How do you think the Razor and Gold Ring compare? Since this thread is a specific topic, we can limit the comparison only to digiscoping. Maybe I'll make another one to include all aspects.
I went through a pretty thorough search when picking out my spotter. I had been using a Zeiss Diascope 65FL. That is a fine spotter indeed, but I felt like I wanted a larger objective spotter for digiscoping. The reason is that a bigger objective brings more light through the spotter and to the camera's sensor. So you get brighter, sharper video, and higher shutter speeds for still photos. This is very important for digiscoping. My search led me to bigger spotters, and i thought I made up my mind on the Swaro 80HD, that is until I put it side by side with the Razor HD. They are absolute optical equals. I put them side by side in a variety of lighting situations. They are equals in resolution, CA control, field flatness, field of view everything. I decided to save some money for other gear and get the Razor HD. I have never regretted it. that's right, I
upgraded from the Zeiss to the Vortex.
My hunting partner has the Leupold 12-40X60HD. Because of this we have had both spotters side by side over and over again. And over and over, my partner comes over to the Razor when he wants the best view. So much so he is currently selling his Leupy and buying the Razor HD, only the straight version.
The angled version is much better for digiscoping, because it holds the camera better than the straight eyepiece.
There is one spotter that had a noticeably better view than all others, including the Razor and Swaro HD. That is the Kowa 883 Prominar. That scope is truly remarkable. Part of the reason is the Kowa's huge 88mm objective is made out of pure crystal flourite, not just flourite containing glass like FL, HD, ED, APO glass. The problem for hunters is flourite crystal is brittle compared to optical glass, and has a risk of breaking or chipping in the field. Oh, and the 883 costs about $3000 with eyepiece.
Don't just take my word on the Razor HD. Talk to the scope's owners. Read the reviews. Birdwatching magazine tested all of the top scopes and put the Razor HD as the equal to the Swaro, Leica, and Kowa 77. They also noted the superiority of the Kowa 88. Cabelas has a pretty detailed Razor HD review where the buyer went from a Leica to the Razor. Vortex has the best warranty in the business ... the best.
Consistently, people love their Razor HD spotters ... me included. Also take a look at Tines Up's videos and see what spotter they are using.
