Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Spotting scope...65mm vs. 85mm

I'm looking at purchasing a Vortex Razor HD Spotting scope. Other than having more magnification and a little better light gathering quality at dusk/dawn, what(if any) are the main advantages of going with the 85mm?


The hunts I plan to use it on are antelope, mule deer, and elk. For antelope it will be used to glass from the vehicle some, but the rest of the hunting will be walk-in/backpack hunting.

I know the 85mm is heavier an bulkier. However, is it worth the extra weight? Is there a difference in clarity between the 2 scopes at the same magnifications during good light? Does a 65mm at 30 power have the same quality as an 85mm at 30 power? How is the clarity on higher powers of a 65mm?

I don't need to be able to score an animal from 3 miles. I want to be able to get a good look at an animal from a distance.

for packing go with the 65....

It would seem that the 65mm would be more useful - easier to pack, hang from a window, easier to use I a field expedient position(sans tripod). I have been pondering the same myself for the same purposes.

The 85 is amazing. Worth packing. I've been carrying it up the sheep mountains the last couple of years, and it's been worth it.

Jordan,
How is the clarity on the higher power?

It's fantastic. Brightness decreases slightly at max power, as is expected, but clarity and resolution remains excellent.

Thanks

That's b/c you're a young stud!! 😉. I have the 85mm Razor and it truly is great, but if I were looking for a new spotter that I would be packin, I'd be looking for a 65mm....but I wouldn't go less than 65.

and I wouldn't go chinese.......

Get a Meopta .Way better scope.You will be happier in the long run.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/meopta.pl?page=meopta598880

Have you used both to determine the Meopta is a superior scope?

Huntsman,
What scope would your recommend? I have an opportunity to get a Vortex at 45-50% off so that's why I'm leaning that way.

Both are Superior to the Razor.yes I bought a razor and sent it back.In layman terms(it sucks next to Meopta).

Huntz-

So you've owned and compared the Razor 85mm and the Meopta 80mm side by side?

I have a hard time believing that the Razor compares so poorly, since I've seen guys that preferred the Razor over Swaro scopes when compared side by side.

I've never looked through either of the two. What, in your opinion, makes the Meopta better? Is it more clear? Better light gathering? All of the above?

Well, all of that and the lenses don`t fall out.

With that kind of a discount opportunity, I wouldn't bother comparing any further.

Awaiting your reply...

The Vortex are that good?

I'm gonna google these things.



Travis

When it comes to glass of this quality it is all about your individual eye...my Swaro 65mm HD was much better than the vortex and the meopta, to me at least.

As far as 65mm vs 80/85mm, that's a tough tradeoff. I've never felt handicapped with my 65mm, but I have played with various 80/85mm scopes at first and last light and I must say they're somewhat brighter. Your personal vision may agree with this or it may not, and whether the better view is worth the extra weight or not is also subjective to your eye and what kind of shape you're in..

It all comes down to trying as many as you can before you buy. Don't just try them in the store if possible.