Help with Optics $$

[Rick_AK_2325]

I recently moved to Sitka, Ak and am looking into getting into goat hunting among various other species. I’m on a tight budget, but need a spotting scope, binos, and range finder. I’m thinking a used vortex gen 1 razor spotting scope (20x60), possible razor UHD 10x42 binos, and again vortex 4000 GB range finder. Looking for some honest feedback on these items or thoughts on other items of equal price/quality.

 

[ShakoMako]

I have a Vortex gen 1 Razor HD 20-60x85 angled I’m considering selling. Great scope, I’m not a goat hunter so looking for something a little more compact or perhaps 15-18x binos. I purchased it years ago for digiscoping and it has served me well. The peace of mind that comes with Vortex warranty is nice as well. I don’t have any true “alpha” glass to compare it to but other than being a bit more magnification and size than I need for my lower 48 hunting, have zero complaints considering the price.

 

[Rick_AK_2325]

I have a Vortex gen 1 Razor HD 20-60x85 angled I’m considering selling. Great scope, I’m not a goat hunter so looking for something a little more compact or perhaps 15-18x binos. I purchased it years ago for digiscoping and it has served me well. The peace of mind that comes with Vortex warranty is nice as well. I don’t have any true “alpha” glass to compare it to but other than being a bit more magnification and size than I need for my lower 48 hunting, have zero complaints considering the price.

I’ve read a lot of good things about the Gen 1 razor compared to Gen II or III. Wish I could afford more high end equipment, but the wife almost murdered me when I started explaining the items I’ll need. Definitely interested in what you decide to do with your Gen 1.

 

[Jack321]

Whats your budget?

No need for a Razor Rangefinder, any Vortex HD rangefinder will work.

Knock a little off your rangefinder and buy better binos with the extra $$

Or

Buy Rangefinding Binos and put the extra $$ to a better spotter. I really like my Ranger RF binos. Got em for $625 on sale.

Buy used if you can. Regardless what some say, I'm a fan of Vortex. Never any issues.

But I also know theres other good glass out there and opportunities to save $$.

Watch FB marketplace, Craigslist, AAaoptics, Euro-Optic, Sport Optic. Right now Doug @Cameraland is giving 10% back call in's today only.

Lots of deals out there with the holiday season.

 

[Rick_AK_2325]

Whats your budget?

No need for a Razor Rangefinder, any Vortex HD rangefinder will work.

Knock a little off your rangefinder and buy better binos with the extra $$

Or

Buy Rangefinding Binos and put the extra $$ to a better spotter. I really like my Ranger RF binos. Got em for $625 on sale.

Buy used if you can. Regardless what some say, I'm a fan of Vortex. Never any issues.

But I also know theres other good glass out there and opportunities to save $$.

Watch FB marketplace, Craigslist, AAaoptics, Euro-Optic, Sport Optic. Right now Doug @Cameraland is giving 10% back call in's today only.

Lots of deals out there with the holiday season.

Budget wise I’d like to try to keep it under $2500. I figured it would be better to go used / cheaper on the spotting scope and better quality on the binos as they would get more use. So 700ish on a used gen 1 razor and around $1200 for 10x42 UHD Razors would keep me there, not including a range finder. If I could be more under $2500 the better obviously. Allows more money towards other gear.

 

[z987k]

Budget wise I’d like to try to keep it under $2500. I figured it would be better to go used / cheaper on the spotting scope and better quality on the binos as they would get more use. So 700ish on a used gen 1 razor and around $1200 for 10x42 UHD Razors would keep me there, not including a range finder. If I could be more under $2500 the better obviously. Allows more money towards other gear.

My goat hunt with a newer friend a few years ago that had a pair of swaro NLs convinced me I needed better than vortex glass. I had a razor spotter and binos. Just the binos, the difference in what he could see vs me sitting there next to each other was stark. It made me feel like I was hunting in 1935 in comparison with what I could see in his binos vs mine.
For goats and sheep, it really is worth the money to get the alpha glass. Buy used.

I've not used a pair but I hear kowa is in the ballpark with swaro and Leica for a bit less money.

Before you buy see if you can find a couple different brand scopes locally there and set them up outside looking at a mountain side amd compare them directly. Swarovski, Leica, Kowa, Vortex. Looking through them inside a store tells you very little.
I think once you see the difference in person youll know what you want to actually use on a hunt.

 

[Schism]

It has been several years since I last hunted in Alaska but I tend to agree with @z987k. I had a pair of Vortex (don't recall the model) binoculars on my first trip and in flat, gray light, it was like looking through a Coke bottle while my friend's Swaro SLC's were clear.

Lots of guys have been dumping SLC and EL model Swarovski binoculars for good prices while they move up to the NL's. If you are patient, you should be able to find a good pair that would be more than adequate for your use and still leave a decent chunk for a spotter.

 

[Jack321]

I'd like to ammend my original post and 2nd the two posts above this.

Go find some used Swaros, SLCs or ELs, 100% esp for UHD money ($1200-$1500) or Kowas. I read somewhere that the Kowa Genesis' are basically the SLCs after Swaro discontinued their SLCs.

Based on your first post was under the impression you had a budget of $1500-ish.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Highly recommend range finding binoculars over binoculars and a rangefinder! The kill chain is exponentially faster with range finding binoculars.

 

[Rick_AK_2325]

Highly recommend range finding binoculars over binoculars and a rangefinder! The kill chain is exponentially faster with range finding binoculars.

Any recommendations or first hand experience with the range finding binoculars?

 

[PNWGATOR]

I have the Revic BLR10b. The range finder is incredible and the glass is extremely useable, but not in the same league as the Leica Geovid R’s that I’ve used. Know there is a user in your neck of the woods that prefers the Sig Kilo 6k over the Leica’s in SEAK due to the your environmental conditions (search over on 24hourcampfire).

 

[keystone112]

I recommend putting the priority on your binoculars.

My EL 10x42 served me well for years.

I just switched over to Revic BR10 Gen 2 with the built in range finder and ballistics. Wish I had them on my last hunt. The glass is really close to alpha and the features are more than worth it to me.

 

[MountainTracker]

I’d dump the range finder and spend more on the spotter/bino. It has been my experience with mtn goats I’ve been to get to 100 yards or closer. Guys have been killing goats without range finders forever. Sight it in for 200 yards. Now if you plan on regularly shooting well over 200 or archery hunting then get a ranger finder.

I had the gen one razor you are looking at, the thing is an anchor. You’ll find the more time you spend in the high alpine the more you’ll be looking to cut weight. If you’re not going sheep hunting and counting rings, regularly, imo you don’t need an 85 spotter. Consider looking at a lower power higher quality glass spotter. Don’t forget you need a tripod also.

Look for the best glass you can afford the first go around, and if that means dumping the range finder and/or the spotter you’ll be better off in the long run. You can always get what you don’t already have in the future.

These are just my opinions from experience in goat country.


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[Rick_AK_2325]

Sounds good. Looks like I’ll be searching for a good pair of used Swaros!


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