Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 24, 2013, 04:58:12 PM
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 24, 2013, 05:15:57 PM
Post by: 400out on December 24, 2013, 05:41:34 PM
Post by: mountainman on December 24, 2013, 05:47:30 PM
vortex vortex vortex! all day save up a bit more and get their new baby razor!!!! :twocents::tup:
Have recently got to play with one of these, and for a lightweight, compact scope for the high country ( the only way i hunt), this scope is second to none!
Post by: cmud on December 24, 2013, 05:54:48 PM
Post by: Crunchy on December 24, 2013, 06:20:21 PM
Post by: mountainman on December 24, 2013, 06:31:28 PM
Post by: Crunchy on December 24, 2013, 06:38:02 PM
Vortex Razor Hd 11-33x50. $999 MSRP, can be had for less. Shorter, brighter, lighter, great features for throwing in a pack and heading up hill! :tup:
Not a bad deal just a little low on the magnification and a 50mm objective is a tad narrow, maybe not so bad at 33 power . Be good for a backcountry type hunt.
Post by: mountainman on December 24, 2013, 06:44:08 PM
Post by: Come Get Some on December 24, 2013, 08:03:31 PM
For that price range I would look at Leupold Goldring. The only Vortex worth that kinda cash is the Razor and it is about the same price as Swarovski. Given the choice between the two I would vote Swarovski.
The Vortex Razor goes from $999.00 to $1500.00. Great scope for the money but does not compare to the equal power in Swarovski. Swarovski in the 85mm is over $3000.00
Hard to compete with the swarovski brightness and clearity
Post by: Cylvertip on December 24, 2013, 08:54:52 PM
:twocents:
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 24, 2013, 09:09:45 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 24, 2013, 09:12:48 PM
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/leupold.pl?page=leupold_gr_12-40x60mm (http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/leupold.pl?page=leupold_gr_12-40x60mm)
Post by: ellensburgpo on December 24, 2013, 09:17:27 PM
Post by: coop2424 on December 24, 2013, 09:22:38 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 24, 2013, 09:42:54 PM
Post by: Crunchy on December 24, 2013, 09:49:19 PM
Thanks guys :tup: I'll have to getup to cabelas and check one out first hand.....is swaro that much better to save up and spend another $600-1000 ....I see the cameralandny has demo models for sale also...I could save up more and get one of the 65mm swarosNothing wrong with that Leupold you saw at cameraland. It just isn't Swaro, so it all depends on what you want out of your spotting scope. Me, I wanted the best quality glass I could afford and bought the Swaro.
Post by: mountainman on December 24, 2013, 11:07:05 PM
I don't really care about size and weight...I won't be backpacking with it.....mostly for spotting deer....I had a few deer at first and last light that I know where bucks but not sure how big.....they had big bodies but my Bushnell trophy spotter just wasn't bright enough and I'm not gonna miss alotber opportunity because of it....if I need to spend a little more I will...but I want to make sure and get good optics
Thanks guys :tup: I'll have to getup to cabelas and check one out first hand.....is swaro that much better to save up and spend another $600-1000 ....I see the cameralandny has demo models for sale also...I could save up more and get one of the 65mm swarossize and raising the top cap on dollars not an issue, definetly go with the Swaro!! :tup:
Post by: 400out on December 25, 2013, 05:14:59 AM
I just have one last question for you! you save for the next 6 months for your glass, ten years from now you happen to fall and break the glass or housing! Ouch that hurts :bash: :bash: :bash: does the brand you chose ask no questions and send you a new one :dunno: :dunno: :dunno: vortex will! The one reason I will go with them for all my optics from here on out :twocents: Mery christmas and good luck
Post by: teanawayslayer on December 25, 2013, 05:33:22 AM
Thanks guys :tup: I'll have to getup to cabelas and check one out first hand.....is swaro that much better to save up and spend another $600-1000 ....I see the cameralandny has demo models for sale also...I could save up more and get one of the 65mm swarosThe swarovski is more superior than any thing on the market. I love mine and glad that I finally bit the bullet this past year. I let a friend borrow it for his sheep hunt this year. He has some kind of nikon ed scope. Not a bad scope some where right around the 1k range. He put them side by side and looked at the same ram at a 1000 yards. With the nikon he could not count rings. Clear as day with the swarovski. Now he is in the hunt for one. Your can easily count points clearly up to 1.5-2 miles away. :twocents:
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 25, 2013, 12:31:52 PM
good luck with your choice! :hello:Leopold did this with binocs for me ....I got my grandpas when he passed and they fogged up and Leopold sent me new ones :tup:
I just have one last question for you! you save for the next 6 months for your glass, ten years from now you happen to fall and break the glass or housing! Ouch that hurts :bash: :bash: :bash: does the brand you chose ask no questions and send you a new one :dunno: :dunno: :dunno: vortex will! The one reason I will go with them for all my optics from here on out :twocents: Mery christmas and good luck
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 25, 2013, 05:39:47 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 25, 2013, 07:09:15 PM
Post by: yorketransport on December 25, 2013, 07:20:12 PM
I keep hearing vortex or swaro ....vortex must be pretty good then....who sells vortex around here son I can check them outThis is the biggest hold up I have. I really want to look at them outside before dropping the cash.
FWIW, I picked up a Leupold MK 4 spotting scope with the TMR reticle for about $900 new off of Camofire about a year ago. You can find them in that price range if you look around.
Andrew
Post by: Crunchy on December 25, 2013, 07:26:34 PM
Post by: jackelope on December 25, 2013, 07:59:59 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 25, 2013, 08:46:23 PM
Post by: jackelope on December 26, 2013, 08:32:30 AM
Post by: JPhelps on December 26, 2013, 08:58:03 AM
For 1000 yd spotting I would save the money and avoid getting into the high end Swarovski and Vortex Razor Line. Those scopes really shine at long distances, low light or when being used to initially spot game at a mile+.
I have been fortunate to use a Swarovski STM 65 and stx85 over the past two seasons and while they are great glass I don't know if the price is worth the extra $1000 to $2500 depending on the model.
I would recommend you look at the Vortex Viper line. They have the HD version as well. This recommendation is based only for your use as if you wanted to start looking at further distances I would recommend the Swarovski or vortex razor.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviper15-45x65 (http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviper15-45x65)
Post by: Bill W on December 26, 2013, 09:31:25 AM
If the Swarovski's have more resolution than the two I have I'd like to compare.
I started out with a 25x Tasco as it was my hunting spotting scope, albiet heavy. I was "lunchmeat" at the shoots until I got the Nikon. The Alpen was a tad better.
One issue with high power spotting scopes is heat waves/mirage. I've been on prairie dog trips in Montana when the July temps hit close to 100. I had a 20x scope on my rifle and had to dial down to around 12 because of heatwaves/mirage.
Post by: Slimdog350 on December 26, 2013, 09:47:20 AM
I keep hearing vortex or swaro ....vortex must be pretty good then....who sells vortex around here son I can check them outI myself have been looking at spotting scopes and have narrowed it down to the vortex razor hd. Find a dealer with one and check them out but if you want to purchase one pm Elknut on this forum and he will hook you up! :tup:
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 26, 2013, 04:34:09 PM
Post by: JPhelps on December 26, 2013, 05:15:11 PM
The pros for the angled is the lower tripod height, glassing out of the bottoms and more comfortable over long periods. Downfall for me is not being able to quickly find the target.
With that said I prefer a straight spotter.
Post by: Alan K on December 26, 2013, 05:22:15 PM
Straight is better for target acquisition and when being used on a Ridgeline. The downfall is the tripod will need to be taller (stability) and the neck will fatigue faster.
The pros for the angled is the lower tripod height, glassing out of the bottoms and more comfortable over long periods. Downfall for me is not being able to quickly find the target.
With that said I prefer a straight spotter.
Well said, straight for me too!
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 26, 2013, 05:26:30 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on December 26, 2013, 06:27:04 PM
Can you really "easily" count points on a buck 2 miles away? What x magnification are you talking about? Legit question. Not trying to be a smart guy.that's at 60x.
Post by: Crunchy on December 26, 2013, 08:12:05 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 26, 2013, 08:16:41 PM
Post by: cbond3318 on December 26, 2013, 08:20:15 PM
Straight is better for target acquisition and when being used on a Ridgeline. The downfall is the tripod will need to be taller (stability) and the neck will fatigue faster.
The pros for the angled is the lower tripod height, glassing out of the bottoms and more comfortable over long periods. Downfall for me is not being able to quickly find the target.
With that said I prefer a straight spotter.
Well said, straight for me too!
:yeah: I have a straight view Nikon and can be on target instantly almost aiming the spotting scope before looking thru it. I spent ten minutes with my buddies angled scope and was lost as soon as I put my eyes thru it. The straight does take getting use to what glassing positions are most comfortable but become habit quickly.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 27, 2013, 09:05:47 AM
Post by: Bill W on December 27, 2013, 10:54:03 AM
Post by: scottcrb on December 27, 2013, 11:12:22 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on December 27, 2013, 06:46:42 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on January 12, 2014, 11:35:46 AM
Post by: Elkohol on January 12, 2014, 11:52:16 AM
I checked out the vortex razor hd today and all I can say is wow is that clear...I'll be purchasing one of those like a lot of you recommended :tup:
Good choice :tup: I ordered mine last Monday.. Can't wait for it to arrive!
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on January 12, 2014, 12:29:31 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on January 12, 2014, 02:38:21 PM
Post by: Elkohol on January 12, 2014, 03:02:24 PM
Post by: Elknut1 on January 12, 2014, 04:37:47 PM
ElkNut1 - Paul
Post by: T-Dozzer on January 14, 2014, 07:26:33 PM
Post by: mountainman on January 14, 2014, 08:03:50 PM
I personally think when you're comparing a $1k scope to a $2k+ scope, you're spending lots more money for tiny little differences that 90% of people won't even notice. I used a Swaro a couple times...20-60x60 and found it to be awesome, but I'm not sure, for me, that it's $1k+ more awesome than the ones you're looking at in the $1k range. I realize not everyone will share the same opinions.I disagree. Maybe for the guy that uses one for a few hours a year, but for those of us that use their spotting scope for days on end some years, the difference is HUGE! Compare lesser scopes to higher end optics, you need to look thru them for several hours. Step away, then look back thru them...if your eyes instantle tense up from a lesser scope, compared to having them relax when you look back thru a higher end scope...well, to me, thats a HUGE difference. Shows the difference between coated externals and fully coated lenses, more so with silver phos glass
Post by: mountainman on January 14, 2014, 08:04:52 PM
I checked out the vortex razor hd today and all I can say is wow is that clear...I'll be purchasing one of those like a lot of you recommended :tup::tup:
Post by: Elkohol on January 14, 2014, 08:15:02 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on January 14, 2014, 09:00:43 PM
Mine came i'n this morning! Love it even more than when I was comparing them. I spent part of my day building a camera adaptor out of some PVC fittings rather than paying for one from them. Works great!
Can you post a pic? I'd like to see this....I want one but don't want to fork out the money they want for some plastic
Post by: jackelope on January 14, 2014, 09:22:24 PM
I personally think when you're comparing a $1k scope to a $2k+ scope, you're spending lots more money for tiny little differences that 90% of people won't even notice. I used a Swaro a couple times...20-60x60 and found it to be awesome, but I'm not sure, for me, that it's $1k+ more awesome than the ones you're looking at in the $1k range. I realize not everyone will share the same opinions.I disagree. Maybe for the guy that uses one for a few hours a year, but for those of us that use their spotting scope for days on end some years, the difference is HUGE! Compare lesser scopes to higher end optics, you need to look thru them for several hours. Step away, then look back thru them...if your eyes instantle tense up from a lesser scope, compared to having them relax when you look back thru a higher end scope...well, to me, thats a HUGE difference. Shows the difference between coated externals and fully coated lenses, more so with silver phos glass
You're making my point for me. The guy that uses one a few hours a year is likely not spending $2500 on a scope. At least 90% of those guys aren't dropping that coin on a spotter. Most of those guys aren't going to take the time to even make the comparison you just described.
Post by: mountainman on January 14, 2014, 09:41:47 PM
Post by: Crunchy on January 14, 2014, 09:42:50 PM
Post by: Elkohol on January 14, 2014, 09:45:09 PM
Mine came i'n this morning! Love it even more than when I was comparing them. I spent part of my day building a camera adaptor out of some PVC fittings rather than paying for one from them. Works great!
Can you post a pic? I'd like to see this....I want one but don't want to fork out the money they want for some plastic
I'll try to get some posted tomorrow.
Post by: columbiaman on January 28, 2014, 04:34:56 PM
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo/zenspotter82-angled-demo.html (http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo/zenspotter82-angled-demo.html)
I also like the Vortex razor spotter. The only thing that you need to watch out for is the low light performance. The unit to unit variation is quite big. If you use spotter mainly during the bright daylight, it may not be a concern for you.