Tested: Swarovski Balance — The Premium Image-Stabilized Spotting Scope

Gregor Unterberger, widely known as Waffendoc, put the new Swarovski Balance spotting scope through its paces during a fall chamois hunt in the Austrian Alps.

With the new Balance series, Swarovski Optik elevates the classic spotting scope to an entirely new level. For the first time, the Austrian premium manufacturer combines uncompromising glass quality with electronic image stabilization—solving one of the most persistent real-world challenges in hunting optics: fast, steady target identification without a cumbersome support or tripod.

“No Shake. No Doubt. No Hesitation.”

That is the simple promise behind the Balance line—and in the field, it delivers exactly that.

Image stabilization engages at the push of a button and produces a rock-steady, crystal-clear image within seconds, even at high magnifications: up to 45× on the AT Balance and 35× on the ST Balance.

Unterberger, one of the first hunters to test the scope in real hunting conditions, sums it up succinctly: “With conventional spotting scopes, you spend a lot of time setting up—rucksack, jacket, improvised rests—just to calm the image. With the Balance, you switch it on and immediately see what you’re actually looking at.”

That speed of identification is the key differentiator. Quick glance, instantly stable image, confident assessment. In steep alpine terrain or during a moving stalk, that advantage is not theoretical—it is decisive.

Optics Remain Optics — Now With Stability

Despite its electronics, the Balance remains a purely optical spotting scope. There is no screen, no pixelation, no digital zoom illusion—just premium glass.

Many hunters today use super-zoom cameras, such as the popular Nikon P1000, as makeshift spotting scopes due to their extreme focal lengths and digiscoping capabilities. However, those systems rely heavily on digital interpolation. As magnification increases, sharpness and fine detail inevitably degrade.

With the Swarovski Balance, magnification remains true optical magnification, preserving light transmission, contrast, and fine detail—especially noticeable in low light. You are looking through glass, not at pixels, and that difference is unmistakable in the field.

Importantly, the stabilization itself is not simple digital post-processing. It is a sensor-controlled, mechanically assisted system that compensates for hand movement with thousands of micro-adjustments per second, actively stabilizing the optical path.

Field Comparison: Classic Spotting Scopes vs. Camera Solutions

The editors at Schuss & Stille tested the Balance against several established optics, including the Swarovski STX 25-60×65 and the Swarovski ATC 17-40×56.

Classic spotting scopes

• Outstanding optical performance

• Require time, support, and often a tripod for image stability

Swarovski Balance

• Comparable optical quality

• Instant image stability

• Feels like “a spotting scope with a built-in tripod in your pocket”

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Digital zoom cameras (e.g., Nikon P1000)

• Versatile for photo and video

• Digitally limited for precise game evaluation

• Harder to keep stable in real hunting scenarios

Ergonomics, Battery, and Real-World Use

Unterberger strongly prefers angled-eyepiece spotting scopes, particularly in mountainous terrain—a preference reflected in his choice of the AT Balance.

The Balance is ergonomically designed for handheld use, eliminating the constant need for a tripod. That saves weight, reduces setup time, and increases flexibility during spontaneous observation. The image stabilization is powered by a rechargeable battery, delivering approximately eight hours of continuous operation in practical use.

Crucially, if the battery runs empty, the Balance continues to function as a conventional spotting scope—a major advantage over fully digital devices, which become unusable without power.

As expected from Swarovski Optik, the Balance series is positioned firmly in the premium segment:

• AT Balance 18–45×65 (angled eyepiece): approx. €3,590

• ST Balance 14–35×50 (straight eyepiece, lighter): approx. €3,390

This places both models slightly above traditional high-end spotting scopes without stabilization. However, the practical hunting advantage becomes apparent almost immediately.

Once you have experienced how quickly and calmly fine details can be resolved—especially during alpine chamois hunting—it is hard to return to the old routine of “first build a rest, then look.”

The Swarovski Balance is not a gadget. It is a serious hunting tool that delivers tangible benefits in the field. For hunters who value speed, certainty, and optical excellence, it offers real added value where it matters most: in the moment of decision.

More information:

• Swarovski Optik Balance series: https://www.swarovskioptik.com