Swarovski ats 65 hd vs other scopes (1 Viewer)

[Hermann]

I expect it’s the max recommended magnification for 65-66mm scope. Some say 40 x but from use you would likely discover that yourself.

If the scope is a cherry, you can use it at an exit pupil of 1mm or even slightly below 1mm. As long as the light is good and the atmospheric conditions are OK. If a scope isn't sharp and contrasty at high magnification, i.e. 60x with a 60mm scope, that scope is definitely not a cherry.

I personally believe these "recommendations" by some manufacturers are self-serving: "We don't want to invest into proper collimation of all our scopes, so we better make sure customers don't use magnifications where the defects are immediately obvious."

BTW, this may also explain why some manufacturers sell zoom eyepieces that don't allow for high magnifications, i.e. 80x or 90x on an 80-90mm scope.

Hermann

 

[Hermann]

Seldom discussed, but dof also plays a part in my gear selection. Not only resolution and fov.

It does. However, the DOF is depends only on the magnification.

Hermann

 

[Figge]

It does. However, the DOF is depends only on the magnification.

Hermann

You are right of course, magnification is the main factor. However, I wonder if that is the complete story. With camera lenses aperture also plays a role. In my experience, biggest and brighest is not always the best choice.

 

[Hermann]

You are right of course, magnification is the main factor. However, I wonder if that is the complete story. With camera lenses aperture also plays a role. In my experience, biggest and brighest is not always the best choice.

With binoculars and scopes it's the magnification, cf. e.g. Holger Merlitz' book (Merlitz, Holger (2023): The Binocular Handbook. Function, Performance and Evaluation of Binoculars, Cham:Springer, p. 36-39) or any other decent book on optics, e.g. König/Köhler ³1959. Cameras are different.

Hermann

 

[Figge]

#z

With binoculars and scopes it's the magnification, cf. e.g. Holger Merlitz' book (Merlitz, Holger (2023): The Binocular Handbook. Function, Performance and Evaluation of Binoculars, Cham:Springer, p. 36-39) or any other decent book on optics, e.g. König/Köhler ³1959. Cameras are different.

Hermann

Thank you.

 

[JackT]

= you like it better. It is not "better" per se. E.g. I prefer Kowa's dual focus and would avoid anything with a barrel focus. It seems to be more a thing of personal preference.

Hence why I said in MY opinion 😉

 

[WRL]

Hence why I said in MY opinion 😉

I am curious. Would you like to explain what facts/properties your opinion is based on? Or is it just a gut feeling?

 

[JackT]

I am curious. Would you like to explain what facts/properties your opinion is based on? Or is it just a gut feeling?

I just find it easier to use and its less fidely. No facts about it really, just the way it feels

 

[kabsetz]

Barrel focus (helical) or knobs above the body both work well, and people tend to prefer whichever they are more accustomed to. I've used both quite extensively and would not base my choice of scope on the type of focus but on the optical characteristics of the scope, very much including the quality of the particular specimen. Kowa double knob is fine, although I would prefer even slower gearing for the precision focus knob. Swarovski helical focus is fine, although slow for really large focus shifts. I used to own a Nikon Fieldscope with a helical focus ring that many people thought was way too fast but which I got along with just fine also.

Optically, both the Swaro ATS 65 (and ATX 65) and the Kowa 66 are as good as it gets currently, but there will be visible sample differences. Outside the sample differences, the Kowa will have less chromatic aberration and slightly higher contrast with slightly more natural black/white contrast, while the Swaros will be slightly brighter with slightly more natural colour balance. But these differences are really quite minor.

I find the Swarovski rubber armouring good enough that I don't use an extra S.O.C with my ATX, but would consider a neoprene or cordura case essential with a Kowa.

 

[Montereyman]

A consideration is how far you intend to travel from your car with the scope and its tripod. Scopes can have problems with eyepieces that go to 60x but are not sharp past 50x or less. I suggest checking the review by customers at BHphotovideo.com when considering less expensive alternatives. The website also provides the weights so you can compare 65mm to scopes with larger objectives.

An excellent alternative is the Vortex Razor 27-60x85 that sells for $1,400 and is available as a kit that includes a tripod for an additional; $380. It has 238 5-star reviews on the BH Photo website by customers who have purchased and used this scope. It is considered a heavy scope but at 4.1 lbs I would not hesitate to use it instead of a 65mm one.

 

[Thrupenney Bit]

I carry my ATS65 in a scope backpack carrier, a UK made one.
It means I can carry it easily around my wetland, about 3+ miles, for my birdcount which takes about 3-4 hours. It is comfortable carrying it and i can deploy it easily when needed.

I would have preferred the ATS 80 as its only marginally heavier, only a few hundred grams, but the 65 came up second hand so that's what I bought.