Help me decide on which Vortex spotter to buy

[katdaddy2013]

I'm a newbie at spotters and elk hunting. My son is going to help me with one of my bucket list wishes, elk hunt in Colorado. There is so much knowledge on this site that I am asking which spotter would be best to invest in for our first hunt? I am definitely going with the Vortex brand. I know the subject of spotters is discussed actively here so please bear with me. So I would like recommendations on a spotter, tripod combo. thanks

 

[armyjoe]

I'd look at the 65mm Razor. Its light, good glass and if its your first elk hunt it won't break the bank. I used one last season and had great results.

 

[5MilesBack]

I might be in the minority here on this, but I've been hunting elk for almost 35 years now. I can honestly say that I have NEVER taken a spotter on an elk hunt. If I was after a specific bull, or hunting a true trophy area in wide open country........I "might" take one. And this is for both rifle and archery hunting. Now scouting.......I absolutely take one with me.

 

[eltaco]

I purchased a viper hd 65 last year and ended up trading it in for the razor 65. I felt as though I had to have perfect lighting to make use of the viper hd at full zoom... any clouds or haze and it dropped off significantly. I know there is a huge price gap, which is why I went viper hd to start with... but after comparing them side by side in the field I believe its justifiable. If you're going to pack the weight, make sure its going to be functional for your conditions.

That brings me to another point... I've hunted CO quite a bit and a spotter simply isnt useful in some elk country. Talk with your boy to make sure its a necessary expense... it may end up sitting at camp the whole hunt if you're hunting dense timber.

 

[ChadS]

I've gone about 6 years here in Colorado without every really thinking "Man I wish I had a spotting scope" The majority of the state is covered in dark timber. Everything I've needed to look at, I've been able to do with my binos. I still want to get one some day, but more for scouting.

 

[Coveyleader]

I agree, and disagree on using the spotter.

I agree that most if not all the time it's not needed. But............... That big old J-LO but...... there are times when I wished I would have had one. To be honest, you can tell a bull from a long ways away, and binos will make that a snap. The question is, are you going to shoot any bull? Or looking for a real good one?

If you're way above timberline, a spotter could come in very handy vs dropping down a couple thousand feet to the floor, back up and over just to find out it's a so so bull.

 

[Ross]

I am with others as to the need for a spotter while elk hunting. Seldom have I found the need for a spotter. If you have a decent set of binos there may not be a need for a spotter 95% of the time. I would look to use the spotter weight for something that would benefit you more.

 

[justin davis]

I use a Vortex Razor HD 20-60 x 80. It's a great spotter esp for the money.

It works well for me. With that said when elk hunting a spotter isn't that important to me. Unless the entire hunt is at timberline I usually don't use a spotter very much when hunting elk. 10x42 binos get all of the use.

 

[katdaddy2013]

Thanks fellas.

 

[Lawnboi]

Might want to add where and when your hunting. I'm no elkd expert but I can say, last year hunting elk at and above timber, I wished I had a spotter

 

[spdrman]

I picked up a Razor 65 last year and love it! Would highly recommend it ... but like other guys have mentioned I dont pack it while elk hunting, my suggestion would be a great pair of 10x42's and a ultra lite tripod. You'd be able to tell if its a bull you'd be interested in from a heck of a long ways with the added stabilization of your binos on a tripod

 

[MTbowhunter36]

I too thought I was in the minority here by never packing a spotter while elk hunting.

Katdaddy - Do a quick search on here for spotters as there have been several write ups and people who have done comparisons. BigSurArcher did a comparison with the Vortex and two other spotters. It would be worth checking out for sure.

 

[chindits]

Well I guess it depends on where and what you are hunting for, meat or horns. I was in a GMU with lots of bulls and lots of open alpine. There just weren't many bulls over 300. There was one bull over 360. A little 11-33 spotter got me 3 tries on that bull. I don't think binos would have picked him out of the crowd in that country and it was easier letting the eyes walk around looking for him then the feet. So what kind of country are you hunting in CO and what are you hunting for?

 

[tipsntails7]

it really depends on your budget and where and what your hunting, i picked up a viper HD 65 last year and have nothing but good things to say about it, but i used it a ton more hunting for bear and Blacktail then i did in eatern oregon for elk, it really just ended up being dead weight. now if your going for trophy class or are above treeline i would take one.

 

[Solitude]

Personally I take one in every elk hunt, but I hunt open and fairly open country and enjoy zooming in on them to get a good feel for the animal before I begin my approach.

I have never found myself wishing I left it behind, and on virtually every trip I find myself wishing I had top end HD glass wishing I could zoom into 60x and "get all the details".

Nothing more motivating than zooming in clearly on a big bull a couple miles away before you begin your approach. Just my 2cents.

 

[Buster]

If you choose vortex, pm elknut1. He set up a buddy of mine with the 65 mm razor. Originally he was set to buy the viper hd, but elknut got him a good price on the razor, along with being very patient and helpful. He definitely earned a plug from me.