Hello everybody. I am having a bit of a problem deciding which spotting scope size to go with. I have been doing a lot of reading online and I had my mind set until I started reading some more and now I am completely unsure. I have been looking at the Vortex Razor HD spotting scopes in the 16-48X65 and the 20-60X85. My problem is I've looked through them both at the store but I can't get a true gauge if the 65 is going to be able to look far enough. I was thinking the 65 would be best because it is smaller and weights less so I could backpack it in with me. Then again I don't want to buy one that isn't going to be able to look close enough. Beside hunting mule deer in the higher elevations I want it to make looking for sheds in the spring time a little easier. If anybody can help me it would be awesome thank you.
Which size spotting scope?
- Thread starter Arkus19
- Start date
Musket Man
Veteran member
Welcome to the forum! If your primary use will be packing it in the high country I would go with the 65. 85's are nice but kinda big and heavy if your packing it alot IMO.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
Everyone's gonna have there own opinion and justifications for the scope they use. If I were primarily backpacking or lugging one around the mountains several miles day in and day out I would go with the 65, or even better the 50. If my hunting kept me within a couple miles of the truck, I'd go for the 65 and if I was hunting from the truck it would be the 85! You might start with the65 and move either up or down depending on your needs.
Retterath
Veteran member
rcfireninja
Active Member
I'm faced with this same predicament. $1000 is my limit for a new spotter. I've found demo versions of the viper 85 mm and razor 65 in my price range. Weight and size is not an issue as much for me. I'm trying to see if the clarity of the razor is better than reach of the viper.
NVBird'n'Big
Veteran member
Yea, I'm sure everybody has $3000-$4000 burning a hole in their pocket to spend on swaros.Welcome to the forum. Just get the new Swarovski 95mm and be done with it.
Hey all, we did a major spotting scope review last year. It is in issue 141, pages 56-61.
If you don't have that issue, here is a LINK to the Digital Free Trial.
Click the link, complete the store process and you should get an email giving you access to the digital magazine for free. We don't even ask for your credit card, just make sure you checkout like normal in the store.
If you don't have that issue, here is a LINK to the Digital Free Trial.
Click the link, complete the store process and you should get an email giving you access to the digital magazine for free. We don't even ask for your credit card, just make sure you checkout like normal in the store.
rcfireninja
Active Member
ore hunter
Very Active Member
- Jul 25, 2014
- 699
- 114
if you plan to backpack alot ,,Id suggest a nikon ed-50,,,super light and it is my main spotter out of the 3 that i own,,under 1000 too.youd be suprized what this little e d 50 can spot.
matt1glenn
Active Member
- Sep 30, 2013
- 157
- 0
Just got a Razor 50 and really like it. Have not taken in the field but look across my lake I live on at diff times of day and can pick up good clarity at at lease 2 miles away.
Unfortunately I don't make enough as an electrical apprentice to afford that awesome piece of glass.Welcome to the forum. Just get the new Swarovski 95mm and be done with it.
Grantbvfd
Active Member
I have the razor 65 and it is a very good all around spotter. Where do you plan on using it? A good spotter in northern California or Oregon isn't going to be a good spotter counting rings on a ram in Alaska. I backpack and I want a mature animal but it doesn't need to be a trophy. If you are a hunter that counts inches a scope from the big 3 is highly recommended. If you want a great scope that is light enough to pack and still be able to tell what you are looking at a couple miles away the razor 65 is an excellent choice for the money.
Its mainly going to get used to hunt mule deer here in Utah and a trip in either Nevada or Colorado. I don't need to be able to see every detail in an antler but my goal is to get a buck close to 180 this year. I am just thinking the 65 because I have to hike a minimum of 5 miles most the time to get into the area. I looked through the Swarovski and the Vortex and its just hard to justify an extra 1K for slightly better quality. I don't need it right away so i was planning on waiting a month or 2 to see if anything new comes out at the trade shows.
Grantbvfd
Active Member
I don't think anything new is coming out but you never know. I couldn't justify spending the money right off the bat but the good thing about most good optics is they hold their value. In good shape you could sell for about 80-85% of what you paid. Then you are just coming up with 2k instead of 3k. That's how I can justify it. Until then the razor is a bombproof spotter with the best value for the dollar Imo. The 65 will suit you just fine.
Musket Man
Veteran member
If you are packing it 5+ miles I would definitely go with a 65. You might want to look into used spotters. I got a great deal on my 65mm Ziess used. You might also want to look at the Ziess Dialyt. Its a great scope for the money and if I didnt have the Ziess I have its what I would have bought.
Work2hunt
Veteran member
Packing 5+ miles.....I would,go,with the 65. You will see everything you need to with the 65 that you described in your earlier post.
Watch the blog and enews, will be tackling this subject based on light conditions.
Eastmans' Staff Digital Media Coordinator
Eastmans' Staff Digital Media Coordinator
Hey guys I am planning on picking up the vortex 65mm this weekend however I totally forgot to get advice on a tripod for it. I am willing to spend the money for a good one but I don't want it to be some unreasonable amount. If you could point me to some good ones I would appreciate it very much.