Spotter Dilemma? Looking for recommendations

[RaggedHunter]

I am currently running the Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85. It works okay for what I use it for, but it does have a few things that I dislike about it.

My main complaint with it is the field of view. I have a hell of a time finding my target in this scope with the narrow FOV. I wish the low end was more like 20x rather than 27x.

Once I find the target, I don't have too many complaints with the scope. But when I use a friends much cheaper vortex Viper 15-45X65 I can find my target SOO much easier. Of course I don't want to step backwards any in glass quality, I would really like to improve my FOV.

I don't have budget for a "Big 3" for a spotter at the moment. I'm hoping to sell or trade into something fairly close to the same price point as the spotter I already have, just with a better FOV. Should I look at going slightly better glass in a 65mm? Or is there something in that mid tier glass in an 80-85mm with a better FOV?

Another thing I am considering is to just swap for a Razor HD 65mm+cash, and put the difference towards better binos (currently have Vortex Viper 10x42's).

Curious to hear your input.


Thanks!

 

[robby denning]

What’s your budget?


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[RaggedHunter]

What’s your budget?


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I'd like to stay around $1500

 

[handwerk]

I'd buy a used one from the big 3 with that budget in mind and/or call Doug at cameraland and he'll find something that will work for you.

 

[RaggedHunter]

I'd buy a used one from the big 3 with that budget in mind and/or call Doug at cameraland and he'll find something that will work for you.

Do you think I would be able to find a used big 3 in 80mm for that price range or will i need to drop down to a 65mm? How would you say a mid tier 85mm like what I have, compare with a big 3 65mm?

 

[RaggedHunter]

For $1500 you could easily probably find a used swaro and send it in to them to clean up and make like new. Or you could go the cabelas route with discounts, active junky cash back, and $80 gift cards worth $100 off Ebay and get the swaro 65 ats down to around $1500 like I did. Another option is the meopta meopro hd80 for around that same price, that will be jump up front the viper at least. Also, the mid range kowa's are a great option, either the 663 or 773.

I hadn't looked at that Meopta, but I really like their binos, that might be just what I'm looking for! Thanks for the info.

 

[couesbitten]

If I was going with Meopta, I would only buy a Meostar, not the Meopro.

 

[longbarrel]

I find a straight spotter to be much easier than angled for me to find the area I had glassed with binos. Thus I got the Kowa 554 instead of the 553. Doug can help you with the Kowa in your budget range. Some say its field of view is not as big as the European 65 mm+ spotters, but I don't have a complaint. Best of all for me, while weighing only 28 oz it is optically like 65 mm alpha glass, at a much lower price, weight, and bulk. If you are using the spotter at the truck, you can use a 95 mm weighing 6 lb. if you want. If you want to pack it anywhere, you will be wishing for the Kowa 554.

 

[brandon.andersen]

You can purchase the fixed power wide angle/long eye relief eye piece for your razor. I have one, and love it for everything except digiscoping, as it is only ok for that.