Spotting Scopes

[Grasp]

About to make my first spotting scope purchase. I have decided on Vortex. Currently trying to decide between 65mm and 80-85mm and between the viper and the razor. Obviously these are very different scopes ranging in prices from $1000 for the Viper 65 to $2300 for the Razor 85. I'm wondering what feedback people have for 65 vs 80-85 in general. The 65 is a full pound lighter. Perhaps a better question is the Viper 80 ($1400) vs the Razor 65 ($1800). I usually spend most of my time still hunting blacktail in the timber but I want to branch out this year to more spot and stalk. That being said I won't be glassing Dall sheep 3 miles away. More likely Elk or Mule deer 700-800 yrds away. My general rule of thumb is to buy the best I can afford at the time. I've never regretted buying the best. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

[Sharpish]

I vote for the razor 65. It will be sharper and clearer. And perhaps nearly as bright given the better glass. And if you decide to go or sheep or goats one day, it will be far more compact and lighter to pack around.

[Knute]

I would recommend the comment by Sharpish, it sounds like that is the way you are leaning already.

[Weatherby Fan]

I agree with what Sharpish said also, my brother has both the Viper HD 15-45x65 and the Razor HD 16-48x65 and he definitely prefers the Razor.

[RiverBear]

The weight difference between the razor 65 and 85 is only 9oz. To me the extra zoom and clarity in lower light conditions is worth the 9oz and a little more size, but it does coast more $$$$.

[bighornbob]

If you are looking at the Razor 65 look around for blowout prices as the new model of razor is out so some retailers are selling the old model of Razor HD for $1200. I picked one up for $1199 before xmas.

BHB

[RackStar]

I picked up the old razor 65mm for 1200. Best purchase I have made. Very happy.

[Sharpish]

Man that's a screaming good deal for alpha glass.

[Sharpish]

Another thing I will mention is the extra zoom is often useless in the field. I have a zeiss 18-45x65 and I find the image is often better around 30x.

I Have friends with Swarovski 20-60x85 and on a clear bright day the image is staggering at full zoom. But if there are any heat waves or it's overcast the image is no good a full zoom, it looks a lot nicer around 40 power because of the bigger exit pupil and less mirage.

[BCBRAD]

Within your budget include a very good tri-pod. Nothing ruins a sharp image that modern glass is capable of with a rickety tri-pod.