Vortex vs Nikon
- Thread starter chopperz
- Start date
HighPlainsHunter
Active Member
Some non hunting sited have some really good information with actual testing and amazing detail.
https://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2017_new_scopes/review.html
https://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2017_new_scopes/review.html
https://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2017_new_scopes/review.html
https://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2017_new_scopes/review.html
missjordan
Veteran member
I wish you were looking to compare the vortex viper spotter to the Nikon prostaff because i can offer my two cents there. The Nikon was a lot more brighter and crisper compared to the viper. Both were 65mm scopes.
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mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
- 3,893
- 3,191
I know this isn't the way most people look at things buuuut....
Everything I own breaks.
Literally.
So I have to force myself to look at it like this.
When my vortex binoculars broke. Vortex sent me a new pair in 5 days.
When my Nikon scope broke it was 3 months before they sent it back to me.
Everything I own breaks.
Literally.
So I have to force myself to look at it like this.
When my vortex binoculars broke. Vortex sent me a new pair in 5 days.
When my Nikon scope broke it was 3 months before they sent it back to me.
swampokie
Veteran member
Couldn’t agree more. Nikon customer service hands down the worst I’ve encountered.
I've heard poor stories of Nikon customer service. I had to send in a 50mm ED scope that fell from the truck and landed on the focus knob. I think the scope would have been fine, but the tripod attached was somewhat heavy and I think that aided in the knob breaking. I did send the scope in and get it replaced free of charge. It did take a while to get back (maybe a month or two), but I had no trouble with it.
I've heard great things about Vortex warranty. I also have heard a lot more about people using their warranty than any other optic brand. I personally believe that more people are willing to write negative reviews than positive ones which also leads me to believe that there are likely more users of the Vortex warranty than we're aware of. I'm not trying to diss Vortex. It is just something I've noticed. I wouldn't hesitate to buy their optics if I found a great deal on something I "need".
Nikon makes some excellent optics. I own a Swarovski 80mm HD spotter, swaro 15x56 HD binos, swaro 10x25 binos, nikon 50mm ED spotter, and a nikon EDG 85MM VR (vibration reduction). Currently my favorite optic in my arsenal is the Nikon EDG VR spotter. The VR is incredibly useful. I'd say that when I'm using the VR, the scope is more clear than the swaro at least 95% of the time (because of the steadiness). I won't be packing the scope with me on any long hikes, but it is as good as it gets for a truck or short hike spotter.
As for the comment of the razor being more clear than the nikon ED 60mm....I'm wondering if the user had the 2 at the same power. I believe the nikon 60mm usually came with a 20x60 power eyepiece. And of course with more power comes more distortion/darker image. The only way to compare the two would be to have them at the same power and side by side. I've never compared them so I can't say for certain, but I do believe he is right in assuming that the razor would be better than the monarchs (even though I haven't looked through the monarch either).
I did own a Nikon ED 82mm spotter for a while and I was very impressed with the view through that scope. I think you should search for a used Nikon ED 60mm scope if you're on a budget. They are build very tough. The 82mm Nikon was a heavy scope however and I'd imagine the 60mm is likely heavy for its size as well.
missjordan
Veteran member
The day i compared the Nikon and vortex spotter I got to look at both of them at different types of scenarios, objects, and powers. And overall I was way more pleased with the Nikon.
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I agree with this. The Vortex Viper are their bottom line. The Razor is much better quality
ando - I hope my quick comment on the question didn't come off as if the Razor is leaps and bounds above the Nikon.
I spent a hunting trip comparing both scopes with my brother. We looked at deer, pigs and turkeys at different distances and times of the day. The Razor with the fine focus really, really makes a difference in getting the image as crisp as possible compared to the only coarse focus on the Nikon. We would go back and forth a lot and the differences were not immediately clear which we preferred. We did notice the Razor holding light a little past the Nikon.
As time has gone on and we have two seasons with both scopes we seem to always go and grab the Razor over the Nikon.
I spent a hunting trip comparing both scopes with my brother. We looked at deer, pigs and turkeys at different distances and times of the day. The Razor with the fine focus really, really makes a difference in getting the image as crisp as possible compared to the only coarse focus on the Nikon. We would go back and forth a lot and the differences were not immediately clear which we preferred. We did notice the Razor holding light a little past the Nikon.
As time has gone on and we have two seasons with both scopes we seem to always go and grab the Razor over the Nikon.