Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: dreadi on August 09, 2025, 10:59:30 PM

Title: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: dreadi on August 09, 2025, 10:59:30 PM: I've been using a Vortex Diamondback 20-60 for a few years. It's fine for the range and checking for the elusive true spike at 400yds but, last year on a mule deer hunt I had a very hard time seeing deer through it. A friend showed up on day three and had his Swarovski glass...huge improvement and I could see everything. Probably missed spotting a few deer prior.

I'm not trying to spend $2700 on a spotting scope but definitely would like to upgrade and still be semi packable. What's good these days? I recent saw some previous generation Viper HD for sale, new, at half the price of the current model. It looked tempting.

Black Hammer Arms
www.blackhammerarms.com
The Guy On HuntWA Selling Suppressors
@blackhammerarms
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: Alan K on August 10, 2025, 07:45:20 AM: If sticking with Vortex, I'd go with the Razor line.

I finally got enough $ set aside before last season to make the Swaro leap, but used the Razor for several years prior. Significant step up in my opinion from the Diamondback/Viper lines.
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: medic6 on August 10, 2025, 08:46:15 AM: Zeiss gavia 85 when on sale is a great option for under 2000. I’ve had mine for 3 years and no complaints.
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 10, 2025, 10:22:39 AM: I moved from swaro to kowa last year and im not looking back. No doubt the big 95 is incredible but the difference between it and the kowa 88 is minimal and the fine focus adjustment on the kowa actually allows you to really dial in with less disturbance to the scope, especially when digiscoping. Obviously the 88 and 99 are not for everyone but their smaller spotters pack a lot of punch for less weight and less dollars over the swaro :twocents:
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: jackelope on August 10, 2025, 11:45:06 AM: I went from Vortex Diamondback to Vortex Razor. Huge improvement. Not swaro but not swaro money either.
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: muleyslayer on August 10, 2025, 12:46:25 PM: I own a pair of the swaro slc 10x 42s. I ran the biggest vortex razor spotter for years, it definitely got the job done. The reason I sold it, and started looking into kowa and swaro was the dusk and dawn glassing improvements with the higher end glass. I bought the kowa 99S after speaking to a few guys with lots of experience with kowa and swaro spotters. A lot of guys preferred the kowa spotter over the swaros, and they are a couple hundred bucks cheaper.
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: trophyhunt on August 10, 2025, 12:56:35 PM: Maven has some great glass, much cheaper. Have you looked through a pair of 18x56’s? You may just leave the spotter at home.
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: huntnnw on August 10, 2025, 02:20:53 PM: I’d buy high end used if not wanting to drop $2700. Kowa would be my next spotter
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: teanawayslayer on August 10, 2025, 02:25:51 PM: Quote from: huntnnw on August 10, 2025, 02:20:53 PM
I’d buy high end used if not wanting to drop $2700. Kowa would be my next spotter
I’d second this. There are a couple good deals over on rokslide on some high end spotters. I would stay in the top tier glass. If you don’t you’ll be buying again.
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: craigapphunt on August 10, 2025, 03:44:29 PM: I went with the vortex razor 85mm but the first gen version with the fine focus adjustment and I really like it. Sportsman's warehouse has them on sale right now for $799
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: dreadi on August 14, 2025, 01:40:40 PM: Quote from: craigapphunt on August 10, 2025, 03:44:29 PM
I went with the vortex razor 85mm but the first gen version with the fine focus adjustment and I really like it. Sportsman's warehouse has them on sale right now for $799
Yes, those are what I was thinking about since they are on sale.

It's good to hear the Konos are legit. I had not heard of them before. Thank you all.

Black Hammer Arms
www.blackhammerarms.com
The Guy On HuntWA Selling Suppressors
@blackhammerarms
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: Stein on August 14, 2025, 02:40:39 PM: I just recommended the 1st Gen 85mm Razor to a guy I know. Arguably the best value on the market right now, but not something I would consider packable by any stretch.
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: wazzu99 on August 24, 2025, 05:29:16 PM: Anyone running the Leupold Santiam 80mm? Wondering how it stacks up against the razor lineup?
Title: Re: I'm in the mood for a new spotting scope.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 24, 2025, 09:19:08 PM: Quote from: Karl Blanchard on August 10, 2025, 10:22:39 AM
I moved from swaro to kowa last year and im not looking back. No doubt the big 95 is incredible but the difference between it and the kowa 88 is minimal and the fine focus adjustment on the kowa actually allows you to really dial in with less disturbance to the scope, especially when digiscoping. Obviously the 88 and 99 are not for everyone but their smaller spotters pack a lot of punch for less weight and less dollars over the swaro :twocents:
If budget is not an issue go Kowa 88. Thats what I run. But the Maven is a good option - Swaro quslity at 1/2 the price.