Compact Spotting Scopes Reviews/Recommendations

Has anyone used a compact spotting scope (see list below)?

Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50 Spotting Scope
Hawke Sport Optics Endurance ED 12-36×50
Kowa TSN-501 20-40x50
Nikon Fieldscope ED50 13-30x50
Opticron MM3 or MM4

Others not on the list? Need to keep the price range between 350 to 700 (has to be perfect or near).

TIA

Razor 11-33 - I've owned for about 3-4 years. Awesome scope - not a bad thing to say about it. Great clarity and quality.

Leupold Gold Ring Compact 15-30x50mm. They should be on the lower end of your price range. Great glass in a nice and light package. My wife and I each have one.

I own the Razor 11-33 and have used the kowa and Nikon

What do you want to use it for? They are all very limited in uses compared to the bigger objectives.

The razor and Kowa are best in that range, but the best 50’ish is the Maven but it’s 950

I've owned the Nikon and the Razor as well as an older 25x fixed Bushnell. I've also owned the Zeiss Dialyt 18-45x65.

What is the task you want this spotter to accomplish?

I ask because there is a reason I don't own or use a small objective lens spotter anymore. They are simply not bright enough to offer great detail at the higher end of the magnification range and 30 to 33x just doesn't cut it when you are deciding on trophy quality and if you want to hump 2-3 miles across the mountains for a shot or not. To me it is worth the weight to go with a 65 to 85mm obj that can actually squeeze the detail out of the 40-50-60x eyepieces.

But- if you want to glass up whitetails at 800-1200 yards then those scopes you listed could be what you want- if that is the case then I'm taking the Nikon.

Hunting (not long range) and birding. Something lighter and a little more reach than my 8x42 bins. I had a large scope but sold it, too much of a pain to lug around.

Then either the razor or kowa. Just have to remember the down falls, low field of view and with all spotters the true full clarity is not at full mag. Neither are great for digiscoping either.

I can’t attest to kowa’s warranty but can Vortex. Dropped my spotter off a high rack and busted it on a rock. Had new one from vortex in 5 business days.

You will probably also be happier with the straight version.

Thanks Bobo,
Why do you like the straight version better? I have always used/preferred angled.

Thanks All for your recommendations.

I use mine out of the truck and blind a lot. In mountains I start with bino’s on my Tripod and it’s easier to respot after changing them out.

I do more clarification work with my Spotter then finding because 50 mm spotter has such a narrow field of view