Spotting Scopes: Cabelas Euro HD vs Gen 1 Razor HD

[goathunter]

When the Razor came out it was pretty highly touted - why the change in opinions? Did the components/build change?

 

[Matt Cashell]

Amen brother!! From my very limited research some lenses have fluorite lenses and others have fluorite coating. Fluorite lenses are the best.

Fluorite crystal is the mineral calcium fluorite. I am unaware of any flourite coatings, but magnesium fluoride is an ingredient frequently used in antireflective (AR) coatings. There are also fluorine coatings, but these are used for their oleophobic/hydrophobic properties.

“Flourite glass” is an optical glass with flourite compounds as a component.

Or way better yet, try them all out at low light conditions, side by side

This is a great way to find your preference.

To the OP, I really prefer the Euro/Meopta to the Gen 1 Razor.

 

[Matt Cashell]

When the Razor came out it was pretty highly touted - why the change in opinions? Did the components/build change?

It is still a pretty good design. Most samples test high in resolution, but it isn’t as bright or have as flat of a transmission curve as newer designs.

There was quite a bit of sample deviation for the Gen 1 Razors where some were very good and others were not, and I speculate this has something to do with the variable reviews and opinions on that scope.

I had a gen 1 Razor 85 that provided outstanding resolution.

 

[Billinsd]

Fluorite crystal is the mineral calcium fluorite. I am unaware of any flourite coatings, but magnesium fluoride is an ingredient frequently used in antireflective (AR) coatings. There are also fluorine coatings, but these are used for their oleophobic/hydrophobic properties.

“Flourite glass” is an optical glass with flourite compounds as a component.

Yes, Fluorite is a mineral and a crystal. Yes, I meant Magnesium Fluoride. I took Mineralogy twice in college. First time I got a D, second time around a C. I got a C- in Petrolgy. Absolute worst grades I got in college. As a geology major, my emphasis was in in geophysics, because I was good at math and physics. After graduating, I got accepted to graduate school in geology and took a detour in the civil engineering department and didn't look back too much.

 

[Billinsd]

Here is a great read by Kowa that explains Fluorite and their artificial Fluorite lenses. FLUORITE CRYSTAL | KOWA PROMINAR OFFICIAL WEB SITE

 

[Ben RT]

Back to the original question/topic:

I now have a Meostar S2 after having bought (and promptly sold) the Gen 2 Razor HD 85. I have also used the Gen 1 Razor 85 and found it to perform very similar to my $280 Theron Saker 60mm spotter (the Razor was a little brighter and had a little wider FOV... but I was totally unimpressed). Honestly, once I really started getting into optics, I have become less impressed with Vortex products. I think the upside to Vortex is the warranty, but I take care of my stuff! I figured I would rather spend my money on a better product for myself rather than paying for the mistakes or neglect of the Vortex Nation (the Vortex markup to cover their VIP warranty). If you are hard on stuff, Vortex might be the way to go!

To be more descriptive, the Vortex glass is bright and fairly clear, but it just felt like the stars had to align for my eyes to see anything through them at all (tiny eyebox and I was constantly having to focus for different depths). The Meopta is very forgiving, and gives me a VERY sharp image that is deep (ie far and near parts of the view can be in focus simultaneously). I would say it is easily worth the extra money... the S2 is impressive.

 

[snakelk]

I too have a Meopta Meostar S2, after participating in a side-by-side comparison with several spotting scopes, including a Vortex Razor 85mm. Like others have mentioned, it wasn't even close. The Meopta/Cabelas Euro HD was that much better.

After a couple of seasons looking at elk through my friend's Meopta S2, I finally bought one for myself, and I'm glad I did. Another hunting partner just purchased one for himself after spending a few hours behind ours in the field this year. Hard to beat for the price, IMO, especially if you wait and get one on sale, or pick one up used for around $1500-$1600. I've seen S2's go for less than that on here too.

 

[goathunter]

I too have a Meopta Meostar S2, after participating in a side-by-side comparison with several spotting scopes, including a Vortex Razor 85mm. Like others have mentioned, it wasn't even close. The Meopta/Cabelas Euro HD was that much better.

After a couple of seasons looking at elk through my friend's Meopta S2, I finally bought one for myself, and I'm glad I did. Another hunting partner just purchased one for himself after spending a few hours behind ours in the field this year. Hard to beat for the price, IMO, especially if you wait and get one on sale, or pick one up used for around $1500-$1600. I've seen S2's go for less than that on here too.

Thanks I think I'll set my sights on a Cabela's Euro or a meostar at this point I'm just going to hold out for a good deal

 

[Twitch]

I had a Vortex. Sold it to buy the Euro.
This was the moon, yesterday night, at 70x with my iphone 6/phoneskopeView attachment 62420

 

[carter33]

Does anyone have any experience with the Nightforce TS-80 or TS-82?

I have heard that these are also meopta spotting scopes in Nightforce bodies. The TS-80 being similar to the meopro and the TS-82 relative to the meostar. Granted the Nightforce is more expensive but I have heard good things about the beefy knobs and of course Nightforce is known for durability.

 

[dotman]

Does anyone have any experience with the Nightforce TS-80 or TS-82?

I have heard that these are also meopta spotting scopes in Nightforce bodies. The TS-80 being similar to the meopro and the TS-82 relative to the meostar. Granted the Nightforce is more expensive but I have heard good things about the beefy knobs and of course Nightforce is known for durability.

I would expect them to equal the Meopta offerings in optical performance, not worth paying the extra to get NF logo on it. Plus NF added spec items to the exterior probably add weight.

 

[goathunter]

Does anyone have any experience with the Nightforce TS-80 or TS-82?

I have heard that these are also meopta spotting scopes in Nightforce bodies. The TS-80 being similar to the meopro and the TS-82 relative to the meostar. Granted the Nightforce is more expensive but I have heard good things about the beefy knobs and of course Nightforce is known for durability.

From what I've read online, and I have been obsessing over this, the NF has an additional "proprietary coating" that I took to be a water/smudge resistance deal - so to make it more durable? And one review compared it side by side to a Meopta and maybe it was a bit better in colors but could that just be them being two different scopes. I think the weight is negligible. I would take either one from what I've read, but I think the nightforce is Fugly.