPTOLYTH???????

 

Yes I have one, TB 80 (and like it!) :)

 

They were imported by Opticron who eventually dropped them. Their probably more famous for the draw scopes they produced in the 1970~80's.

 

I don't think there is anybody in the UK who currently brings them in for sale, not surprising as Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss all have better names as regards European made scopes.

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Danny , The ultimate in scopes is the ATX / STX which means either angled or straight. You have the choice of 65mm , 85mm or 95mm objectives .

I have an ATM HD65 because I like the FOV of the 20x fixed eyepiece which the ATX system can't use but whichever Swarovski you pick you won't be disappointed.

Be aware that with the ATX / 95mm combo you'll have a minimum mag of 30x but it would be the best 30x you'll ever see !

To get the best out of any spotter you need weather conditions to be on your side no matter if it's 500 yards or a mile so if you can afford the 3k price tag then the ATX is the best but £1500 would get you a new ATM HD 65 with the 25-50 zoom which is better than the cheaper 20-60 zoom

Hope this helps

 

Greg

I'm shamlessly re-posting this so I have reference to it at a later date. Some very useful info. many thanks.

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I've used a Spotter 60 for a few years and found it to do all I need, FFP, good zoom range, edge to edge clarity built like a tank (have bounced it on a couple of occasions)

 

Like the gear head concept as pointed out ball heads sort of 'slew' off target as you nip them up.

 

Never looked thru' the latest Swaro's, had a fluorite Kowa with a long eye relief 45deg eye piece when shooting just targets that was 'stunning' for that application.

 

As with all these tings, get behind what you are looking to spend £££ on

 

Terry

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Danny , The ultimate in scopes is the ATX / STX which means either angled or straight. You have the choice of 65mm , 85mm or 95mm objectives .

I have an ATM HD65 because I like the FOV of the 20x fixed eyepiece which the ATX system can't use but whichever Swarovski you pick you won't be disappointed.

Be aware that with the ATX / 95mm combo you'll have a minimum mag of 30x but it would be the best 30x you'll ever see !

To get the best out of any spotter you need weather conditions to be on your side no matter if it's 500 yards or a mile so if you can afford the 3k price tag then the ATX is the best but £1500 would get you a new ATM HD 65 with the 25-50 zoom which is better than the cheaper 20-60 zoom

Hope this helps

Greg

I own an atx 95. It is the best spotting scope I have ever looked through. Pricy I know , but you get what you pay for. I can personally see 223 holes in the white to 800 yards when weather permits. A good tripod is an absolute must imho.

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On a side note the kowa 883 is the industry standard in America. With pure fluorite lenses they are meant to be a very good scope for the money. Well worth a look in my opinion. I bought my atx 95 off uttings. I paid it off aver a year interest free which made it a bit easier on the wallet.

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Yeap ,

 

Have a Zeiss Spotter60 , its all I use , I find I use it both eyes open to super impose the reticle center on the eye not in the eye piece , this gets me on to tgts quickly , especially as the minimum power is 20x .

I was going to mount a little red dot on the side to act as a finder scope , but found the above technique is good .

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