A good spotting scope is perhaps the most important piece of gear when it comes to hunting in the high country. Choosing inferior glass can lead to eye strain, headaches and even worse, missing out on hidden game. I recently put the Vortex Diamondback 20-60×80 spotter to the test in arguably the most remote mountains in Texas during my Sierra Diablo mule deer hunt and I was blown away by how well it performed. I’m not nearly as strong as the boys on the team so having some great glass that was light was very important to me. When you’re hiking and climbing for miles over the course of a week, every ounce counts and this entry-level spotter in the Vortex lineup was extremely portable. And don’t let the term “entry-level” fool you. With prices starting at $499, it’s an incredible value from Vortex Optics, an American company that’s been known for its unrivaled customer service and lifetime unconditional warranty. Vortex Optics has always offered to repair or replace its products in the event it becomes damaged or defective for free no matter the cause. That said, these spotters are made to last. Climbing a mountain over a mile above sea level can be quite precarious and the scuffs and scratches you see on the spotter are from various times it came into contact with rocks and boulders, sometimes from being dropped. Yet, it never failed me.
High country hunting means glassing for hours. This means that if you choose inferior glass, you put yourself at risk to eyestrain and headaches which could lead to missing out on that big muley hiding under a shrub. I never once had that problem the entire week looking through the eye piece, which happens to come in straight or angled. I prefer straight, but it’s simply a personal preference. Try both and see which one you’re more comfortable with. Like I said, you’re going to be glassing for hours so make sure you choose the one that you feel is easier to use.
The picture was crystal clear and I was very surprised at the magnification power in an “entry-level” spotter. The mule deer in the picture above was digiscoped with my Apple iPhone at over 250 yards away. At one moment during the hunt, I recognized movement from an animal at an estimated 900 yards away that I immediately assumed to be a deer because of its size in my picture. It turned out to be a javelina, which is at least half the size of a deer. It was quite shocking. At its price point, you’re getting a spotter that’s comparable to many models from other makers that cost hundreds more and an unbeatable unconditional lifetime warranty. If you’d like to learn more, visit Vortex Optics and if you already own one, we’d love to hear how it’s performed for you in the field.
Tight Lines and Big Tines!
Co-Founder, Tight Lines and Big Tines!
See the Vortex Optics Diamondback 20-60×80 spotting scope in action in our film “Sierra Diablo.”