I am comparing two Vortex scopes at very different price ranges. In the past I have always stayed at 500 or less when choosing an optic, but I thought I would like to try something nicer for this Sig Cross I picked up this weekend. Actually, it came with a scope on it (it is a “barely used” gun I picked up at a gun show), but even the scopes I own already seem better than it (it’s a lower end Crimson Trace).
Anyway, the two scopes I am comparing are the Vortex Viper HS-T in 4-16x44. This is only $600 but when I looked through the glass at the store it was noticeable improvement in image quality over say the VX Freedom from Leupold or the Diamondback series from Vortex.
Then, there is the $1200 Razor HD LHT, in 3-15x42. I don’t know if it’s just me, but honestly I cannot tell a difference in the image quality with my eyes (and it could be my terrible screen-shot millennial eyes just hold me back).
I could probably swing the more expensive scope, but then… why? Both scopes are similar magnification range, similar weight… I like the reticle on the Razor slightly more…but I don’t know why one is 2x $ vs. the other. Help me understand what I am gaining vs. leaving on the table for what seems like maybe a marginal increase in optical quality that is hard for me to detect??
If you can’t tell the difference and are happy with the less expensive scope I see little reason for you to buy it. It really can be THAT simple.
While I’m a proponent of buying the best that you can afford, take a portion of that extra $600 and buy something for your significant other. If you feel it’s wasted on moving up or your eyes can’t discern what you think you should maybe see then it’s wasted money on some level. The range difference isn’t great enough to make a huge difference.
I own a couple of those same vortex. My one complaint is that right at the end of shooting hours and sometime earlier with rain or heavy clouds - at 100 yrds I have a difficult time of making out deer antlers. Sometimes to the point of not being sure on a smaller deer if antlers or not. I have trail cams of the deer to verify they are bucks but that is later and after I check. It could be a function of being 44mm objective more than glass transmission. Otherwise I am very happy with the scopes and are not replacing them on the rifles to fix this. Could also be a function of old eyes as well. Lots of variables. But new scopes are 50mm obj.