Spotting scope help!

[Grolar]

Im looking to buy a vortex spotting scope and I cant figure out which one to get.....im looking a the diamondback 20-60x60 or 20-60X80 don't know if 20mm would make a big deal all I know that it lets in more light and the x80 is a pound heavier too, that being said I was wondering if it would be good glassing and counting tines/points or telling the curl and also figuring if its a billy at 1000-1500 yards I don't know if that's possible cause I was using the bushnell trophy xlt spotting scope and I couldn't even tell how many points a deer had at 400 yards.....so its time for a new spotting scope, my price range is about $650

[Darksith]

buy the best one you can for the money you have...honestly I would bite the bullet and spend more. When you break out the spotting scope its time to know exactly what you are looking at, and although I own vortex glass, I haven't heard many great things about their spotters, and myself invested heavily into a spotter (used swaro 60mm) simply because there can be no guess work when you use it to commit to something like an animal, whether it be hiking across a huge valley, counting points on an elk or deer or moose, or trying to ID a ram as legal. Ive had that "I think it was legal" moment, luckily I was right, but I never wanted to be in that situation again, and regret making the decision I made in hind site although I felt confident I wasn't certain. Be patient, you can find some great deals on ebay if you just watch for the right one. Either way though good luck.

[BCBRAD]

A good tri-pod is a must or steady rest on your pack, I have a vortex 15x45, it is relatively portable and I rarely use its full power, with the quality of glass about 25X seems the best. Its in your price range as well.

[Moe.JKU]

I am going to go with the 80mm when i go with mine. For me 1 pound more is worth it in optics.

I have heard good things about the Vanguard endeavor HD which is in that price range. That is the one i'm lookin at, as it comes with HD glass. Just to confuse you even more :)

A good review here:
http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-05-09-42/optics/276-vanguard-endeavor-hd-65s-spotting-scope-shocking-performance-value

[albravo2]

I have the razor HD 20-65 and rarely use mine at top magnification. mine is fairly heavy, especially when added onto a full pack, and i didn't want the extra weight of an 80.

That said, I haven't used it on a sheep or goat hunt and I may wish I had more magnification. I'm hoping the LEH gods will let this become a problem for me!

[Bear Brawler]

I have the Vortex Razor HD 16x48mm and love it! I found it on Ebay, new and only $999. Best thing I've bought in years, save a little more and get more quality. You won't regret it.

[Grolar]

I heard good things about the viper 15-45x60....will that size be good at telling things at least 1000 yards

[Pangaea]

Not to muddy the waters, but I just picked up a Leupold SX1 Ventana with an angled eyepiece on Amazon.com for $226. I haven't used it in the field so far, but out my dining room window, it performs well. Good eye relief too with glasses. 'Course you've got to get it up from the States...
Oops, sorry... Just realized you were looking for a 60x. SX1 is 15-45...

[warnniklz]

I got the viper 14-60x65 and am impressed. If you had aske me a year ago, I would have had a different opinion. It's more than enough scope for myself.

I got the Summit SS tripod with it. Personally I'm not a fan of it. That being said, it is really light and compact.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

80mm is a big effin spotting scope. I'd go with a 60mm unless you'll just be using it from your vehicle.

SSS

[Grolar]

nope back packing so something light would be nice I just cant decide to get the vortex diamondback 20-60x60 or the viper 15-45x60 .....what one would be the best for 1000 yards, the viper is clearer but the diamondback see's farther

[BCBRAD]

The one with better glass will always be clearer, I use mine at the range at 1000+ yards, can see 1 inch black squares on a white background.

[Grolar]

do you have the viper or the viper HD

[BCBRAD]

do you have the viper or the viper HD

No HD, I understand HD is better for taking photographs, for me , not worth the extra coin.

[Grolar]

and the regular viper is good for glassing 1000 yards you said.....how much you paid and what vortex tripod would be the lightest for backpacking

[BCBRAD]

I have this one, there are better tho..........http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-high-country-tripod-kit

[BCHunterTV]

i use a Vortex on my mnt hunts

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10302162_10152174827630069_1244632640453177657_n.j pg

[604redneck]

I heard good things about the viper 15-45x60....will that size be good at telling things at least 1000 yards
I should have taken pictures of my viper spotting scope before I sent it back for warranty......under 20 days on it and the coating on the glass is hooped and apparently the glue on the threads that hold the body together have way I now have a modular o2 filled viper lol. It's a one of a kind! I'll sell it to u i should receive a new viper hd in the mail within a month....hopefully before I'm supposed to fly into the spat

[604redneck]

I have this one, there are better tho..........http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-high-country-tripod-kit
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/summit-ss-tripod-with-ball-head
A bit more dollars but I have the high country and the summit ss and the high country is half the tripod

[Stone Sheep Steve]

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/summit-ss-tripod-with-ball-head
A bit more dollars but I have the high country and the summit ss and the high country is half the tripod

How do you like the summit ss?

[sakofinnlight]

I bought the razor hd 16-48x65 I'm really impressed with the glass but like many have meantioned when zoomed all the way in the clarity isn't very good and any slight shake makes it near impossible to see out of. I very highly suggest this scope and if you are backpacking don't buy the 80!!! And yes the 45x is it's than enough to see what you want to see at 1000yrds

[604redneck]

I like it it's very sturdy

[warnniklz]

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/summit-ss-tripod-with-ball-head
A bit more dollars but I have the high country and the summit ss and the high country is half the tripod

What do you dislike aboot the high country?

[Badlands62]

I have the Vortex Viper HD, 15-45x65.. Love it.

[r106]

I have the Vortex Viper HD, 15-45x65.. Love it.

Thats the one I wish I got. non HD though

I have the Viper 20-60x80 angled. It is a great scope but I found out I don't need the extra magnification like I thought I would. 60X is handy for spotting shots for long range target shooting but for my hunting needs 45x would be perfect. So it depends on what your intended use is. If you really want a 60x I wouldn't bother getting any of the models below the Viper. IMHO the nomad and Diamond back are useless beyond 30-40x

[Grolar]

Then what would be better then the viper 15-45x65 or 20-60x80 I am back packing once said but I can afford couple pounds to my pack....and for tripod, whats wrong with the highcountry tripod from vortex

[r106]

Depends on what you need. If your just counting tines and not glassing from one mountain to another then 45x should be good. If your aging sheep or glassing long distances but don't mind the extra weight then get a 60x

[hunter fisher]

if you do buy a vortex, get the best. the warranty on it is so good, you will never have to buy another spotter. the 65mm is amazingly clear, and still fits in your backpack. good luck!

[Grolar]

Depends on what you need. If your just counting tines and not glassing from one mountain to another then 45x should be good. If your aging sheep or glassing long distances but don't mind the extra weight then get a 60x how long of distance when you mean (long distance)....then what tripod should I get from vortex then

[Grolar]

of lets just shorten this up......will the 15-45x65mm do the job of telling the curl at 1500 yards or is that the 20-60x80mm job then

[Darksith]

of lets just shorten this up......will the 15-45x65mm do the job of telling the curl at 1500 yards or is that the 20-60x80mm job then

the 45 won't, Im not sure the 60 will either...not if it is boarder line. But at least you will know you are dealing with a nice animal and its worth closing the distance to get a better look

[Grolar]

I went to wholesale today and they had the 20-60x80mm and the things super bukly....but usually where I go for sheep its usually glassing across the valley peak to peak so whats my best bet

[todbartell]

I'd try to find the 15-45x65mm Viper, recently discontinued. Should be a few floating around though. Great glass and not much more $ than a Diamondback

Summit SS tripod is nice and light, and no plastic latches like the High Country

[Grolar]

I'd try to find the 15-45x65mm Viper, recently discontinued. Should be a few floating around though. Great glass and not much more $ than a Diamondback
How much distance do you get with the 15-45x65

[todbartell]

How much distance do you get with the 15-45x65

On days with no mirage I could see .224" bullet holes in white paper target at 600 yards. I upgraded to the Razor HD 16-48x65 now, but really enjoyed using the Viper I had (non HD)

[pappy]

I gave my kids the 20-60 vortex nomad I have used for the last four years, at almost 6 km's away I could see that a sheep had horns. Well I could see that it had bases, the rest was a mirage and a blury guess at how long they were. Now I have a used zeiss diascope 85 t-fl with the 20-60 eye piece and its been good but its heavy. A little more weight and way better glass makes for less walking until it counts. The little vortex did good and still is good but zoom over 35 to 40 power depending on the lighting and its cheap quality shows. I bought a lighter pack and sleeping bag to offset the bigger scope, and now my pack in total is three pounds lighter than before. You don't need to buy new, but buy the best you can afford even if you have to wait a little longer, Then you don't have to buy twice.