Swarovski v Vortex

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   Hello all.

I've just joined the forum and from the posts I've read it appears there is a lot of good advice here.

I'm having some difficulty in making a decision on which spotting scope to buy. The scope will be a gift 
for my wife and will be primarily used for bird watching. 

I've narrowed the choice down to either the Swarovski ATM 65 HD w/20-60x or the VortexRazor HD 20-60x85 - both angled scopes. I haven't been able to find any direct comparisons 
between the two. 

The Swarovski is $450 more expensive 
than the Vortex in Australia - $2650 - $2200. The Vortex price includes a cover. The cover for the Swaro seems to be better quality but adds $250. 

$2900 is really stretching the budget but I'd go that way if there 
was a marked difference between the scopes.

All comments greatly appreciated.

regards

John

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John D Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/02/2011 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote John D Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Swarovski v Vortex Posted: December/02/2011 at 02:35
	Hello all. I've just joined the forum and from the posts I've read it appears there is a lot of good advice here. I'm having some difficulty in making a decision on which spotting scope to buy. The scope will be a gift for my wife and will be primarily used for bird watching. I've narrowed the choice down to either the Swarovski ATM 65 HD w/20-60x or the VortexRazor HD 20-60x85 - both angled scopes. I haven't been able to find any direct comparisons between the two. The Swarovski is $450 more expensive than the Vortex in Australia - $2650 - $2200. The Vortex price includes a cover. The cover for the Swaro seems to be better quality but adds $250. $2900 is really stretching the budget but I'd go that way if there was a marked difference between the scopes. All comments greatly appreciated. regards John

coyote95 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Joined: January/24/2009 Location: michigan Status: Offline Points: 1113	Post Options Post Reply Quote coyote95 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 07:56
	Welcome to OT John D i would be looking at size and weight as a factor. imo
	"Life is like riding a bicycle . To keep balance you must keep moving" Albert Einstein

John D Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/02/2011 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote John D Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 14:43
	Thanks for the reply coyote95. We travel in remote areas of Australia and usually camp beside creeks and waterholes which are generally alive with birds throughout the day, and at dawn and dusk the roos and other wildlife come in for a drink so in most cases weight is not that much of an issue. I suppose my question should have included something like - If I looked through both scopes would I say "wow - look at that, the Swaro is clearly in a different league", or "hmmm - can't see much difference there". regards John

coyote95 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Joined: January/24/2009 Location: michigan Status: Offline Points: 1113	Post Options Post Reply Quote coyote95 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 15:04
	Sounds like i would go bigger. The view from both has to be pretty darn good. Vortex's 85mm obj would seal the deal. Edited by coyote95 - December/02/2011 at 15:15
	"Life is like riding a bicycle . To keep balance you must keep moving" Albert Einstein

BeltFed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics God Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 18577	Post Options Post Reply Quote BeltFed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 15:07
	Several members here have the Vortex Razor that you are talking about. Their reviews of the Razor are very favorable and they rate them up with the alpha class scopes. One thing you may want to consider is the size of the objective. The 85mm objective of the Razor will have better light gathering potential than the 65mm of the Swaro, especially when you get to the higher magnifications of the scopes. If you will look through the Spotting Scope section you can find a very informative review of the Votex Razor with some comparison photos.
	Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.

westernhunter23 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/17/2011 Location: Arizona Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote westernhunter23 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 15:11
	I would take a look at this. Great Review http://opticstalk.com/vortex-razor-hd-2060x85mm-spotting-scope_topic23914.html

BeltFed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics God Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 18577	Post Options Post Reply Quote BeltFed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 15:43
	Here's another http://www.opticstalk.com/vortex-razor-hd-spotting-scope_topic23874.html
	Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.

trigger29 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4348	Post Options Post Reply Quote trigger29 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 16:02
	If size and weight are not a factor, and they are available down under, I would also look at this. It would provide the wow factor you are looking for. http://swfa.com/Kowa-88mm-High-Performance-Spotter-P7248.aspx Here they would be in the $2900 range with a 20-60x eyepiece, but for all I can tell, there isn't really a better spotter made for clarity. I would really like one, just not in the budget.
	"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

John D Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/02/2011 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote John D Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 16:55
	Thanks for the links to the reviews. I just had a look at the Kowas and can see an 881 for $3000, and an 883 Prominar for $3400. Are the Kowas the best of the best?

trigger29 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4348	Post Options Post Reply Quote trigger29 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 18:09
	I've not seen an 881, but from what I know, the 883, and 884 prominar with the pure flourite lenses are the best of the best. Others may have a better idea if something better is out there, but if I was going to spend that kind of money, that's what I'd buy.
	"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Bitterroot Bulls Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bitterroot Bulls Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/02/2011 at 19:20
	I have the Razor 85HD and have compared it side-by-side with the Swarovski 80HD. The images are the same, I mean, remarkably so. It seems the Swarovski may have been the design goal for the Razor. The Swarovski 65HD will not have a better image than the Razor 85HD. The Kowa 883/4 is the best spotter in the world, but only slightly better than the Swaro HD and Razor HD.
	-Matt