Swarovski ATX Modular Spotting Scope?
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
I'm planning on investing in a new spotter. Been looking at the ATX Modular system from Swarovski, and like any good glass, it's pricey, but looks to be worth it from the reviews I've read so far. Would love to hear from any bowsiter's that have used either the ATX or the STX, in 65, 85 or the 95 objective. I'll primarily be using this as a window mounted truck spotter, with some packing, but at least at this point, no plans for any UL backpacking hunts.
Early morning and last light can be your only window of opportunity so the brighter the better. I love my 20-60x80. A little big but I pack it with no regrets. It’s the right tool for the job. Years ago I had a Leupold but after using a friend’s Swaro 20-60x80 I never took it out again. I went without a spotter until I could buy the same one he had.
Chris, Years ago, I bought a 20X60 scope, so I don't keep up on the new products anymore.....I'll use this scope for the rest of my life. However, what I wanted to share was that I was accompanying Loesshillsarcher on his desert Bighorn Sheep bowhunt many years ago, and the Leupold scope that I had at that time was OK, but it sure wasn't Swarovski level quality. Ned only lived about 15-30 minutes away from a Cabelas, and since I got to his place about a day before we left for his hunt, we went shopping. This was in January.....and wouldn't you know it?....every year, Cabelas has a sale on optics.....and this one was a year end/new year sale that included Swarovski scopes. Granted, I had racked up a bunch of Cabelas points at time, but I ended up saving just about $1,000.00 on the cost of scope, and most of the savings were because of the sale.....not my points. Since here we are in early December, you might want to really start looking for optic related sales …..whether it be through Swarovski or Cabelas…...
That is a great concept and I’m sure Swarovski has it set up right.
I bought a 65mm HD STS years ago and it has been one of the best additions to my hunting gear. That scope gets put in the pack for backpacking hunts because I feel it is a critical element for success - particularly for Coues, mule deer, or sheep. Mine has been used hard from Argentina to Alaska and the NWT. Never had any issues with it.
Would not hesitate to recommend the newer ATX/STX from Swarovski. If you can afford it, buy it!
Since Busta asked about the ATX/STX I'll throw my opinion in. I've been using a 3 year old ATS 65 and it is great, especially for backpacking.
But Busta asked about the ATX/STX. I recently hunted with a friend who brought his BTX system. It is simply amazing. It's so easy to look through. It's like binoculars but way better. If it were me and my money I would simply skip the ATX/STX and just get the BTX.
Maybe I'm unusual but I can't make myself look through a spotter for more than 15 minutes at a time. It just isn't comfortable to use one eye while the other eye doesn't know what to do. The BTX solves that by using both eyes through a spotter.
My opinion is that if you're using a spotter just to check the size of an animal then get the older ATS/STS model. But if you're doing a lot of long distance glassing to look for animals for hours at a time then the BTX is what you want. Assuming, of course that 4k for optics doesn't concern you.
That’s some great advice Elkstabber!! Nothing beats the right tool for the job.
Great input so far guys, TY. Besides the obvious optical quality, the thing I really like about this modular system is the ability to add to it and build upon it as your needs and budget change/develop. The BTX eyepiece does look awesome, but for a window mount application, I'm not sure it would be the best option, and at this time, I think that's going to be my primary use. I'm pretty sure I'm already sold on the angled eyepiece to start with, and if I do take the plunge, will just have to decide what size objective to go with. But like I said, the flexibility that Swaro has built into this modular system allows a guy to add things like the BTX eyepiece down the road when the need (and the wallet) allow.
Busta,
If your primary use will be window mounted, why would you opt for the angled eyepiece? I might be missing something here, but it seems that straight would be your best bet given the majority of intended use is while sitting eye level with the ocular.
Hans, the flexibility of the angled eyepiece gives you the ability to slide your window mount from the front/back of the door opening (if that makes sense), and then you can just rotate the eyepiece so you can cover a lot more ground without having to do yoga in the front seat of the truck. The angled eyepiece just offers a lot more adjustability, and thus versatility of viewing positions.
The angled works well from a window for me. Just rotate the barrel. My 9 season old ATM 20-60x65 HD is great for the variety of uses I have....sheep, caribou and moose all have horn or antler restrictions and the scope sorts that out. The ATX is even better. Good luck!
I have an ATX/BTX 95. I also have a 20-60X80 ATS HD that I used before picking up the ATX.
The ATX is ok but it is the BTX that I use 99% of the time. I pack both eye pieces though just in case I spot something that I can't see well enough with the BTX. I did just order the 1.7X ME. I'm hoping I can replace the ATX with that. The BTX 95 plus the ATX gets heavy after awhile. For what you are doing definitely get the 95.
Thanks Branden. You’re the guy I was hoping to find and your input was precisely what I was looking for. Thinking the ATX 95 might be the best choice for me. Now, all I have to do is find a deal on one, or maybe get a part time job with a gas company in the Ukraine to afford it...
Busta, Branden brought up a few points that I didn't mention in my comment up above. My friend has the ATX and BTX, as well as the 65 and 95 bodies. Most of his glassing is near the truck or short hikes and he's found that he hardly ever uses the ATX or the 65 body. The gigantic BTX 95 gets all of the time. He also has the 1.7x multiplier and has found that he hardly ever uses it. A large (thick) steady tripod is critical on that huge hunk of glass. He's found that the 1.7x multiplier isn't necessary because with a very stable tripod you'll still be able to see whatever you want to see.
Curt, does the BTX work well from a window mount? My experience with the angled eyepiece off the window was that the scope always had to be mounted on the window forward or rearward of your position, so the eyepiece could be rotated downward to get the right viewing angle. If I was stuck with the eyepiece in the "up" position all the time it would seem I'd have a tougher time of it. I'm guessing it would be similar with the BTX, so I'm curious about that trade-off in the versatility of viewing angles. I also have a hard time wrapping my head around a fixed power/fov spotter. I assume the optical quality of the BTX must overcome the fact that it's "only" 35x, but isn't the fixed fov limiting when going back and forth between looking for an animal and evaluating an animal once you find it?
Busta, sorry I totally missed where you said window mount. I just saw the truck part. I'm not sure that I'd put the BTX on a window just because it may be too cumbersome. The BTX is bulky. The fixed power seemed limiting at first to me too, but the clarity (on a sturdy tripod) made up for it. Ultimately, my feeling is that the BTX at 35x is as sharp as my ATS at 50x (mine has a 25-50 eyepiece). The ATX/STX/BTX uses the EL glass, which is a step up from the ATS/STS, which uses the SLC glass, although the difference is very very hard to see in the center. I've never really glassed from a window mount because I think that a tripod is more sturdy. Also, on a cold day from a heated truck you'll get really annoying heat waves in front of your scope. One of the best guys to talk to is Cody Nelson at GoHunt Optics (
[email protected] or (702) 847-8747 Ext. 2).
I'm not sure how a BTX would work on a window mount. Looking through it would be a challenge in my opinion, not to mention the weight.
I went from a 80mm STS to the 85 STX. For me it was not worth the upgrade to the STX at all. I had a buyer for my STS, so I went and bought the STX. I LOVED my 80 mm STS. Not that there is anything wrong with the STX, but the STS did everything I needed it to and after years of use was accustomed to it. I'm sure I'll like the STX just fine but for me it doesn't do anything the STS didn't do as well. I am a fan of the Straight vs. Angled out the window. In the mountains, the angled is the ONLY way to go.
I have tried to use angled scopes a few times and just never was a fan.
Biggest issue is trying to find something with an angled scope - takes a lot longer. And, although a lot of people say they are easier on your neck, I have no issues with a straight scope. Might have to do with using a short tripod. Any more I use a tall tripod that I can stand behind.
I use the 15's on the tripod for a lot of glassing and can swap out to my spotting scope when I find something that needs a closer look without having make any adjustments. Really makes a difference when looking at Coues deer in the brush.
I used to pack 10’s, 15’s, and the ATS 80. Didn’t matter if it was a truck hunt or a backpack hunt. 10’s with the BTX is head and shoulders above what I used to use. I haven’t tried it with a window mount yet. I will in a few days since I just ordered one.
Like mentioned above the BTX seems like way more X than 35x. Which I attribute to the fact you are using 2 eyes. In 14 days I only needed to use the ATX once to check the size of a buck that I couldn’t make out well enough with the BTX. And even then it was still hard to tell with the ATX.
I have a 65mm HD sts. But I have a good friend who has the ATX with a 65mm and 95mm lens. It’s a badass rig. Looking through the 95 lens is mind blowing. If I had the money to have I would. But I get by with what I have.
The BTX looks cool. The fixed power kind of stinks. If it had a zoom that would be really Awesome
Let us know how that window mount works on the BTX Branden. I think I’d have to contort myself to get my eyes to the scope on a window mount.
Ermine I was worried about the fixed power. But its not that bad. If I could only use either the BTX or STX/ATX it would be the BTX with the fixed power. I feel like its that much better.
I will Kota. I'm sure it depends on the person's size and vehicle they are using it in.