[Mr.CheddarNut]

Ok I cant decide on which scope to get. Even after pages of reviews and opinions. Even after reading the numerous threads on this site! Vortex seems to be one of the better values, and I am looking at the Viper 15-45x60 vs. the Diamond back 20-60X60. Now I know which one is "better" and while I may be able to get either, what stumps me is the question of is the Viper model "worth" almost double the cost of the Diamond Back??
So I suppose I would like to hear from those with a good amount of experience with both or similar models of equal performance. So what do you think?? I should mention that I am a hunter and will be glassing deer and elk primarily.

Thanks in advance

Cheddar

 

[nocturnalenemy]

There was a lightly used Viper on MM today for $500 if that interests you.

 

[DallanC]

Save a little more and get a Razor... seriously, heres why:

See the mountain in the shadow there in the background? Thats 2.4 miles away. Notice the bump on the right edge where it decends off the peak and rises up a little?

Yea this, well what do we have here... low power:

Waited for cloud to move and sun to come out... I'm holding my crappy cell phone up to the eyepiece here, its even sharper with the naked eye. High power.

2.4 miles and able to seperate billys from nannys. THAT'S why its worth saving a little more and going for a razor, its just an amazing difference.

-DallanC

 

[Mr.CheddarNut]

Dallan,
That is truly amazing and remarkable. With razors being in the 1600 dollar realm I wouldn't have one for a few years. Thats not to say I wont trade up down the line. I appreciate your post.

Cheddar

 

[waspocrew]

I don't have experience with the Diamondback, but I do have the Viper HD 15-45 and I think it's a pretty good scope for the money. It does get a little blurry towards the upper magnification though. So far, it works well for my needs, but I'll upgrade down the road to a nicer model someday.

The nice thing with either Vortex is the warranty - If it gets bashed up on a trip, it's totally covered.

 

[DallanC]

Dallan,
That is truly amazing and remarkable. With razors being in the 1600 dollar realm I wouldn't have one for a few years. Thats not to say I wont trade up down the line. I appreciate your post.

Cheddar

I didnt pay anywhere near that for my 80mm

-DallanC

 

[Blackie6]

I have viper hd, my brother has diamond back. We both find the same animals, but side by side the viper hd has a very noticeable difference.

 

[Mr.CheddarNut]

Amazon has it for $1599.00
Camerland has a demo model for $1350.00

20-60X85 Vortex Razor HD Spotter

From what I hear an absolute phenomenal product but still quite a bit for me to spend at this time.

Cheddar

 

[brendo]

I would definitely go with the viper, for a couple of reasons. One being I think the magnification is paired a lot better with the viper. You wont be able to use the 60 power very effectively with that quality of glass and objective on the diamondback. I also like having a slightly lower magnification for when you are actually glassing vs sizing up an animal. The viper should stay pretty clear through the whole range of magnification. Are you looking for the HD viper?

 

[Mr.CheddarNut]

I have viper hd, my brother has diamond back. We both find the same animals, but side by side the viper hd has a very noticeable difference.

I looked at the two side by side last night. Granted the target was several miles away, but at first I was having a hard time telling the difference between the two in clarity...........................but then when I really concentrated and buckled down I could see a clear difference in clarity between the two. The Viper is much easier to focus as well (esp. with the micro adjustment dial) and if memory serves (which is questionable) seems like the eyepiece was much nicer on the viper?

Cheddar

 

[Mr.CheddarNut]

I would definitely go with the viper, for a couple of reasons. One being I think the magnification is paired a lot better with the viper. You wont be able to use the 60 power very effectively with that quality of glass and objective on the diamondback. I also like having a slightly lower magnification for when you are actually glassing vs sizing up an animal. The viper should stay pretty clear through the whole range of magnification. Are you looking for the HD viper?

Yes. Seems like the standard price for a new unit pretty much everywhere is $649.00.
$399.00 for the diamond back

Cheddar

 

[brendo]

If you are patient and don't mind buying used. I've seen em pop up for 450-500 or around 6 with a good tripod. I bought my 65MM razor on ksl for 900 but it was brand new. My friend bought a used 85MM razor for 1100 with a nice tripod that he later sold for 200.00 but we were lucky to get that one. just keep your eye out. Try places like rokslide.com archerytalk.com and monster muleys.

 

[Shunter]

A couple months ago I bought the exact same models you asked about to test them out side by side. I ended up with the diamondback. Looking at a hillside at about 2-3 miles away the clarity was noticeable but it as big of a difference as I expected. It was middle of the day and I'd expect the twilight hours to be a bigger difference but didn't test it. The diamondback is quite a bit smaller and lighter which I like since most of my hunting is out if a backpack. My thinking was if I wanted the viper I might as well go to an 80mm scope for not much more weight.

 

[OldEphraim]

"2.4 miles and able to seperate billys from nannys. THAT'S why its worth saving a little more and going for a razor, its just an amazing difference."

-DallanC[/QUOTE]

+1 on the razor. I initially bought the diamondback but returned it and purchased the razor after comparing the diamondback with my buddies razor in the field. A big difference that to me was well worth paying the extra money for the razor. If your willing to pay the higher price for the razor I would go that route.

 

[DallanC]

From what I hear an absolute phenomenal product but still quite a bit for me to spend at this time.

Cheddar

I absolutely 100% understand this. I hunted for 20 years with a crappy Bushnell spotting scope before I finally upgraded. Had I really known the difference I would have done it sooner, but you can do alot with a lesser scope while you save up for a nice one.

-DallanC

 

[Kwalk3]

I have the viper and it's been great. My only complaint is that it's a little bulky. Buying a scope in your budget now also doesn't preclude you from upgrading in the near future. I intend to sell my spotter and get a 85mm razor eventually, but for now it's one of the most important pieces of equipment I own. Also, Vortex's transferable warranty helps out resale value quite a bit when you do decide to upgrade.

 

[swampfox]

I have the diamondback and it is ok. Anything past 40x is useless though, and even 40x is only really good in the middle of the day. I think its a good scope for the price, and I was able to tell spike elk from cows at distances just over a mile in the middle of the day. But dawn and dusk definitely leaves something to be desired. I don't have any experience with the viper, but if you have to means to do it, I would go with the nicer scope because I doubt you'll regret it in the long run. The diamondback is certainly passable and it works well for me 90% of the time, but I would prefer a little nicer scope.

 

[nickpan]

I bought the Diamondback with the 60 mm objective lens and it was decent. Took it back and got the 80 mm objective lens and the difference was very noticeable. The larger lens helps compensate the lower quality glass. Is it a Viper or a Razor? No... But what you got for the extra cost wasn't worth it for me. The diamondback is a very nice scope for the money.

 

[swampfox]

That's a good point, mine is the 60mm and 80mm would likely solve most of the shortcomings mine has. Also, the build quality is surprisingly good for the price.

 

[chia6]

I have the diamondback my brother has the viper hd. In low light the hd is definitely brighter. In full light the hd is a little clearer, but the diamondback is still really clear. The diamondback is lighter so if your planning on packing it while hiking that's something to think about. The focus dials on the hd are nicer, but iv never had any issues with the diamondback. You can zoom in closer to the animals with the 20x60x60, but it's not as clear as the full zoom on the hd. Both of them are good scopes, if your planning on backpacking id go with the diamondback for size, for everything else id go with the hd for the extra brightness inn low light.