Swaro' vs. Zeiss vs. Vortex Twilight Testing
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2018
- Robby twilight tests the Swarovski ATS, Vortex Viper HD, Zeiss Dialyt, & Swaro' CT. See how these optics ranked in best overall, performance to weight ratio, and best value
I forgot to specify in the video that all optics were tested at 30X. This is a non-scientific test by a non-optics expert, designed to help hunters on various budgets make the best buying decision for themselves.
Good video. I have the Pentax PF80ed scope I picked up on offer up a year ago brand new for 600! I researched and seen lots of astronomers used it. It is MSRP 1250! So since then I Have bought and tested the vortex 20-60x85mm HD scope and its newest version then a Swarovski 80mm sts non HD model. I was sicken literally to find out my pentax Pf80ed scope beat them hands down!!! I was so excited to get my Swarovski its compact the color is absolutely amazing . But the gut wrenching wallet burn I felt when I peered thru my swaro at some pines with the back lighting of the yellow red dusk skies and the pine needles where not a sharp as looking thr the pf80 . I tested them both side by side for weeks in all conditions! And what I found was at 3.1 miles I could clearly see every single bar on the hand rails and door handles of a water faculties building.. where as to the swarovski I could seem the but it was not sharp on the edges of rails and the handles I could barely make out . That was only because I was looking at the thru the pentax and new they were there. I held on the swaro for few months then sold it. Next I had the pf80 side by side with doctor 30X binos it beat them!! then side by side to the leica apo 77 televid it was close but the televid had better contrast and the detail was very very close leica is better. then it side by side with the Swarovski 80mm HD which it was truly brilliant. My guess is kowa 88 is the only comparison the the floride glass class . If u get a chance look up a Pentax pf80,pf65. ,pf100mm I'm sure you would be astounded on how it competes with models twice its price. My moon gazing I cant tell u the detail pentax has. For 600$ its been just amazing. Only con of pentax is it alot bigger than these models I mentioned its heavier and larger not really back pack unless u guide and that all you carry. Pf80 At 120 yards I can see every tiny space and material on a house window screen and for precision mesaure If you look at the ground the focus distance at 79 yards is about a foot wide meaning you only see what your focus on ...1 foot wide . At 100yds I can seen the type of grain on the paper target. On last thing all say on the pentax Is I can read my mail at 70 yards my mail box font is the same size as most mailed letter font size. Swarovski barely made the cut when looking Athens the same lettering test. All the other scopes belong to my uncle that I compared it to.. he's has every dam nightforce scope and high end bino u can name!! AND he still has them all. Needless to say when I hunt with him I have to wipe my drool off his swaro El and leica 12x50plus!!! And Swarovski slc15xhds.. I'm a budget guy and pentax is just amazing..the rest of there line of optics are garbage but I seen they do offer high end bino line now.
Hey Attilla, thanks for the feedback and review on your experiences with all that glass. We agree that there are some hidden gems in the lower priced glass lines like Pentax (I personally ran their 8x42s for years-good glass just a little "delicate" for rough mountain hunting.) One of our writers tested the Vangard Endeavour (sp?) and was shocked at how it stacked up against some Swaro' HDs. That review is still up on Rokslide.com in our optics section. Thanks for your input
Read all of it, that's amazing
Good review.
I briefly had a Swarovski CT75 as well..I say briefly as it was the worst "Brand" spotter I ever owned. Build quality was beautiful.
The downsides (major) were weight, length extended. Horrible eye relief, dark image and "soft" roof prism type resolution...
They're not waterproof at all...But they are apparently dustproof by design (a clever twist). At least you can take a ct75 down in the field and clean the prisms...!!! I sold mine to the first interested customer (Sucker).
Almost any 50 or 60mm waterproof spotter such as a Kowa, Swarovski ATS, Optolyth...Opticron..Well any are better in the field.
Frankly, I don't know who would buy a CT75 in either the US or foreign market.
thanks for your feedback. I'm still using my CT 75 on many hunts, even last week. Purchased in 2003, it's still going strong. I've had virtually none of the problems you described. I don't doubt your experiences, they just haven't been mine. As long as I wipe the extended tube off (when wet), I've not had water penetration issues. Here is my written review on the CT 75. www.rokslide.com/swarovski-ct-extendable-spotting-scopes/
you have sadly got a lemon my friend, you sold someone a lemon damn
What is interesting in this test is that the 65mm Zeiss was the equal of the 85mm Vortex and almost the equal of the 80mm Swarovski. Makes one wonder how Zeiss would have fared had you chosen a scope with a comparably sized objective lens...
I wish I could test 'em all side-by-side! Zeiss is a top-tier optic in most cases, so I'm sure they'd do just fine.
Rokslide I think your right, and perhaps even understating... I’d be willing to wager that if the 65mm Zeiss was essentially the equal of these others, then the 80+mm Zeiss would likely be significantly better than them.
In optics, Zeiss has always been, and still remains, the King.
I’ve always been Swarovski person.. I have their binos (slc 10x42’s ) and a z6 scope on my rifle...always loved their glass... most European/German glass is top notch.. but the price is not always worth the upgrade in some things.. so I’ve been thinking of getting either a Leupold or vortex spotting scope.. in 80mm. But I can’t decide on which ones..is the vortex hd better than the Leupold in the same price range ?
Semi Auto - I tend to find Vortex and Leupold to be very comparable assuming you compare similarly priced/specced models. The one exception is the Leupold Golden Ring spotting scopes (the full-size, Folded Light Path models) that, especially for the eyeglasses-wearing individual, offer some significant benefits (such as unbeatable eye relief, a design that is inherently free of chromatic aberration, etc.) that should not be overlooked.
@@semiauto3148 I haven't had the opportunity to try the Leupold. The Vortex held it's own in this test considering the price. My advice would be to always try the glass before buying or make sure the vendor has a 100% refund policy. It's so hard to rate glass indoors under lights, Outside and in low light is where it's at. I wish I could test them all.
It’s amazing that the zeiss competed so favorably against 80 and 85mm objectives. That’s not even close to a fair comparison so it tells me how good the zeiss is, recognizing it’s limitations and so so edge to edge clarity.
Yeah it’s always surprising when you get different optics together, often what happens is not what you predict. That zeiss has been a really good scope. Not perfect at everything but still good. Still using it.
@@Rokslide by the way. Your videos are excellent. I am currently testing the Nikon fs 82 and 6o. They are favorites amount the bird community and optically, outstanding.
@@davide3129 thank you!
Mr. Denning,
I’m about to pull on a CT 30 75mm scope. Would you tip me in the right direction as far as your experience with the optic?
Do you think the CT will round out my quiver of optics?
Spotters: Razor 85mm, 50mm
Binos: Swarovski EL 12x, 8x range and a pair of UHD 18x.
Or would you sell the Razor 85mm and run a 20x50 Swarovski 80mm?
Thank you in advance and God bless you.
hi Nick. here is my review. www.rokslide.com/swarovski-ct-extendable-spotting-scopes/ it should be lighter and better than that 85 Razor. And will out perform the 50mm Razor. Never heard of a 20-50 x80 Swaro. . did you mean 25-50x? I have it in the 80mm and it edges out the CT but at a weight and bulk penalty.
Looking for a spotting scope. Max range 300 yards. Like to see where I’m hitting paper.
if you mean a spotter for sighting in rifles, you'll need around 60X to see bullet holes at 300 yards and even then, it can be tough. those are small holes.
new ot this game, see a used zeiss 85 T* FL scope going for good money[ £380 British sterling , $490US] I'm thinking of buying. any tips on flaws to look for as I'm wary of second hand optics
God Is In The Details the obvious would be dings or scratches in the glass, stuck focus or power dial, stripped out mounting threads. You might also contact Zeiss to see if they still service that scope in the event it does need work. Good luck!!!
Thanks for the test. I work hard for my money as I am sure all of us do and really want to get the best value I can. Just curious, have you tried the Vortex Razor and if so, where would it fit in this line up? I would expect it to be better then the viper since it costs almost twice as much, but I know there is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to optics. Thanks again for the test.
5-shot, I have not tried the Razor in the spotter line, but I have tried them in the riflescope line, in two separate scopes. Definitely a step above the Viper line. You pay for that difference, but if you can swing it, I'd recommend it. I'd see if there is a dealer around that might let you step out back of the store and see how the scope looks to your eye. If they really want to sell you one, they should let you. Let us know if you can do that and what you think.
What's your opinion on Leupold?
Leupold makes some good optics. I've owned one of their spotters for years and several of their VXIII rifle scopes, but I'm pretty limited in my experience with them beyond that. With the ones I've owned, I'd say they compare to Vortex optics. I do know by experience that Leupold customer service is top notch. That's about all I can offer.
The Viper looks like my old Swarovski 80 a price range would have been useful as a comparison to see how much bang for your buck
Hey, thanks for watching. We avoid talking prices too much as these videos pull in viewers for years and prices change alot. And even when the videos are fresh, seems like when we mention a price, someone chimes in that they found it cheaper/more expensive.
Zeiss is king
All are expensive in this
yip, good glass is not cheap.
Vortex isn’t in the same league as the other 2!
Although it’s not in the same league, you spend a lot more money for a little bit more performance. That’s why we gave it “best value…” Thanks for watching.