Comparing three spotting scopes; which would you choose?

[rutilate]

I've combed the many threads that Jasons has repeatedly searched out for the multitudes asking about spotting scopes and found two budget models repeatedly referenced. And then there is a Vortex that Cabela's has on sale right now.

For deer hunting at ~200 yards, which would you choose?

Konus 7120 20x-60x80mm
Celestron Ultima 80

Or the Vortex Viper?

There are two negative reviews on the Vortex at Cabelas. Anyone have anything different say?

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Konus is good for the price (I own one), but I have concerns over the warranty issue. The warranty is only through the vendor you bought it from ... there is virtually no information about how to contact the mfgr in the packaging - I couldn't even tell it was Italian until visiting konus.com and, even that doesn't tell me if this is Italian or Chinese made. I have not seen the Celestron, but they also enjoy a reputation of decent quality for the price point and have a mfgr supported warranty.

 

[BostonVI]

Out to 200 yards I'll second the Konus. Anything beyond that might be stretching it. Comes with a camera adapter that's semi useful as well. Snapped this back in May.

 

[rutilate]

Now that's interesting. With the camera adapter, can I hook it up to a display on my phone/camera and position it right next to my benchrest so I can see what I'm hitting without having to break form?

 

[jtnf]

Now that's interesting. With the camera adapter, can I hook it up to a display on my phone/camera and position it right next to my benchrest so I can see what I'm hitting without having to break form?

With enough cash and electrons you can make it work...

A 12v rechargeable battery plus this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Qualit...r_View_Monitors_Cams_Kits&hash=item5af22cd8bc

And this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAMERA-SECU..._Security_Fire_Protection&hash=item43c157eb87

Or this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swann-DIY-S...91?pt=US_Security_Cameras&hash=item19d0009ce3

Note that I have not thought through whether 100mm telephoto is adequate from a yardage/field of view standpoint, so an SDTV security camera with a lens and an otherwise conventional sports spotter scope may be more appropriate.

 

[Boghog1]

I was checking out the Vortex scopes and was very impressed, I thought it was as good as the Swarovski right next to it for 1/4 the price

 

[frenchman]

Vortex has a "no questions asked" warranty. That's a solid point on the pro side.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Vortex has a "no questions asked" warranty. That's a solid point on the pro side.

Although not relevant to spotting scopes, Vortex is the only scope company with a lifetime warranty that does not add the footnote "except for electronics".

 

[willbdavis]

Celestron. Excellent price/performance ration. Nice image.