Entry Vortex spotter worth $125?

meatmachineman · Feb 26, 2013

Just need some opinions on the Vortex Impact RA 25-75x70 spotter. A local fella has one for sale for $125. It seems to be bottom level Vortex and I'm not sure if it's worth the $125. Similar to this one on Ebay...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vortex-Impact-R ... 27cfcf7da8

Be looking to mainly use it for range work if anything.

FOTIS · Feb 26, 2013

You get what you pay for.

Guest · Feb 26, 2013

I would think you could do better for not much more money. That's just my personal opinion. If you like Vortex, I've been told their Nomad is not a bad scope. The real value is their Viper line - especially the HD models. Of course, the HDs start at about $625 or something like that. Maybe it's $750? Can't remember.

Dr. Vette · Feb 27, 2013

We looked at a LOT of spotting scopes at the SHOT Show this year, and saw the good, the bad and the ugly. I don't think you can find a reasonable one under the $650 mark that I would take home. Even at that you get what you pay for and you really can tell the difference between an $800 model and a $1200 model. And, the size of the objective also makes a big difference in what you see.

Totally different price point, but this is one heck of a nice spotting scope for the money:
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/kow ... a_tsn-82sv
Probably the best bang-for-the-buck we could find.

Currently my Dad has a Leupold, probably similar to what they now sell as the Ventana line. Honestly, it's nearly useless at looking at a 200 yard target. Many of my riflescopes - which did cost more - do a better job at 12 or 15 power than the spotting scope does at 40.

The one you're looking at is available new for not more than the price you're looking at. Either way I wouldn't touch it.

Guest · Feb 27, 2013

Did you get a chance to look through the Pentax 65 and 80mm scopes, Patrick? I've been tempted by them a bit lately, but never have had an opportunity to really look through one to make a comparison. Some of the birding sites rate them phenomenally high.

meatmachineman · Feb 28, 2013

So no real surprises in the responses I see. I don't use a spotter as often as I should or could. What I have right now was given to me as a Christmas present by my FIL several years ago... a NcStar. Since I've been digging myself out of the gutter of optics, I have really been seeing why I usually don't bother to take the NcStar with me to the range. I figured the Vortex might make a decent upgrade (and probably would to the NcStar), but I think I'm resigning myself to going with better glass. I'm not sure if I'm ready or my wallets ready for the $800 to multi $K glass yet, but I definitely need to do something.

Dr. Vette · Feb 28, 2013

The Vortex HD for $650 is probably a reasonable option too.

Dr. Vette · Feb 28, 2013

dubyam":3okfu9no said:
Did you get a chance to look through the Pentax 65 and 80mm scopes, Patrick? I've been tempted by them a bit lately, but never have had an opportunity to really look through one to make a comparison. Some of the birding sites rate them phenomenally high.

I'm sure we did, but it doesn't stick in my mind. Sorry.