Spotting Scope?

[BetoBow]

I am currently trying to purchase a new spotting scope. Cabelas has its brand Euro HD scope for $1750 ($500 discount) and I am debating between it and the Vortex Razor HD $1600.

Can any one give me their opinion on which one they would go with and the reason behind it.


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[MtnMuley]

I would buy one of the last year model Razor HD's for $999 and save $700+ dollars.  In your shoes, it's a no brainer.

[BetoBow]

I would buy one of the last year model Razor HD's for $999 and save $700+ dollars.  In your shoes, it's a no brainer.

Thanks MtnMuley. How do they perform compared to the new Razor? Do you believe the old Razor is better quality than the Cabelas brand?


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[MtnMuley]

The Razors are basically the exact same, but have a new look. I can't tell you how they compare as I've never used the Cabelas. I use a Zeiss HD and chose that because I felt it to the best after comparing them all. I've looked through a couple friends Razor HDs and think they are best value in a good quality spotter. Especially for $999.

[huntnphool]

For that price I'd look at a pre owned Swaro as well.

[teanawayslayer]

For that price I'd look at a pre owned Swaro as well.

[dog]

I have one of the Cabelas Euro HDs, Got it this summer on sale there at a little over $1600. It is made by Meopta scope, and it is quite impressive.

[MtnMuley]

Where you gonna find a 20-60x80 Swaro HD spotter for near 1K though? Unless the Swaro is an HD,  my eyes chose the Razor HD over the non HD Swaro every day.

[JDHasty]

Where you gonna find a 20-60x80 Swaro HD spotter for near 1K though? Unless the Swaro is an HD,  my eyes chose the Razor HD over the non HD Swaro every day.

Cuck hunting I use my old model Razor 85 right next to my buddy's Swaro and they are very close close.  Fact is he was using a 30 WA Vortex Razor eyepiece w MOA reticle in his Swaro a lot of the time and that is why I bought one too.  It swaps right on, but does not lock on the Swaro. 

With his Swaro eyepiece it is still not a big difference in resolution. 

[huntnphool]

 I've got buddy's that sold their 20-60x65 Swaro to buy the 80mm. They are very nice but now those same buddy's are looking to get back into the 65mm because the 80mm is just too big to pack.

 Might take that into consideration. If you are driving to all your vantage points that's one thing. If you are planning on hiking with it, I'd think hard about it.

[JDHasty]

I've got buddy's that sold their 20-60x65 Swaro to buy the 80mm. They are very nice but now those same buddy's are looking to get back into the 65mm because the 80mm is just too big to pack.

 Might take that into consideration. If you are driving to all your vantage points that's one thing. If you are planning on hiking with it, I'd think hard about it.

We have a Razor 85, an  old 12-40X60 Leupold GR non-HD and a 20X50 Leupold Rubber Armored GR and that Razor is only packable if you really need it.  The 12-40 is a lot lighter, but bulky and the little scope I can drop into a coat pocket with a Gorilla Pod or a Leupold Packer Tripod if I am wanting to hike my fat hind end any distance and think I can get by with out more. 

[BetoBow]

I've got buddy's that sold their 20-60x65 Swaro to buy the 80mm. They are very nice but now those same buddy's are looking to get back into the 65mm because the 80mm is just too big to pack.

 Might take that into consideration. If you are driving to all your vantage points that's one thing. If you are planning on hiking with it, I'd think hard about it.

We have a Razor 85, an  old 12-40X60 Leupold GR non-HD and a 20X50 Leupold Rubber Armored GR and that Razor is only packable if you really need it.  The 12-40 is a lot lighter, but bulky and the little scope I can drop into a coat pocket with a Gorilla Pod or a Leupold Packer Tripod if I am wanting to hike my fat hind end any distance and think I can get by with out more.

I am planning a couple of backcountry hunts next year. I would need to pack it in. Is the 85 too much of a hassle? Sorry for the million questions it will be my first spotting scope.


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[MtnMuley]

If you plan on back country hunting quite a bit, I'd go 65mm as people mentioned. I assumed you were looking at 80mms since that's what the prices you mention reflected.

[BetoBow]

If you plan on back country hunting quite a bit, I'd go 65mm as people mentioned. I assumed you were looking at 80mms since that's what the prices you mention reflected.

I assumed bigger is better....maybe not the case lol


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[JDHasty]

If you plan on back country hunting quite a bit, I'd go 65mm as people mentioned. I assumed you were looking at 80mms since that's what the prices you mention reflected.

Don't discount the Leupold 12-40X60 HD.  It is better than ours optically, and ours is pretty darn good.  I got it from Maschmet (when they were repping Leupold) about 1992 for doing a show for them and it really has served us well. 

It's kinda' like the Leupold vs Nightforce riflescope dynamic in that there is "mo betta" optically out there, but when it comes to outfitting hunters Leupold has shown themselves to be really listening and making the trade-offs that make Leupold a world leader in outfitting serious hunters. 

The Leupold is not seriously marketed to bird watchers because getting into back country is not generally what their first concern is.  Bird watchers demand resolution and color fidelity and are willing to pay for it in weight... and dollars.

That is my  and you probably are more into finding game and assessing game than sitting there examining every hair on that animal and drinking in the experience that that brings bird watchers.   

Just give that scope a thought.  Leupold most certainly did when they first offered it three decades ago and it proved to be so "right" for hunters that they have kept it alive and improved upon it constantly.