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Happy Medium

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muleymaddness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muleymaddness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Happy Medium
    Posted: June/23/2016 at 11:17
I hear lots of comparisons between the Vortex Razor HD spotter and the Swarovski HD spotter.  I'm looking at the 65mm objective.  My question, is there a happy medium between the two as far as price goes?  I would look at the Meopta, but only comes in the big 80 something objective and weight is a factor.
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anweis View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/23/2016 at 12:36
Glad that you asked. I have and use both those scopes. The Razor HD 65 is angled and on a smaller, lighter tripod because of that. The Swaro 80 HD is straight and larger and heavier and because of that it is on a taller, heavier tripod. I can tell you with confidence that i use the Razor more often because it is easier to carry and take in the field. 
I can also tell you the Razor is a stunningly good scope, leaving nothing to be desired. 
After sunset, in low light, at low zoom power, the Swarovski will have a couple of minutes of advantage, barely, because it has a bigger lens. It also has a very wide angle sophisticated eyepiece, a bit nicer to look through, 
I would be perfectly happy with the Razor alone.  I would get the angled one for field use and i would carefully choose a very good tripod to maximize stability and reduce weight. I would get one which packs small, to transport easily. For target shooting, you need to ask yourself how you shoot, both angled and straight work well, but one may be more comfortable than the other. 
A straight scope will need to me adjusted for elevation much more than an angled one. I can have an angled scope and six people of differing heights can look through it without having to adjust the tripod and loose the sight. 

No need for medium between the two. The Razor 65 is awesome. The Pentax 65 with some eyepieces (not all), the Kowa 65, the Zeiss 65, they are all awesome, if well chosen for the application and used on the proper tripod. 
Instead, spend some good money on a good tripod. Your height, how you will use the scope, how you will carry the scope and tripod, and where you will use them, should be considered when choosing the tripod and scope. 
I have seen premium scopes installed on wobbly, shaky, flimsy, tripods. That is a waste of optics.  
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muleymaddness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muleymaddness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/23/2016 at 12:59

Nice that you mention tripods - speaking of tripods, I use the Vortex Summit SS tripod.  How does this tripod stack up for a 65 mm spotting scope?  It handle's the binoculars excellent.

What about Vortex Razor 65 and Swarovski HD 65 - is there an in between on these two?


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bugsNbows View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/23/2016 at 13:53
I use a Kowa Prominar TSN 774 on a Jobu Design Algonquin tripod. Tis freakin' awesome.
If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
               Anomymous
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anweis View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/23/2016 at 21:36
only you can answer that question.
Is the pan head smooth and fluid and intuitive to use? Are the legs strong, is the image stable?
As for myself, 45 years ago i got a Trabant stuck in the bog. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trabant

Don't laugh, they were awesome and cheap and i got my first boar home in one. 
 I used a Manfrotto steel tube tripod to dig the car out and prop it and i used that tripod in sea water and caustic soda mud and ice and everywhere in between. That tripod is still as good as new. 
I have purchased a few smaller, lighter, slicker, tripods since, all Manfrotto. 
I am not brand conscious and i could not care if i drive a Ford or a Chevy, but my 4 tripods are Manfrotto. 
Made in Italy. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote johnandersonm777 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/25/2016 at 01:18
Swarovski HD spotter is better than Vortex Razor HD spotter for some special feature. As a user I recommend the spotter.
It has>
1.High-definition aluminum spotting scope with 65mm objective lens diameter
2.Compact, lightweight body is ideal for birdwatchers on the move
3.Fluoride-containing HD lenses minimize color fringing and produce high-contrast images
4.Rubber armoring protects against shock and noise; submersible to 13 feet
5.Measures 12.79 inches long and weighs 36 ounces; lifetime warranty
Price:$1,689
Thanks.
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SafariDreaming View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SafariDreaming Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/29/2016 at 06:43
I've had the pleasure of owning both. I actually had the Vortex in both 85mm and 65mm and I've also got the Swaro ATS 80 HD.

My preference (having used all) is the Swaro from an ergonomics perspective.

Optically, the Vortex is VERY close to the Swaro, however there is a huge difference between the 25-50x wide angle zoom on the Swaro vs the 20-60 standard zoom on the Vortex.

After looking through the Swarvo, the Razor feels like you're looking down a long tunnel.

That being said, the Swaro 25-50x eyepiece DOES fit the Razor and locks in so you can always buy this separately.

In terms of build, the Swaro is essentially a doublet (achromat) with elements of Flouride in the lens, where as the Vortex is sold as an Aprochromatic setup (triplet). However CA on both scopes are extremely well controlled and I struggled to find any fringing in the Swaro despite using in a variety of light conditions.

I believe the Swaro is also lighter than the Vortex.

AT your preferred size of 65mm, the Swaro still gives you a true 25-50x wide angle magnification, whereas the Vortex Razor eyepiece gives 16-48x magnification (the 85mm and 65mm have different focal lengths so the same eyepiece will give different magnifications in each scope). 

as noted above, having owned all three varieties, my preference is the Swaro if price is not an issue, otherwise as others have noted, the Vortex is probably best "alpha" scope in the market when looking at value for money.

Here's some pics.

Vortex Razor 85mm vs 65mm:




Vortex 85mm vs Swaro 80mm


cheers
Jeelan







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tahqua View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/29/2016 at 08:11
Nice pictures and report Jeelan. That is good input.
Doug
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