Best Spotting scope under 1500?
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: Pvdesert
08-Apr-19
Budget 1500.00 ...What spotting scope should I Buy? Let’s here it from you all. Seems like most like the Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85 for the under 1500.00 club? Most important feature for me is clarity.
From: 4blade
08-Apr-19
Kowa 663m or 664m, fantastic view
From: Tilzbow
09-Apr-19
Kowa for sure.
From: altitude sick
09-Apr-19
3x on Kowa. Look for a lightly used Prominar on a birding site.
From: No Mercy
09-Apr-19
Vortex Razor
From: SBH
09-Apr-19
I'd see if you can pick up a used swaro in that price point.
From: smarba
09-Apr-19
I bought a Kowa, purchased new, with receipt. Lifetime warranty. I've had it for 20 years. It fogged up. Kowa said "we don't make that model anymore, you can buy a new one for roughly half retail price". The price is not much less than I can buy new ones for from online retailers. I went with Vortex for a replacement...
From: Trial153
09-Apr-19
Kowa or used in that price range
From: Shrewski
09-Apr-19
Yep you could get my used 65mm Zeiss Diascope for less than that.
From: Ucsdryder
09-Apr-19
Smarba, what was their reasoning if they have a lifetime warranty? I would be kicking and screaming.
From: jdee
09-Apr-19
Your in good hands now Sambra. Friend of mine had the same thing happen with a Vortex spotter. He called Vortex and was told they don’t make that spotter anymore then was told to send it in we’ll send you a new model free of charge . He was told, you are a customer and we want you happy.
From: Beendare
09-Apr-19
Vortex is a great company no doubt....its just you can get better glass for the $$
From: Trial153
09-Apr-19
Problem with vortexes warrenty is everyone ends up needing it.
From: BGbasbhat
09-Apr-19
Haven't looked through a Kowa, but my Vortex Razor was great. I sold it for $1K to get some 15s instead, so you could pick up one well under your price point.
From: smarba
09-Apr-19
I may try talking to Kowa again, but their reasoning was they would repair but since no parts available all they would do is discount a new model. I argued to no avail. Maybe I'll be able to reach someone in customer service with a different mindset. But there are several other well-known brands that would have handled things differently IMO.
From: IdyllwildArcher
09-Apr-19
If you’re trying to count sheep horn anulli, a spotter outshines 15s. Also for glassing 4-6 miles away, I think a spotter is better.
Those are both limited usages, but I encountered both last August sheep hunting.
Lastly, my eyes are too close together for Swaro and Vortex 15s.
From: Drnaln
09-Apr-19
I have 10's, 15's & a spotting scope. All have different uses. Most of the time I have the 10's & a spotter with when I'm out hunting. Sometimes all 3. Putting the 10's on a tripod really helps for glassing & the spotter can bring in way more detail then my 15's can. I like to be able to evaluate a critter from a long ways away before wasting time on it! Can't kill a big one if your sneaking up on non-shooters!
From: Grubby
09-Apr-19
Love my vortex Razor
From: Billyvanness
09-Apr-19
Don’t skimp on good, solid, smooth tripod and head. Definitely makes decent glass better.
