Within the sporting optics market, there are typically two scenarios that define where an optic is manufactured: I mention this to help people understand that very few, and I mean very few, riflescopes are still made entirely in the United States. The Hawke warranty program is called their No-Fault Lifetime Warranty, and it offers a lifetime warranty on all their rifle scopes. Vortex features an extremely diverse scope line that covers everything from entry-level optics all the way up to top-shelf long range models. Have you looked at the Vortex Dimondback Tactical at all , Its certainly worth look . Unfortunately, Vortex does not offer any adjustable objective options in the mid-range category. At low powers, the EBR-8's illumination shines like a red-dot, guiding fast fire in problematic light. That being said however, since this is likely the only safari well ever take, the binoculars I purchase should be suitable for other general uses as well. While some scope brands arent really clear about where their products are made, Hawke is very clear that all their scope models are produced in China. on Vortex Diamondback vs Hawke Endurance ED vs Vanguard Endeavor ED, Vortex Diamondback vs Hawke Endurance ED vs Vanguard Endeavor ED, how to choose between different binoculars, How Different Configurations Affect a Binocular, 70mm Astronomy Binoculars & Tripod Setup Advice. Just $1 per month , Whether youre looking to spend big on high-quality glass or need a durable budget optic, our spotting scope test has you covered, By However, Vortex comes with a lifetime VIP warranty, while Hawke offers 10 years of warranty. With the Vortex optics in this price range, you begin to also the ability to integrate a custom turret from Kenton turrets. Its been a pleasure as well as a learning experience for me. In comparison, Hawke offers a total of 13 reticle choices in this price range, including several caliber-specific options. The center-barrel focus is tight and precise. Vortex does all that as well but the warranty is even better . Which Vortex Scopes are First Focal Plane? The Vortex offering in this price range features a combination of SFP and FFP models, while all the Hawke models in this category are FFP only. Unlike some scope manufacturers, the Vortex warranty is not limited by a certain number of years or a time frame. As you can also see, I have highlighted in green the features or specifications that I feel are either really strong points or aspects that are above and beyond what I would expect to find in this price range. However, with Hawke, there does not seem to be as noticeable an improvement in their glass. Those riflescope models are in the following Vortex series: As far as power magnification ranges, the Vortex optics in this group range from 1.75-532 to a maximum of 5-2556. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Because spotting scopes are expensive to make, and because the market is smaller than it is for binoculars and riflescopes, we tend to see robust numbers of spotters about every other year. 7 Inexpensive Binoculars for a Family Safari Holiday, InfiRay Xinfrared T2 Pro Thermal Eye Review, Top 5 Reasons To Get a Spotting Scopeto Compliment Your Binoculars, BBR @ IWA 2023 EP 4. Thats not to say it is going to return an image that a 65mm or 85mm scope does, but if you consider this as a good intermediate between a binocular and a full-size spotter, youll be happy with the Hummingbird. In the mid-range price point, the cost points between the brands become more even, and the number of optics offered in that range begins to even out. Next up is the Hawke Panorama series of rifle scopes. (And with the Vortex I was disappointed because there were a lot of chromatic aberrations, instead with the Hawke, thanks to ED glass, it was perfect). Now listed for about $220 / 213, you are still getting a cracking binocular for a great price. A source country is determined based on the country where the most significant percentage of components or parts are sourced from. I know a lot of things are personal opinion but I still like to hear different perspectives. Instead, we noted the responsive controls, the decent image, the smoothly retracting sunshade, and its excellent low-light performance. Read Next: Top Spotting Scopes Put to the Test. Whats interesting about this years crop of spotters is the niche-filling presence of very affordable optics, decent spotters that cost under $600. Vortex offers 22 scopes across six different series that feature an MSRP between $551 to $1000. The precision reticle has been expertly designed to offer aim points at 10yd intervals from 20 - 100 yards. Within the mid-range grouping, Vortex features twelve different reticle choices, with most being designed for long range or long distance shooting. The first rifle scope in our selection is the Vortex Crossfire 2 series. In fact, the ProGuides durability was one of its highest-scoring attributes, thanks to its tight focus, positive eyecups, and hard-wearing shadow gray armor that covers the magnesium body (its also available in 85mm configurations, and with both straight and angled eyepieces). Within those seven optics, the lowest magnification range is 3-1550, while the highest magnification power is 5-3056. So whilst the original Endeavor ED does come with ED (Extra low-dispersion) glass, phase corrected roof prisms made from high quality BaK-4 glass and are fully multi-coated. We did not expect to like this wee micro spotter. If youre looking for a caliber-specific reticle or a specialty reticle, then Hawke Optics will offer you more options in that area. In fact, Vortex only offers a few select 1-inch scopes in this price range. Vortex is a more prominent, more established brand in the US compared to Hawke, so they sell far more optics than Hawke in the $550 to $1000 price point. The difference in price is minimal. Vortex used an Argon gas and Hawke used a Nitrogen gas. You also rightly mention that the 8x42 Endurance ED is currently unavailable in the US (it is listed as on back order on most websites I looked at), however I did notice that the 10x42 model is available in limited quantities (see Amazon and Adorama on the where to buy these link below) and so that is why I have added it here. That being said, lets look at the country of manufacture for each brand: Vortex Optics are sourced from a few different countries, including China and the Philippines. Choosing the better scope The Vortex Venom vs. Viper, Bushnell phased the Forge scope models out of production, Comparing the Vortex Copperhead vs Diamondback Rifle Scopes, Comparison of the Vortex Crossfire II Scopes vs Vortex Diamondback Scopes. One thing is certain, there is certainly a wide selection of affordable yet distinct rifle scopes on the market, and the Vortex, Hawke, or Redfield brands are a great place to start your search for a $250 rifle scope. In addition, almost all of those 13 reticles are also available in an illuminated version. Best example is why V went with 6-24 vs 5-25 or better like the rest of the manufactures, including themselves. Being based in the UK, Hawke first established a presence in the UKs air gunning community by offering several versions of a dedicated air rifle or air gun scope. Vortex Viper HD 8x42 or Alpen Teton ED HD Abbe 8x42? Nearly all the Hawke optics in this price range are built in either 30mm. All Hawke riflescope models are built to Hawkes specifications and then shipped to a Hawke facility in either the UK or the United States. Konus ships this spotter with a very good smartphone adapter that allows the spotter to pull double duty as a telephoto lens. Hawke looks to cost slightly less than Vortex until around the $500 price point at a high-level view. The image is decent, but a bit dim and fuzzy at higher magnifications, evidence of standard glass, rather than the higher extra-low dispersion class of glass used in premium optics. The 17 Best New Versatile Riflescopes Put to the Test. Burris Fullfield II 3-9X40mm. In my opinion, the mid-range market in the sporting optics industry is the most competitive part of the industry. Those eighteen riflescopes come from the following series: The Vortex optics in this category are highly specialized, with models being manufactured for: All the optics in this category are top-end models that will optically compete with any US-based scope brand and some European-based optics. However, they didnt sell very well, so Bushnell phased the Forge scope models out of production. Those Vortex scope lines include: As you can see, the Vortex Crossfire II series is the most extensive offering in this group, with twenty-six scope options under the $550 MSRP price point. The 13 Best New Precision Riflescopes Put to the Test, The 17 Best New Versatile Riflescopes Put to the Test, The 9 Best New Hunting Binoculars Put to the Test. Read Next: 3 Great Reasons to Own a Spotting Scope. Our subjective assessment of the image was confirmed by the Nitros low resolution score, and the 65mm scope was the first to wink out in our low-light test. They both have pretty much every other feature I'm looking for. The tripod foot is also a bit forward of the balance point of the spotter, which is a minor quibble. Add to Wish List Item in Wish List . Currently, with all the different reticle choices, Vortex Optics offers ninety-five different scope models. I know the Frontier has Hawkes best glass but I'm not sure how it would stack up against the PST glass. Key Features Magnification: 9-27X Objective Lens Diameter: 56mm Weight: 20.3 ounces Length: 7.6 inches Field of View at 1,000 Yards: 234-108 feet Aluminum-alloy chassis Scopes in this range begin to specialize a bit where they are manufactured specifically for situations like long range hunting, long range shooting, or close-quarters combat-style shooting for speed and precision. You must log in or register to reply here. That combination earned it very high Price/Value consideration, and runner-up status for our Great Buy honors. And yeah, my AMG was rad, for sure. Back in 2013 and when they were listed at $280 / 260, I thought that these were great value for money, indeed they won my award as the best value for money bin that I reviewed that year. However, I havent personally observed any Hawke optics recurring or commonly acknowledged issues. At under $200 (see where to buy below), I think you should most certainly consider the Celestron Trailseeker. Like the basic mid-range category, I discussed previously, this category or market space is also fairly competitive. Comparing the glass quality in the upper mid-range category, I would rate Vortex as the winner as their optics are noticeably better. Most all the optics in both brands are 30mm, with a few 34mm models. First off, Crossfire 2 lenses are fully multi-coated for superior light transmission resulting in crisper and clearer images. But those are minor demerits for an otherwise excellent full-sized spotter that delivers an image on par with higher-priced European optics. 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