Spotting Scopes $2500-$3500

Slug870

Slug870

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Hey gang,

I'm going to pick myself up a new spotting scope in the $2500-$3500 price range and right now it looks like I've settled on the Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85.

Admittedly, I'm no expert on the topic of spotting scopes, so I wanted to hear from those who may own the Vortex, those who would suggest a different product and also those who are drinking and just stumbled upon this thread and wish to inject their thoughts for us all to hear...

Thanks in advance for any input.
 
Are you sure you want a spotting scope instead of binocular?

A lot of people that watch long range rifle bullets fly are using binos these days.
 
I mean with that price you could have quite the selection to pick from!

Can I ask what the end goal is for the spotting scope? Range use only? Hunting and range use?

Why have you settled on the Vortex? (I’ve heard good things but personally don’t use any of their products for personal reasons.)

I’m in the middle and am currently looking at one for both range use and hunting so I’ve been trying to balance magnification, size, weight and pack ability.

I’ve been looking at Leupold SX-4 Gen 2 and Gold Ring (sadly discontinued), Tract Optics toric UHD, Maven, Zeiss and Swarovski.

All have different models that would work. Combination of straight and angled bodies. I’ve looked through Tracts recently along with Leupolds and the glass is really nice. (As far as viewing I’m a trade show goes,)

Ultimately the higher end all do the same thing but I think it more so matters what you want, straight, angled, light weight, hunting, bench shooting etc. I like angled when spotting my own shots on a bench or prone but prefer straight when spotting other peoples shots.

I know it probably wasn’t the most helpful but hopefully these questions can help you confirm your choice or narrow down other choices.

B
 
adamg said:
Are you sure you want a spotting scope instead of binocular?

A lot of people that watch long range rifle bullets fly are using binos these days.
Click to expand...
You raise a valid question and the answer is I am uncertain to be honest. I want to spot hits on target at up to 1000m, so I figure I need the higer magnification of the spotting scope vs the 10 or 12x42 bino setup. I was thinking about the Vectronix Vector X, but I'm not sure it would fill that role of spotting 1000m hits. Disclaimer - I have never used/seen/touched a Vector X
bdb.hunting said:
I mean with that price you could have quite the selection to pick from!

Can I ask what the end goal is for the spotting scope? Range use only? Hunting and range use?

Why have you settled on the Vortex? (I’ve heard good things but personally don’t use any of their products for personal reasons.)

I’m in the middle and am currently looking at one for both range use and hunting so I’ve been trying to balance magnification, size, weight and pack ability.

I’ve been looking at Leupold SX-4 Gen 2 and Gold Ring (sadly discontinued), Tract Optics toric UHD, Maven, Zeiss and Swarovski.

All have different models that would work. Combination of straight and angled bodies. I’ve looked through Tracts recently along with Leupolds and the glass is really nice. (As far as viewing I’m a trade show goes,)

Ultimately the higher end all do the same thing but I think it more so matters what you want, straight, angled, light weight, hunting, bench shooting etc. I like angled when spotting my own shots on a bench or prone but prefer straight when spotting other peoples shots.

I know it probably wasn’t the most helpful but hopefully these questions can help you confirm your choice or narrow down other choices.

B
Click to expand...
As I mentioned above, I want to be able to spot hits on target (or misses of course) at up to 1000m. Secondary role would be hunting.

I am looking at the Vortex as it has high mag, 85mm bell, great reviews and the Vortex warranty.

While I understand the possible sacrifice of quicker target acquisition, I am settled on the angled body for the ease of ability to use spotting my own shots.

Thank you for your post; some thought provoking questions that do help refine the selection process. Much appreciated.
 
Hi, I shoot with some f class competitors from the Canadian Team '' 1000 yard boys'' and they use spotting scopes . Your best bet is to be able to go to a retailer that can set up a spotting scope on a stand for you to use an look out at something in the distance. You say you are from Ont. , for Kowa try KW Telescope in Kitchener, for Vortex try Select Shooting in Cambridge. I have a Kowa Prominar 773 great quality and glass.
At my range there is a mix of spotting scopes used Kowa, Nightforce, Vortex, Bushnel, Zeiss.
Regards George
 
IMO, I'm always WARY of anything that gets "High Praise" for their Warranty Service. IMO it means that a lot of people had to use that warranty. I know of a couple fellow shooters that have done 'multiple' returns before they gave up and bought elsewhere.
My 'spotter' is just a 70mm Celestron that came from CT for about $200 10 years ago. It lets me see .223 holes in paper at 200-Y but I've never tried 1000 - HA ! Celestron has a good selection of Astronomical scopes as well as $1K spotters on Amazon. And Optics Planet has sold them before IIRC. Check on Birdwatching sires too for references.
And has been said, your price range puts you into Swaro-world.
 
Check out Pelee wings best prices on Kowa scopes in Canada. If you are looking to drop that kind of coin, a trip to Pelee Wings would not be a waste of time. With some spotting scopes the eyepiece makes the difference between good a great. If you wear glasses a LER eye piece is almost a must.
 
Thanks for the replies fellas, you’ve got me rethinking the Vortex. There are a ton of options out there for sure… how the hell is a guy supposed to choose? Hahaha
 
The best thing would be to go to a long range shoot if you can and see if you can check out a few in person.

I'm not a long range shooter but from what I remember reading past posts is that seeing the trace (someone else spotting for the shooter) is a big part of what people look for, and the other thing is that after a certain amount of magnification heat waves and other atmospheric conditions can degrade the usefulness... there is a sweet spot.

Hopefully some long range shooters and spotters will weigh in and re-educate us.... :)
 
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For binos, some of the options I'd recommend:
- Swaro Pure 12x42, used, $3500 if you can find it
- Swaro SLC 15x56, somewhere around $2000 used, or buy new
- Vortex Razor UHD 18x56, somewhere around $1600 used (don't buy new)

- Swaro EL Range 10x42, used, around $3500 (great glass in a rangefinding bino)
 
I’m not gonna gonna say that Vortex is garbage, but if you’re thinking the 3500$ range you’re in Leica/Swaro range… or, there are some vortex scopes that allow you to put the swaro binocular eyepiece into…

The vortex nation podcast, and some other podcasts, have long conversations about how to choose. Bigger mag is not always better…

When the time comes I’ll be doing a pair of vector X’s with a tripod mount.

If your plans are range only, there are some great wifi based camera/base systems that make a scope or binos obsolete, for 1/4 the cost.

SRS.
 
Take the trip to Pelee Wings. They will put 3-4 scopes on tripods at one time and you can compare them side by side. Take away the ones you don't like and put a couple more up. Want to try a different eyepiece, no problem. The higher you go with magnification on the eyepiece the smaller your field of view gets at longer range. I don't think anyone that I shoot with uses a zoom eyepiece and most go with a fixed power eyepiece or a WA eyepiece. I used to have a scope with a 15x-45X eyepiece and always kept it turned down to 15X. I now use a KOWA with a 22x WA. Regardless of the scope and eyepiece you won't be able to see hits on a paper target at 1000 yards. If you are the spotter you will be able to see trace and you might see a hit if you are shooting at steel targets or rocks and see the bullet splash. If you are shooting and trying to see a trace and or splash you won't be able to get on the scope fast enough after firing the shot. Your bullet will be there before the recoil settles.
The targets at 1000 yards don't look that bad with the naked eye. However add a bunch of magnification between you and the target there is a lot of stuff going on in between. Wind, mirage and lighting conditions will distort the target image. Learning how to read these condition will help you be a better long range shooter.
If you just want to see results on where you hit the target buy a ShotMarker target system.
 
Slug870 said:
Hey gang,

I'm going to pick myself up a new spotting scope in the $2500-$3500 price range and right now it looks like I've settled on the Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85.

Admittedly, I'm no expert on the topic of spotting scopes, so I wanted to hear from those who may own the Vortex, those who would suggest a different product and also those who are drinking and just stumbled upon this thread and wish to inject their thoughts for us all to hear...

Thanks in advance for any input.
Click to expand...
 
:) uhm how to give an advise if you already have a standpoint.
To make it short... from my experience with spotting scopes I have three from a decade ago .... you adding one extra piece of equipment you need to take care. I didn't toke out my spotter from a drawer for at least 5-6 years.

How many times you planning to shoot 1000 meters/yards in average year?

Instead of buying a spotting scope for $2-3-4K - BUY a better Tier1 long range target scope!

My scope is higher-end Tier2 to entry level Tier1 - 10-50x60, I can see individual W308 holes @ 500 in a sipping rainy day, and the groups @ 800 in an average day.
Usually ranges with 1000 and up have already the electronics installed.
If I would buy again I would go with 8-80x56 class or level like this, but not really needing one yet.

There are lot of these scopes, you take your time and do your own research. Just a sample for you:
https://www.longrangesupply.com/store4/index.php?route=product/category&path=174

1743894748798.png
 
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