Looking for a decent spotting scope primarily for use at the rifle range to 200 yards but will get some field use. With most of my gear, especially optics, I typically go with "buy once cry once" credo. My binos are top end Zeiss and my scopes are Leupold. However, at my age, I am not sure how many high mountain type hunts I have left in me, and am a little reluctant to go crazy on a scope that may only see the range. My heart says Swaro or Kowa (I like the very light TSN 554), but my brain says Vortex Diamondback 16-48 x 65. Anyone have any experience with the Diamondback? Is it good enough for the range and some field time or am I deluding myself? Any help/suggestions appreciated.
I don’t have any experience with the Diamondback or Kowa spotters. Lots of guys sh*t talk vortex but I personally don’t think you can beat them in some situations. The Diamondbacks are made in China, vipers are made in the Philippines, razors are made in Japan.
I have 2 viper rifle scopes, razor binos and a razor spotter. I did upgrade to swaro el range binos (bought used) spend 90% of my time looking through them. If you said you wanted to get into sheep and goat hunting spending hours behind it, 100% I’d say swaro, Zeiss or Leica but for what you mentioned Vortex. Figure out what model you want angled, straight, 65 or 85mm and what they’re worth new. Watch the used section, I’d much rather have a used viper than a new diamondback for the same money. No questions asked warranty if you ever have an issue.
I’ve bought all my vortex used except my razor binos I bought new. I had to send my razor spotter back it had specks/imperfections in the glass. Think it was gone 3 weeks, came back with a new eye piece. I had to pay shipping one way $20-30.
For your intended use a diamondback would probably be fine, if you buy a used one and want to upgrade one day down the road you’d probably get most if not all your money back.
Haney,BC and anywhere you can hunt in BC out of the rain !
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Re: Spotting Scope Advice
For the range a Vortex Viper HD would be fine, definitely go angled eyepiece so much more versatile to look through,
my brother has both the Vioer HD and the Razor HD, optics are slightly better on the razor but functionality/ease of use was much better, if mostly for the range I would go 85mm as weight wouldn’t be a concern and the extra brightness will help seeing bullet holes, if you plan on backpacking it around go 65mm and again definitely angled eyepiece.
can’t comment on the Diamond Back as have never looked through one
7-6.5 PRCW the best cartridge since the 280 Ackley 👍
My third spotter over some 40+ years is a Leica 62, armoured and it is the BEST available, IMHO. I also have my second Zeiss bin, bought in 1975 and my Leica Trinovids, 10x42. I just bought a new Leica 8x42 Noctivid and it is incredible. Great glass is worth it, IME and is among the most important hunting tools.
I owned the Diamondback and I noticed a huge difference when looking through premium glass especially if your glassing for hours. Also, I know the Mindful Hunter is currently doing a detailed review on like 7 top end spotters. He will probably have it finished within the next month. He usually goes into great detail and I would wait to see what he has to say before pulling the trigger. He is on youtube and has a podcast.