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Which would you pick??? |
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archerFox
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/15/2010 Location: Utah Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: July/15/2010 at 23:06 |
Swarovski ATM-65 non HD or Vortex Razor HD 85
Because they are similar in price range, i have narrowed my search down to these 2 scopes for my next purchase! weight is NOT an issue, really, the only thing i truly care about is the overall clarity of the scope at 60x magnification. to me, that is most important. they both have similar sized eyepieces and are great scope but out of just these 2 which should i choose and why??? thanks for your help!
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Without question, the Vortex Razor HD85! Despite the well-earned prestige of the Swaro name, believe it or not, the Vortex Razor HD is actually optically superior to the Swaro 65 by a slight margin! A 65mm scope simply doesn't offer the resolution or light transmission of an 85mm scope, all else being equal quality-wise. If you were comparing the Vortex to the Swaro ATM 80 HD, it would be a different story. But even then, only slightly, and I would actually still get the Razor HD, because it comes very close to the Swaro 80 HD's optical performance at nearly half the price! There have been at least 4 of us here on OT who have compared the Razor HD head to head with some of the best spotters the world has to offer, and it stacks up very favorably with them performance-wise.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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Welcome to the OT!
I agree with Ted, and have spent quite a bit of time with both scopes. I currently own the Razor HD. The regular (non-HD) Swaros are nice scopes, but their lack of flourite glass is a SIGNIFICANT disadvantage. The Vortex Razor HD will outresolve the non-HD Swaros in both objective sizes. The little non-HD Swarovski has loads of CA at higher powers, while the Razor has excellent CA control. In fact, CA is only discernable in the most high-contrast of situations.
The Razor HD has an incredibly similar view to the Swarovski 80HD.
Your friends may be more impressed with the Swarovski label, until they put their eye to the Vortex eyepiece!
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-Matt
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archerFox
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/15/2010 Location: Utah Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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i appreciate your replies, i think that ive made up my mind! i will be doing alot of digiscoping as well and clarity is really what im looking for but i dont want to spent 3k. the razor really wasnt in the running but because so many people are impressed by it, it might be worth the purchase. do you know if vortex is getting ready to release an updated razor or is it still too new for that???
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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I own the Razor, it is a great scope, no question, far better than what equal $$ gets in other brands.
And the 32X wide angle eye piece is worth the money. |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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The only plans for the Razor I've heard is that they are planning to release a straight eyepiece version as well. Other than that, it doesn't really need any updating, as it's a worthy "alpha" competitor already. This is total speculation, but I could foresee Vortex maybe introducing more objective sizes and eyepieces in the Razor HD series down the road.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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You will save yourself a lot of headache by getting a scope with a large objective and HD/ED/FL/APO glass if you are going to be doing a lot of digiscoping. The smaller objectives and CA prone standard optical glass just won't provide the amount of light and aberration control you will eventually want. Trust me on that. You might not notice the CA as much when just observing through the scope, but when you go to look at the pics, there it is ruining a hard earned shot!
The Razor HD is an EXCELLENT digiscoping spotting scope. Here is a sample compressed file from my new Sony WX1 camera taken through the Razor HD:
Enjoy your scope search!
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-Matt
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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That's an awesome pic Bitterroot.
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archerFox
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/15/2010 Location: Utah Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Ya that is a great pick! i think i have made up my mind on which scope to go with. for a little less money and a better scope the razor HD sounds like a no brainer. another question, what are the advantages of the 32x eyepiece and when would you use it???
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Scott_at_Vortex
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/18/2010 Location: Middleton,WI Status: Offline Points: 103 |
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The only thing new we are doing with the Razor right now is releasing the straight eyepiece version sometime in the near future. Awesome thread guys!!! Thanks Scott |
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www.vortextactical.com
www.vortexoptics.com |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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A fixed eyepiece almost always has wider field of view and slightly better optics than a variable set at the same magnification. For digiscoping, a 32X eyepiece is a good choice. You don't want too much magnification, as your depth of field greatly diminishes and light transmission to the camera also diminishes, causing focus problems and vignetting. I would think seriously about getting BOTH the 20-60X variable AND the fixed 32X if your budget allows.
The variable provides the advantage of more magnification and more flexibility, while the 32X fixed offers the advantage of a nicer, more relaxed wide angle view. Both have their place.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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That is a beautiful pic, BB! Nicely composed, with nice colors!
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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Thanks guys for the kind comments on my pic!
On fixed vs. zoom eyepieces and digiscoping:
A fixed eyepiece usually has a wider field of view, better light transmission, and higher resolution due to its less-complicated design. This is good for digiscoping in that the primary battle is getting enough light to the camera's sensor. However, you get more light with the bigger exit pupil of a zoom set at 20x when compared to a fixed at 30x. A zoom also gives you more flexibility. The zoom even at the highest power is still useable under many circumstances.
So I agree with Ted, having both is best!
With the Razor, there is one more problem with the fixed eyepiece: The convenient and user-friendly Vortex Razor digiscoping adapter is not designed for proper use with the fixed eyepiece, leaving you with cumbersome and finicky universal camera adapters.
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-Matt
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Tranan
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/09/2009 Status: Offline Points: 85 |
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It is true that a 32x eyepiece gives both a larger field of view as well as slightly better optics. However this was even more the case in the past when many of the zoom eyepieces were clearly of poorer quality than the fixed ones.
The zoom eyepieces of today though, are generally very good indeed.
Personally, I can easily compromise on the field of view if I can get a zoom range of 20-60x. That gives you great liberty in using the scope.
You could buy several fixed mags, but then you would have change them all the time which takes time, it's not so conveniant and could damage the eyepiece.
Despite of the named advantages, I would, therefore much rather, recommend a zoom eyepiece.
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