Light, Bright and Full of Light with the Swarovski ATC and STC Spotting Scopes
Welcome to another brilliantly informative blog by South West Optics. In this post, Russell will explain why you should consider either the STC or ATC Swarovski Optik 17-40x56 Spotting Scopes as a wildlife enthusiast.
We will delve into the many features Swarovski scopes have to offer, whilst managing to answer some of those all-important FAQ's as he goes, including; What is the main difference between the Swarovski ATC and STC spotting scope? What magnification is available on the ATC and STC? And What makes the Swarovski ATC and STC ideal for those wildlife enthusiasts on the move? You'll be able to find all the answers and more at the bottom of the page. Just look for the frequently asked questions.
Let's delve in and see what Russell says about these two scopes!
Deers, Blackbirds, Countryside Rambling and Regeneration
With the ever-increasing post-Covid appreciation of the natural world growing in the consciousness of young and old alike, more and more of us are perhaps taking stock and enjoying what there is to be observed all around us. Whether this appreciation has come about due to passively observing the sights of emboldened deer running down the high street during lockdown, the sounds of louder singing urban blackbirds or perhaps from a more actively pursued passion for rambling in newly discovered hills, tors and mountains, all these experiences serve a similar purpose: enriching our lives in a recreational and regenerative way.
When it comes to regeneration, it has been particularly exciting to see the way the optics design masters at Swarovski Optik have continued to breathe new life into their range of spotting scopes. This is true in terms of new child-friendly product categories and with the perfecting modernisation of their coatings.
'Constantly improving what is good'
Founded in 1949 and quoting the words of Daniel Swarovski, it has long been their ethos to be “Constantly improving what is good”. In many aspects of their internal operations, service departments and distribution this has been what has helped the company to become internationally recognised as a brand which is both efficient in their infrastructure and with the exacting nature of their resulting optical designs.
“How have their optical designs been improved?” I hear you ask. For a brief moment, let’s just consider the release of the ever-so-compact ATC and STS spotting scopes. If, like myself, you already own an existing larger spotter of between 77-115mm diameter objective size, you likely purchased this for its relatively high light transmission to price ratio. This is particularly so if you have the sea-watching beast that is the 115 – something unmatched in its light-gathering surface area. The reality is though, that this category of equipment is not light and not particularly wonderful to take up Snowden or Scafell Pike, or even Sheepstor for that matter. A more typical use for this spotting scope is to head out to either a single or a fixed group of locations, set up for your intended observations and then move on. Depending on your routine, you get some rest when using the optic.
A sweet optical design solution
These larger optics may be relatively light compared to many historical optics of their day and even among their modern competitors, but in all honesty, their weight is a factor you have to at least consider if you are either flying abroad or hiking for serious distances. It’s a natural part of one’s thinking process. “How much can I carry with me and for how long?”
Enter the Swarovski ATC and STC – their angled and straight spotting scopes, respectively.
These really are what can be best described as a sweet optical design solution. Here are just some of the reasons why.
Firstly, it’s the obvious one of being lightweight. The ATC weighs just 970g (2.14lb) - less than a bag of sugar - and in use, feels even lighter than that just purely because of the form factor and balance in hand.
Secondly, because of its compact size, you can fit it in a suitable pocket or rucksack easily, but perhaps most importantly, is that if weight saving is of paramount importance to you, you could mount this on a mono-pod instead of taking your heavier tripod with you. This may sound obvious, and yet for the most adventurous of you who get into and around the undergrowth, this really helps prevent you from getting snagged up by low-hanging branches and general plant growth. Besides that, it’s quick and discreet to set up and still offers super stable images for opportunistic observation of your lesser-spotted flycatchers and cuckoos. Interestingly enough, the agility of the lesser spotted flycatcher is in no small way thanks to its lightweight characteristics of weighing only 19 grams and being 14cm in length. Yes, the ATC and STC are agile birds in their own right.
Thirdly, the image quality is so good due to the optical design as a whole, that lends itself perfectly well to digiscoping. With this model, Swarovski has resisted the urge to push the magnification beyond an optimal 40x, after which it becomes increasingly more difficult to yield bright images with smaller objectives. It’s a smart decision as the stability you usually require for movement-free digiscoping may be best reached at around 20x magnification and with this optic, you are reaping a very practical exit pupil of 2.5mm while ‘pushing the envelope’ ever so slightly achieving 22.4x magnification. In short, you get physically light use, bright images, which when used on a tripod, are rock solid. Having a centre-focussing barrel further aids stability.
Rather than a focus being built into one end of the eyepiece whereby the slightest movement translates into an undesirable wobble, this system reduces that to the greatest degree with focus being control in the middle of the scope.
Sensibly the scope is not handicapped with a useless exit pupil size at maximum magnification either, as it still produces a very practical 1.4mm at 56x magnification. What does this mean if you are digiscoping? Even if the day is heavily overcast, just drop the zoom slightly on the scope itself, use your digital zoom on the mobile phone and you have equally bright and rewarding results.
Another fourth benefit of this smaller size is the lack of surface area exposed to the wind when taking photos, which is not an inconsequential factor, especially if you’re on the coast observing sea birds bombing in and around the cliff faces as they cut the wind to their advantage.
Here’s a fifth benefit you won’t readily hear anyone talking about, but is a very significant factor in optimising the actual light path of the photons reaching your eye – that of the short distance the light has to travel to reach you through the optical system. Yes, of course, the glass, air and coatings all play their critical parts, but the short distance the strength of light flux has to travel contributes to the image fidelity and integrity.
Light, Bright and Full of Bite.
Now to hear from Russell himself with a quick video. If you wish to hear more from the man himself, don't forget to check out our YouTube channel.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the main difference between the Swarovski ATC and STC spotting scopes?
The primary difference between the ATC and STC spotting scopes is their design orientation. The ATC (Angled Telescope Compact) features an angled eyepiece, which is ideal for longer observation sessions, particularly when looking upwards or sharing the scope with others. The STC (Straight Telescope Compact) has a straight eyepiece, making it quicker to locate and track moving subjects.
2. How much do the Swarovski ATC and STC spotting scopes weigh?
The Swarovski ATC and STC spotting scopes are exceptionally lightweight, with the ATC model weighing just 970g (2.14 lbs). This makes them easy to carry during long hikes or trips, offering high portability without compromising performance.
3. Can I use the Swarovski ATC or STC for digiscoping?
Yes, both the ATC and STC models are excellent for digiscoping. They have an optimal magnification of up to 40x, providing bright, stable images, which makes them ideal for capturing high-quality photos with minimal wobble. The practical design of the focus system, with the centre-focusing barrel, ensures extra stability during use.
4. What makes the Swarovski ATC and STC scopes particularly good for travel and hiking?
These scopes are designed for portability, being lightweight and compact enough to fit into a pocket or small rucksack. Additionally, they can be mounted on a mono-pod instead of a heavier tripod, reducing bulk and making them easier to use in dense undergrowth or challenging terrain.
5. What magnification options are available on the Swarovski ATC and STC scopes?
The Swarovski ATC and STC spotting scopes offer magnification of up to 40x. Swarovski has designed them with an optimal balance between magnification and brightness, avoiding the need to push beyond 40x, which would compromise image quality with smaller objectives.
6. How does the image quality of the ATC and STC compare to larger spotting scopes?
Despite their compact 56mm objective lens, the ATC and STC deliver image brightness and resolution comparable to larger 65mm or even 77mm spotting scopes. This is thanks to Swarovski’s advanced optical design and superior coatings, ensuring exceptional light transmission and clarity even at maximum magnification.
7. What are the key benefits of the compact size of the Swarovski ATC and STC scopes?
The compact size of these scopes provides several advantages:
- Lightweight for easier carrying during long hikes or travel.
- Reduced surface area exposed to wind, ensuring stability during photography or observation.
- Convenient to store in small bags or pockets.
- Can be mounted on a mono-pod to avoid the bulk of a traditional tripod.
8. What makes the Swarovski ATC and STC spotting scopes particularly stable during use?
The central focusing barrel design of the ATC and STC scopes minimises wobble during adjustments, as the focus is controlled in the middle of the scope rather than at the eyepiece. This contributes to more stable and sharper images, especially when using higher magnifications or digiscoping.
9. What is the minimum focus distance on the Swarovski ATC and STC?
The Swarovski ATC and STC spotting scopes allow for close observation, with a minimum focus distance of 2.3 metres. This is perfect for detailed viewing of nearby flora and fauna.
10. Do the ATC and STC models come with an Arca-Swiss compatible mounting plate?
Yes, Swarovski will release future models of the ATC and STC with an Arca-Swiss compatible mounting plate, ensuring seamless attachment to compatible tripod heads for a secure and stable fit.
11. What advancements in optical coatings have Swarovski made in the ATC and STC scopes?
Swarovski has incorporated advanced coatings in the ATC and STC models, which significantly enhance light transmission. These coatings allow the 56mm objective lens to perform more like a larger 65mm or bigger objective, providing impressive brightness and resolution, even in overcast conditions.
12. Why is the shorter light path in the Swarovski ATC and STC scopes beneficial?
The shorter light path in the ATC and STC scopes optimises the light transmission, ensuring that the image you see through the eyepiece remains bright and detailed. Combined with the high-quality glass and coatings, this helps produce sharp, high-fidelity images in a compact design.
Equipment:
Swarovski Optik ATC 17-40x56 Spotting Scope
Swarovski Optik STC 17-40x56 Spotting Scope
Brand
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