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High-end Scopes ReviewFor Bird Watcher's Digest, November, 2009by Michael and Diane Porter Best Ergonomics and Overall Design An elegant design is more than just aesthetics. It reveals a commitment to detail and perfection that is likely to be found deeper in the workings of the scope. A scope's ergonomic design determines how well it gets along with you--how user-friendly it is. In deciding among high-end scopes, where the resolution and image quality are already excellent, ergonomic issues can drive the choice. The 80mm Swarovski ATM-80 HD scope won this category hands down. It has a lovely, simple sweep of line. There are no knobs to stick out or catch on anything, no corners to collect dirt. It was the lightest-weight scope in our survey. (The main change from the older ATS to the new ATM model is lighter weight.) It's fully armored. When you pick it up, it feels good, it fits well in your hand, and nothing pokes you. It balances perfectly.
The scope is fully clothed with a dark green, rubberized armor, leaving no exposed metal to freeze your hands in cold weather. The dark green color is an attractive hue that blends in well with natural scenes. The scope surface looks smooth, but it's lightly textured, pleasant to the touch and remarkably grippy in the hand. A stunningly beautiful scope. And as Grandma used to say, "Pretty is as pretty does." The new Swarovski ATM-80 HD provides a beautiful image, and the scope itself is beautiful to look at and beautiful to use. In April 2009, Swarovski introduced new ATM-HD (angled) and STM-HD (straight) scopes in the US. They're the same size and shape as the previous ATS-HD and STS-HD models, but with new magnesium housing they weigh a couple of ounces less. The new models resemble their predecessors except for subtle color changes--a black lens hood and green focus band. The new "M" scopes are streamlined There are no knobs to stick up or catch on anything, no corners to collect dirt. The focus mechanism, a ribbed band around the middle section, is flush with the surface of the scope barrel. A precise focus mechanism The scope is fully clothed with a dark green, rubberized armor, leaving no exposed metal to freeze your hands in cold weather. The dark green color is an attractive hue that blends in well with natural scenes. The scope surface looks smooth, but it's lightly textured, pleasant to the touch and remarkably grippy in the hand. A choice eyepiece The ATM-HD scope works both with Swarovski's new, wide-angled 25-50x zoom eyepiece and with the previous 20-60x zoom from older models. You can purchase the scope with either eyepiece, so you get a choice. The eyepiece attaches by a locking bayonet mount. Its excellent tolerances make changing eyepieces a pleasure. On every ergonomic issue we observed, the Swarovski was tops. A delicate balance
Swarovski shows their new scopes with a wide-angled 25-50x zoom eyepiece. The eyepiece attaches by means of a bayonet mount, which clicks into place when installed. To remove the eyepiece, you press a small button at the base to unlock it. If you've ever had an eyepiece fall out because you inadvertently loosened it when you meant to change the magnification of the zoom, you'll appreciate the security that this lock provides. The Swarovski zooms operate silently, with smoothness and precision. No grinding or scraping of metal on metal. Just a smooth, precise turn. The older 20-60x Swarovski zoom also fits the new scope. Both the 20-60x and the new 25-50x eyepieces fit older Swarovski scopes as well. And all of Swarovski's digital camera adapters work with the new scope. Details, details In the design of this scope, Swarovski has paid great attention to detail. For example, consider the way the scope rotates to the side. This is an important function, particularly in the angled version of the scope, because it allows people of differing heights to see through the scope without disturbing the aim. There's an indent that clicks when the eyepiece is returned to the upright position, offering tactile and faintly audible feedback. There's also a narrow, recessed line, an attractive design element with a subtle function. When the eyepiece is in the upright position, the recessed line is continuous along the length of the scope, another sensory clue that you are "home." The line itself also adds a modicum of additional texture and grippiness to the surface. The aim in sight
The eyepiece cap comes with a tether to the eyepiece. Again, Swarovski gives a useful feature with great functionality but doesn't force it on a user who doesn't want it. The tether can be neatly removed. Swarovski's aim seems to be to execute the most perfect optics possible, while maintaining the compactness, lightness, and slim-waisted, ergonomic sleekness of the scope. Even though they could doubtless squeeze out a sliver more resolution by making the objective lens larger, they choose to keep their scope compact, svelte, and imminently portable. It's also available in the 65mm model. We show the angled versions in the store, because that's what most birder's prefer, but there are also straight versions of both the 80mm and the 65mm scopes, at the same prices. Just call us up (800-779-7256) and ask about them. The ATM-HD scope works both with Swarovski's new, wide-angled 25-50x zoom eyepiece and with the previous 20-60x zoom from older models. You can purchase the scope with either eyepiece, so you get a choice. The eyepiece attaches by a locking bayonet mount. Its excellent tolerances make changing eyepieces a pleasure. On every ergonomic issue we observed, the Swarovski was tops.
Copyright 2010 by Michael and Diane Porter. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Next Page |
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Birdwatching Dot ComPlease call us toll free 800-779-7256 for advice on choosing binoculars or other birding products. All text is copyright Birdwatching Dot Com unless otherwise specified. |
To focus, you turn a ribbed band around the middle section of the scope. The challenge to this kind of focusing is that it must offer precise resistance, with absolutely no slack. Otherwise the act of turning the band will disturb the image and make focusing difficult. And the Swarovski engineers have met the challenge. The tolerances on the focus band are impeccable, with slack nonexistent. It is a pleasure to the sense of touch to focus a Swarovski using this hand-or-glove-friendly, three-fingers-wide band.
The scope balances neatly on the ring where it attaches to the tripod, making it neither front-heavy nor back-heavy, and easing the task of aiming at the object.
We especially appreciate the Swarovski's sighting mechanism, which we found useful and accurate. The peep sight does protrude from the streamlined surface. However, you can take it off by removing the eyepiece and popping out the sight module.
