Pentax PF-ED65 II vs Vanguard Endeavor ED65

[Bowhunter50]

Hey guys I'm considering purchasing one of these two scopes to get me by while I save for a Swarovski. Which one would you recommend and why? The only Spotter I have experience with is the gen 1 razor 65. So if anyone can tell me how the Pentax performs relative to the razor that would be great. I've heard that the Vanguard performs very closely to the razor. Thanks in advance for the advice.


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[Bowhunter50]

Anyone have any experience with the Pentax? I'm thinking about getting the XW14 eyepiece. How does it compare to the razor?


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[Ramcam]

I have the Pentax and that eyepiece .I can not compare it too the Vortex but i would say that the Pentax is bright ,clear a wide field of view, very packable.I am not wanting more.I also have a doubler if i really need to zoom on something.

 

[R_burg]

I think you will get a lot of different opinions when comparing these, especially with the variances people seem to get with Vortex scopes. I dont have direct experience so I dont want to comment.

In this price range I think the following choices are what you want to concentrate on depending on what you want to pay and your priorities (in no order):
Vanguard Endeavor ED
Celestron Regal M2 ED
Nikon Fieldscope III ED
Pentax PF ED II


From what I have read, people love the XW eyepieces, but really do not like the Pentax zoom eyepieces at all. I have read varying reviews about the glass, some people love them, some arent as impressed (for the money). It very well could be variances in particular copies.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Good afternoon,
The Pentax was a great scope. Please keep in mind that Pentax no longer is a sports optics company. Ricoh purchased Pentax a few years ago. The PF65II is approx. a 10 year old design and I am not too sure what's happening if you need any type of repair work.
In a mid-sized spotter I'd suggest a Vortex 65mm Viper HD or maybe the Minox 62mm which would not be very expensive while awaiting the Swarovski. Just my $.02

 

[freediver111]

I had a Pentax 65 with both zooms and the XW14. The XW14 was great, but I always preferred the versatility of having a zoom. I never loved either zoom truth be told. I checked out the old model vortex razor 65mm and thought it was better than the Pentax with a zoom. Also, while the XW14 eyepiece was very wide, I had issues with kidney bean effects and tricky eye placement.

I now own a Leica 62mm APO with zoom and feel that from those spotters I've looked through, this one meets all my needs for weight/view. I still wonder if a 65mm Swaro would be any better because I've yet to spend any serious time with one. I think it's a bit of a toss up as to any noticeable gains between the old Leica's and ATS/STS Swaro's.

 

[Thinkingman]

I had a Pentax 65 with both zooms and the XW14. The XW14 was great, but I always preferred the versatility of having a zoom. I never loved either zoom truth be told. I checked out the old model vortex razor 65mm and thought it was better than the Pentax with a zoom. Also, while the XW14 eyepiece was very wide, I had issues with kidney bean effects and tricky eye placement.

I now own a Leica 62mm APO with zoom and feel that from those spotters I've looked through, this one meets all my needs for weight/view. I still wonder if a 65mm Swaro would be any better because I've yet to spend any serious time with one. I think it's a bit of a toss up as to any noticeable gains between the old Leica's and ATS/STS Swaro's.

I had a PF65EDII and the XW14 and agree with the tricky eye placement comment.
The glass is very clear and bright to the edges.
I have never been impressed with any Vortex products.
I would look at Nikon ED glass, if I were you.

 

[Thinkingman]

Good afternoon,
The Pentax was a great scope. Please keep in mind that Pentax no longer is a sports optics company. Ricoh purchased Pentax a few years ago. The PF65II is approx. a 10 year old design and I am not too sure what's happening if you need any type of repair work.
In a mid-sized spotter I'd suggest a Vortex 65mm Viper HD or maybe the Minox 62mm which would not be very expensive while awaiting the Swarovski. Just my $.02

I did have a service issue(my fault) with my Pentax spotter about a year ago and the 3rd party that Pentax uses for repair was fast, efficient, and good communication.
No concerns about repair based on my experience.

 

[Bwana]

I had a PF65EDII and the XW14 and agree with the tricky eye placement comment.
The glass is very clear and bright to the edges.
I have never been impressed with any Vortex products.
I would look at Nikon ED glass, if I were you.

Tricky ? that's because their eye relief and exit pupil size is down right terrible, and if you wear eye glasses forget it...it's junk. At least the Vortex is a usable ER and certainly more functional for most people.

 

[Bowhunter50]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Sounds like I ought to go with the vanguard.


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[Cant hit em]

The Vangaurd is hard to beat for the money , I really like mine


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[Tex68w]

From everything I've read and heard from owners/users, the Vanguard is the absolute best budget friendly spotter.

 

[JWW]

I just got the Vanguard. It will knock your socks off for the price. It's not the best thing in the world, but compare it to a Razor HD and you will be reeaalll surprised.

 

[kipper09]

JWW
You get the 82 or 65?


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[JWW]

JWW
You get the 82 or 65?


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I got the 65. I can't see spending more money unless you were stepping up to a Swarovski, Leica, etc. If you can wait I'm going to post pictures of images from Razor and Vanguard for comparison.

 

[kipper09]

Excellent. Thank you. I'm Considering razor 65/85 vanguard 65/82. Not sure what objective or brand


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[JWW]

Excellent. Thank you. I'm Considering razor 65/85 vanguard 65/82. Not sure what objective or brand


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There are better people than me to answer that question, but for me the weight of the larger scope was a deal breaker. Hopefully at the end of this week Ill be able to do some digiscoping with both and post the results.

 

[JWW]

Got to do some spotting with the Endeavor today for my buddy at the range. Super easy to pick up trace and splash at 700+ yards.

 

[mmw194287]

Shameless plug for anyone interested in this thread--I've got an Endeavor 65 up for sale in the classifieds.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/rokslide-classifieds/61067-vanguard-endeavor-hd-65a.html

 

[machinethomas]

Tagged, interested in the Vanguard.


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