Spotting Scope dilemma

[Jacob Chapman]

I think I've narrowed down my options for spotters, pending a great deal on craigslist/ebay or something (not counting on that) My two choices are between the Vortex Viper HD 15-45x60 Angled ($649.99 from cameraland) or the Razor HD 11-33x50 ($699.99) Has anybody used both of these spotters? I haven't ever hunted out West before, but plan on moving to Montana here pending how my job interview went. I am looking for a spotter that would allow some long distance scouting, digiscoping, and sizing up trophy potential. I am not sure which area I will be hunting so that isn't much help at this point. I am looking forward to hunting high country muley's and eventually goats & sheep. At this point in my life, it is going to take me long enough as it is to save up for either one of these scopes, and I plan on keeping either one for quite a while. Any help for a new western bowhunter?

 

[dotman]

If I was you I would send elknut a pm.

 

[lintond]

If I was you I would send elknut a pm.

Definitely suggest talking to Paul. He will help you out with no BS.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Montana has some wide open country and the 33x will not be enough in some cases. If you can only afford 1, I would go with the 60mm. You said bow hunting though, so if you really don't rifle hunt much the 33x might not be that big of a handicap. Since you are having to save up for either one you will probably find a deal on something in the classifieds by then.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

Yup bowhunting is the only way for me, fun to gun hunt sometimes but I'm too good of a shot haha. I may take my gun if I absolutely need the meat on a doe hunt or something, but that would be my very last option-like last day of the season option.

 

[stephen b]

Nice thing about Montana- if you do not fill your tag during early archery season, then you can either rifle hunt or continue to bowhunt during the rifle season for another 4 weeks or so. Got to love that.

IMO- if you are only going to have one spotter, get a 60-65 mm one. I made the same choice in going with one mid sized one.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

I got the job, start the 15th of July n we're moving the 11th! I spoke with Paul n got some great advice in regards to the scopes, he made a good point in regards to the quality/size factor. Trying to decide now if the Razor HD 15-45x65 is worth saving up a little longer for than the 11-33x50.....

 

[Steve O]

Always worth saving for better.

 

[Shrek]

Jacob , you probably have some hunting equipment that you will not use in Montana that could be sold to get you to the next level. I would shoot for a top quality 65mm scope with a 60x top magnification.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

Sell my hunting stuff!?!?! Haha yea I'm sure there's a few things I don't need laying around somewhere. Still saving up for a sweet deal on a nice pair of Zeiss Victory FL 10X42's!

 

[blb078]

I actually just got rid of the Viper HD 65 spotter and picked up the Razor 50mm from Doug at Cameraland. Not a lot of people have a Razor right now and they're on backorder until August. I liked the Razor better, I'm not an optics expert but at low light they seemed about the same, I guess it came down to a higher obj lens vs better glass. At daylight the Razor was a little more crisp image. In the end if you need the extra 12x magnification which I don't then go w/the Viper HD if not save the weight and go w/the Razor 50mm. Also another thing to look at is if seeing antlers 15 minutes before day break or 15 minutes after it's somewhat dark is important to you go for the high end stuff, if not then stick w/the mid range optics. People say to get best optics but really the mid range stuff will do just fine except for those 15 or so minutes were there's no light. To me that's not a big deal and not worth spending an extra grand or more for them.

 

[luke moffat]

Sell my hunting stuff!?!?! Haha yea I'm sure there's a few things I don't need laying around somewhere. Still saving up for a sweet deal on a nice pair of Zeiss Victory FL 10X42's!

Me personally, I'd rather have a $1K set of binos and a $2K spotter than a $2K pair of binos and $1K spotter. But thats just me. If I had $3K budget on optics thats how I'd roll.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Yup. What Luke said. The higher mags is where the high dollar stuff shines. At 8 or 10 power the more affordable stuff is right on the big dogs heals.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

The nice thing about the bino's I am saving for is I am getting a fantastic deal on them & would be stupid to pass them up haha! I am a bowhunter through and through and don't predict that to change any time soon, mainly the spotter will be used for digiscoping and scouting. If I can save up the grand for the Razor 65HD or find something in the "big three" class for that range I think I will go that route. I won't be able to hunt as a resident, nor can I afford the out of state tags, but I am still holding out hope that I can at least get an OTC deer tag even if it's for a doe, in which case I won't need a hauling capable pack until next year, allowing me time to save for a nice tent, boots, pack and fly fishing stuff!

 

[Jessepkurt]

I just ordered a vortex 11-33 x50 razor hd. I havent read anything but good about them. I really love my vortex kaibabs for all day glassing but they are heavy. This spotter should be a good alternative