Spotting Scope Advice?

[Whisky]

Are the Swarovskis better than the Vortex Razor HDs?

I just had a buddy borrow my STM HD 65 after he had purchased 12x50 Swaro EL's. He was trying to determine if a spotter or binos would be better suited for his applications. I mentioned the Razor HD line and soon after he also had 12x50 and 65mm Razor HD's. He hunted for 3-4 days using everything side by side. I have not had a chance to BS with him and get the finer details, but in the end he now owns a Razor spotter and binos. I guess for him the differences weren't worth the extra cash.

This would have been hunting whitetails in open ground, rolling hills.

One of these days i'm gonna have him return the favor and do my own comparison with his spotter and mine.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Anyone had to use a Swarovski warranty claim? Curious how it went. ??

I have used Swarovski Customer Service twice. Once for a riflescope issue a few years ago. It was having a focus (diopter) issue, and they repaired it on warranty. It took 6 weeks turn around. Second, I scratched the objectives on my SLCs last year somehow. They charged me something like $90 to completely replace the objective lenses, since it was my fault. It was reasonable, and turn around time was a week or so shorter than the riflescope. So, overall my experience was positive, but took a little while.

 

[ckleeves]

Swaro isn't unconditional. If you drop swaro and it breaks there goes $2500. If you drop vortex and it breaks they give you new glass or fix yours.

I don't think you would be out anywhere near 2500. Swaro repairs are very reasonably or free IME.

 

[Matt W.]

There is not really another 20-60x65mm out there if you are set on that size. As my use will predominately be in the High Country, I am pretty set on that size. I found one locally at Sportsman's Wharehouse for $2208. If you can find one for that price in Anchorage there has to be better prices than that out there somewhere. Could not get any help behind the counter as they were busy, but will get by there again on a slow day so I can look through it.

 

[Beastmode]

I don't think you would be out anywhere near 2500. Swaro repairs are very reasonably or free IME.

Depends how far they fall