New Swaro AT and ST Balance

[npaden]

So who is going to be the first one on the forum to pick up one of the new Swarovski AT or ST Balance spotting scopes?

I'm actually tempted. I've been looking at picking up an ATC for a while and just can't seem to pull the trigger. About the only negatives I see are price (really only about at 30% premium over the standard non stabilized versions) and weight. But you might be able to make up for the weight by skimping on your tripod.

I've watched most of the YouTube videos but it seems like those are very slanted and that Swarovski actually gave them guidelines on what they could and couldn't show in their reviews. (I think one reviewer said that Swarovski actually stated that they didn't want them to show any footage of them actually on a tripod).

Anyone actually had their hands on one? In some ways it seems gimmicky because who in the world would use a spotting scope hand held, but in other ways it seems like it would be pretty cool. Sounds like the biggest advantage would be the speed that you could identify whether it is a good animal once you spotted it. Save the time to pull the tripod out and get it all setup.

Don't think it would change anything sitting and glassing when you are looking for something, I think that would be a drag using the handheld for that. It could be nice for a windy day.

Batteries are supposed to last 12 hours. Might have to buy a spare to take on a long hunt.

Oak needs to get some of these out on some raffles to raise some money for the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society!

 

[npaden]

If the ST was the same specs as the AT I think I would have already pulled the trigger.

That would be a nice setup for a backpack and you could buy an eye patch and walk around making Arrrr pirate sounds.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

If the ST was the same specs as the AT I think I would have already pulled the trigger.

That would be a nice setup for a backpack and you could buy an eye patch and walk around making Arrrr pirate sounds.

Yes, I also thought it odd/interesting this is the first I can recall where the mag and objectives are different between angled and straight. It was always hard enough to decide between the two, now they changed the specs between them so sorta apples and oranges. Wonder if they will eventually have two of each or if this was more strategic for certain market demographics?

 

[npaden]

Yes, I also thought it odd/interesting this is the first I can recall where the mag and objectives are different between angled and straight. It was always hard enough to decide between the two, now they changed the specs between them so sorta apples and oranges. Wonder if they will eventually have two of each or if this was more strategic for certain market demographics?

One of the reviewers said that it was because the ST was too fat to comfortably hand hold if they increased the objective to the same as the AT. Maybe some folks have small hands.

I wonder if this is more of a birder type move for them, I've always heard that more birders buy high end glass than hunters.

 

[Chingon]

IMO the only real justification is digiscoping for better footage. I had a spotter but sold it awhile back since my hunting style is too ADD and I'm rarely in a single spot glassing for multiple hours.

If you are the type to sit and glass from a single spot for hours, I think you'd still want a tripod, as hand holding anything for that long gets tiring. With stabilized optics, you inevitably lose FOV and light transmission, so they're always a tradeoff. Might as well get the superior optic for $1,000 less?

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I wont be an early adopter but they seem sweet to me. I would want a bigger objective straight one. If it helps with sensitivity of eye placement all the better.