I am a Vortex fan boy! All of my rifles strut PST or better. That being said? I need a spotting scope and was going right to the Razor, but a little voice in me said what about the Viper? I seem to remember and I can not find it? That they missed the boat on this one? Can anyone fill me in I'm ready to pull the trigger.
Vortex Viper HD spotting scope?
- Thread starter uncledog57
- Start date
sry i cant answer your question, lol i was on the same boat couple days ago that should i buy the Razor or other spotting scope that cost less $, but a little voice tell me to put little bit more money to buy Swarovski HD ATS 80. So yeah I bought it on Ebay 3 days ago for new $2200 with 20-60x eyepiece. I haven't receive it yet but it's on the way.
i can't tell the difference between the Razor and Viper HD until you pass 30X, then you can tell the difference. but it's not much, and you can get a reticle for the razor. but supposedly they have been working on a reticle for the viper too. i'd get the viper HD
I was ready to pull the trigger, but now I'm thinking I can get away with the Viper???? What to do what to do?
I owned a Viper HD. Great scope, but lack of reticle caused me to sell it.
If you have no need for a reticle, you'll really like the Viper HD.
If you have no need for a reticle, you'll really like the Viper HD.
I noticed the biggest difference between the Razor and the Viper HD. Between the Viper and the Viper HD not so much to justify the price difference. I also talked with Vortex and the Rep pretty much confirmed this as well. The Razor is is a great spotting scope.
Having said all this, I just recently went with a Leupold Gold Ring Spotting Scope in 12-40x60 in HD. To my eyes it seemed a little better than the Razor.
Having said all this, I just recently went with a Leupold Gold Ring Spotting Scope in 12-40x60 in HD. To my eyes it seemed a little better than the Razor.
Okay I decided that if I travel to a different range and needed the Razor and did not have it I would kick myself in the ass. So I went with the Razor. After seeing ads for Sport Optics for a couple years I should give Chris or Jay a call? I am super stoked with Jay! What a pleasure to do business with! So far he has made it seamless? I called to late in the day for same day shipping so it will go out Wednesday. I have no buyers remorse and feel as if I got something that will last the test of time. I know first hand that Vortex has the best warranty in the business and completely back their 100%!
I bought a standard Viper and up until this weekend, I was reasonably happy with it. I was unloading my gear from my truck and carrying an armload of stuff (including spotting scope) over to where my mat and tripod were to be set up. The Viper started to slip out of my hand and I had control of it until it was literally knee high from the ground when it fell onto my padded shooting mat. It was wearing its protective neoprene sleeve but that didnt seem to make much difference. When I picked it up and looked at it, the body forward of the tilt ring that is on the mounting block was at an angle to the rear section of the body. It had literally popped out a full thread! The focus nobs are now coming out and not working properly either.
I cant tell you how disappointed I was that this level of damage came from such a short fall onto a padded surface no less! I boxed it up and sent it back to Vortex this morning with a note that I have a shooting class in one month and have to have a working scope for it. I also have a Viper PST that I am happy with but this has really shaken my confidence in Vortex products. I realize that they will repair or replace it but it does not inspire any confidence with this model of scope at all.
I cant tell you how disappointed I was that this level of damage came from such a short fall onto a padded surface no less! I boxed it up and sent it back to Vortex this morning with a note that I have a shooting class in one month and have to have a working scope for it. I also have a Viper PST that I am happy with but this has really shaken my confidence in Vortex products. I realize that they will repair or replace it but it does not inspire any confidence with this model of scope at all.
We have a Viper HD spotter at PNTC that I've used for matches and training...it also has the Fixed MOA retical eyepiece installed. It's a great spotter with good image resolution and clarity. My only complaint is the fixed power of the reticle eyepiece. I'd be all over it if it were FFP with variable zoom.....kinda like the Leupold Mk4 spotter that I've always drooled over. 
We have a Viper HD spotter at PNTC that I've used for matches and training...it also has the Fixed MOA retical eyepiece installed. It's a great spotter with good image resolution and clarity. My only complaint is the fixed power of the reticle eyepiece. I'd be all over it if it were FFP with variable zoom.....kinda like the Leupold Mk4 spotter that I've always drooled over.
That must be a Razor, not a Viper.
