Viper vs Viper HD?

[mtnrunner260]

So my bro and I are looking at buying a spotter for our dad for a retirement/ fathers day gift. We are trying to decide between the HD and non-HD model of 15x45 vipers.
Basically my questions are:
Is the HD worth the extra $300?
Is there another spotter we should look at around the $500ish range that would be good for high country WYO deer and elk?
Thanks for your advice.

 

[Hardstalk]

I believe the non hd has been discontinued. Your choice would be the hd viper or the diamondback. I would go the hd route for the old man. Pretty solid bang for the buck.

 

[dotman]

Cameralandny still has the non-hd for $350 but they also have the HD in a demo for $580.

Checkout Coops review of the 65mm vanguard on the homepage, sounds like a good option for under $500.

 

[ltlacorn]

If you're going to be using the spotter a lot then definitely go with the HD. If its just used on occasion then go with the Diamondback. If you decide to go the HD route I could get you a new one at a great price.

 

[couesbitten]

Checkout Coops review of the 65mm vanguard on the homepage, sounds like a good option for under $500.

This is what I have, and I've been very happy with it.

 

[tipsntails7]

I get eye fatigued after about an hour of use with the non HD viper. That said compared it to a buddies razor and there is zero comparison. Elknut and camera land have really really good deals. I have not looked at the viper HD but would imagine it's somewhere in the middle, probably closer to the non HD viper then the razor.

 

[Trr15]

The xd glass vipers are still being sold and are currently on clearance. I just picked up a spotter at sportsmans warehouse for $300. Haven't used it in the field yet, but for the price it is a damn nice spotting scope.

 

[GibsonKuenzi]

I bought the viper non hd 15-45 at sportsmans warehouse for 300 dollars. My uncle has the viper hd 15-45 and I've spent some time behind both.

My opinion is that the non hd viper is a great spotting scope for 300 dollars, but the difference between the non hd and hd model is so minimal that I couldn't justify the 300+ dollar jump in price. If your looking for a $650 dollar range spotting scope, there are better options that the viper, so it really depends on your price range.

Gibson