Spotting Scope - Zeiss / Swarovski / ?

[StanB]

Update.....

Finally got the 65mm ATM HD. Took it to the top of our local ski resort here in PA, Elk Mt. I could use a variety of expletives to describe the image quality but let's leave at this: the white neck bands on the Canadian geese on the pond about 2 miles away were clearly visible at 1 hour before dark. Unbelievable. I don't know how much brighter the 80mm would be, but I doubt it's worth the extra weight for a "hiking" scope.

I did decide to send the ATM back though to get the STM. After loading the ATM in the pack, I didn't care for the amount of space it took up.

[Strider]

I have the Swaro 20-60 x 80mm and us it with Swaru 8x32 binos for mulies in the high country. You can't go wrong with Swaro optics, but I decided on the 80mm due to the exit pupil and brightness. I use it out to 2-miles and am thankful for the extra brightness. It is heavy and big, but worth the weight for me.

[ed99]

I just picked up the ATM 65 with the 25-50 eyepiece. I very impressed with the optics, but I'm not surprised as I've had a pair of Swarvoski 7x30 SLC and found them to be excellent. Getting used to the angled eyepiece, very sharp glass!
With the lifetime warranty, you can't go wrong.
Ed