Best spotting scope for under / around $1500??

[jrebel]

Looking to upgrade the spotter and need a little help.  I would like to stay close to $1500 but if the difference is that great would consider more.  I know a lot of people really like the vortex, but I have never been fond of their scopes.  Am I missing out with their Spotters?  Is the Viper HD all it is cracked up to be? 

If you had to pick between an 80mm objective in the Vortex and 60mm in the Swarovski....which one would you take?  I really don't want to dump 3K on a 80mm sworovski.....even though that would be the ultimate. 

This will not be a pack spotter so weight is not a problem.  I want clear class. 

Anyone looking to sell a nice one?  I have cash or may even be able to part with a nice rifle in trade? 

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Camofire asap!

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Looking to upgrade the spotter and need a little help.  I would like to stay close to $1500 but if the difference is that great would consider more.  I know a lot of people really like the vortex, but I have never been fond of their scopes.  Am I missing out with their Spotters?  Is the Viper HD all it is cracked up to be? 

If you had to pick between an 80mm objective in the Vortex and 60mm in the Swarovski....which one would you take?  I really don't want to dump 3K on a 80mm sworovski.....even though that would be the ultimate. 

This will not be a pack spotter so weight is not a problem.  I want clear class. 

Anyone looking to sell a nice one?  I have cash or may even be able to part with a nice rifle in trade?

The razor is 1200 right now!

[jrebel]

Camofire asap!

I actually found a better price on the scope online.  That is why I ask about vortex though. 

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Camofire asap!

I actually found a better price on the scope online.  That is why I ask about vortex though.

Where I almost bought that?

[jrebel]

https://www.als.com/Product.aspx?pf_id=vortex-spot_scope_razor&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsZLZ9qHi1QIVQpd-Ch3MUgKEEAQYAyABEgLJe_D_BwE

Not much of a savings, but still a little less.  Shipping may offset savings though.  I am very interested but don't want to jump the gun if for the money Swarovski would be a better buy. 

[lewy]

Find a used swaro 65

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

My advice is only based on reading reviews and comments, I haven't had a chance to do a side by side comparison.  All that research has led.me to believe there is no reason to buy a Swarovski.  Unless I have money taking up space and I need to.spend it.

[lewy]

My advice comes from experience lol, that's a good buy on campfire tho

[X-Force]

IMO go with 80-85 mm glass and at your price range vortex foots the bill. I've used Swarovski pre HD 80 ATS and the discontinued Vortex Razor 85 and I was more impressed with the Razor especially at the price. Been fortunant enough to play with a maven and the new razor both are solid scopes.

A new Swarovski would be the cream of the crop but Vortex and Maven get you great optics with plenty of money for a good tripod and head.

[jackelope]

If you want to buy a Vortex spotter, hit up Elknut1 on here. No tax, free shipping and the best prices around.

[huntandjeep]

Find a used swaro 65

    .

[cboom]

Find a used swaro 65

    .

Yep. Swaro has noticely  better glass. And the quality of the whole unit is better.

[OSUFlyer]

I had a similar budget and ended up purchasing a closeout Razor HD 65mm from Sportman Warehouse for $799. My eyes couldn't tell a big difference between the Razor and a pre-HD Swarovski. Long term plan is for better glass but the price difference paid for an elk tag.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Vortex-Razor-HD-16-48-65-Angled-Body-Spotting-Scope/productDetail/Angled-Body-Spotting-Scopes/prod999901366046/cat130500

[ian_padron]

I had a similar budget and ended up purchasing a closeout Razor HD 65mm from Sportman Warehouse for $799. My eyes couldn't tell a big difference between the Razor and a pre-HD Swarovski. Long term plan is for better glass but the price difference paid for an elk tag.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Vortex-Razor-HD-16-48-65-Angled-Body-Spotting-Scope/productDetail/Angled-Body-Spotting-Scopes/prod999901366046/cat130500

Made the same exact decision.

No regrets with the Gen 1 Razor so far.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Whoa that is a smoking deal!  Whats the difference between that and the new one?  I bet its light years ahead of the windriver spotting scope I had.

[Tjv28]

I was in the same boat last year. I went Swarovski. Couldn't be happier. Vortex is made in china.

[bobcat]

Leupold 12-40x60. $1300

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362277299/leupold-golden-ring-hd-spotting-scope-12-40x-60mm-shadow-gray

[bajeep93]

Meopta
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/940208/meopta-meopro-hd-80-spotting-scope-20-60x-80mm-angled-green?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Optics+-+Spotting+Scopes-_-Meopta-_-940208&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgrSN7JWI1gIVKb7tCh10WQF5EAQYAiABEgJdcPD_BwE


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[jrebel]

I ended up buying a used Swarovski....... absolutely love it.  Thanks for the recommendations  everyone.   :tup:u

[Stein]

I had a similar budget and ended up purchasing a closeout Razor HD 65mm from Sportman Warehouse for $799. My eyes couldn't tell a big difference between the Razor and a pre-HD Swarovski. Long term plan is for better glass but the price difference paid for an elk tag.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Vortex-Razor-HD-16-48-65-Angled-Body-Spotting-Scope/productDetail/Angled-Body-Spotting-Scopes/prod999901366046/cat130500

Bummer, they are gone.  Anyone else know where they are being closed out?

[fishsticks]

I had a similar budget and ended up purchasing a closeout Razor HD 65mm from Sportman Warehouse for $799. My eyes couldn't tell a big difference between the Razor and a pre-HD Swarovski. Long term plan is for better glass but the price difference paid for an elk tag.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Vortex-Razor-HD-16-48-65-Angled-Body-Spotting-Scope/productDetail/Angled-Body-Spotting-Scopes/prod999901366046/cat130500

Bummer, they are gone.  Anyone else know where they are being closed out?

Ive purchased from www.cameralandny.com in the past and they have good prices.  They have an open box 22-48x65 for $1040 right now.

Www.eurooptic.com is $1056 for NIB

Also keep an eye on www.swfa.com "sample list" they get open box, trade and used stuff that is often a good deal.  Currently running 10% off and free shipping >$50

I'm super happy with my 11-33x50.  I have swaro binos, and while it isn't apples to apples, the razor spotter is top flight glass.

[Stein]

I was in the same boat last year. I went Swarovski. Couldn't be happier. Vortex is made in china.

I believe the Razor line is made in Japan.

[Batwatcher]

Cabela's Meopta-made Instinct scope is on sale now, $500 of plus an extra 10% off. This is an alpha quality scope very close to your price range.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/optics/spotting-scopes|/pc/104792580/c/104752080/sc/104600880/cabelas-instinct-euro-hd-spotting-scope/1575211.uts?slotId=12

[Crunchy]

I did the spotter shopping a few years ago.  I narrowed it down between the Vortex Razor and Swaros.  Swaros were better glass, and that is what I went with.  The only Vortex you should consider is the Razor line.  You will be disappointed in anything else in Vortex.  Where you will find the difference is in the 500 plus yard range.  Clarity in glass at the longer distance is where you spend the money.  The difference in seeing a deer, and having enough clarity to know not only its a deer but being able to count antler points.  The Vortex line is heavier than Swaros but I cannot recall by how much.  Spend a little extra and be happy for the life of your hunting career no matter which spotter you go with.  Spend once, cry once.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I had a similar budget and ended up purchasing a closeout Razor HD 65mm from Sportman Warehouse for $799. My eyes couldn't tell a big difference between the Razor and a pre-HD Swarovski. Long term plan is for better glass but the price difference paid for an elk tag.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Vortex-Razor-HD-16-48-65-Angled-Body-Spotting-Scope/productDetail/Angled-Body-Spotting-Scopes/prod999901366046/cat130500

Bummer, they are gone.  Anyone else know where they are being closed out?

There are two in stock the Spokane store right now, check your local store, they may have a few in stock still.