Vortex spotting scopes

[Pnelson]

I am looking for feedback from y’all. I have been wanting to get a vortex razor 27-60x85 straight. But I don’t like the price tag. I want to compare that spotting scope with the vortex viper 20-60x85 straight. How much of a difference is there between the two?

 

[Forest]

In my opinion quite a bit. I'd much rather buy a used razor (or even something better) then to have a new viper. I have the viper and am less than satisfied with it. But that's my eyes in my situations...

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[gr8fuldoug]

If I may make a suggestion for some quality reading?
Have you seen this review?
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...s/12388847/spotting-scope-review#Post12388847 or this one right here on on RokSlide https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/athlon-ares-65mm-full-review.136883/#post-1292363

 

[Pnelson]

If I may make a suggestion for some quality reading?
Have you seen this review?
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...s/12388847/spotting-scope-review#Post12388847 or this one right here on on RokSlide https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/athlon-ares-65mm-full-review.136883/#post-1292363

Thank you that helped a lot

 

[idahohikker]

Brother, Vortex is lagging behind. Get yourself an Athlon Ares if you’re in the $500ish price range. If you can go over $1000 there’s some good options for the money, Meopta, Maven, etc., none of them Vortex.

Edit: the main issue with Vortex is quality control. There’s good ones and bad ones and you often need customer service with them as shown by the experience of many guys in this site.

 

[longbarrel]

I got the previous model Razor 20-60x85 for its lighter weight (slightly) and better eye relief, vs. the 27-60 current model. It is probably in the optical range of 65 mm alpha glass, or the Kowa 554 I recently bought from Doug. If it will stay near the truck, a 4+ pound spotter and the requisite 4+ lb. tripod is OK. For packing, the Kowa is far better. Talk to Doug and he will help you find a good choice within your budget. I feel it is better to stretch the budget some to get the right optics the first time, instead of later.

 

[Dvidos]

I got the previous model Razor 20-60x85 for its lighter weight (slightly) and better eye relief, vs. the 27-60 current model. It is probably in the optical range of 65 mm alpha glass, or the Kowa 554 I recently bought from Doug. If it will stay near the truck, a 4+ pound spotter and the requisite 4+ lb. tripod is OK. For packing, the Kowa is far better. Talk to Doug and he will help you find a good choice within your budget. I feel it is better to stretch the budget some to get the right optics the first time, instead of later.

+1

 

[Lytro]

I have the 85mm viper and I don't recommend it. I would rather go without a spotter and use the money I spent on mine to upgrade to a set of top tier binos.

 

[PathFinder]

The instant I decided to get rid of my Razor was the instant I put it next to my Viper HD. They were both trash.

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[Brush Buster]

I agree with this. I had an 85mm gen 1 razor. While I used it a lot and didn’t mind it I later sold it and upgraded to a used 65mm swaro. The view was better to my eyes and it was much lighter to pack around.
If I did it over again I would buy the best binos I could afford before I worried about a spotter. I used to have vortex diamondbacks and then got a good deal on a pair of swaro SLCs. The difference was incredible. Now that my binos are so clear I don’t need to use the spotter as much as I did before.

 

[longbarrel]

I agree to get the best binos first. That is usually the way something is found. The spotter confirms that it is worth pursuing. However, if you are glassing 2-3 miles out, you may have to use the spotter first, again assuming alpha glass so you can find it way out there.

 

[BluMtn]

I had the Vortex spotters. I will agree with other assessment on them. About 5 years ago I invested in a pair of 12x50ELs and I have not looked back since (unless I am deer hunting, then you always want to look back). Everything I need to see I can find with my binos.