I watched a video recently saying that the vortex razor vs viper line of spotting scopes were pretty much the same and they couldn't see the difference but wanted to get an opinion from guys who actually hunt. Which was kind of crazy to me because I know there's a big difference between the viper and razor line for the binos so I wanted to hear your guy's opinion
Spotting scopes
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dnb86
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Check out maven
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
It is not only glass clarity.
It is brightness, contrast, color, depth of field, and how long you can sit behind them without your eyeball exploding.
It is brightness, contrast, color, depth of field, and how long you can sit behind them without your eyeball exploding.
dfanonymous
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There's guys that don't differentiate between the Vortex razor HDs and the UHD binos. The HDs are less the. 10% better than the Viper Gen 2s. The UHDs are significantly better but the price reflects.
The spotting scopes are different. Talking specifically about the current gen spotters, the razor will have better color, and clarity as you approach max magnification. The vipers will also have a little chromatic aberration, if that bothers you.
For dudes on a budget, I don't think you'll ever ruin a hunt by using the Viper anything. They work, and they are a tremendous value. That said, when you are spending the extra money on glass, you're paying for the minuscule details. 50% more in cost doesn't equal 50% increase in performance when talking about mid range to higher end optics.
The spotting scopes are different. Talking specifically about the current gen spotters, the razor will have better color, and clarity as you approach max magnification. The vipers will also have a little chromatic aberration, if that bothers you.
For dudes on a budget, I don't think you'll ever ruin a hunt by using the Viper anything. They work, and they are a tremendous value. That said, when you are spending the extra money on glass, you're paying for the minuscule details. 50% more in cost doesn't equal 50% increase in performance when talking about mid range to higher end optics.
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
I will say this about spotters. And binos.
I used to have a Meopta S2 spotter and 15x56s.
I bought a set of Swaro 15x56s. During midday, there is not a ton of difference. A little, but the Meopta was probably 95% of the Swaro SLC.
During the last 30 minutes of the first day, the Swaros made the decision of buying them all worth while. Looking towards the west just after sunset, the Meoptas would show a nearly black mountainside. Even with snow and Ponderosa Pines. The Swaros allowed the contrast to stand out, and I was picking up bulls coming out of the timber.
The same can be said for spotters. I went from Meopta to Swaro, and again, would never go back.
I realize not everyone can or will spend for the big ticket items. But, buy the best glass you can. Even if it means saving an extra year to do so.
I used to have a Meopta S2 spotter and 15x56s.
I bought a set of Swaro 15x56s. During midday, there is not a ton of difference. A little, but the Meopta was probably 95% of the Swaro SLC.
During the last 30 minutes of the first day, the Swaros made the decision of buying them all worth while. Looking towards the west just after sunset, the Meoptas would show a nearly black mountainside. Even with snow and Ponderosa Pines. The Swaros allowed the contrast to stand out, and I was picking up bulls coming out of the timber.
The same can be said for spotters. I went from Meopta to Swaro, and again, would never go back.
I realize not everyone can or will spend for the big ticket items. But, buy the best glass you can. Even if it means saving an extra year to do so.
dnb86
Well-Known Member
And if you're like me, and you re-search the hell out of everything and you're always looking to see, what's the closest thing to swarovski…… Just save the money for that extra year too and be done. It's totally worth it.
BillLarson
Well-Known Member
KOWA
If you can't see the difference between a Viper and Razor you either have amazingly poor eyesight or amazingly great eyesight, I'm not sure which.
Some buddies and I got together to compare spotting scopes side by side at 1300yrds....The scopes were Kowa TSN-883 Prominar...NF TS82(Meopta)....Vortex Razor...........it was pretty much a wash between the Kowa and the NF with the slight edge going to the NF. For dollars spent the Razor did very well........Nothing I've seen compares to the Swaro BTX.
Some buddies and I got together to compare spotting scopes side by side at 1300yrds....The scopes were Kowa TSN-883 Prominar...NF TS82(Meopta)....Vortex Razor...........it was pretty much a wash between the Kowa and the NF with the slight edge going to the NF. For dollars spent the Razor did very well........Nothing I've seen compares to the Swaro BTX.
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
I have the 95mm and my buddy has the 115.....side by side the 95 is a tick darker. All of them are nothing short of amazing.
std7mag
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I'd shoot the one that was "only" 881 yards away.
dfanonymous
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I'm passing through scottsdale right now. Hard not to recognize that cactus.
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
You have been to the top of the White Tanks?
Or the Saguaro in general, as in AZ.
