Vortex Razor 65 or Viper HD 65?

[edg1967]

I sold my spotter with the intention of upgrading to a Razor 65, but am second guessing myself now. After recently purchasing a pair of Viper 8x32s I was so impressed, I'm thinking that I can get by with the Viper 65 HD. I only use it sparingly for scouting since I don't live in an area where glassing long distances is necessary. I hope to use it out west this coming fall, but that isn't guaranteed either. Do I save a few dollars and go with the Viper? I realize that at low light the Razor will out perform the Viper, but is it twice as good…meaning is it worth twice the money for limited use?

 

[Beastmode]

For limited use I would say no. Unless you have money to burn. Both are very good spotters but the razor will out shine the viper in low light situations and clarity at higher magnification. I use my razor all the time and love it.

 

[boom]

I sold my spotter with the intention of upgrading to a Razor 65, but am second guessing myself now. After recently purchasing a pair of Viper 8x32s I was so impressed, I'm thinking that I can get by with the Viper 65 HD. I only use it sparingly for scouting since I don't live in an area where glassing long distances is necessary. I hope to use it out west this coming fall, but that isn't guaranteed either. Do I save a few dollars and go with the Viper? I realize that at low light the Razor will out perform the Viper, but is it twice as good…meaning is it worth twice the money for limited use?

i was in the same quandry. i got the Viper HD 65. they work awesome. i would love to put them side to side with the Razors, but cant.

i use them exclusively for AZ couse. not once could i not make out a deer enough to decide if i wanted to expend the energy to hike closer. that is all i need them for. "go" or "no-go". for the once a year need, i think i did just fine. my good friend wants me to take care of his Leica spotters indefinately. i just need to get down to Socal to pick them up. i dont remember being blown out of the water with them..at mega distances, those heat wave distortions kinda level the playing field for me. dunno.

 

[ElkNut1]

Yep, for your intended use the Viper HD would be a great choice! If you are the type of hunter that uses his Spotter occasionally to look an area or critter over so are not behind the glass more than 15 min at a setup I would consider using a Straight eyepiece, if intentions are for both short periods or sitting behind it for hours then Angled would be a better choice. Straight is great for getting on target quickly, Angled a bit slower but is very easy on the neck especially in a sitting position.

ElkNut1

 

[edg1967]

Yep, for your intended use the Viper HD would be a great choice! If you are the type of hunter that uses his Spotter occasionally to look an area or critter over so are not behind the glass more than 15 min at a setup I would consider using a Straight eyepiece, if intentions are for both short periods or sitting behind it for hours then Angled would be a better choice. Straight is great for getting on target quickly, Angled a bit slower but is very easy on the neck especially in a sitting position.

ElkNut1

How does it compare with the 50mm Razor? If you were given the choice of one spotter and 70% of your decision was made on image quality and 30% was made on weight, which would be a better choice?

 

[ElkNut1]

Both Spotters do well but after using the Razor HD 50mm for the last couple of weeks on a mule deer hunt & previously using the Viper HD I like the 50mm better, it's unreal clear & very lightweight to pack around & focuses instantly! The 50mm is good up to a couple miles no problem, the Viper 65 will go 3 miles, tough call I guess but the 50mm gets the nod from me! Good Luck!

ElkNut1