Vortex Razor HD 65mm versus 85mm

Califelkslayer · Jul 16, 2015

Looking at these 2 spotting scopes.

Only 18 oz difference in weight but the 85 mm is much bigger.

I would guess that 80% of my use would be within 1 mile of a vehicle. BUT for those occasions where I'm carrying it all day, or backpacking with it, I'm leaning towards the 65mm model.

The 65mm is a little closer to my price range anyways.

Any opinions?

fatrooster · Jul 17, 2015

I cannot comment on the Vortex scopes but years ago I went from the Swarovski 80mm and down sized to the 65mm swarovski spotting scope. I did not miss anything. The swarovski does not loose any magnification when going from 80 to 65mm so I lost nothing there. I think the vortex magnification is less with the 65 as compared with the 85. I did not notice any loss of brightness but I did not have the luxury of having the two different sizes side by side. I do most all of my personal hunting by backpack so the 65mm was a good change for me.
I now have the new swaro ATX 95 and can change it to a 65mm. Most of the time I'm using the 65mm. fatrooster.

muley505 · Jul 18, 2015

One thing to keep in mind with the 65mm vs. 85mm Vortex is the amount of magnification. The 65mm only goes up to 48x, and the 85mm goes up to 60x. I probably would have bought a 65mm Razor when they came out if they had made it go up to 60x. That extra 12x makes a huge difference if you do any glassing farther than about two miles, and makes a pretty good difference inside two miles if you are trying to get any detail. I think you'll regret not having that eventually, so if it were me, I'd save a step and just get the 85mm for the extra magnification. If you want to save yourself another step, just get a Swarovski. I went through three other spotters over the course of about five years, and I got a Swarovski 65mm non-HD version (paid less for it than a new Razor costs) last year, and that's all I use to glass with now. They are hyped up for a reason. Hope that helps.

GunCarver · Jul 19, 2015

I went with the 65 and am glad I did. I compared the two side by side at dusk, and weighed out the pros and cons, and that is what I determined would be best for my needs. A huge consideration for me was being able to pack it easily. Yes the weight difference is not much, but the bulk difference is. Obviously you have to sacrifice some things for that benefit (magnification, some light gathering, etc), but like my dad always says about spotting scopes, if you hate packing it, then you won't pack it. However, if you think taking it out all day is going to be more the exception than the rule, then I would go with the 85 as well.

ForkWest · Jul 21, 2015

+1 guncarver. Exactly what I was going to say. Weight really makes no difference, but dang the big scopes fill up a pack real quick. I really like and prefer my 80mm Skyline over the 60mm Nomad (older models), but the bulk is what bugs me the most.

Deerlove · Jul 22, 2015

plus one Fatrooster my 80 stays home most the time, the 65 gets used and abused.

Califelkslayer · Jul 26, 2015

Like you guys mentioned, the 80s, 85s take up a bunch of room.

I always carry my 15X56 Swaro binos + tri-pod.

At one time I had a 80mm Skyline as well and carried 2 tri-pods to boot. Basically, including the glass around my neck, I carried 20lbs of optic related weight, plus my pack was almost full before the other gear went in.

I'm curious what type of tri-pod setup you guys use?

I have a Outdoorsman tri-pod with pistol grip for the 15X56s. It works great for them. I'm leaning towards just getting an adapter for the spotter although changing will take a minute or two. The extra weight/space of a second tri-pod isn't worth the speed of going between binos and the spotter, IMO.

Looking for other ideas.

Thanks

Murph · Jan 9, 2016

I have the 85mm razor and love looking through it but it is big and heavy to carry. I also have the smallest razor for backpacking. So if I could choose just one I'd probably pick the 65mm right in the middle.