Vortex spotting scopes

[bogtrotter]

Have decided to get a new scope. My old Bushnell is kind of fuzzy and not so good. I've narrowed the brand down to Vortex based on price and comments. I will use it for 1) the shooting range 2) wildlife viewing - non-hunting and 3) hunting. I won't be using it for any really ambitious hunts ( sheep or goat). My decision now is should I go with the Razor and keep some $ or get the Viper ?

Your comments are appreciated.

[Ron.C]

Viper is the cheaper model. I purchased an old model razor brand new unused 65mm for just under 1k. I used it for spring bear hunting this year and really like it.
Have since seen other razors for sale used for about the same.

[todbartell]

The Vipers are great, Razor even better. Get the best one you can afford

[medic11]

I have a straight Vortex Viper 20-60X65 with neoprene case for sale if your interested. PM me for details and pics.

[Wentrot]

Ain't nothing wrong with the viper HD. Razor would be a very nice step up tho

[Skeena Shooter]

I baught the new razor in the 65mm and it's awsome also have the case and phone skope adapter. Really happy with the the new set up. X 2 on buy the best you can afford! Good luck

[hodgey33]

Any Vortex spotter will do. They're all beauties.....great warranty too.

[Darksith]

buy the best you can afford and never have to spend on it again...you won't be disapointed when you purchase good glass.

[SaintSix]

I have the Razor 65mm and took it out to the mountains last year worked great until I broke my tripod head... my fault. but spotter worked great lol some deals can be found on them now that they came out with a new version mines the grey one, not the newest out.

[twoSevenO]

cant beat the razor. I have 65mm one and I can see 7mm holes at 300yards no problem.

With this spotter I can set up a whole bunch of targets when i first get there and only walk down to them when i'm ready to pack up and go home. :)

[tikkahunter]

Good call on going with the vortex. All of the optics I have for my family is vortex. That's 7 scopes, 3 binos, and a spotter. All are Viper or Razor. I agree with what all above have said. Buy the best that you can afford. If your not using it to help ID animals at a very long range, the Viper will work more than fine. If there is a possibility that you will be trying to ID animals at a few km, get the Razor. Another thing to take into consideration is whether or not you will be packing the spotter on a hike where space and weight is an issue. The Razor is definitely a more compact unit. Just something to think about.

[Darksith]

cant beat the razor. I have 65mm one and I can see 7mm holes at 300yards no problem.

With this spotter I can set up a whole bunch of targets when i first get there and only walk down to them when i'm ready to pack up and go home. :)
well you can, Im sure my swaro will out preform that

[hunter fisher]

my razor scope is one of my favorite purchases.

tip when buying vortex, always try and buy used. if anything is wrong with it, send it in for free warranty and its as good as new again

[Weatherby Fan]

My older brother has both the Viper HD and the Raxor HD 65mm versions, glass is better in the Razor but more so the Functions are much better and it's more compact, if you can afford it get the Razor.

[twoSevenO]

well you can, Im sure my swaro will out preform that


meh ... marginal improvement in quality is not worth the inability to get a completely new scope when/if it breaks, nor is it worth the extra $2k .... to me.

[Weatherby Fan]

meh ... marginal improvement in quality is not worth the inability to get a completely new scope when/if it breaks, nor is it worth the extra $2k .... to me.

You might say that on a deer hunt you drove to in area 3 from the LML but when your on a 5-10 thousand dollar fly in hunt of a lifetime I may be inclined to go with a better quality scope......just sayin

Its the quality on the inside that you don't see that makes the difference, even if Vortex has a great warranty it won't do u any good up a mountain on a flying or horseback hunt days from anywhere !

[Ron.C]

You might say that on a deer hunt you drove to in area 3 from the LML but when your on a 5-10 thousand dollar fly in hunt of a lifetime I may be inclined to go with a better quality scope......just sayin

Its the quality on the inside that you don't see that makes the difference, even if Vortex has a great warranty it won't do u any good up a mountain on a flying or horseback hunt days from anywhere !

if I could afford a 5-10k hunt, the price of a spotting scope isn't even a concern.

[twoSevenO]

if I could afford a 5-10k hunt, the price of a spotting scope isn't even a concern.

You sure about that? Because the Swaro spotter is going to run you 30% of that 10k hunt .... or 60% of that 5k hunt. That's a pretty significant portion to not be a concern.

[twoSevenO]

You might say that on a deer hunt you drove to in area 3 from the LML but when your on a 5-10 thousand dollar fly in hunt of a lifetime I may be inclined to go with a better quality scope......just sayin

Its the quality on the inside that you don't see that makes the difference, even if Vortex has a great warranty it won't do u any good up a mountain on a flying or horseback hunt days from anywhere !

so how many broken razor spotters have you heard about then? I can't recall the last time i heard of one.

But I can recall the last time i read about people venting about the frustrating experience dealing with swaro/zeiss warranty departments.

[tko]

I had a razor 85 and now have a swaro 80.
razor was heavier but quality was the same from 20-50 power.
at 50-60 power tho the swaro was a bit better and low light was brighter but not by much.

keep in mind a good tripod is important.

[nedarb2]

I have a swaro. Better, yes. But a razor on a 1000$ tripod will out perform a swaro on a 300$ tripod. If you have a budget for the entire package ide say 60-70% spotter 30-40% tripod & head to get the best bang for the spotters buck

[srupp]

Buy what you can afford..realizing how much more looking we do than shooting.
My hunting partners Vortex are headed back again for repair.
Looked through hundreds of spotting scopes over the many years..i have never regretted buying swaro binos, and spotting scope.

I indeed have looked through Vortex and quite dislike them, my opinion.
They are not in the same category
Cheers
Srupp

[twoSevenO]

My hunting partners Vortex are headed back again for repair.


which vortex model? And what was wrong with it?
Vortex does make some lower-end models that are not nearly as good as the razor line.

[tko]

the razor was very nice, not that much of glass quality diffference between swaro IMO.
main reason i switched was the weight difference between the 2 and being a ****hair sharper at 60 power.

u cant go wrong with vortex razor, great glass,price and customer service and warranty.

[Weatherby Fan]

so how many broken razor spotters have you heard about then? I can't recall the last time i heard of one.

But I can recall the last time i read about people venting about the frustrating experience dealing with swaro/zeiss warranty departments.



I'm sure all brands have warranty issues, but I do know I just sold a 30 year old pair of Leicas that never had to go in for warranty....just saying !

My brother has two Vortex HD 65mm spotting scopes(Viper and a Razor) and he's as hard on gear as anyone I know and so far so good, but in saying that Ill take my Leica over his Vortex anyday.....

[twoSevenO]

I'm sure all brands have warranty issues, but I do know I just sold a 30 year old pair of Leicas that never had to go in for warranty....just saying !

My brother has two Vortex HD 65mm spotting scopes(Viper and a Razor) and he's as hard on gear as anyone I know and so far so good, but in saying that Ill take my Leica over his Vortex anyday.....


I would take a swaro or leica spotter over a vortex razor as well, any day .... i just wouldn't pay an extra $2k for one :D

[Good Old Outdoors]

The only reason I bought a razor HD is because I was able to sell a long range set up which paid for 85% of the cost. A viper would be fine for glassing mulies to moose. Save the money, buy a viper, and a good tripod and you will be happy