Best Spoting scope for $500.00

[PAW66]

Have a $500.00 budget for a new spotting scope (20-60x80). Been looking at the:

Vortex Diamondback
Alpen 786
Leupold SX-1 Ventana 2

Any pros or cons on these scopes? Any other suggestions? Thanks for any comments.

[Jharristealth]

I have been extremely happy with my vanguard endeavor hd82a scope i have had for a couple of years now. Hard scope to beat imo for image quality and durability for  right around that 500 mark.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/vanguard-vanguard-endeavor-hd-82a-spotting-scope.html

[T-Dozzer]

Buy a used Razor HD?

[Bean Counter]

I've looked through the Diamondback and I was not impressed   

I haven't tried the other two but I kinda have a floor for spotting scopes, below which I wont bother to even carry. At some point its better to just upgrade your binos and save until you can get into a good quality spotter.   

[buglebuster]

Pm sent

[Gsp90]

I was in your same shoes a few months back. I tried the vortex diamond back, Nikon monarch, alpen and a few others side by side at sportmans wearhouse. I ended up buying the vangaurd hd82a from Amazon (since I couldn't test it anywhere) and returning it a few days later because it lacked clarity/color and had dust stuck in the lens. So round two I bought the zen Ray ed2 20-60x82 and couldn't be happier I hate to say I like it more than any vortex spotting scope I've looked through and only paid 799 with a tripod new.


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[JDHasty]

Buy a used Razor HD?

I usually try not to comment that you should consider something that is considerably outside of your price range... but if you can swing it I think that given what new old style Razor Spotters are selling for right now this would be a decision you would never regret. 

I saw a very gently used 16-48X65 Razor sell recently for $675.  Once new ones are no longer being sold at clearance prices it would not surprise me if the price of used ones doesn't go back up by a couple hundred dollars or more.   

[Bean Counter]

Rock that

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,204693.msg2721183/topicseen.html#new

[PAW66]

Thanks for all the info. Have decided to wait, since hunting is over for this year, and save more cash before any purchase.

[biggfish]

Just an idea drop that money you were gonna spend into a CD and let it grow. Most people that say they are gonna save up don't and have the same budget at a later date.

[Jonathan_S]

Thanks for all the info. Have decided to wait, since hunting is over for this year, and save more cash before any purchase.

Much better choice.  the quality of optics in the $800-$1200 range is exponentially better than those in the $500 range. Unless it's a good deal on a used one.

Testing a perfectly clean optic in fluorescent lighting is one thing but trying to focus on a deer or a herd in low light, when the lens has a smudge is when the better optics and light gathering properties make their money.

[buglebuster]

Thanks for all the info. Have decided to wait, since hunting is over for this year, and save more cash before any purchase.

Much better choice.  the quality of optics in the $800-$1200 range is exponentially better than those in the $500 range. Unless it's a good deal on a used one.

Testing a perfectly clean optic in fluorescent lighting is one thing but trying to focus on a deer or a herd in low light, when the lens has a smudge is when the better optics and light gathering properties make their money.

I was about to pull the trigger on the new 85mm vortex razor HD next week.... Decided to wait and save for a swaro instead.