[ChIck3n]

I have had an old Eagle Optics Raven scope for years, and that just isn't cutting it anymore. I can usually see more with my Canon 12x36 IS II's than with this scope (basically mid range shorebirding is all I use it for now), as it just can't do the 60x very well at all.

I am looking to buy a very good scope that will satisfy me for many years. After looking around, I found the Vortex Razor HD. A few of the reviews I have seen place it near the Swarovski HD80 in quality, with the added bonus of a warranty covering accidental damage. Not to mention that it is almost half the price. However, I have never looked through this scope myself.

So, who here has tried this scope and has anything to say about it? I am in college, so saving money is always a huge bonus, but I also want to invest in a scope that will last me for a very long time and provide excellent views. Would you recommend buying this now, or just saving up and getting one of the super high tier scopes like the Swarovski HD, Leica APO, or Kowa TSN? I would like to get the scope before April, so it may take some doing to scrape together enough to get one of these more expensive ones.

Of course I will try to test one before I buy it, but would just like to get a few opinions here as well.

[J. Moore]

There have been a number of threads asking for experience with Razor. Here's a search showing most of the threads in the top 20 listed: http://www.birdforum.net/search.php?searchid=10254287

Not many here have had experience with the scope IIRC.

Best,
Jim

[jgraider]

It's easy for me to spend your money! Many times I've bought something, only to wish I'd waited, saved more money, and eventually bought the one I wanted in the first place. I wound up with the one I wanted in the first place, a Kowa Prominar 884 and it's nothing short of fantastic. It can be had with zoom for around $2300, which isn't chump change by a long shot. That being said, I've read some reviews lately on the Vortex Razor ED and the new Zen Ray ED spotters that put them in that league optically, but I haven't compared them side by side.

I'd do this based on what you have to spend:
$2400 range--Kowa Prominar 883/884
$!600 range--Vortex Razor HD
$1000 range--Kowa Prominar 663/664, or Nikon Fieldscope ED82.

I can tell you that my Kowa 884 is superior to my neighbor's Zeiss 85 T FL and the Swaro 80HD I looked at side by side. I can also tell you the Kowa 664 I looked at beside a Zeiss 65 T FL was better IMO. The Swaro 65HD was slightly better than the Kowa, but cost $1000+ more and there wasn't much difference to me at all.

[ChIck3n]

Where did you find the Kowa Prominar for $2400? Everywhere I look I find the scope for $2300-2500, but still have to spend another $500 for an eyepiece. $2400 I could probably do, but $3000 is kind of pushing it.

Also, what do secondhand scopes usually go for (eg, how much under the retail price do they usually sell)? I wouldn't be opposed to buying a used scope if the savings were enough. All the scopes I found on here for sale were in Europe, but maybe I could find someone local that has one.

[Penny Clarke]

Quote from my blog".......I also enquired about any new light weight scopes that would be suitable for me - I fell in love - with a Swarovski 65 HD with 25-50 zoom £1775.00!!!! It was amazingly light and felt like it should be mine!..... dreaming again."

http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogs...-thornham.html

Best Wishes Penny

[jgraider]

Give Scott at Liberty Optics a call. New Swaro prices are rediculous IMO. You can also shop samplelist.com for demo's, trade-ins, etc and sometimes you'll find some great deals. I'd call Scott first. He sells several different makes, and just ask him about Kowa vs the competition.

[Steve C]

After my experience side by side with a Kowa Prominar 884, ZEN ED 82 and the Theron MAG 82, either of the latter two will give you a whale of a scope, very little down the ladder frrom the Kowa for as lot less money.

[jgraider]

Steve, never meant to argue or dismiss any of your findings. I haven't personally looked through the Zen, or I would have certainly included it in my post. I'll most definitely take your word for it.

BTW, from Doug at Cameraland.....AT 80 HD Spotting Scope #49214 with 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece only $1399.99. This is an unbelievable deal on a world class spotter.

[ChIck3n]

Thanks for all the advice! I think I will go with the Vortex, as it looks like a great scope for a really good price. I'll post back when I get it and tell how I like it.

[Val & Rex]

Hi Chick
There is only one Modern spotting scope I can recommend to you, I have been using it for two weeks now
Swarovski ATM STM 80 High Definition (Magnesium) Spotting Scopes + Swarovski 25-50x W Eyepiece
This scope in my opinion, is as perfect as you can get,but expensive, but looked after will surely last a lifetime. And I can see no reason to ever need to upgrade something that the average birder will want now or in 20 years from now.
I had my last scope a Kowa TSN4 for 25 years and was as good when I passed it on as when I bought it. but the lenses today are very special
Good luck with whatever you choose I am sure it will be very good.
Regards
Rex.

[Kevin Purcell]

Rex: What did you see as the major differences between the Kowa TSN4 and the STM 80HD (I presume it's the straight STM)?

Why did you change scopes?