Old swaro or new vortex razor?

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   My old man has an old habitch ST-80 swaro spotter (grey body with straight eye piece) that he says he would be willing to sell me for a fair price.  I know 17 years ago it was great compared to other options howeber with technology always changing I was wondering if the newer Vortex razor 20-60x85mm would compete or be better.  His old swaro is not an HD version.

I looked through the razor at a local store outside and was amazed for the price point.  I have a lead where I can get this optic for $850.

Which one would you buy?

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alaska_guy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/07/2018 Location: Alaska Status: Offline Points: 34	Post Options Post Reply Quote alaska_guy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Old swaro or new vortex razor? Posted: August/25/2018 at 16:26
	My old man has an old habitch ST-80 swaro spotter (grey body with straight eye piece) that he says he would be willing to sell me for a fair price. I know 17 years ago it was great compared to other options howeber with technology always changing I was wondering if the newer Vortex razor 20-60x85mm would compete or be better. His old swaro is not an HD version. I looked through the razor at a local store outside and was amazed for the price point. I have a lead where I can get this optic for $850. Which one would you buy?

tucansam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Apprentice Joined: February/05/2007 Status: Offline Points: 140	Post Options Post Reply Quote tucansam Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/08/2019 at 16:33
	Vortex. I had an old Swaro straight-tube, telescoping spotter. It was great, but from the mid 1980s. Images were crisp, but CA was terrible, and I mean on par with a $99 Wal-Mart optic terrible. At the center, and out to the edges. Terrible CA. The image was warm, with a slight yellow tint. I emailed them to see if I could get it tuned/cleaned/etc and they told me it was no longer supported and I was on my own. I did like it, however I sold it to fund other projects. I am also looking at a new spotter, and I can get a similar deal on Vortex products. Having looked at them in stores (not ideal, obviously, but at my local Sportsmans they will accompany you outside with a scope to evaluate), I can say the Razor is many orders of magnitude better than my 1980s-era Swaro. Maybe your dad's is better, and probably is, if its only 17 years old. But my attitude is that coatings and glass manufacturing processes must surely increase in quality and competence as time goes on. Maybe your dad's Swaro is still supported, maybe not. Something to consider if you ever have an issue with it.

mike650 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14502	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike650 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/08/2019 at 16:38
	I bet SONA will still support it or make good, they're probably the best Optics customer service out there. They went above and beyond in supporting an old pair of binos for me from the early 1990's.
	“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear

tucansam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Apprentice Joined: February/05/2007 Status: Offline Points: 140	Post Options Post Reply Quote tucansam Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/08/2019 at 17:16
	Who?

mike650 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14502	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike650 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/08/2019 at 17:55
	SONA Swarovski Optik North America
	“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear

KBP Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/14/2014 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote KBP Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/05/2019 at 15:29
	The old Swarovski was one of my favorites. I just bought a new one and its definitely better but not by much during the day in bright sunlight. It is hard to tell differences in high end scopes during bright daylight. I would opt for the Swarovski.