sheep spotting scopes (zoom)

[jhyatt01]

Vortex is coming out with a compact Razor HD spotting scope in 11-33x50mm, at 25 oz, it is considerably lighter then most of their other scopes. However, I'm curious what you guys think, will the maximum zoom of 33x be enough or would it be better to go with the their other new Razor HD scope which is about $500 more, but will be a 16-48x65mm and 48.4oz? For those of you who have used the Razor and Viper HD, is it worth the money? Or would you go with the 65mm Viper HD over the 50mm Razor, to still give a bit more zoom?

[Tundra Monkey]

Hey Sir,

imo 11-33 is not enough.

The 48x is a better option although it would be nice to have a lil' more on the top end imo.

[209x50]

I'd say that 15-45 would be the minimum in a sheep scope.

[CNP]

Hey Sir,

imo 11-33 is not enough.

The 48x is a better option although it would be nice to have a lil' more on the top end imo.

x2. That 48x is real heavy on account of the 65mm objective. Vortex doesn't make a 50 or 60mm in a 45X?

[jhyatt01]

it's not vital that it is a vortex, just from what I've read and heard, Vortex tends to make a quality scope at a lower price. So that's why I'm looking at the Vortex, but any other suggestions would be great.

[bdub]

Definitely a trade off between weight and portability. I find most of the time 45 power is to much to see clearly due to heat waves etc. I find myself turning the power down to better judge horns more often than not. Tough call, if you hunt solo I think I would go with the lighter option, if not I would go with the heavier option and more power.

[BackPackHunter]

This looks better for sheep hunting, its lighter and 20x60
A good tripod is importation too, so you can keep the scope steady while judging curl.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/nomad_spotting_scopes

[Stinky Coyote]

U cannot beat the nikon ed50 with 13-40x eyepiece for a minimalist mountain spotter, very sharp 40x image, never have issue with mirage/heat waves

Mine is 23 oz! Including rubber eyepiece cap tied onto neck of eyepiece and a butler creek flip cap scope cover for the objective end and a tripod plate for my tripod


You are welcome! ;)

Lots of Mountain hunters out there pretty happy with leupold 12-40x, this is even better as it's like a lb less, these ed50's r often sold with 13-30x eyepieces, u buy body separate and eyepiece separate to get 13-40x FYI

That vortex above could be good, if 60x on wish list then a top bang for buck high end would be a kowa 663/664 and then u could pay more I suppose for the euro's

[nube]

What do you guys suggest for a light tripod for the sheep hills?

[Stinky Coyote]

I'm running slik carbon 634 I believe, I've taken bottom legs off and neck extension, the 624 was 1st on my list but I like my modded 634 better, faster with only 3 leg extensions and I'm likely lighter than the 624 now, I have the specs of mine somewhere just not handy, have gone to a manfrotto panhead around 1 lb for it but love it, fun stuff

[BackPackHunter]

What do you guys suggest for a light tripod for the sheep hills?

http://www.slik.co.jp/slik_com/CS-PRO624CF.html

http://www.manfrotto.ca/product/0/055CXPRO3/_/055_Carbon_Fiber_Tripod_-_Q90_-_3_Section

im running the slik....

dont forget about a good ball head too
i might try the Swarovski ball head this year, but still looking
having found one that I'm a 100% happy with