Which Spotting Scope to buy?

[Bear Brawler]

Ok, Ive become fond of Vortex products, like what I have, like the warranty etc. I am going buy a new spotting scope soon but am wondering, I can get a new Razor HD 16-48x65mm for just under 1300 not tax, but am wondering if a Viper HD 20-60x80mm would be better. The viper is 1050 plus tax so there not much of a price difference. Which one would you buy, and why?

[allan]

Buy the most expensive you can afford, you will never regret it.
Consider in your budget a decent tripod. I bought a used swaro 20-60 ATM hd for 1600 that was mint. It was more then I could afford at the time but looking back I don't regret it at all.
Search used. Better bang for your buck.
Almost all my hunting gear I've bought used and I've saved a pile of $$
ive looked through vortex and razor next to the swaro. You get the marginal increase at min magnification the higher magnification the bigger diff you will see.

[r106]

Depends what your using it for. I have the viper 25-60x80 and I like it but it's bulky. For just counting tines You don't need that magnification. If I was doing it over again I would get a 45x. I use it for deer hunting in a day pack.

If your looking from mountain to mountain then sure get 60X

[todbartell]

I owned a non HD Viper 15-45x65 for over a year, really enjoyed it and have zero bad things to say about it. Amazing optics for the $599 it sold for

Last fall I upgraded to their top end Razor 16-48x65 and so far really like it a lot. Definitely better glass than the Viper. If you can afford the Razor, I'd go that route

I second the suggestion for a good tripod. I use their Summit SS and it's been great. Even my buddy has his $warovski sitting on one :mrgreen:

[OutWest]

Buy the most expensive you can afford, you will never regret it.
Consider in your budget a decent tripod. I bought a used swaro 20-60 ATM hd for 1600 that was mint. It was more then I could afford at the time but looking back I don't regret it at all.
Search used. Better bang for your buck.
Almost all my hunting gear I've bought used and I've saved a pile of $$
ive looked through vortex and razor next to the swaro. You get the marginal increase at min magnification the higher magnification the bigger diff you will see.

x2 on the tripod. Your $1300 spotter becomes a $13 one after getting knocked over in the wind and taking a tumble down the mountain.

[chris26262]

I spent an afternoon side by side with my Razor HD 65 comparing it with my buddies swarovski HD and let me tell ya... Maybe 3-4 % better if that goes to swarovski... So if you can justify another $2000 for that plus a sup par warranty compared to vortex... Also the viper doesn't compare to the razor HD. The Summit SS is a super tri pod!

[Chopper]

another $2000 ?I picked up a swaro HD65with the 20x60 eye piece off CGN last fall for $1350 ... My buddy also found the same scope on there for around the same price.

Those HD65's are retailing with the eye piece for around $2000 , now that the HD80's are out


Here is one on Amazon for $1700 ... you will have to buy an Eye piece but. I would shop around for a swaro ... they are far from the unobtanium that some guys think they are

Swaro's warranty is not sub par ...

http://www.amazon.com/Swarovski-Spotting-Scope-STS-65-Definition/dp/B0019FAUQY

[todbartell]

Spent the afternoon yesterday doing some long distance shooting with my new 7mm, had no issues seeing .284" holes in the brown paper target backing at 700 yards with my Razor 16-48x

[hunter fisher]

i pulled the pin and bought the 65mm razor hd. unreal scope man. after comparing it with my buddies viper, they are both pretty clear, but when its starting to get dark the viper gets dark way faster. I'm glad i spent the extra money, just make sure you have a good tripod for it, gets a bit shaky at x48

[calvin L]

There is a great comparison of the top 8 spotting scopes in the latest eastman hunting journal

[Shooter]

I've got an "as new" less than a year old without a mark on it Viper 20-60x80 I would sell you if you are interested. Great glass but a little bigger than what I need.

[Bear Brawler]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I pulled the pin on a new Razor HD 16x48-65mm angled scope. To my door, $1150 all in. Won an ebay auction for $1000US but it's in Ontario and a private sale so no tax. I think I did well, and yes the money I saved will be spent on a good tri-pod. Mr. Bartell what you got in the shop? Haha.