I'm very happy with my STX and BTX Swarovski's, it is probably the most versatile system with the best glass in the world. But I would take a Kowa over the STS lineup from Swaro. The Kowa 88 series is incredible. But I decided to pony up the cash for an optics system that would fit me for the next 20 years. It took a number of years and alot of disappointment in lesser scopes, but very happy I finally took the plunge.