Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Vortex spotters

I think I finally need to get off my lazy butt and buy a spotter. Using the buy once, cry once theory, I am kinda interested in the Vortex Viper HD models, 15-45x65 or the 20-60x80. Usage will be probably 80% range use, 10% elk (mostly) and deer hunting, and 10% birding (scouting for geese at Eastern Oregon reservoirs, or taking my son to PDX metro wildlife preserves). I'm leaning more towards the 20-60x model, buying into the more is better ideal, but am worried about whether the 45-60x range will be useful with mirage and all. Range use will be trying to spot .17 and .20 caliber holes at 300 yards, or hits on steel plates at maybe up to 500 yards (for now at least).


http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviperhd20-60x80

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviperhd15-45x65

I welcome any comments and experiences you have, and will look into other suggestions.

Thanks
Kurt

You get what you pay for as far as spotters go. If you are sold on Vortex, spend the extra money on the Razor HD. It's really, really, good. You can get the same performance as the Razor in the Zen Ray HD spotter, for around $1000.

Not really 'sold' on Vortex, but I like the three Viper riflescopes (one regular Viper, two PSTs) that I own. Still early in the process, so I'll give the Zen Ray a look through if I can find one.

Thanks, JG.

KDK,

Do yourself a favor and compare some side by side outside the store. You will be amazed at how much you don't get when you spend more money. You positively do NOT get what you pay for. You get what you shop for.

Spend the time and impress you not anyone else.

If you want something with a little smaller objective, i.e. 65mm class of spotters, the first place I'd look is the Kowa 663/664 Prominar. You get the performance of the Swaro 65 HD at half the cost.

+1 for the Kowa . And JG knows his stuff..

It's hard to beat the Zeiss 85 T.

I have the new Zeiss 85 T FL and my buddy bought the Razor HD Vortex. Have ran them side by side and I will say the Razor HD is excellent.

To see .17 and .22 cal holes in a target at 300 yards will require the very best optics.

You will not be happy with any scope under the $1500 price point if that is your goal.

Checked out a Vortex Razor HD 85mm; it was very bright, clear I would definitely recommend it for use at the range but is too big a unit you plan to back pack for that I think the Swarovski STM 65mm I am using is the best all around unit I have used.

Whoops, should be 200 yards.

Not to be argumentative, but the big Zeiss lags behind the Kowa, Swaro, Leica, and is on par with the EDG from what I've seen, even though the EDG is the abomination of spotters.......real big, heavy, and the ugliest darn thing you'll ever lay eyes on. The Razor is very close to the Kowa 884, and a far better value IMO even though I have the 884. As I mentioned before, the Zen Ray 85 ED is optically just as good as the Razor. Your eyes may see it differently than mine.

The Kowa spotters are exceptional.
The TSN-884 88mm Prominar is THE best spotter I've peeped through.

The Kowa TSN-664 66mm spotter with Fluorite glass is IMHO the best value for your $$ in the medium category. Having said that, I do prefer the Swarovski 20-60x zoom eye piece over the Kowa's.

I checked out the vortex viper and have to say I was very impressed it had nice eye relief. to the guys that like kowa's where in the world are these sold, no sporting goods store I have ever been in has stocked them, in fact I have never actually seen one. metro salt lake is full of hunters and sportsman.

Liberty Optics is the place for a Kowa. Best prices by far and Scott there knows his stuff.

Doug sells Kowa.

At just a little more than one foot in length and slightly more than 50 ounces, I'd hardly say they're "big".

Hey Romeo, you might want to look at one first hand before you spout off an make a fool of yourself.

Nikon EDG Fieldscope 85mm:
Dimensions 4.0"w x 5.0"h x 14.9"L without eyepiece
Weight 5.20 lbs (2360g) w/o eyepiece

JG:

The context of my post is in reference to Zeiss, not Nikon. I don't own any Nikon optics, other than 35mm SLRs.

Mav

Romeo!!!! LMMFAO!

JG was referring to the Nikon when he mentioned size. The EDG is the John Holmes of spotting scopes. The damn thing is just huge! I once had a hunter show up and ask me to pack his EDG around and I immediately knew what went through the minds of every chic asked to perform with ole J. Holmes when I looked at him and said "you want me to take THAT???!!!?? You want me to put THAT in here(but I was pointing to my pack)

Laughin'