Spotting scopes Vortex Razor Gen 1 16-48x65 or Gen 2 13-39x56?

[mountainsmell]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with both the gen 1 and Gen 2 vortex razor spotting scopes, and if there would be major drawbacks with going with the older 65mm scope instead of the smaller 56mm? I know distance will be less and the scopes seem very close in size and weight. I care more about visual use like clear image and being able to identify antlers than the weight and size. What are the groups opinions on these two scopes. Please don't tell me to save up for a Swaro since honestly, if I bought one I may be prone to never use it hunting for fear that I would hurt it.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I’m doing a comparison on these and a few others of similar size in the next few weeks. Keep an eye out for it.

Intent is to show the “cost” of a smaller objective (if any) and do so as objectively as possible with resolution charts and such. Maybe on live game if they play ball too.

 

[Solowhunter]

What ever became of your comparison mountainsmell and Tahoe1305? I'm currently packing a Vortex Razor 22-48 X 65 (angled) spotter, I'm satisfied with the view and performance but the weight (56.8 oz) has it being left behind on multi-day backcountry trips. I'm seeing the Vortex Razor 13-39 X 56 (straight) at 29.5 oz? Imo that's a considerable weight savings........

In the past 25 years I've used many different sized binoculars and spotting scopes by both Leupold and Vortex, I've looked through Swaro's (bino's and spotters) and imo the upper end Vortex glass is both productive and cost effective for my style of glassing/hunting (I do a lot of 5-15 mile multi-day trips and weight is important. Past couple of years I've been using Vortex Viper 12X50's and the Vortex Razor 22-48 X 65 and I'm ready to go back to my Vortex Viper 10X42's and a compact spotting scope.

I'm looking at the Vortex Razor 13-39 X 56 (straight) and any feedback would be much appreciated.

 

[midwestcowboy]

Also still hoping for a comparison on between Gen 1 and Gen 2 razor's. LMK @Tahoe1305
I love my Vortex binos. Trying to get into a quality spotting scope without shelling out a couple G's for a Swaro lol. There's a lot of Gen 1 and Gen 2 Razor's on FB marketplace...

 

[Tahoe1305]

Sorry brother I don’t have what you are looking to compare (Gen 1 vs Gen 2 razors).

I do have a Gen 1 65mm and a new mini razor and did the below comparison between them and many others. Hope it helps.

Crowd Sourced Optics Comparison (CO area) ***Updated 3/9/24***

So I guess I’m bored. But 5 years ago or so I invested a good chunk of $ to purchase (then resell) a dozen or so $1000 binos and then eventually a few of the same in spotters and wrote some bro level, objective as possible, comparisons. I know we see a lot of these online by folks who have way...

rokslide.com

 

[midwestcowboy]

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out @Tahoe1305