Joe.S
Well-known member
Can I have your thoughts please on the ATX 65 vs ATS 80 HD 25-50w.
I’m in two minds about which scope to buy.
The ATX 65 is lighter at 1585g compared to the ATS 80 at 1675g, but I doubt the real world difference of 90g is going to make much of a difference. At least not an insurmountable difference. The ATX however is more compact which might be a more important factor than the 90g difference in weight.
Optically I would have thought the ATS has the edge because the objective lens is 15mm larger. In comparing the two side-by-side I preferred the ATX eyepiece because it was very unfussy about eye placement (something I’m a bit finicky about). Perhaps with time the eye-placement wouldn’t be an issue with the ATS 80.
The real spanner-in-the-works is digiscoping.
Apparently, the ATX was designed from the ground up for digiscoping. So, how would the ATX 65 compare with ATS 80 both with the TLS APO and the same camera? The ATX has been designed ‘from the ground up’ so is there a noticeable difference in photographic quality or is the difference a practical one because it’s now possible to zoom easily with the ATX series.
I carry a scope frequently and cover a lot of miles on foot so the weight and objective size dictate the two choices: hence the ATX 65 and ATS 80. However, I also do Vis-Mig, watch a large lake and watch nest boxes from a distance, etc. It’s in these circumstances that I will slap on the larger 95mm objective lens. If I’m out on foot and think it’s likely I will need the 95mm lens then I can carry it in a rucksack (videoing a distant nest without disturbing the birds for instance) then put the 65mm lens back on once done.
It’s this functionality that is attractive with the ATX. My head says ATX but my heart says ATS.
‘beware the man with one gun’ i.e. sometimes it's better to have one set-up (the ATS 80) and know it inside out. If the difference between the ATS and ATX for digiscoping isn’t much then I’m leaning towards the ATS.
I’m not making bird calendars, or have aspirations to take amazing photos, but I do want a set-up that will take good record shots easily. This factor is very important.
It's a lot of money so I appreciate your thoughts.
I’m in two minds about which scope to buy.
The ATX 65 is lighter at 1585g compared to the ATS 80 at 1675g, but I doubt the real world difference of 90g is going to make much of a difference. At least not an insurmountable difference. The ATX however is more compact which might be a more important factor than the 90g difference in weight.
Optically I would have thought the ATS has the edge because the objective lens is 15mm larger. In comparing the two side-by-side I preferred the ATX eyepiece because it was very unfussy about eye placement (something I’m a bit finicky about). Perhaps with time the eye-placement wouldn’t be an issue with the ATS 80.
The real spanner-in-the-works is digiscoping.
Apparently, the ATX was designed from the ground up for digiscoping. So, how would the ATX 65 compare with ATS 80 both with the TLS APO and the same camera? The ATX has been designed ‘from the ground up’ so is there a noticeable difference in photographic quality or is the difference a practical one because it’s now possible to zoom easily with the ATX series.
I carry a scope frequently and cover a lot of miles on foot so the weight and objective size dictate the two choices: hence the ATX 65 and ATS 80. However, I also do Vis-Mig, watch a large lake and watch nest boxes from a distance, etc. It’s in these circumstances that I will slap on the larger 95mm objective lens. If I’m out on foot and think it’s likely I will need the 95mm lens then I can carry it in a rucksack (videoing a distant nest without disturbing the birds for instance) then put the 65mm lens back on once done.
It’s this functionality that is attractive with the ATX. My head says ATX but my heart says ATS.
‘beware the man with one gun’ i.e. sometimes it's better to have one set-up (the ATS 80) and know it inside out. If the difference between the ATS and ATX for digiscoping isn’t much then I’m leaning towards the ATS.
I’m not making bird calendars, or have aspirations to take amazing photos, but I do want a set-up that will take good record shots easily. This factor is very important.
It's a lot of money so I appreciate your thoughts.