Spotting Scopes - Vortex versus Leupold

[GetmeoutaCT]

Two scopes; each 20-60x 80mm Objective: Vortex Diamondback versus Leupold SX-1 Ventana

Prices for each seem like a wash from Optics Planet. Anyone have a preference?

Also, I understand members here get a discount from Optics Planet. Can someone give me that code?

Thank you.

 

[12many]

Probably can't go wrong with either brand. I looked through the vortex and it was nice at lower range.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

don't have any experience with either but do have a wind river leupold. Im a big leupold fan but my wind river spotter is the most overpriced pos opitics ive ever bought. I had a 70 dollar simmons before I got this one and that simmons showed .22 bullet holes better at 200 yards then the leupold will. Ive heard lots of good about the vortex spotters and in this case I know what id buy.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Thanks, all. Having just decided to forego a Leupold Mark 4 50mm riflescope for a Vortex Viper PST 50mm at less than half the price, I guess I will give Vortex the nod here as well, although having just bought the riflescope I will have to wait now for the cookie jar to be replenished. Figured the Viper was only a couple hundred more than the spotter, and the money would be better spent helping me to make the holes than see the holes

 

[TTundra]

Spotting scope judging is one of the hardest things you can do in the optic world. If you don't have each scope side by side on the same exact (high quality) tripod, at the same time, focused on the same target, you cant compare. even beyond that, if you look thru multiple scopes too long, that effects the results. beyond all that, its completely subjective in the end. Very different from a riflescope in that the higher power of a spotter is used for so much more detail, and it can be very overloading.
When I worked for OpticsPlanet I did a pretty comprehensive test on a variety of spotters, over the course of a few weeks. It even broke down as to which color target you were viewing had some scopes ranked over others and vice versa.
Bottom line on spotters is, you cant say I had one once and I didn't like it and it be a judgment across the line. what were you viewing? What were the conditions? What tripod did you use? What distances? What color targets?


Sorry to babble. My vote would be for the Ventana on this one. Ive used both, a lot. I found the Leupold gave a brighter image. For that price bracket and for mostly paper punching, that is what I look for.

Trevor

 

[gamestalker]

I own a host of spotting scopes, including both mentioned by the OP.

The Vortex 20x60x80 DB is very nice for the money. I've had no problems spotting deer and other game at distances way the heck out there.

The Leupold Vantana 20x60x80 is also some nice glass, but I honestly don't think it is any better than the Vortex DB, as good, but not cleaner or brighter imaging IMO, and my vision is very poor, so I require decent glass.

I also have a very old Bushnell, and even though it's not water proof, and fogs really easy, it does do a good job at extended distances to the ability of 30x.

And unfortunately, I also own a Leupold 15x45 something or another. I honestly don't know which model it is, cause I only used it once or twice before retiring it, it's nothing but a piece of junk. The only thingit has going for it, is that it's water / fog proof I think? I have a $50 Winchester that is about the same quality as the Leupold I spent $300 for, which is also junk.

GS

 

[OpticsPlanet]

The code is listed at the bottom of my post.

Mark H.

 

[zerobarrier]

I have the Leupold and it is a very clear piece of glass. If I had to do it again I would get the vortex. I have never had a spotting scope before so I wasn't sure what options I wanted.

The reason I would go for the vortex is because you can loosen the O-ring around the body of the scope and tilt the angle eye piece so you don't have to stand directly behind it. When you add the phone skope to it you can place the scope to your left or right, tilt the eye piece till it it facing you, add the phone skope, and you can see your hits just by turning your head.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Thank you Mark, for the code.

Well, after thinking on it for a while, I purchased the Leupold from Optics Planet, after looking through both at Cabela's (normally I don't like to use the local emporia as a stalking horse for the Internet, but Cabela's gets enough of my money that I felt justified). Based solely on an indoor A/B test, the Leupold looked just a bit brighter. Not much of a test, admittedly, but having looked through it now at the full moon, I can tell you it's a great optic.

One caveat. Don't purchase the kit, with case and tripod. That tripod is flimsy. Purchase the "bare" scope, and the Leupold compact tripod separately - it's a decent tripod, and this combo only costs a bit more than the kit. Since both scope and tripod come with zip/velcro bags with a handle, I doubt you'll miss the case.

 

[HKGuns]

I own lots of Leupold glass and I am very much a you get what you pay for type of person.

Konus makes a surprisingly good spotting scope for the money. Just throwing out another option for you to consider.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

While I'm a huge fan of Leupold products in general, some of their spotting scopes could be better. In the event you ever want to digiscope, be advised that the eyepieces of the Leupold Ventana series are not removable or changeable. In this case, I would go with Vortex DB and if you're in a position to spend a bit more money, you won't regret it in the long run.

George P.

 

[zerobarrier]

While I'm a huge fan of Leupold products in general, some of their spotting scopes could be better. In the event you ever want to digiscope, be advised that the eyepieces of the Leupold Ventana series are not removable or changeable. In this case, I would go with Vortex DB and if you're in a position to spend a bit more money, you won't regret it in the long run.

George P.

You can you the digiscope on the Ventana's. I use one on my Ventana, you just have to take the rubber piece off the ventana then you can put it back on when you are done using your phone. I just used it yesterday, filmed my self shooting a groundhog at 400 yards.