Vortex Vipers 20x60x80 - any experience with this unit?

[bikerdavet]

Never mind - used the search option - duh

Big disclaimer - I am no spotter pro - however I was impressed with the Vortex at it's price point. Cabela's has a deal on the non HD Vortex Vipers 20x60x80 at $499 right now. That's for the 20x60x80 straight or angled. I am waffling on pulling the trigger on one but I have to decide today. So anyone with real experience please jump in. My concern is that it's pretty heavy at over 60 oz. But I am not running the ridges like I did when I was younger - still I back pack hunt but I won't be keeping up with the young guys. I want to be able to glass for mule deer and elk for archery and rifle. With my point count I will likely be dead before I get a sheep tag. Just say'n. I hunt the flattops and unit 18 in CO. I also hunt the eastern plains for speed goats but a lot of that is glassing from stationary positions. So advice - to heavy? Angled or strait?

 

[Mike Castillo]

For the price, it is okay. It is nice at 20-30x, but is pretty much worthless at 60x. I own one as strictly a truck scope for glassing whitetails around my home. I wanted something that I felt comfortable leaving in my truck, so that it never leaves my truck. If it were my only scope, I would not be happy as it is HUGE and as I said unclear at higher magnifications. I paid 399.99 for the scope at cabelas, it has been going back and fourth between 499 and 399

 

[dotman]

Might want to check with a Rokslide sponsor cameralandny.com, they have great deals on demos and I think everyone is clearing out the Viper becasue if I remember correctly the non-HD viper line is being discontinued. You shouldn't have much trouble finding a better price then Cabelas.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I know it is tempting to jump on the price, but the HD Viper spotters I have seen had a pretty noticeably better image the non-HD models.

I know Mike (Hells Canyon) and his hunting partner have spent a lot of field time with the HD spotters and would have some good insight for you. You might want to PM him.

 

[Mike Castillo]

Bitterroot, Cabelas has had the best price by far. Like I said, it was 399 not long ago, and that is what I bought it for. It is worth 399 but not any more. Camerland NY does have good deals on it too.

 

[blb078]

I had the Viper HD in 65mm and it was ok, wasn't impressed w/it at higher power but I'm not an expert on optics either. I got rid of it and got the Vanguard Endeavour 82A which is a really nice scope and I though it was better than the Viper HD even at the lower powers, and I think it's not much more than the non HD Viper so maybe an option to look into for HD glass if you can spend the extra bucks. There's a $50 rebate I think til the end of the year which will push it below $600
http://www.opticsplanet.com/vanguard-vanguard-endeavor-hd-82a-spotting-scope.html