[birdybill]

Hi,
I am looking to buy a decent Scope and have narrowed it down to two.

The Vortex Razor HD Spotting Scope v Nikon Scope EDG Fieldscope 85.

Which is the best out of the two if the price was the same, and the mag was 20 x 60.

Thanks in advance.............................

[birdybill]

Sorry,
That should read Nikon Scope EDG Fieldscope 82

[birdybill]

Sorry,
Right first time.

Nikon Scope EDG Fieldscope 85

[mooreorless]

Bill you can go back and change your first post with no trouble and delete the others if need be. Just hit edit and change or delete.

Like I just did with this. If you make a mistake with new post you can edit it right away and it will show not edited, later it will show edit. Not sure how long before you can not edit again. There is a reason for editing box you can write on if you want, you don't have to.

Vortex has a very good warranty. I am not sure on Nikon in UK. Best advise is try both side by side.

[IvanCavallazzi]

Seems like an unfair comparison to me... the Nikon is twice more expensive than the Vortex.

If you manage to find those for the same price... I would go Nikon.

[jgraider]

This would be a no brainer for me. The Vortex Razor HD and save $1000 bucks in the meantime. I wouldn't touch a $2000+ Nikon and their CS with a ten foot pole. Besides that, the EDG is the ugliest spotter I've ever laid eyes on.

[birdybill]

I can get either for roughley the same price.
So side by side which is the better scope ???????

Thanks in advance........................

[IvanCavallazzi]

Originally Posted by birdybill

I can get either for roughley the same price.
So side by side which is the better scope ???????

Thanks in advance........................

EDG is better.
But, let me tell you that something must be wrong if the Vortex and the Nikon are the same price.

(It is like a Kowa and a Celestron regal ... for the same price... there is no such thing, something must be wrong with that Kowa to be in the same price range of a Regal)

[mayoayo]

If You can get those two models for roughly the same price,,,You either would be paying double the usual price of the vortex, or half the current price of the Nikon...No Brainer there... Go Nikon...,because if You dont like it,You can resale it ,and I dont think You would be loosing any money..

Buuut I have no experience with either model,so cant answer Your question about which one is the best scope..

[jgraider]

I've never seen any evidence the EDG is better than the Razor HD. For those recommending the EDG, post up your reviews and comparisons of the two. If you recommend it and have never compared them, tell us why? A well respected poster here compared the Razor HD to the Kowa Prominar 884. Although he gave an edge to the Kowa, it wasn't by much, which is why I'd take the Razor, as I have the 884 and I know first hand how good it is. Post 'em up boys if you've got any evidence.

[IvanCavallazzi]

Originally Posted by jgraider

I've never seen any evidence the EDG is better than the Razor HD. For those recommending the EDG, post up your reviews and comparisons of the two. If you recommend it and have never compared them, tell us why? A well respected poster here compared the Razor HD to the Kowa Prominar 884. Although he gave an edge to the Kowa, it wasn't by much, which is why I'd take the Razor, as I have the 884 and I know first hand how good it is. Post 'em up boys if you've got any evidence.

Price is not random. Everything cost money... if there were 2 different builds, one could say that the build "per se" affected the price. Like when you compare a refractor against a Newtonian(No lenses, no cost... at the same price the newtonian is better).

But we are talking here about 2 refractors porro. Same build.
Indeed there are other factors that weight on the price... like where it is built. And some times we see some scopes that are outstanding for their price... but not that awesome to match another more than twice its price. And we are talking here about $3k+ range.

And even if that was the case, Nikon would still be better... as mentioned above; considering both are in perfect condition and with the same price(what is absurd). Then buy the Nikon - Sell it for 2.5k - and buy a new Vortex and you have $1k extra.

As simple as that. Nikon is better in anyway you look at it...(and even if you don´t want to look at it) because in despite of being a better scope it also can be traded for a Vortex+1k.

It is impossible to compare those 2 scopes considering one cost $1.600 and the other $3.500.

It is like comparing refractors to newtonians.

[jgraider]

You say the "Nikon is better in anyway you look at it", but you haven't looked through it and judge it by price alone. Makes sense to me........

[birdybill]

Price,s i have is,

In pound sterling is,

£ 1490 for the Vortex

£ 1700 for the Nikon

Both with the 20x60 Lens

I really need to know which to go for.

Thanks in advance.............

[birdybill]

It,s a once in a lifetime purchase for me to buy something like this...

So which way should i go ????????????

I have the Nikon on hold from a respected local dealer but i will have to make the decision in a few hours

[RJM]

Something seems wrong with that pricing. The Nikon is more than 2x more expensive in the USA. How much of a difference is the older/superior Nikon Fieldscope ED82 w/25x-75x eyepiece?

Anyway, the Nikon is bigger/heavier than Vortex's Kowa-lookalike and uses a helical focuser vs. the 2-speed for the Vortex. I prefer big OEM brands to a rebrander like Vortex so would probably choose the Nikon at this price variation. If the ED82 Fieldscope was cheaper I would choose it.

[IvanCavallazzi]

Originally Posted by birdybill

Price,s i have is,

In pound sterling is,

£ 1490 for the Vortex

£ 1700 for the Nikon

Both with the 20x60 Lens

I really need to know which to go for.

Thanks in advance.............

The vortex is overpriced. Go for the Nikon.
The american dollar is dropping week after week. If you translate the price of that Vortex to dollar you will see that you are paying 2x.

Go for the Nikon EDG 85... for 1.7k is right.

Again, considering the price you mentioned ... go for the Nikon.
(The Vortex is highly over priced and you can buy it for much less from many retailers.)

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by birdybill

It,s a once in a lifetime purchase for me to buy something like this...

So which way should i go ????????????

I have the Nikon on hold from a respected local dealer but i will have to make the decision in a few hours

Try them both out first - side by side if you can...... then choose.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by birdybill

Price,s i have is,

In pound sterling is,

£ 1490 for the Vortex

£ 1700 for the Nikon

Both with the 20x60 Lens

I really need to know which to go for.

Thanks in advance.............

I wouldn't buy either, you could get a very good condition Swaro for the price of the Vortex, or less. There have been a couple in the classified section of BF recently.

Best advice is try before you buy side by side if you can. Good luck.

[mayoayo]

I agree with Neil here...The vortex is very expensive ,even if it does compare with the best ,still doesnt have the same value,if You ever want to resale it..Nikon EDG eyepieces are SUPER EXPENSIVE,so if you want to add to the kit,later on,it will cost You...There is a MINT Nikon Fieldscope ED82 with Zoom AND a 30X eyepiece,in this forum´s FOR SALE section for 800 Pounds!!!!!..That scope has satisfied many of the more exigent birders,and I am sure it represent an amazing Value...It leaves You 900 extra pounds,to take a trip to Doñana!

[birdybill]

How much real difference is there between say the Nikon 82ED and the new Nikon EDG.

Is there that much difference say between Nikon 82ED and a Kowa 883 or do you have to really study to tell the difference ??????????

[jgraider]

Originally Posted by birdybill

How much real difference is there between say the Nikon 82ED and the new Nikon EDG.

Is there that much difference say between Nikon 82ED and a Kowa 883 or do you have to really study to tell the difference ??????????

I had the Nikon 82ED, and upgraded to the Kowa 884. I did look at them side by side before I sold the Nikon. As has been well documented, the Nikon zoom had questionable eye relief and FOV as zoom increased. The Optics were wonderfully bright, crisp, and clear, on par with the neighbor's Zeiss 85 T FL Diascope. However, neither one can match the view through the Kowa. It is exceptional, with no peer, and is extremely well built. Crystal clear views to the edge are amazing even when zoom increases. The 82ED is a great scope, but not in the same league as the Kowa. There's good reason you never see people in the field with the new Nikon EDG.....it's much too heavy, bulky, and downright ugly. If you're going to spend the money spend it on the Kowa Prominar. I do agree in your case the Vortex is grossly overpriced, as are all Nikon EDG products IMO.

[RJM]

Well I have both the Kowa 883 and the 884 because I can't make up my mind about angled or straight. Before these I had the Pentax 80ED and the Nikon ED82. If my main interest was visual use instead of digiscoping, I would probably would have kept the Nikon. You would be hard pressed to see a significant difference in the field and I prefer the extra magnification of 75x more than a wide field. I agree the EDG 85 scopes seem a step backwards from the ED82.

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by birdybill

How much real difference is there between say the Nikon 82ED and the new Nikon EDG.

Is there that much difference say between Nikon 82ED and a Kowa 883 or do you have to really study to tell the difference ??????????

Field of view/eye relief issues aside, the 82ED is a great scope, especially when used with the 30x MC lens. I have both the 30x and the zoom but rarely use the zoom. If you are not dead set on the EDG or the Vortex the ED82 it is definitely worth a look.

Perry

[mikefreiberg]

The Nikon Fieldscope III is the best value scope out there from what I have seen. The Vortex offers very good glass, but I feel the ED82 is sharper across the entire field. I have used the ED82 in Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil, etc. and I have always been able to view adequately in darker situations. Such as Tikal National park in Guatemala looking at Great Currasows in the canopy.

The other big reason the ED82 sticks out is that I haven't found a large objective lens in the industry that is as lightweight and compact as Nikon's ED82. Couple that with a wonderful No-Fault Policy and lifetime manufacturer's warranty this glass sets up well as a field companion.

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

[birdybill]

Thanks for all the advice,
I have bought the secondhand Nikon ED82 Scope and lens that was for sale in the classified.