You traded in a big spotter for a compact…your feedback please

[S-3 ranch]

I switched over to a leupold 25x gold ring on a window vise , it’s so much more practical, and fits perfectly in my pack with a camera tripod when on the go
40x was wearing out my eyes, when I go sheep hunting or desert deer hunting
I rent the latest and greatest version spotter , utility of space is my reason for not owning a high powered spotter.

 

[guitarpreston]

That’s a bear at like 2.5 miles with the mini razor last week. I’ve had it and a Nikon ed50 and they’re both pretty good. I sold the razor a few days ago though, going to get a Nikon 60mm….if I had the money I’d go stc without a doubt, but for 1 week a year I can’t justify it.

 

[BLJ]

That’s a bear at like 2.5 miles with the mini razor last week. I’ve had it and a Nikon ed50 and they’re both pretty good. I sold the razor a few days ago though, going to get a Nikon 60mm….if I had the money I’d go stc without a doubt, but for 1 week a year I can’t justify it.

Are you referring to the new mini Razor?
In comparison to the ED50?

 

[guitarpreston]

Are you referring to the new mini Razor?
In comparison to the ED50?

Yes. My specific ed50 was a Japanese model (I think some are Chinese but not sure) and I felt like it edged the razor out, sold both. I am going to get the 60mm ed iii now.

 

[BLJ]

Thanks.
The ED50’s I’ve seen pictures of were china bodies with Japanese eye pieces.
I would assume the Japanese body would be an improvement.

I have an ED III. IMO it’s very good for the price, size and weight.
Only personal complaint is FOV on 20x. Not really the scopes fault for that.

 

[Macintosh]

Linking this here for myself and for posterity:

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

Dec 28, 2023

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 more resources and connections (provided from manufacturers) than I. I don’t know about you all, but I’m always a tad suspect of those based on whose getting paid for what.

Here’s what I have that I plan on comparing:

Spotters:
-Razor Gen I 65mm (I compared this five years ago and I loved it)...

• Tahoe1305
• Replies: 238
• Forum: Optics

• 

 

[Macintosh]

@Tahoe1305 reading through the comparison you guys did, it actually looks like the 553 didn’t do as well as the baby razor. I know the center resolution had a lot to do with some of the scores, but I see even in edge resolution the 554 did not score as well as the baby razor did, and the chart has the baby razor, actually scoring better than the ATC.This doesn’t jive with the typical feedback I hear on these models, do you have any comments on this? I’m trying not to read too much into the chart, but it threw me off a little bit, are you able to provide some commentary on if this was a universal opinion of folks who tried them, and if I’m reading too much into the objective numbers?

 

[4th_point]

Regarding the ED50, Nikon has been making them in China for awhile but the early ones were supposedly made in Japan.

I've had one of each and I wouldn't worry about COO but I would look at the tripod foot as the design was improved for the 1/4-20 thread insert. I'd make sure to get the latest.

The 13-40x eyepiece is preferred on the ED50 by many people, myself included. The 13-30x was an older design. The 13-40x is considered one of the best eyepieces ever made by some astute users, but it suffers from poor FOV and ER. If you can deal with those downsides, it'll provide excellent resolution if the body it's attached to is well corrected.

The ED50 is extremely light weight, and needs to be handled carefully and protected well. You can find pictures online where the body has split at the seam. My latest one broke internally and Nikon wouldn't replace it due to it being grey market. I bought it dirt cheap and took that risk. Otherwise, I have been satisfied with Nikon customer service but I have had to push them a few times.