spotting scope advice...

[hookedonblacktails]

Thought I would add, I just got the 16-48 razor and thought I would get rid of the 11-33 but as per last sentence in your post I decided to keep it because it is just so darned lightweight and compact and lets face it you just don't need a big spotter for many deer hunting scenarios. I'd rather keep my pack lighter for packing out meat.

[todbartell]

Both are great choices I would go with the 11-33 Razor for future use

[r106]

Are we talking counting tines or aging sheep?

[bc_buckshot]

Please can there be more reviews and options seeing I'm in the same boat with decisions. Also which one would be ideal for age sheep and which power

[.264winmag]

No first hand experience with your two choices, but stared at a few growth rings out 3 different spotters in the 9-$1300 range. I'm packing a 12-40x leupold gold ring now and although it's 20x less on the top end than the leupold Kenai I flogged the 40x on the Gr is USABLE under all conditions. In my experience aging sheep without a top 3 spotter, I'm looking for potential Rams to hike to for a closer look. Target range for closer inspection is inside 500yds, and clear 40x is plenty in favourable conditions. Heat/mirage is common vs sheep, leaving higher mag useless on lower quality optics. Maybe Swarovski isn't as bad?
Not sure if that helps, but as stated go for quality over magnification imo

[Ride Red]

I'm using a 16-48 Razor HD and feel it's good glass for the money. A good tripod as suggested is an important piece to make viewing enjoyable instead of frustrating.