spotting scope choice

[chevellenut]

i am leaning towards the vortex razor HD 16-48X 65. what are everyones thoughts , concerns, recommendations? i have a pair of swaro el 10X42 binocs already. i am not sure i can justify another $2500+ purchase on optics, so i thought these vortex are a good choice. a blend of price, quality, size, weight, etc.....

[AlexG]

i am leaning towards the vortex razor HD 16-48X 65.

I am leaning towards that same spotting scope except i am debating whether i should get it in the 20-60x85.

[under H2O hunter]

It depends on what you are trying to accomplish with your spotting scope. Both the 65 and the 85 are excellent choices. The weight however is a bit much if you plan on caring them in your pack all day every day. If you are not going to be caring them every day in a pack Then I would get as big of an objective lens as what your budget will allow. If you are planning on packing your spotting scope the 11-33x50 Is small enough and light weight enough to carry all day and not weight you down.

[Pop-r]

The only problem with an 11-33 is his binos will equal if not outdo it.

[Indian Summer]

In my opinion a spotting scope is a specialized tool. You don't even need one unless you know you truly have a use for it. But.... if you do don't buy a stepping stone. I have a 20 to 60 and it happens all the time where I go to crank it up more only to find out it's already maxed out. As far as the objective lens size.... the time it really matters most is early and late in low light. Of course this is also the best time to find elk and deer out in the open. I can spot in near darkness with my 80mm Swaro. I've watched game move into the timber before I would have been able to pick them out with anything less. If you want to spot game at long distances and/or in low light, buy the king! 20-60X80 and you'll never regret it. If you can't pack it around.... then you can't very well pack an elk quarter either. Lol Vortex makes fine optics too so you're on the right track there.

[Rizzy]

I used the Viper 65mm for two seasons and now have upgraded to the Razor 65mm. So far there is not an overall huge jump in the clarity at the lower zoom. There is a noticeable difference at the higher zoom and I'm glad I upgraded for that. Also it's noticeably lighter than the Viper and I really like that. I still plan to upgrade to the 85mm Razor in the future because I can appreciate the better light gathering at higher zooms and the higher zoom for scouting.

[ElkNut1]

Guys, as a Vortex Dealer I have the luxury of using all three of the the Razor HD line Spotters. They all have their intended use & are excellent glass, if they weren't I wouldn't use them or carry them. The 11-33X50 is the lightest one at 25-0z, it's good to two miles out for checking antler size, this far surpasses any 10X42 on the market. The 16-48X65 at 48-0z is good to near 4 miles out for checking on antlers. The 20-60X85 at 65-0z is good to 5 miles or so & is one of my favorites!

If a hunter can only afford one Spotter his best bet is to go for the All Purpose one & that's the 65, it can be packed with or used near the truck/rig. -- Personally I use the 85 at the rig or within a mile or so but take the 50 with me once I hit the woods for all day hunts such as on mule deer hunts. That 50 is an amazingly clear spotter, I am truly happy with its performance & always seems to be in my pack because of it's weight & size.

Which spotter that's best for you depends on your dominant use. Mostly rig time then go with the 85. Mostly both rig & packing, the 65 gets the nod.

For those interested here's a link to their pricing, check out the Open Box prices on all units! http://stores.elknut.com/vortex-optics/

ElkNut1

[Pop-r]

I respectfully disagree. Unless said subject is in the light you will not or i will not be able to tell much about antler size when i can see it better with my 12×50 Leo's which prolly aren't quite the Swaro's mentioned. For what little benefit (as it is clear as air) you get from it on very well lit objects it doesn't have much value to me as I'm gonna have my binos anyway.

[Indian Summer]

I used the Viper 65mm for two seasons and I plan to upgrade to the 85mm Razor in the future because I can appreciate the better light gathering at higher zooms and the higher zoom for scouting.

I've heard that so many times. When it comes to major investments like a spotting scope I prefer to buy once and never look back. I waited for years and years before I pulled the trigger on a used Swaro scope.

One thing to remember too and I'm sure Elknut and anyone who owns a spotting scope will agree with: A good tripod is a must. It makes an unbelievable difference. I even use one with my binos for prolonged glassing. I do try to keep the size and weight down when it comes to the pod. I'm actually in the market for a new one. But I make no sacrifices when it comes to the tool that sits on top of it. Vortex makes some killer tripods to so don't forget to have a look at those too.

[Rizzy]

I used the Viper 65mm for two seasons and I plan to upgrade to the 85mm Razor in the future because I can appreciate the better light gathering at higher zooms and the higher zoom for scouting.

I've heard that so many times. When it comes to major investments like a spotting scope I prefer to buy once and never look back. I waited for years and years before I pulled the trigger on a used Swaro scope.

One thing to remember too and I'm sure Elknut and anyone who owns a spotting scope will agree with: A good tripod is a must. It makes an unbelievable difference. I even use one with my binos for prolonged glassing. I do try to keep the size and weight down when it comes to the pod. I'm actually in the market for a new one. But I make no sacrifices when it comes to the tool that sits on top of it. Vortex makes some killer tripods to so don't forget to have a look at those too.

I do/did hear it a lot also and everyone that has been there done that says buy the best from the get go. In hindsight that's good advice, but rarely followed.
My strategy, since I couldn't afford the best from the get go, has been to incrementally move up each season or two. That way I always have a spotter. I started my spotter voyage with a Minox 50mm. The following season I sold it, added that seasons budget in the mix and got a Viper. Two seasons later, I sold the Viper and added more money to the pot and got a Razor. Next will be the 85mm Razor and then the 50mm Razor. I like the idea of the 50/85 combo. I would scout with the 85mm and hunt with the 50mm.

I agree on the tripod and tripod head. I use the Slik 624 and it works great. My promaster 6160 head has loosened up over the seasons and is not stable anymore. It's just not built to tight enough tolerances to be steady. There is creep and wobble, which is annoying.

[pointysticks]

i think 65mm are the best compromise. i have the Vipers that i got from Paul.

i'll be honest, it took some getting used to. carrying them sometimes sucks. sitting down, pulling them out of you pack, setting them up. sucks. putting it all away..sucks. get the picture?

BUT!!! let me tell you what. hunting in wide open spaces, you have one arm tied behind your back if you dont have them..or you are not using them. for me, hunting is a big game. game of cat and mouse. i think the big..no the biggest advantage is seeing game before they see you. that's it. the single biggest advantage. (or a long range rifle..that is pretty advantageous too..but along the same line of thinking)

you can find a "brown" colored animal on the distant hillside..and sure, you can traipse over there to get closer to take a look with the 10x42's. i get it. or you can pull out a spotter and just take a look. i think the tool is a great investment. saves time, saves energy..and saves territory you dont have to go stomping thru to get a better look.

i just got back from AZ hunting couse deer. i think most of my deer spots i found with the scope on the lowest power setting. i just sit there, with my hand over my one eye..i can sit like that for hours. i think any spotting scope has better edge to edge clarity over any bino. something about coordinating two scopes. my viper are crystal right up at the edges. i cant count how many flickering movements i have caught right at the very edge..scoot the scope..VIOLA! a deer! (mostly does, apparently)

i have the hardware to put my binos on a tripod. but i am so effective at the scope, i rarely do anymore. i love a spotting scope. i'm not sure an 85mm would fit in my pack. i'd make my younger brother do the carry if they were that big and bulky.

[pointysticks]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1422984184.656172.jpg (67.76 KiB) Viewed 15552 times

[chevellenut]

so far i am still leaning towards the 65mm..... i am going to be packing this around mostly. not being used from the vehicle, at all.

[pointysticks]

so far i am still leaning towards the 65mm..... i am going to be packing this around mostly. not being used from the vehicle, at all.

Exactly. My very same M.O.

With a 624 slik and vanguard head, it's isn't that heavy.

[Rizzy]

The slik 624, vanguard head, and 65mm Razor is a good combo for backpack hunting

[chevellenut]

i have found the Sirui T-025X 52" Ultra-Compact Carbon Fiber Tripod with C-10x Ball Head to be only like 1.7 lbs for near the same price but will handle heavier equipment to be a better choice for a tripod imo.

[chevellenut]

if you were to choose angled or straight, which would you choose and why?

[Ridge Ghost]

Straight: quicker target acquisition
Angled: easier on your neck

It really depends on your style of hunting. If you just need to put some quick glass on an animal to determine trophy size, straight is the way to go. If you are above timberline glassing for hours, angled is way more comfortable. Most of my elk spots are too thick to effectively use a spotting scope. I do bring a 50mm straight spotter for muleys and spring bear to judge them after locating with the 10x42's. For my style, straight seems better. If I ever hunt mule deer in a state like Colorado or Nevada that allows for glassing huge open areas all morning and evening, I'm sure I would want an angled scope.

[Indian Summer]

Good question. I always thought I wanted a straight. I had used one that a buddy owned and liked it. But when I went to buy a used one it was angled. Man am I glad! I like it way better. Like Ridge Ghost said it's easier on the neck. Chances are you'll be putting in some time. It's not like binos where you pick them up and down more often. But for me the big difference is stability. All tripods ultimately come up to a single center shaft. That shaft is the most unstable part of the tripod. So by using an angled spotting scope I can have it lower than a straight which needs to be eye level. So there's much less wobble.

I got a steal on my Swaro. $800 with the tripod and carrying case. So I was sure I was going to buy a straight eyepiece for it. But once I used the angled I never considered it again.

[pointysticks]

I think angled has one advantage. Looking uphill.
Oh it easier to lean mouth of the way so a bud can take a peek. I also think for me, it easier to aim At something far away. I'm

[elkaholic]

I used the Viper 65mm for two seasons and I plan to upgrade to the 85mm Razor in the future because I can appreciate the better light gathering at higher zooms and the higher zoom for scouting.

I've heard that so many times. When it comes to major investments like a spotting scope I prefer to buy once and never look back. I waited for years and years before I pulled the trigger on a used Swaro scope.

One thing to remember too and I'm sure Elknut and anyone who owns a spotting scope will agree with: A good tripod is a must. It makes an unbelievable difference. I even use one with my binos for prolonged glassing. I do try to keep the size and weight down when it comes to the pod. I'm actually in the market for a new one. But I make no sacrifices when it comes to the tool that sits on top of it. Vortex makes some killer tripods to so don't forget to have a look at those too.

I too started with the Viper and when I sat next to my buddy who had the Razor I wished I had went with the Razor from the start. Needless to say I upgraded last year to the 65mm Razor. The 85 would have been nice but I wanted one that I could pack around all day. Picked up a Vortex tripod as well and love the "ball" style head it has. I prefer the angled version as it makes long hours behind the glass easy on the neck.

[Rizzy]

I like the angled better too. I don't have to set my tripod up so high and in my face. It's also easier to glass to each side of me by just rotating the spotter instead of repositioning myself.

[Ben Nicholson]

I have a Vortex Nomad (it's no longer made), 20 X 60 (60mm). It's nothing fancy, but works for me. Oh, and I have the angled eye piece.

Good luck,
Ben

[chevellenut]

the more i am looking into this, i believe i can acquire a swarovski ats-65 HD for a few hundred or so more. just need to be patient and be ready to purchase when the right deal comes along. i have till mid-august before i really need it. hunting in early to mid-september. so i have time..... buy once.....