Vortex Viper 15x50 for Tripod (Scouting)

[Yoshi]

Planning to buy Binos for scouting (for use on tripod) but not a wealthy man (that can spend more than $1,500 Swaros, Leica etc..) and currently extremely happy with my vipers (10x42)

 

But do need another pair for scouting and wanted to hear any feedback (bad or good, or other options)

 

Will appreciate any advise !

[PseAZ]

I've looked through both the vipers and the vultures. too me the viper seemed a little narrow if you will and the glass was very compare able to the Vultures. For the money I was tempted to get the vultures myself as a back up and something for the wife to use. just my 2 cents.

[Hoss50]

I bought the Viper HD 15x50 last year. They are pretty nice. I looked at the vultras too but didn't want the extra weight. I have been happy with the vipers so far.

[bigorange]

I had the non-HD vipers and upgraded to HD kaibabs. I much prefer the kaibabs if theyre in your budget. Better clarity, light, and overall field of view. They dont seem as narrow as the vipers either.

[TexasHunter]

I had the viper 15x50s they are nice glass but way to narrow. There a lots of "budget" options that are decent glass. look at Nikon, the vultures or minox even.

[Yoshi]

Thanks To All ....I'll probably go with the Vulture

[CatfishKev]

I think I would go viper over the vultures. I got rid of kaibabs to get two pairs of lower priced binos. I got a pair of vulture and viper. If I had to pick one I would stick with the vipers. I would suggest putting both on a tripod and comparing.

[bigj23]

I had the vultures for a few years and they are good glass for the money. There was nothing that would stop me from buying another pair, which I will probably do for my son.

[AZDirtyTaco]

I picked up the Vipers in August and am not happy with them. The area of focus is very narrow and they require a lot of adjusting while you glass. I'd ballpark and say that only 50% of the field of view is in focus and that's being kind. 1st time I've been disappointing in a Vortex product and I have roughly a dozen different optics of that line. I don't know what other products are like to look through in that price point, but the Vortex 15's don't cut it for me, and don't compare to any of the other Viper line products in my opinion. My only other experience looking through 15x56's was my buddies Swaro's and they were what you would expect them to be. Edge to edge of crystal clear. Phenomenal in comparison. For the 1st time, I felt like I was looking through something cheap and inferior in quality with my own 15's. They will be the only Vortex product that I can't wait to upgrade or unload.

[TOBY]

Keep glassing with your 10x. Put the money away that you will spend on Vortex and save up a little longer and get the Swaros. There is a difference. Don't drink the Vortex Koolaid..Just my.02

[Hatchet Jack]

Higher power seems to really test the performance of your optics. For example, there are 10x binos I thought were great, but the 15s in that same model didn't impress me as much, not as easy on the eyes. I own viper 10s and I cant imagine a 15x version of them being much good especially with only a 50mm objective. From my experience you really need to drop a good amount of cash for a 15x that you can stay behind all day. The least expensive big bino I've looked at that were decent were the Nikon monarch 5 16x56 or the docter 15x60.