Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 spotting scope?

[VegasAR15]

Anyone have any experience with the Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 spotting scope? http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-hd-15-45x65-angled-spotting-scope I am thinking about picking one up at Sportsman's Warehouse this week for 649.99 for a mule deer hunt that I have coming up next month. Anyone have any experience with it? Good bang for the buck, durable, clear, etc?

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I have a half dozen pieces of optics from Vortex and am happy with every one. I have tried that scope and think you will be very happy. That said my spotting scope is a Leupold 12-40 I bought before ever hearing of Vortex. The Vortex has 18mm of eye relief. In my opinion long eye relief is key to being happy. Short relief optics are painful to use no matter the quality. Vortex optics seem to have more than most others and are great optics for the money.

 

[VegasAR15]

I have a half dozen pieces of optics from Vortex and am happy with every one. I have tried that scope and think you will be very happy. That said my spotting scope is a Leupold 12-40 I bought before ever hearing of Vortex. The Vortex has 18mm of eye relief. In my opinion long eye relief is key to being happy. Short relief optics are painful to use no matter the quality. Vortex optics seem to have more than most others and are great optics for the money.

Thanks for the input. No one else has any experiece with this one? I'm trying to decide if I want to go pick it up this weekend, or if I want to buy one thats a little more expensive for next year later and buy a new gun this weekend instead.

 

[helotaxi]

No experience with the Viper spotting scope but the Viper riflescopes that I have used have been fantastic, especially for the money.

I had the money and wanted a spotter that I could use for the rest of my life and pass on to my son-in-law, or grandson (when the time eventually comes for either; two very young girls at home) so I bought a Razor spotting scope. "Amazing" is a good word to describe that one.

If money is an issue, the Konus spotting scopes are a real bargain. One of my buddies has one and I was genuinely impressed. That said, I've not heard good things about Konus customer service with regard to warranty work, while I can say that my Razor went in for work (fleck of dirt on the prism) with no RA or any other drama or approval and was serviced, inspected, repurged and returned to factory new condition and was back in my hands 6 days after they received it. 4 days of that were transit and the other two were a weekend.

 

[taliv]

i've used a bunch of them but i don't own one. i do own some of their binos. both are excellent.

 

[VegasAR15]

I checked out the scope at Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday. I don't have much to judge it against, but it is the best spotting scope that I have used. It wasn't to big, relatively light, very clear, easy to adjust. Now I just have to decide if I want to drop the cash on it, my hunt is on the 5th of October so I need to get it ordered quick. I would like to have it by this weekend for when I go sight in my rifle.

Anyone have any recommendations for a lightweight tripod that won't break the bank?