I am looking at the vortex razor or the leupold mk 4. Which one do you guys recommend?
- Thread starter GUNENTHUSIAST
- Start date
Re: Which spotting scope to get
Don't know anything about the Vortex, I 've heard they are very good, but I've got a mrk 4 and I like it. Good glass, very durable, good features, first focal, TMR, and Leupold has a great warranty. Hope that helps.
Don't know anything about the Vortex, I 've heard they are very good, but I've got a mrk 4 and I like it. Good glass, very durable, good features, first focal, TMR, and Leupold has a great warranty. Hope that helps.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
I have had the Swarovski CT75 with a 20-60zoom.....check it out, i found mine for $700 used on Ebay.....its light weight and small but the glass is phenomenal! pretty easy to use and pack. Check it out.
I have had the Swarovski CT75 with a 20-60zoom.....check it out, i found mine for $700 used on Ebay.....its light weight and small but the glass is phenomenal! pretty easy to use and pack. Check it out.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
I would consider others, but from what I have seen or heard from other shooters, these seemed to be the favorites.
I will probobly use it for varmint hunting, tactical matches, shooting long range steel and paper targets both for f class type matches and practice.
I would consider others, but from what I have seen or heard from other shooters, these seemed to be the favorites.
I will probobly use it for varmint hunting, tactical matches, shooting long range steel and paper targets both for f class type matches and practice.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
Had my new Vortex Razor on the range for the first time this weekend, 81 degrees clear skies. Wow!
Everyone always asks how well you can spot bullet holes, we had a 6mm, 6.5 and 7 viewing from 506yds. 6.5 and 7 were very easy to see hits with, the 6.5 was hitting on white paper with thick blue diamonds, even shots hitting the diamonds were easy to see. The 7mm was shooting 4" orange sticky targets and again no problem spotting shots. At first I couldn't see the 6mm shots on the same white paper and blue diamonds as the 6.5, then I realized he was shooting about 4" high and hitting in the sliver duct tape holding the target boards together. I ended up seeing them after watching his hits behind the target and noticing he was shooting high, after he got on paper the 6 was easy to spot also (difficult to see them in the duct tape). It sounds strange but the tripod is almost as important as the scope, when I was looking from about 18" off the ground, I couldn't see the 6's hits, after I raised the bipod to a standing height everything was very easy to spot, also the fine focus makes a huge difference.
My other spotter is a Mk4 gold ring and it's a excellent spotter also and more portable, but glass wise on a square range or when your not moving around a lot the Vortex is much better IMHO.
Had my new Vortex Razor on the range for the first time this weekend, 81 degrees clear skies. Wow!
Everyone always asks how well you can spot bullet holes, we had a 6mm, 6.5 and 7 viewing from 506yds. 6.5 and 7 were very easy to see hits with, the 6.5 was hitting on white paper with thick blue diamonds, even shots hitting the diamonds were easy to see. The 7mm was shooting 4" orange sticky targets and again no problem spotting shots. At first I couldn't see the 6mm shots on the same white paper and blue diamonds as the 6.5, then I realized he was shooting about 4" high and hitting in the sliver duct tape holding the target boards together. I ended up seeing them after watching his hits behind the target and noticing he was shooting high, after he got on paper the 6 was easy to spot also (difficult to see them in the duct tape). It sounds strange but the tripod is almost as important as the scope, when I was looking from about 18" off the ground, I couldn't see the 6's hits, after I raised the bipod to a standing height everything was very easy to spot, also the fine focus makes a huge difference.
My other spotter is a Mk4 gold ring and it's a excellent spotter also and more portable, but glass wise on a square range or when your not moving around a lot the Vortex is much better IMHO.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
I have a Vortex Viper HD and love it, but I wish they would offer a Reticle Eyepiece.
Otherwise. Great Glass.
I have a Vortex Viper HD and love it, but I wish they would offer a Reticle Eyepiece.
Otherwise. Great Glass.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
For a compact spotting scope with a retical and good glass the Leupold is the way to go...
You could always get the Leupold Golden Ring 12 x 40 HD and upgrade it with a retical later. The quality is the same as the MK-4 just with out the retical.
I got the TMR retical and it is front focal plain and has the ability to zoom. Most of the spotters out there loose the ability to zoom once you change to a fixed power retical eye piece.
For the price and the ability to have a spotter call shots the Leupold is the best for the money in a compact spotter.
For a compact spotting scope with a retical and good glass the Leupold is the way to go...
You could always get the Leupold Golden Ring 12 x 40 HD and upgrade it with a retical later. The quality is the same as the MK-4 just with out the retical.
I got the TMR retical and it is front focal plain and has the ability to zoom. Most of the spotters out there loose the ability to zoom once you change to a fixed power retical eye piece.
For the price and the ability to have a spotter call shots the Leupold is the best for the money in a compact spotter.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
For a compact I'd get a Leupold. For F T/R or LR practice I'd get a Kowa with adjustable power eyepiece.
For a compact I'd get a Leupold. For F T/R or LR practice I'd get a Kowa with adjustable power eyepiece.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
Very happy with my Razor HD. Very good glass.
Very happy with my Razor HD. Very good glass.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
G.E> I'll drop the tripod and MK4 off at the shop so you can give it a test run this weekend.
I'm still waiting on the brass and scope to come in, so my maiden voyage will have to be next weekend.
G.E> I'll drop the tripod and MK4 off at the shop so you can give it a test run this weekend.
I'm still waiting on the brass and scope to come in, so my maiden voyage will have to be next weekend.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
I have been a fan of the Kowa's for a while now. No reticles for milling, but super clear glass and several models to choose from. Better glass IMO than Leupold and better low light performance. (Not that most people are likely to take advantage of that)
I have been a fan of the Kowa's for a while now. No reticles for milling, but super clear glass and several models to choose from. Better glass IMO than Leupold and better low light performance. (Not that most people are likely to take advantage of that)
Re: Which spotting scope to get
B&L M144 FTW!
B&L M144 FTW!
Re: Which spotting scope to get
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Runamuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Had my new Vortex Razor on the range for the first time this weekend, 81 degrees clear skies. Wow!
</div></div>
I have the top-of-the-line Kowa Prominar 88mm. On days with no mirage it is awesome. I was in New Mexico and could see pieces of tree bark at 1,200...
Some days, the atmospherics are so bad, the extra money for a high end spotter is totally wasted.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Runamuk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Had my new Vortex Razor on the range for the first time this weekend, 81 degrees clear skies. Wow!
</div></div>
I have the top-of-the-line Kowa Prominar 88mm. On days with no mirage it is awesome. I was in New Mexico and could see pieces of tree bark at 1,200...
Some days, the atmospherics are so bad, the extra money for a high end spotter is totally wasted.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
Barska is by far the best brand out there... I also hear that Walmart is selling a good Tasco brand...
Barska is by far the best brand out there... I also hear that Walmart is selling a good Tasco brand...
Re: Which spotting scope to get
Thanks for all the input and good information! I found a really good deal on a used USO here on the hide so I will give that a try. I love my USO scopes! If its not enough magnification or isn't quite clear enough i will sell it and give the vortex a try.
Thanks to snyper for a perfect transaction!
Thanks for all the input and good information! I found a really good deal on a used USO here on the hide so I will give that a try. I love my USO scopes! If its not enough magnification or isn't quite clear enough i will sell it and give the vortex a try.
Thanks to snyper for a perfect transaction!
Re: Which spotting scope to get
The Vortex Razor is a great scope and perfect for range use. If you want a scope that works well in the field and has a much smaller form factor I would look at the Leupold Golden ring with the HD glass and retical.
The Vortex Razor is a great scope and perfect for range use. If you want a scope that works well in the field and has a much smaller form factor I would look at the Leupold Golden ring with the HD glass and retical.
Re: Which spotting scope to get
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GUNENTHUSIAST</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all the input and good information! I found a really good deal on a used USO here on the hide so I will give that a try. I love my USO scopes! If its not enough magnification or isn't quite clear enough i will sell it and give the vortex a try.
Thanks to snyper for a perfect transaction! </div></div>
From reading your thread-starter post you seemed to have already decided between a Leupold 12-40X[60mm] and a USO Field Scope so I wasn't going to post here. However, if you find that you want more magnification and/or the USO's clarity isn't good enough for you and you then consider a Vortex Razor I highly recommend that you look into <span style="font-style: italic">(pun intended)</span> an Optolyth Compact. Optolyth Compacts are available in "straight" and "angled" models, as well as in HD and non-HD.
Optolyth isn't very well known in the U.S. and doesn't have the name recognition of Zeiss, Hensoldt, Swarovski, Leupold, or Kowa, but their optics are outstanding. In photographic and medical fields Optolyth lenses are considered to be on par with Zeiss (considered to be "the best"). Also, Optolyth is a smaller German company, so if you are hung-up on buying an "American" product you probably won't buy one, regardless of how good the optics are. You can read my in-depth comparison of my Optolyth S80 HD Compact and my Zeiss Diascope 65T FL in my <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">" Optolyth S80 HD Compact Spotting Scope"</span></span> thread.
That said, if you don't mind buying a German-made product look at the HD versions of the Optolyth S80 Compact (Angled) or the Optolyth G80 Compact (Straight). You can get a 20-60X Variable Eyepiece as well as a 30X Wide Angle Fixed Eyepiece with a ROTATING MIL Reticle. The reticle can be rotated <span style="font-style: italic">independently of the Eyepiece</span> 360 degrees, which allows you to orient the reticle to be parallel with the horizon, the target, or anything else <span style="font-style: italic">even if you rotate the scope within it's Collar</span>. Without the ability to rotate the reticle within the Eyepiece to maintain correct orientation to the target area, the reticle will be canted in relationship to the horizon (and usually the target).
Because the selection of spotting scopes that are available with reticles isn't very big, the shortcoming of non-rotating reticles is most often overlooked. However, once you set up the spotter and rotate it off of a 12:00 orientation the advantage of a rotating reticle becomes very apparent.
Normally, when an Eyepiece with a reticle is used on a spotting scope the scope must be positioned within it's mount and/or collar in manner that allows the reticle to still be oriented "square" with the target, allowing the target to be measured accurately and to allow accurate correction calls by an individual "spotting" for a shooter. Without the ability to compensate for a spotting scope's cant when placed on uneven ground and/or when the scope is rotated within it's collar, the reticle will often be skewed in relation to the target area.
However, if the reticle can be rotated within the Eyepiece itself (such as with the Optolyth MIL Eyepieces), the reticle can always be oriented to be square in relation to the target and/or landscape. This is highly desirable on a "straight" spotting scope, but indispensable for an angled spotting scope because the Eyepiece is at a 45-degree angle in relation to the Scope Body.
For illustrative purposes below are some photos of my Optolyth S80 (Angled) HD Compact spotting scope. In the photos below the (45-degree angled) spotting scope has been rotated in it's Collar approximately 45-degrees to the Right. This would normally cause the reticle to sit at a 45-degree angle in relation to the target area. However, the reticle in the Eyepiece on the scope has been rotated 45-degrees to the Left to keep the reticle perfectly aligned with the target area. The through-the-scope photo was shot hand-held in fading light, 90+ degree heat, and over a freeway, so there is a bit of mirage, crappy air, and camera shake that muddies the image a bit.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Gitzo GT1550T Traveller + G2285MB Adapter and Optolyth S80 HD Compact w/30X WA MIL Reticle Eyepiece. Here the scope is set-up to the Left of the shooter/spotter.
The spotting scope has been rotated to the Right within it's Collar, while the Eyepiece's Reticle has been rotated to the Left to remain "square" with the target area:</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Through-the-scope photo of Optolyth 30X Wide Angle MIL Reticle Eyepiece. The "+" at -5 MILs' Elevation is at 1,032 yards:</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Crappy, off-center, through-the-scope photo of the Optolyth MIL-based "Ranging" Reticle:</span></span>
Keith
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GUNENTHUSIAST</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all the input and good information! I found a really good deal on a used USO here on the hide so I will give that a try. I love my USO scopes! If its not enough magnification or isn't quite clear enough i will sell it and give the vortex a try.
Thanks to snyper for a perfect transaction! </div></div>
From reading your thread-starter post you seemed to have already decided between a Leupold 12-40X[60mm] and a USO Field Scope so I wasn't going to post here. However, if you find that you want more magnification and/or the USO's clarity isn't good enough for you and you then consider a Vortex Razor I highly recommend that you look into <span style="font-style: italic">(pun intended)</span> an Optolyth Compact. Optolyth Compacts are available in "straight" and "angled" models, as well as in HD and non-HD.
Optolyth isn't very well known in the U.S. and doesn't have the name recognition of Zeiss, Hensoldt, Swarovski, Leupold, or Kowa, but their optics are outstanding. In photographic and medical fields Optolyth lenses are considered to be on par with Zeiss (considered to be "the best"). Also, Optolyth is a smaller German company, so if you are hung-up on buying an "American" product you probably won't buy one, regardless of how good the optics are. You can read my in-depth comparison of my Optolyth S80 HD Compact and my Zeiss Diascope 65T FL in my <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">" Optolyth S80 HD Compact Spotting Scope"</span></span> thread.
That said, if you don't mind buying a German-made product look at the HD versions of the Optolyth S80 Compact (Angled) or the Optolyth G80 Compact (Straight). You can get a 20-60X Variable Eyepiece as well as a 30X Wide Angle Fixed Eyepiece with a ROTATING MIL Reticle. The reticle can be rotated <span style="font-style: italic">independently of the Eyepiece</span> 360 degrees, which allows you to orient the reticle to be parallel with the horizon, the target, or anything else <span style="font-style: italic">even if you rotate the scope within it's Collar</span>. Without the ability to rotate the reticle within the Eyepiece to maintain correct orientation to the target area, the reticle will be canted in relationship to the horizon (and usually the target).
Because the selection of spotting scopes that are available with reticles isn't very big, the shortcoming of non-rotating reticles is most often overlooked. However, once you set up the spotter and rotate it off of a 12:00 orientation the advantage of a rotating reticle becomes very apparent.
Normally, when an Eyepiece with a reticle is used on a spotting scope the scope must be positioned within it's mount and/or collar in manner that allows the reticle to still be oriented "square" with the target, allowing the target to be measured accurately and to allow accurate correction calls by an individual "spotting" for a shooter. Without the ability to compensate for a spotting scope's cant when placed on uneven ground and/or when the scope is rotated within it's collar, the reticle will often be skewed in relation to the target area.
However, if the reticle can be rotated within the Eyepiece itself (such as with the Optolyth MIL Eyepieces), the reticle can always be oriented to be square in relation to the target and/or landscape. This is highly desirable on a "straight" spotting scope, but indispensable for an angled spotting scope because the Eyepiece is at a 45-degree angle in relation to the Scope Body.
For illustrative purposes below are some photos of my Optolyth S80 (Angled) HD Compact spotting scope. In the photos below the (45-degree angled) spotting scope has been rotated in it's Collar approximately 45-degrees to the Right. This would normally cause the reticle to sit at a 45-degree angle in relation to the target area. However, the reticle in the Eyepiece on the scope has been rotated 45-degrees to the Left to keep the reticle perfectly aligned with the target area. The through-the-scope photo was shot hand-held in fading light, 90+ degree heat, and over a freeway, so there is a bit of mirage, crappy air, and camera shake that muddies the image a bit.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Gitzo GT1550T Traveller + G2285MB Adapter and Optolyth S80 HD Compact w/30X WA MIL Reticle Eyepiece. Here the scope is set-up to the Left of the shooter/spotter.
The spotting scope has been rotated to the Right within it's Collar, while the Eyepiece's Reticle has been rotated to the Left to remain "square" with the target area:</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Through-the-scope photo of Optolyth 30X Wide Angle MIL Reticle Eyepiece. The "+" at -5 MILs' Elevation is at 1,032 yards:</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Crappy, off-center, through-the-scope photo of the Optolyth MIL-based "Ranging" Reticle:</span></span>
Keith
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