Spotting scope opinions around $500
- Thread starter wildstreak
- Start date
sneakypete
Veteran member
In God We Trust
Very Active Member
15-45x65 Vortex Viper HD at camera land for $580.00 if you buy the demo model. I am on the verge of ordering this scope myself. I have seen good reviews on it. Has anyone on here used this scope?
Last edited:
holdy62
Member
I bought one last year and the only bad thing i've seen is it starts to get blurry as u get up closer to 45 on the zoom..
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Eric Bailey
Member
I'm looking for exactly the same thing. FYI, there are a couple of Nikon ED50s in the classifieds on Rokslide.com. I'll bet you could get one for very close to $400.
Bought one to replace my Leupold and love it. Farthest I've used it was looking at a buck antelope from 6 sections away, higher powers work just fine for me.
stevevan
Active Member
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
I like the 15-30x50mm Leupold Gold Ring as it's light and compact and I think the glass is pretty good for the price.
missjordan
Veteran member
I have a nikon prostaff which is a little cheaper than your price range and I'm very satisfied with it. I would buy it again in a heartbeat, my next choice would be vortex as well.
bdan68
Active Member
Nebraska Outlander
Active Member
- Sep 6, 2011
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I'm always looking and researching spotters and keep thinking the razor 11-33x50 might be a great choice. I have a redfield rampage 20-60x60 which seems to be pretty good for what little bit I use it but I always wondered how much better the vortex razor 11-33 would really be. Are there any people on here who have spent enough time with the razor and rampage that could give good advice in the two?
clacklin009
Active Member
For around $500 id go for the Nikon Prostaff 5. Nikon does a good job and falls within budget. I'd stay away from Vortex Diamondback. If not staying in budget might as well go Swarovski.
Nebraska Outlander
Active Member
- Sep 6, 2011
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Friend of mine got one and we compared it to my redfield rampage and it wasn't any better than my rampage. He ended up sending it back and getting a refund.
Honestly if you want a great spotter you really need to spend $1000+ to get a really good one. The common hunter can't really afford to do that usually unless they save for a couple years to get one. I like my rampage but think the vortex razor 11-33x50 would be allot better than my rampage however I don't have any way to compare. It doesn't go to 60 power but I think the better lenses will make up for the lost magnification. For $650 it's a little more doable for me any how.
Good luck
clacklin009
Active Member
The Razor 50mm has a good picture at the center but the poorest edge resolution that I've seen. Althought the Razor is good I don't know if id consider it being that much more beneficial than the Rampage. Obviously the 50mm is less desirable than a 60mm and you have the 30x mag. limitation and I don't know that the better glass completely makes up for those factors. You might want to consider looking at the 50mm Nikon I feel it has far superior glass to the Vortex, although it has the same limitations as the Razor the picture quality is greater. If you can get one for around $400 like is stated in this thread it is something to consider. The Prostaff 5 would also be an upgrade and when they are on sale are really a good deal.
My first spotter was a Nikon Prostaff and it is really nice. I now use a Swarovski and it is incredible, but the Nikon sure holds its own for the price range it is in. Nikon makes great glass for cameras and photography and their spotter is right up there with those much more expensive. Go to a store that has both, Sportmans / Cabelas, etc and ask them to set up two scopes out side for you to look through and compare, it is the best way to test out for yourself.
NDHunter
Veteran member
I'm in the exact same boat. That spotter is decent but would love to get a Vortex Razor. Maybe in a year or two!
ore hunter
Very Active Member
- Jul 25, 2014
- 699
- 114
I have a Nikon e d-50 and love it,,,they run around $750 though,unless you can find a used one,,,awesome glass in my opinion and super lightweight to boot.