As Richard says - I have the same model and another friend bought one on my
recommendation and we are both happy with them!
On 27 June 2017 at 21:00, Jeelan Amin <> wrote:
> Thanks for the feedback Richard. Agree with your comments.
>
> The Vortex Razor range is excellent value for the quality of the optics
> and backed by arguably the best warranty in the optics industry.
>
> I’m another satisfied user - no other affiliation with the brand.
>
> cheers
> Jeelan
>
>
>
>
> > On 27 Jun 2017, at 3:07 pm, Richard Nowotny <>
> wrote:
> >
> > Birding-Aussers
> >
> >
> >
> > Greg Little, responding to my earlier posting regarding a small,
> lightweight
> > tripod, suggested Birding-Aus readers might be interested in a little
> more
> > information about the Vortex mini spotting scope which I purchased
> recently.
> > So here goes.
> >
> >
> >
> > I have a full-size Kowa telescope and Manfrotto tripod which I take on
> > birding trips. They are of course quite large and quite heavy.
> >
> > But I also travel interstate and overseas frequently for other reasons,
> when
> > birding is only one of a number of interests/activities I might engage in
> > while away. To take the large scope and tripod is often undesirable, but
> to
> > be without a scope can be disappointing.
> >
> >
> >
> > So my mind turned to a small, lightweight scope and tripod combination
> that
> > could easily be packed in a suitcase, carried in a backpack or a bicycle
> > basket/pannier, or tucked away in the (rental) car for easy access when
> > needed.
> >
> > Some online research led me to an article from 2013 on the
> birdwatching.com
> > website which I have copied below. Further research only confirmed what
> was
> > written in 2013.
> >
> > So I ordered a Vortex Razor HD 50mm online from B&H Photo in the US and
> had
> > it delivered to friends of ours in Boston, from where I collected it last
> > month when we visited them.
> >
> >
> >
> > On the Vortex website it was listed at US$999.99 (approx A$1,300), ie
> it's
> > not a "cheapie".
> >
> > However B&H had it at a discounted price of US$699.99 (including a 'free'
> > tripod which they valued at US$149.99 [approx A$200]), and invited me to
> > email for an even better price. The result was that I paid US$599.00
> > (A$795.00) for the scope and 'free' tripod, plus an additional US$49.95
> > (A$65.00) for an optional fitted neo-prene cover for the scope - although
> > when I unpacked the scope I discovered that it came with a quite adequate
> > canvas cover/carry-case (I didn't know that when I ordered the neo-prene
> > cover).
> >
> >
> >
> > I've used the scope, on the tripod provided, at my local patch (Westgate
> > Park) since I got back from my trip and found it very functional, clear
> and
> > bright, and easy to use (as well as to carry). The field becomes quite
> small
> > at maximum zoom (33X) and I feel it performs best at around 25X - a very
> > serviceable magnification.
> >
> >
> >
> > All-in-all a nice, useful (but by no means inexpensive) addition to my
> > birding armamentarium, for which I still need to find a suitable small,
> > lightweight but stable tripod (several Birding-Aus readers have kindly
> > offered suggestions which I will follow up).
> >
> >
> >
> > Interestingly, I discovered via Birding-Aus that a birding friend, Dave
> Torr
> > from Werribee, has bought the same scope, for essentially the same
> reasons,
> > and is also happy with its performance in the role for which it is
> intended.
> >
> >
> >
> > Regards. Richard
> >
> > Port Melbourne
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > New Vortex Razor HD 50mm Review
> >
> >
> >
> > <http://store.birdwatching.net/store/-strse-1751/Vortex-
> Razor--HD/Detail.bok
> >> Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50
> >
> >
> > Best Small Spotting Scope
> >
> >
> > The 50mm Vortex Razor HD
> > <http://store.birdwatching.net/store/-strse-1751/Vortex-
> Razor--HD/Detail.bok
> >> , with 11x to 33x zoom, is one of the smallest and lightest scopes
> > available. It competes directly with the 50mm Nikon Fieldscope
> > <http://store.birdwatching.net/store/-strse-1114/Nikon-
> 13-dsh-30x50-ED-Angle
> > d/Detail.bok> .
> >
> > Although it's slightly heavier than the Nikon, by 5.5 oz., and an inch
> > longer, the Vortex has a greater zoom range of 11-33x, compared to the
> > Nikon's 13-30x.
> >
> > Resolution
> >
> > We did resolution testing on both scopes at 30 power. They got the same
> > scores when judged by a person with 20/20 vision. Then we tested both
> scopes
> > at their maximum magnification, which was 33 power for the Vortex and 30
> > power for the Nikon. Again they looked about the same.
> >
> > Vortex Razor HD 50mmThe third time, we put a 2x doubler behind the
> > eyepieces. This time, we could see more detail with the Vortex. Both
> scopes
> > have excellent optics. However, the Vortex will let you see more detail
> in a
> > bird if you have better than average vision.
> >
> > The Vortex can zoom down to 11 power. We found that we could hand hold
> the
> > scope at this magnification. This might help you get a fast look at a
> bird.
> > You could rest it on a car window, for example.
> >
> > Field of view
> >
> > The Vortex has a wider field of view overall. By Nikon's specifications,
> at
> > the lowest power, 13x, their scope has a field of view of 157.5 feet at
> 1000
> > yards. By Vortex's specs, at the lowest power, 11x, their scope has a
> field
> > of view of 191 feet at 1000 yards.
> >
> > We also did our own tests, in which we compared the field of view of both
> > scopes at the same higher magnification of 30x. The Vortex showed 95
> feet,
> > and the Nikon showed 86 feet.
> >
> > Vortex Razor HD We also tested at the maximum power (33x for the Vortex
> and
> > 30x for the Nikon). We found the Vortex still had a 6.5% wider field of
> view
> > than the Nikon, even though it was at a higher magnification.
> >
> > Eye relief
> >
> > The Vortex has a published eye relief of 20mm, great for glasses wearers.
> > Nikon, 12.9mm, not as good.
> >
> > Close focus
> >
> > The Vortex focuses as close as 6.6 feet, the Nikon at 9.8 feet, a
> > significant difference.
> >
> > Size and weight
> >
> > The footBoth scopes are very compact. We measured the length of each
> scope
> > including their eyepieces and found the Nikon to be 9.5 inches long,
> > compared to 10.3 inches for the Vortex.
> >
> > The Nikon (at 20.1 oz.) is also somewhat lighter than the Vortex (at 25
> > oz.).
> >
> > Considering that you need to have a tripod and head to use either scope,
> the
> > differences in weight and length may not matter much in the field. We
> > suspect that resolution and field of view will prove more important to
> many
> > birders. However, if minimizing weight and size is your primary
> > consideration, the Nikon offers an advantage here.
> >
> > Ergonomics
> >
> > Razor Scope CoverThe Vortex body is partially armored, at points of hand
> > contact, while the surface covering of the Nikon is hard all over.
> >
> > Lens covers attach to the barrel of the Vortex by elastic rings, so they
> can
> > stay attached to the scope while in use.
> >
> > We also appreciate the view-through case that is included with the
> scope. It
> > lets you reach all the controls while the case is on the scope.
> >
> > Focus knob
> >
> > The Vortex has the advantage of a dual focus knob. One knob is good for
> > getting from close to far quickly. The other knob is good for making
> precise
> > adjustments to the focus.
> >
> > Flaws
> >
> > A slight flaw of both the Vortex and the Nikon is old-fashioned,
> roll-down
> > rubber eyecups. And the tripod mount does not allow rotation of the
> scope to
> > different angles.
> >
> > Specifications:
> >
> >
> > Specifications
> >
> > Nikon 13-30x5o
> >
> > Vortex Razor 11-33x50
> >
> >
> > Magnification range
> >
> > 13-30x
> >
> > 11-33x
> >
> >
> > Objective lens diameter
> >
> > 50 mm
> >
> > 50 mm
> >
> >
> > Weight including eyepiece
> >
> > 20.1 oz.
> >
> > 25 oz.
> >
> >
> > Length including eyepiece
> >
> > 9.25 in.
> >
> > 10.3 in.
> >
> >
> > Eye relief
> >
> > 12.9 mm @ 13x
> >
> > 20 mm
> >
> >
> > Field of view @ 1000 yards
> >
> > 157 @ 13x
> >
> > 191 - 96 ft
> >
> >
> > Close focus
> >
> > 9.8 ft
> >
> > 6.6 ft.
> >
> >
> > Weather proofing
> >
> > Waterproof
> >
> > Waterproof
> >
> >
> > Manufacturer's MAP
> >
> > $829.95
> >
> > $699.99
> >
> > Summary
> >
> > If you're looking for a scope with good optical quality that you can
> carry
> > with you under all circumstances, the 50mm Vortex Razor HD is the new
> > sheriff in town. Combine it with a small carbon fiber tripod, and you'll
> > have an outfit
> > <http://store.birdwatching.net/store/-strse-1765/
> Ultimate-Birdwatcher%27s-Tr
> > avel-Kit/Detail.bok> that will weigh under 5 pounds and will fit in any
> > carry-on bag.
> >
> > Having a scope with you can make it possible to ID a bird that's simply
> not
> > reachable with binoculars.
> >
> > And did we mention the prices? The Vortex costs less than the Nikon!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > none
> >
> > _____
> >
> >
> > Birdwatching Dot Com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > <image007.jpg><image012.jpg><image005.jpg><image011.jpg><
> image004.jpg><image009.jpg><image006.png><image008.jpg><HR>
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