Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics what effect does objective lens size have in spotter for range work?

I am looking at couple of the Vortex Viper HD spotters the 15-45x65 and the 20-60x80. If I jump its likely to be one of Dougs demo units.

It would be 90+% a range spotter mostly for spotting holes in paper at moderate ranges 200-300yds. I am wondering how much better the bigger spotter is going to be?

Any guidance is appreciated.

I remember reading an article about telescopes where they discussed the objective lens size. From what I remember if all things are equal the scope with the larger objective lens can resolve finer detail than the smaller one.

I would recommend the smaller 65mm objective model.

For that range it will do very well, the larger objective may give you more issues with heat distortion on hot days.

Sometimes bigger is not better, and this is one of those.

bullchit.....

huntsman22,

Well stated.

fwiw...

The larger objective will outperform (to some degree) at higher power, if conditions allow--as inferred above...:)

fixt...

For range work where you don't have to carry the spotter in the field a larger one will resolve much better.

While I have excellent vision and used 60 mm spotters the 80mm spotter is well worth it.

My last spotter was a Leu. 15-45X 60mm that got by. When I got a new 80mm Konus with 20-60X I found it to be far far superior at the range!

Brother, if you can perceive it at the low end, then mo pow'r to ya...:)

I have been close to buying a scope for years just haven't been pushed over the edge until today, I went for the Viper HD 20-60x80, hope it works out.

I don't know anything about Vortex, but if you can drive to the range erring on the side of larger objective size and more power can't be a bad thing.

Real kid pleaser--gandering at the moon...