Impromptu High End Spotter Test

[OpticsPlanet]

Here's a test that came together simply because we had availability of these awesome spotting scopes. Hope you like it.

http://www.riflescopeblog.com/2014/06/high-end-semi-scientific-spotting-scope-test-and-the-battlescooter.html

[ExtremeX]

Good read, thanks for doing it. The Vortex Razor has been on my list for a while, primarily from a value / bang for the buck standpoint and this seems to have confirmed it.

The Kowa seems interesting, I would have never guessed that one to be a top contender, ill have to check it out but I think the money saved getting a Razor could go towards a new rifle scope. Last time I checked one out, it sure was "good enough".

I would love to see a similar review once the Vortex Razor Gen II rifle scopes are available for sale.

[OpticsPlanet]

Glad you liked it. As I said, the Vortex is a steal at that price, and I could live happily with only that spotter. Really a great product at a great price!

BTW, I use a Razor Gen II on my black gun. You can check it out here:

http://www.riflescopeblog.com/2013/08/m3gi-and-a-learning-curve.html

I love the scope. The only comparable optics I'm aware of are from Leupold, S&B, and the like, that cost 2-3 times as much.

[ExtremeX]

Glad you liked it. As I said, the Vortex is a steal at that price, and I could live happily with only that spotter. Really a great product at a great price!

BTW, I use a Razor Gen II on my black gun. You can check it out here:

http://www.riflescopeblog.com/2013/08/m3gi-and-a-learning-curve.html

I love the scope. The only comparable optics I'm aware of are from Leupold, S&B, and the like, that cost 2-3 times as much.

Thanks for that, I am familiar with the 1-6, I was actually referring to the new 4.5-27x56 and 3-18x50 scopes.

I don't want to derail this thread, but when those hit the street, it would be great to see another impromptu review. Thanks again for the info on the spotters.

[as_rocketman]

That is interesting. The Kowa is of course a legend in its own time, but I wouldn't have guessed that it would dominate against such strong players.

Personally I use a Leupold, but only because my requirements include light weight, being able to hang it off my belt without smashing it, and glassing from a walking stick / monopod... for strictly range-toy duties I'd go elsewhere, and pick an angled-body scope. YMMV.

[HK Dave]

Nice review....

So the Kowa is that good huh?

Seems perhaps i should save my pennies for it instead of the Razor.

Do you feel it commands double the cost of the Razor?

Also, can you get a reticle eyepiece for the Kowa?

[OpticsPlanet]

No reticle available in any of the others. Is it worth it? If you want the best and are willing to spend that kind of money, yes, it's worth it, but that's assuming that you know that a few percentage points in performance equals LOTS of money. With that in mind, it's in the right price range and competitive with most of the others in the test. I just think the Kowa gives an unexpected amount of awesome, and frankly, I was shocked at how much better is was in all categories in this non-exhaustive test.

[HK Dave]

Well that's what I mean... you are making it sound like the difference between a Kowa and Razor is massive... (or I'm just reading it that way)

Is it like Schmidt vs Barska massive... or like Schmidt vs Nightforce?

I shoot with Schmidts, Premier, Steiner etc... and when I picked up a Razor 5-20x, while I saw that it wasn't as amazing as the previously mentioned scopes, I could not imagine how I would miss a shot because of it. It was more than good enough for my needs.

[OpticsPlanet]

Schmidt VS Nightforce riflescope is a good way to put it, but a bit more. Since you're riflescope familiar, the Razor riflescopes are not S&Bs, and the difference is apparent. Other manufacturers like you mentioned are useful as weights to prevent wind from blowing your clipboard away while shooting.

[HK Dave]

ROFL. Nicely put.

Man oh man... suddenly I'm wondering whether I should save up more pennies for a Kowa.

I currently run an old Bushnell Elite 20-60x80mm and I always felt it was quite good for the money, and often wonder if the Razor would be a big leap forward... it's too bad there isn't a store that carries all these brands that actually has a show room.

[OpticsPlanet]

Your Elite is a grand spotter! A top value in the price range. No need to feel underwhelmed with it, it's pretty fabulous! The Razor is at another level of quality and performance. Again, it's up to you. For almost twice the price, you're aware that you don't get two times the performance. You seem like you'll know it when you'll see it, and if you are fortunate enough to compare them both it will be a pretty obvious increase in clarity and resolution with the Vortex, and it will be a bit brighter. It feels like a higher quality unit, too.

[HK Dave]

Finally, someone that has looked through both. Thank you for that response.

I've always been curious if there would be a noticeable difference.

I've always been pretty amazed at the Bushnell Elite 20-60 and its ability to resolve detail. From 20x to 40x, it really shines... but it's when i get past 40x that it gets really dim and doesn't feel like it's really resolving any more detail.

If the Razor still resolves past 40x I'd def pick one up.

Guess I'll have to put it on my "list".

[snypr]

My first and only spotting scope is a Kowa and I love it...

[scbauer]

Nice write-up. Unfortunately out of my price range. Any chance you've done a similar write-up for scopes in the $400-$800 price range?

[texterter]

quality hardware, thank you.