Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: PAW66 on November 17, 2016, 07:44:57 PM

Title: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: PAW66 on November 17, 2016, 07:44:57 PM: Have a $500.00 budget for a new spotting scope (20-60x80). Been looking at the:

Vortex Diamondback
Alpen 786
Leupold SX-1 Ventana 2

Any pros or cons on these scopes? Any other suggestions? Thanks for any comments.
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: Jharristealth on November 17, 2016, 07:54:47 PM: I have been extremely happy with my vanguard endeavor hd82a scope i have had for a couple of years now. Hard scope to beat imo for image quality and durability for right around that 500 mark.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/vanguard-vanguard-endeavor-hd-82a-spotting-scope.html
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: T-Dozzer on November 17, 2016, 09:45:17 PM: Buy a used Razor HD?
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: Bean Counter on November 17, 2016, 10:49:07 PM: I've looked through the Diamondback and I was not impressed :sry:

I haven't tried the other two but I kinda have a floor for spotting scopes, below which I wont bother to even carry. At some point its better to just upgrade your binos and save until you can get into a good quality spotter. :twocents:
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: buglebuster on November 17, 2016, 11:18:42 PM: Pm sent
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: Gsp90 on November 18, 2016, 02:46:53 PM: I was in your same shoes a few months back. I tried the vortex diamond back, Nikon monarch, alpen and a few others side by side at sportmans wearhouse. I ended up buying the vangaurd hd82a from Amazon (since I couldn't test it anywhere) and returning it a few days later because it lacked clarity/color and had dust stuck in the lens. So round two I bought the zen Ray ed2 20-60x82 and couldn't be happier I hate to say I like it more than any vortex spotting scope I've looked through and only paid 799 with a tripod new.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: JDHasty on November 18, 2016, 03:17:35 PM: Quote from: T-Dozzer on November 17, 2016, 09:45:17 PM
Buy a used Razor HD?

I usually try not to comment that you should consider something that is considerably outside of your price range... but if you can swing it I think that given what new old style Razor Spotters are selling for right now this would be a decision you would never regret.

I saw a very gently used 16-48X65 Razor sell recently for $675. Once new ones are no longer being sold at clearance prices it would not surprise me if the price of used ones doesn't go back up by a couple hundred dollars or more.
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: Bean Counter on November 19, 2016, 01:45:52 PM: Rock that

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,204693.msg2721183/topicseen.html#new
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: PAW66 on November 23, 2016, 11:36:27 AM: Thanks for all the info. Have decided to wait, since hunting is over for this year, and save more cash before any purchase.
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: biggfish on November 23, 2016, 02:01:38 PM: Just an idea drop that money you were gonna spend into a CD and let it grow. Most people that say they are gonna save up don't and have the same budget at a later date.
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: Jonathan_S on November 23, 2016, 02:12:36 PM: Quote from: PAW66 on November 23, 2016, 11:36:27 AM
Thanks for all the info. Have decided to wait, since hunting is over for this year, and save more cash before any purchase.

Much better choice. :tup: the quality of optics in the $800-$1200 range is exponentially better than those in the $500 range. Unless it's a good deal on a used one.

Testing a perfectly clean optic in fluorescent lighting is one thing but trying to focus on a deer or a herd in low light, when the lens has a smudge is when the better optics and light gathering properties make their money.
Title: Re: Best Spoting scope for $500.00
Post by: buglebuster on November 23, 2016, 10:30:09 PM: Quote from: Jonathan_S on November 23, 2016, 02:12:36 PM
Quote from: PAW66 on November 23, 2016, 11:36:27 AM
Thanks for all the info. Have decided to wait, since hunting is over for this year, and save more cash before any purchase.

Much better choice. :tup: the quality of optics in the $800-$1200 range is exponentially better than those in the $500 range. Unless it's a good deal on a used one.

Testing a perfectly clean optic in fluorescent lighting is one thing but trying to focus on a deer or a herd in low light, when the lens has a smudge is when the better optics and light gathering properties make their money.

:yeah: I was about to pull the trigger on the new 85mm vortex razor HD next week.... Decided to wait and save for a swaro instead.