Budget Spotting Scope vs. High-End: Vortex Diamondback, Viper, and Razor Head-to-Head Comparison
In this video we compare the Vortex Diamondback, Viper, and Razor 85mm spotting scopes. The majority of this video is digiscope comparison footage to let you see the difference with your own eyes. These tests are not perfect, but they do get pretty close to what it is like to actually look through these scopes.
Purchase Here!
Diamondback: https://www.gearfool.com/products/vortex-diamondback-hd-20-60×85-straight
Viper: https://www.gearfool.com/products/vortex-viper-hd-20-60×85-angled
Razor: https://www.gearfool.com/products/vortex-razor-hd-27-60×85-angled
Shop at GearFool.com!
Phone Number: (435) 263-0207
Use the code GEARFOOL10 to get 10% off select products (exclusions apply). While supplies last!
=== Like and Subscribe! ===
=== Follow us on social @gearfool_official ===
Dude, you have THE most honest well thought out comparisons of scopes by a wide margin. Thank you so much for the videos. I wish i had found them 4 months ago!
viper? hahahah
TBH, I am more in the Crossfire/Diamondback price point. After watching this, I don’t feel too bad about that. While the difference is obvious, I think the DB acquitted itself well. I would like to see a comparison with the Crossfire, but I might be a little afraid of losing more contrast. Of course, with my old eyes, I might not be able to see the difference in the real world.
Hunting anything 500yards. The diamond back is totally fine
By far the best review and comparison I have seen on these products. Thank you for putting in the work to answer so many questions we all have had.
I think the diamondback darkens the “colored” portions of the image, so against a white snowy background, the contrast is better than the Vortex.
That one image threw me off hard, but there’s no snow over here, so Viper fits my budget and works for me. Amazing review, thank you.
But why don’t you say the distance of the objects
Good comparison thank you.
$900 is not a budget.. lol
Amazing review…..By the way WHERE TO PURCHASE THE PHONE HOLDER
Just watched this video as I’m in the market for a spotting scope. I have a budget of $1,000. Any suggestions?
That razor picks up great colors and great definition.
What is the mounting adapter? Does it work on straight scopes?
Great job! instant Subscrition from me.
is it possible that the Razor tends to display warmer color-temperature? Personally I like the image of the Viper much better and it feels more natural to me.
picked up a diamondback 20-60X85 today from Bass pro shops. sadly in CAD$ its running $779.99. still the best deal going for spotters from my comparison of 4 similar units. thanks for the videos keep up the good work
Best comparison guys good job. I’m really trying to decide between the Razor HD x65 and Viper HD x85. Is there really a big difference between 65 and 85?
Respectfully, I believe there has been something of a miscommunication on the optical design of the Viper. When you say "has more optical stops" I believe you mean to say that it has a smaller aperture. The aperture is like the iris on your eye. When an aperture is smaller, it has a large f/stop. So, for example, f1.4 lets in double the light of f2, f2.8 is half of f2, f4 is half the light let in as f2.8 etc etc. These are called "stops of light." Each "full step" is a stop (1.4,2,2.8,4,5.6,8). All Vortex are really saying is the Viper has a narrower aperture. This allows the optic to use only center sweet spot of each lens since the aperture isn’t wide enough to use the rest of the lens. This allows for very good optical performance using more affordable glass. How is less light being admitted through the lens expressed in the end? (on this type of optic) Why by a smaller exit pupil, of course! A smaller aperture (more stops) can also result in detraction which I believe is what you’re seeing in that scene which surprised you.
Everything in optical design is a compromise. It’s clear to see what they chose here. It’s a sensible choice BUT to the naked eye which can open its aperture far wider than the exit pupils of these scopes, the Viper will appear noticeably less bright and more "tunnel like". This won’t be captured with the digicam since it has a very tiny aperture, comparatively. For this reason alone, for hunting in low light, actually the diamondback would probably be superior. The Razor more so, obviously.
Really good comparison. I guess there is no need to ever consider the Vortex Crossfire version.
This makes me feel a lot better about buying a Viper and not splurging on a Razor for my first spotter! And also reinforces the idea that if I ever want to upgrade, I should probably skip over a Razor (because it’s not actually that big of an upgrade, relative to the price difference), and just go straight to Swarovski.
This is exactly the review I was looking for
100%. I’ve had all 3. Now own a razor. Id tell most to save some money and get a viper.
A very well done, discriminating review. Your guidance in pointing out differences in contrast, sharpness, color integrity, etc. were spot on.
Great job guys!!!!!
Good video review
Compare Athlon to vortex?
it would be nice to compare these same three scopes as far as being able to actually see bullet holes in a target at 100-200 yards,,,,,but not a 30 cal bullet hole….something like a 20 and 22 caliber bullet hole..i really would like to see this type of comparison….ive looked for ever and have never seen this type of comparison…how bout doing a target bullet hole comarison?
Compare the new Crossfire HD and Diamondback HD scopes
Spotting scopes can be confusing. I had a vortex. It was a great spotting scope. But I think it was like 40 x? But then I want to buy another one that was supposed to be 70x from a different manufacturer. I thought I’d be able to see the targets closer lol. When I bought the thing, I found out that it wasn’t any closer than the last scope I had lol. I’ve seen this a few times.
As with most scopes, the glass is the difference. The most noticeable thing for me is color. Great lenses with good coatings make colors pop. Anyone who has thrown money down on good fishing glasses knows.
Vortex all the way. Although the optical performance is a bit worse than Zeiss or Swarovski, their warrenty is unbeatable.
4:27 none of this is accurate to what I’m seeing. I wanted the viper to be better but it’s just not. The Razor has a far better detailed picture here.
Feel the viper is lacking in big open areas. Like it didn’t know what to focus on. But I’m sold on the viper.
$500 good not big different
You guys should do this with the 10×42 or 10×50 binos from vortex also! Great review btw
Great comparison, helpful 🤝❤️👍🏻
Superb!
I am looking at a 10x vortex bino. Is the viper worth the upgrade over the diamondback?
Razor first position other two fk😀😀
I feel obliged to stop and Thank you. now I know which one is for me.
And now they have crossfire tier you might want to include. and Razor is much lighter so if carrying on long distance it does make a significant difference.
I’d love to have saw bullet holes in paper at distances too. 😳
Good comparison video.
I’m wanting a spotting scope and it’ll be used for looking at hits on targets more so than long range scouting. Any suggestions on the three, because I’d like to spend as little as possible?
“Budget”
You guys didn’t give any distances. If this is at 1200 yds then hey cool but I personally don’t need a spitting scope that fits what you’re comparing.
Obviously the more you spend the better it should be. So Obviously why do a review that only proves what the price tag proves.
your review was excellent in concept…above the crowd. However, your analysis is not strictly consistent. i.e. the color in the razor showed up at the start, but your comment came much later. this much color shift must be explained considering only one of the 3 stood out AND it is the most cost. Sharpness is tricky because you can’t focus each scope every time exactly at the point of maximum sharpness. in one comparison (about 5:49) the viper and diamondback edge qualities were shown but I wonder if the zoom on each was identical. nit picks but your approach is so goo I thought it deserved it
it would be nice with the same 3 spotting scopes and the same target with 5 bullet holes if you guys could demonstrate quality of pic. at 100, 300, 500, 700 and 900 yds for shooters who want one of these for use at the range. Move the same target to each distance before filming.
Would be great to see a comparison between eg the Vortex and a Swaro or Zeiss
Hi. I’m shooting 17hmr on paper @200-300m and not my diamondback viper scope 4-16x nor my entry level spotter 20-60x can see the holes.
Is this just not achievable with 22lr sized holes at distance or do i need to invest substantially in spotting glass?
There’s a 30-90x alibaba scope I figure is worth trying before giving up and just getting a bigger calibre, but was interested in your opinion. Great video!
This comparison was top notch. Would love to see something similar done comparing the high end spotting scopes from all of the biggest brands (Vortex, Swaro, Leupold, Leica, Zeiss, Sig, etc.) to see what kind of differences are unveiled. Is the most expensive glass truly worth the extra cost? Or do the most expensive brands just have the largest marketing budgets?
Razor 2nd on the log diamond 1st.🎉
Wow, great review. I can’t think of an optical review that was nearly as well stated or had better visual examples. I have a Vortex Viper scope as well as 6×32 and 8×42 Viper bins. I find that Vortex is excellent value and they have (by far) the best customer service. Great job with the video … subscribing.