Vortex Viper HD vs Diamondback Spotting Scope?

SwampRat92 · Jan 6, 2019

I have been having a terrible time deciding between the two. I know that the price of the diamondback is more appealing. But is the clarity really that much better on the Viper HD? Is it worth double what the Diamondback is? This will be for ranges between 100 and 1000 yards.

Termite I · Jan 16, 2019

I haven't compared them but I have a Viper and like it. I wish it had a little more eye relief. You might want to check out A&A Optics. They had some pretty good prices on refurbed Vortex spotting scopes a while back and they still have the life time warranty. I bought a couple of refurbed Viper HS LR FFP scopes from them and both looked new.

Varminterror · Jan 19, 2019

SwampRat92 said:
is the clarity really that much better on the Viper HD?

Yes.

SwampRat92 said:
Is it worth double what the Diamondback is?

Yes.

You get what you pay for, and that difference matters more in spotting scopes than in most other rifle scopes or binoculars.

The Viper HD is a far better spotter than the Diamondback. For 0-300yrds, a Diamondback would be fine. For 0-1000, the Viper might not even meet your needs.

SwampRat92 · Jan 19, 2019

Varminterror said:
Yes.

Yes.

You get what you pay for, and that difference matters more in spotting scopes than in most other rifle scopes or binoculars.

The Viper HD is a far better spotter than the Diamondback. For 0-300yrds, a Diamondback would be fine. For 0-1000, the Viper might not even meet your needs.

Unfortunately I’m inclined to agree with you. Long range shooting will have to hold off for now either way. I’ve decided I would rather put more time in to pistols, especially after calculating ammo costs for long range. Just not worth it for me at this point in time.

Varminterror · Jan 19, 2019

That’s disappointing to hear. Hopefully you’ll reconsider and find a happy balance for long range rifle shooting.

Not to try to change your mind, but what ammo cost were you assuming for long range rifle? Rifle ammo always costs more than 9mm pistol ammo, but you don’t shoot as much, typically, and there are plenty of mid and long range capable (600-1200yrds) cartridges which can be ran at low cost.

SwampRat92 · Jan 23, 2019

Varminterror said:
That’s disappointing to hear. Hopefully you’ll reconsider and find a happy balance for long range rifle shooting.

Not to try to change your mind, but what ammo cost were you assuming for long range rifle? Rifle ammo always costs more than 9mm pistol ammo, but you don’t shoot as much, typically, and there are plenty of mid and long range capable (600-1200yrds) cartridges which can be ran at low cost.

It was more than just that. A buddy of mine and I were both going to get RPRs in 6.5 creedmor. We both ended up scrapping the idea.

Varminterror · Jan 24, 2019

Grab up a pair of Ruger Precision Rimfire Rifles in 22LR, get a 20MOA mount and a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x or 6-24x, and go start pinging plates out to 400yrds. Learn a lot about long range precision shooting, decide if you want to get into a centerfire or not, and be all in for about $800, with dirt cheap ammo.

Then again, I've never wanted to be an either/or marksman. Short and fast, long and small, rifle, pistol, archery, I wanna be good at all of it.

Vortex Viper HD vs Diamondback Spotting Scope?

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