Post by: Elknut1 on December 29, 2012, 02:14:13 PM
Just a heads up guys that Vortex is coming out with two new Spotting Scopes for backpackers like myself! (grin) They are Razor HD 11-33X50mm - 25oz &
Razor HD 16-48X65mm -48oz -- These should be awesome just like their big brother the 85mm. This is the one I have at present & it's an awesome Spotting Scope but to large to use a packer! I use it mainly around the rig or generally no more than a 1/2 mile away to glass some great open country or draws! I can't wait for that 50mm it will be perfect & lightweight!
We will have a great price on them too! If interested in pricing PM me or email me at elknut@elknut.com I will have one of the lowest prices around!
Here's a photo of the 50mm
ElkNut/Paul
Post by: Elknut1 on December 29, 2012, 06:02:00 PM
ElkNut1
Post by: d_wilson on December 29, 2012, 06:09:53 PM
Post by: Elknut1 on December 30, 2012, 07:03:25 AM
ElkNut1
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on January 22, 2013, 05:09:51 PM
That Viper HD is an excellent Optic, you'll love it!Paul, I bought a pair of the razor binos, I compared them to the vipers and thought there was no comparison, my question is, how much better is the razor than the viper for a spotter, trying to decide if I want to upgrade there. I currently have the 20-60 80mm HD Viper and think it should be fine since you don't use that thing that often because of the size, but was thinking about going with the new 50mm for hunting, what are your thoughts? You have already sent me the pricing and it seemed reasonable.
ElkNut1
Post by: Alan K on January 22, 2013, 05:37:53 PM
Post by: Elknut1 on January 23, 2013, 07:21:55 AM
I'm like Alan here, I want a smaller Spotting Scope that I can pack but not be under gunned, I know it's not going to be as powerful as the 85mm but I'm OK with that because of the major weight reduction. The combination of the Razor 10X42 binos & the 11-33X50 Razor HD spotter will be perfect for our mule deer, elk & antelope hunts. I've used the DiamondBacks, Vipers & now Razors on all these hunts over the years, never did I feel wanting more, I saw all the game there was to see. What great glass does over mid-ranged glass is help to see at lower light times, mornings & evenings. Many hunters don't care about that as they glass on occasional outings, others it's of big importance to see at those last light times, this is the reason there is glass for both styles! For all the years I've glassed (over 40) I've come to appreciate that mid ranged binos like the Viper HD 10X42 is all a hunter needs or another brand that is comparable. Your better off to have a very good Spotting Scope where you can sit behind it for hours & do the majority of your glassing with that. I can graph a mountain or drainage at 3/4 mile plus so much better with a Spotter over the Binos. Binos are great for inside 3/4 mile or quickly assessing an encounter or nearby terrain but start using your Spotter for this & much further & you will see how much you've been missing!
The Viper HD & Razor HD series are great for hours of use with no eye fatigue, this is important or you'll shy away from it because of the eye strain or headaches. No matter what brand optic you choose get glass with HD/ED & you'll experience comfortable glassing. What grade of glass is dependent on ones budget. If you use Binos most the time & a Spotter for just sizing critters up once game is located then stay with a mid-ranged Spotter like the Viper HD, it will work great & is less money out of pocket. If you plan on using your Spotter like myself for 6-7 hours straight then opt for glass like the Razor HD series & you won't miss a thing, once you experience using great glass it's really hard to go back after that! Hope this helps.
If any need prices on the 85mm--65mm--50mm Razor or Vipers let me know I'll be happy to help out.
ElkNut1
Post by: Steve C on January 23, 2013, 02:51:26 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on January 23, 2013, 02:55:34 PM
Post by: Elknut1 on January 24, 2013, 10:43:32 AM
Steve, I doubt another eyepiece can be swapped out on the 50mm, on an objective lens of that size you would not really want a 60X - The lens isn't big enough to gather enough light to make it beneficial, that's why as you see magnification go up so does the MM or objective lens size! 11-33X50mm is about max for great resolution & very little haze or shadowing.
ElkNut1
Post by: Steve C on January 24, 2013, 01:36:51 PM
If Vortex intended them to be removed, it would be a simple twist off affair.
Post by: SkookumHntr on January 24, 2013, 02:09:54 PM
Post by: X-Force on January 24, 2013, 02:17:05 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on January 24, 2013, 04:11:30 PM
Post by: Bob33 on January 24, 2013, 05:39:02 PM
is it gonna come in the straight version? Sry if it says in a previous comment, i didnt read all them..http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexrazorhd11-33x50 (http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexrazorhd11-33x50)
Post by: Elknut1 on January 24, 2013, 06:25:36 PM
ElkNut1
Post by: couesbitten on January 25, 2013, 06:41:58 AM
Post by: coyotecrazy on January 26, 2013, 08:59:36 AM
Post by: Elknut1 on January 28, 2013, 07:05:29 AM
ElkNut1
Post by: X-Force on February 21, 2013, 08:50:36 PM
The focal knobs and magnification knob are smooth but not as quality as swaro or minox and the like. They have a tinny feel to them. The lens shade also feels substantially cheaper than a swaro.
But if your looking at a thin budget like me. If you want something light with more than adequate glass and has a great warranty to back it up the razor hd 65 is worth looking at :twocents:
On a side note wholesale sports in Burlington isnt what it used to be.... the guy behind the gun counter had a dip in and was using censored words. Not very professional. He wasnt the only one. Out of the 6 people i had contact with in the store one wanted to sleep, 2 were dipping, 2 were talking crap and cussing and one was helpful.
Post by: hucklebeary on February 22, 2013, 09:31:12 PM
Post by: couesbitten on February 22, 2013, 10:58:08 PM
Post by: Elknut1 on February 23, 2013, 06:13:38 AM
ElkNut1
Post by: Noiro on February 25, 2013, 09:45:03 AM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on February 25, 2013, 12:00:46 PM
Post by: Elknut1 on February 25, 2013, 01:09:04 PM
You can digiscope with any spotter! As long as your camera lens fits inside the eyepiece you will be able to take photos! Personally I would not digiscope with any seriousness with a 50mm, there's just not nearly the light transmission as the 65's & bigger units. The Razor HD 65 & 85 have interchangeable eyepieces so digiscoping with either one is a non issue. The 50mm has a rubber eyecup so it's different than the other two but you can still take photos with it.
ElkNut1
Post by: X-Force on February 25, 2013, 01:33:53 PM
And good info :tup:
Post by: couesbitten on February 25, 2013, 02:03:13 PM
I keep coming back to the Vanguard 16-48x65mm.
That's the one I'm currently leaning toward. Got a good review over on the Rokslide site, and is literally half the price of the Vortex. The Vanguard Endeavor line of spotting scopes and binoculars have gotten excellent reviews on the bird watching sites.
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on February 25, 2013, 02:27:32 PM
My recommendation overall on spotters is buy the best you can afford, and if you are spending a ton of time behind them make sure you at least get HD glass. Eye fatigue sucks!!!
Post by: Elknut1 on February 26, 2013, 06:34:56 AM
For instance, when comparing the Vanguard 16-48X65 at 499.00 without ED/HD glass you should be comparing it to the DiamondBack 20-60X60 Spotter without ED/HD glass, this is very comparable & fair, both have similar features in their abilities. The difference though is this. The D/Back goes to 60X over 48X -- The D/Back weighs 33.8oz & the Vanguard weighs 47.8oz that's a big weight difference if weight is an issue. The D'Back retails for 499.00 but can be bought for 369.00 -- The D/Back also comes with an unconditional Transferable Lifetime Warranty with no cards to fill out.
I'm not saying that you need to buy Vortex, I believe there are many good brands out there but when making comparisons & solid decisions you have to compare glass to glass in the correct categories. Here's the DiamondBack Spotter. http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/diamondback_spotting_scopes (http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/diamondback_spotting_scopes)
ElkNut1