Vortex has ever amazed its customers with its amazing range of spotting scopes, this manufacturer is one of the nearly famous optics companies in the world that provide high quality products.

The Viper HD spotting scopes from Vortex are the some of the finest mid-range spotting scopes, where the combination of high quality glass with precise and careful construction has fabricated an incredible production available for users.

Earlier nosotros proceed with the Vortex Viper HD spotting scope review, let'south make information technology articulate that this is not the merely high-quality product in this price range, and you should e'er consider alternatives. Some options yous should definitely take a wait at are the Ares by Athlon Eyes (there's as well a 65mm version) and the Pentax PF-80ED.

There are ii optical configurations of Viper HD spotting scopes: the 15-45X65 and the xx-60X80 (20-60X85) and these are bachelor in two versions, an old version and a new i, and then earlier we dive into information about this interesting product, you lot should know the departure between these 2.

The older version of the Viper Hd

It is more than classical, more than traditional, like the very much known version of spotting scopes: a long objective and a brusk angled or straight eyepiece. The focusing system is placed on summit where you lot can achieve it with your fingers and the tripod mount and collar are in the middle of the scope body.

This version is useful for many activities especially hunting where perfect stability is needed to get the best optical functioning.

The newer version (V500)

In 2018, Vortex decided to renew the look of Viper HD and requite information technology a more trendy shape and appealing features. It still looks similar a normal spotting scope except for some differences. The chief difference is the focusing arrangement: the focusing knob has been replaced by a helical focusing ring that wraps the body of the objective. This characteristic is important for users who rely on fast action and need a user-friendly product to fulfill their needs.

Also, the new version has a more compact shape than the older ane and the eyepiece looks harmoniously attached to the main body of the telescopic.

Now allow'due south focus on the newer version since the one-time one is not manufactured anymore and simply available at some retailers.

So, what make the Vortex Viper Hard disk drive spotting scope special?

You lot should definitely consider giving this outstanding production a attempt because to its impressive aspects from magnification to field of view and brightness of prototype – for the price. Both the 15-45X65 and the 20-60X85 provide breathtaking optical operation.

This type of telescopic with small-scale magnification range that does not exceed 45X is very useful at closer range since y'all will have a very wide field of view and a prissy bright image fifty-fifty in dark situations thanks to the 65mm objective lens.

This product weighs well-nigh lx oz / 1700 grams which makes it quite heavy so a tripod would exist necessary to go on it steady and practise the work. For birding and hunting that involve longer hikes, it is a perfect tool.

This one hither is a more than advanced scope equipped with a twenty-60X eyepiece that has the ability to provide much broader zoom capabilities. In add-on to that, the 85mm objective lens gives full clarity to well-baked sharp images and makes your experience like never before.

If you are going for a 20-60X85 and then make sure that you will need it in your activities otherwise, a 15-45X65 is expert enough and will salvage yous some coin. Likewise, this detail weighs around 76 oz / 2150 grams.

Pros of the Viper Hard disk drive

  • High quality optics

All Viper Hd products contain loftier-end glass such as the XR anti-reflective coatings and actress low dispersion crystal clear lenses that enhance light transmission and reduce chromatic aberrations.

  • Wide field of view

Thank you to the broad lenses on both scopes (65mm or 85mm) y'all will become a very wide field of view that will make you appreciate every detail of your view (reaches 136.5ft at 1000 yards).

  • Versatile and user-friendly focus mechanism

The new focusing organisation (helical) is versatile and convenient for many activities as information technology allows the user to quickly set the desired focus with an easier grip. It is the best solution to fast moving targets.

  • Rotational tripod adaptability

The tripod mount allows the device to be rotated around the viewing axis thanks to the special collar, so you can ready your product at the desired position and eyepiece angle.

  • Durability

The body of Viper HD scopes is fully covered with a rubber armoring that gives it a powerful shock resistance. In addition, these scopes are O-ring sealed and argon purged so they are 100% h2o and fog proof.

Cons of Viper HD spotting scopes

1 major con of these spotting scopes is the size. With the 85mm version weighing near 2.2 kg, information technology adds quite a bit of weight to your gear. There are products of similar or better performance that counterbalance less, e.grand. the Athlon Optics Ares 85mm. I hope that Vortex will find a solution and come upwards with a lighter device in the futurity.

As a conclusion, Viper Hard disk drive scopes are mid-range merely they accept high-end features bachelor for you at a relatively depression toll. It'south a great product for hunting and wildlife watching.