Spotting scope opinions

[bowpredator]

Going to be getting a new Vortex spotter. Would like some opinions /experience on size to buy.  Was looking at 20-60x85 for glassing big country for deer/ elk in areas like E-Washington/ Eastern Montana, but also will be using spotter for Backcountry Hunting . Would you go with the 85 or a smaller 65 or 50.

[theleo]

Depends on what your wanting to do. If your'e envisioning spending hours upon hours looking through your spotter picking apart country go with the 85. If you're looking more at using the spotter to get a better look at what you found with your binocs I'd get the 65. I've never much been a fan of 50mm spotters as they always seem to give up on me to early in the evenings.

[deerhunter_98520]

I've got the 85 and absolulty love it

[Crunchy]

If you are going Vortex look at the Razor line.  Otherwise you might not be too happy when you are glassing at 700 yards at 40 power and you cant see any detail.  Spend the money for good glass.

[Stein]

85 is $999 on Camofire now, I was trying to scratch up the dough.

[jackelope]

85mm is a huge spotter to carry around backcountry hunting. I wish I had 2. I really like mine aside from it’s size.

[BeerBugler]

Go with a quality 65. I have an 80 because it was a deal I couldn’t pass up, I love it when I’m looking through it but too many times I’ve had too leave it in the truck because it is just too big for some hunts. My plan for next year is to buy a 65 and keep the 80 in the truck. Above all else, get the best you can afford.

[huntindoc]

If packing, go with 65 mm. 

[Magnum_Willys]

I dont take my 65 sometimes.  Id take an 85 less.

[bigfish51]

I have the Razor models.  One is the big 85 and last year I picked up the small 50mm. I use the 50 for my pack around model and like others have said, it works good to 1,000 yards or so, but does lose light a little earlier than the 85.  I used to pack the 85 around for miles, but it gets heavy. You can’t beat it for super long distance and low light though!  You’ll be happy with either one

[fowl smacker]

I have a Vortex Razor HD in 65 straight and pack it everywhere.   Good size/zoom ratio.

[bowpredator]

Thanks for all the input. I ended up pulling the trigger on the Vortex Viper 85mm . Haven’t had it in the field yet looking for critters but have set it up and skoped out objects down in the Orting valley from my place up on the ridge in Puyallup. Pretty impressed with it so far.