SWAROVSKI HABICHT AT80 spotting scope 20-60 Zoom question (1 Viewer)

[tazzilla]

How does this 1990's version compare too todays models. If I was to purchase this older style what am I loosing as in terms of quality? Also what type of glass was used ED please give input if you can. Thanks Taz

 

[RJM]

The sample I've looked thru is optically pretty darn good. But it's a big/heavy and butt ugly scope compared to the sleek/featherweight new ATM 80HD. If under US$900 w/zoom it should be given serious consideration, but only if you can live with the appearance/ergonomics.

 

[henry link]

The AT80-HD is the one with ED glass. The AT80 uses a conventional cemented achromat, so it will have exactly the same amount of chromatic aberration as any other f/5.78 achromat, which is a lot. The eyepiece is quite good. I wouldn't pay much for the non-HD version of this scope

 

[tazzilla]

So most newer ED glass scopes would be better quality even something like the leupold Kenai is that correct?

 

[dwatsonbirder]

The AT80HD is a fine scope, especially when coupled with one of the modern swaro eyepieces. A friend of mine uses one and cant justify the upgrade to the ATS/ATM80 HD. Althought the design is a matter of taste, the eyepiece is set at the same level as the scope body (on the angled version) and as such is very easy to use.

 

[henry link]

So most newer ED glass scopes would be better quality even something like the leupold Kenai is that correct?

You can probably count on newer ED glass scopes having less chromatic aberration than a non-HD AT80. However, CA is not the only aberration or defect a scope can have, so you can't count on every newer ED scope being "better quality" overall.

 

[Jay Gamble]

I have a ST-80 HD from 2001 with the original 20-60x and the newer 30x SW.

It has an excellent image quality. I've compared it to the ATS and ATM 80 HDs, and I find any image differences to be very subtle at best, and I don't mind the older style body.

Since you are considering a used 12-15 year old scope, I'd recommend staying with the HD models. Quality ED glass will always be quality ED glass.

FWIW, I also have a Zeiss 85 T FL Diascope, a Televue 85, and have previously owned Takahashi 76, 100, 152, Astro-Physics 130, and TMB 115 refractors. My copy of the ST-80 HD scope offers a very fine image quality.

Jay

 

[rka]

I have the AT80HD with original 20-60 zoom. I see no significant difference as compared to later scopes. The more modern 20-60, 25-50 or 30x w eyepieces for the ATS/ATM series are much better for digiscoping though and will also work (according to posts) on the old body.