Tag Archives: Vortex Optics

Vortex Viper 11-33X50 and Crossfire HD 12-36X50: Two Travel Scopes, Head to Head (FSB Equipment Review)

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Sometimes, you just gotta go birding. Such was my feeling recently when my friend and birding buddy Susan Snetsinger collected me for an all-day birding expedition to Butte and back. As a sizzling pink dawn crept over our neighborhood, I felt particularly excited. Why? Because today, we were going to test two spotting scopes ideal for the traveling birder: the Vortex Viper 11-33X50 and the Vortex Crossfire HD 12-36X50.

Vortex classifies both of these scopes as “Compact” in size, but I also refer to them as “travel scopes” because they are small, light, and fit easily into almost any backpack or suitcase. A few months ago I posted a very positive review of Vortex’s top-of-the line compact scope, titled “Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 spotting scope with Mountain Pass tripod.” I recommend reading that post again before you read this review as it will help provide the entire story about these three scopes—in descending price order. As you’ll recall, the Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 runs about $1,000 and is well worth the money. It may be out of reach for many birders, though, and that’s one reason I felt so excited about testing the more affordable Viper and Crossfire compact scopes. The Viper lists at $849.99—but can be purchased for about $600. Meanwhile, the Crossfire lists for $299.99—but can be bought for around $200. “But,” Susan and I both wondered, “how will these two more affordable scopes stack up against each other?”

**My birding pal Susan testing these scopes side by side at Warm Springs wildlife area.**

First, let’s discuss what they have in common:

Both come in an angled configuration (see image below), which I much prefer to the straight option because it allows for a lower, more stable position on the tripod and easier viewing.
Both are about 10.3 inches long and weigh in at about thirty ounces—just under two pounds, or a bit more than an average pair of binoculars.
Both have very similar magnifications, the Viper zooming from 11 to 33X magnification, and the Crossfire 12 to 36X.
Both are built to fit the Arca-Swiss standard mount, which allows them to be directly fitted to Vortex and many other tripod heads without a pesky adaptor plate.
Both come with Vortex’s no-questions-asked lifetime warranty, making either scope a worry-free purchase from the get-go.

**Both scopes come with easy-to-use lens caps and a neoprene sleeve for protection.(Photo provided by Vortex.)**

Which leaves the primary question you’re probably asking yourself: Is the Viper worth the extra $400 I would have to spend over the Crossfire? To begin finding out, Susan and I rolled up to our first stop, Racetrack Pond just south of the town of Deer Lodge. We set up the two scopes side by side, each perched on a Vortex Mountain Pass tripod and began scanning the pond. It was still early in the season for most songbird migrants, but ducks, geese, and swans were out in full force and even as we were setting up, we were delighted to see a flock of 22 Snow Geese flying by. However, we began focusing mainly on Common Goldeneyes, American Wigeon, and Ring-billed Gulls puttering around a tiny island a hundred or so yards offshore.

Controls

As with any new equipment, it took us a few minutes to get familiar with the controls on each of the scopes. Both had eye relief tubes that easily pulled out, and both had about the same zooming range. At first we couldn’t figure out how to easily zoom the Crossfire in and out, but it turns out I hadn’t screwed in the eyepiece tightly enough when assembling the scope out of the box. Once I tightened the “knurled ring” at the base of the tripod, the zooming ring functioned just fine.

The main difference on the controls between the two scopes is the focusing mechanism (see arrows in images below). The lower-priced Crossfire comes with what’s called a helical focus. This is a ring around the entire scope tube that you twist back and forth to focus. The more expensive Viper comes with what is called a dual fine focus—two small knobs conveniently positioned on top of the scope that allow you to quickly adjust them. Spoiler alert: I’m going to just come out and say that, if you can afford it, the dual fine focus alone justifies the extra expense of buying the Viper over the Crossfire. Not only does this system achieve a sharper focus, it is much faster and more convenient to use. I watched a video about this and the host pointed out that this is especially great for digiscoping, or using your phone to take a photo through a scope. I don’t yet do this myself, but it’s good to know.

**Focusing on the Crossfire is achieved by twisting a collar around the main tube of the scope.**

Optical Quality

One thing I and many others have discovered is that the brightness and clarity of images through optical devices don’t at first seem that different, even between more and less expensive models. That initially seemed to be the case when Susan and I compared the Viper and the Crossfire. The more we used them during our outing, however, the more it became apparent that the Viper gave us superior images. Not only was light transmission better through the Viper, it achieved sharper, clearer focus. That’s not surprising considering that the Viper comes with better coatings on its glass lenses and prisms, but it was still interesting to notice that difference in the field. Later, I tested the two scopes under very low light conditions, and the brightness of the Viper stood out even more.

**Though still early in the season, American Wigeon and other waterfowl gave us plenty of “targets” to test out the scopes.** **Though differences in optical quality were subtle at first, after spending a couple of hours looking through each scope, the Viper emerged a clear winner.**

Build

Both the Viper and Crossfire appear to be very solid and well built. The Vortex website boasts that the Viper features “ultra rugged construction” while it makes no such claims for the Crossfire, so I assume that better manufacturing and materials go into the Viper. However, my guess is that both of these products will perform very well in the field. Both are fog proof and waterproof, essential features for anyone out watching birds. The Viper is purged with argon gas while the Crossfire is purged with the more standard nitrogen. I asked a rep what the difference meant for consumers, and he answered, “the difference isn’t actually with the optical quality, but instead the longevity of the optic. Argon has a larger atom, and will reduce the rate of leakage over long periods of time when compared to nitrogen. Argon is also less affected by sudden temperature shifts and is much more resistant to extreme temperatures.” He also admitted that most users will probably never notice this until at least 10+ years of use—if ever.

**Whichever compact scope you buy, I highly recommend the Mountain Pass tripod to go with it. This combo is both easy to pack and carry over the shoulder on even a long birding hike!** **(Full confession: I’m not sure this is a Mountain Pass tripod in this photo provided by Vortex, but it looks as small and lightweight.)**

Bottom Line

When comparing the Viper and Crossfire head to head, the Viper comes out a clear winner. Both are terrific, lightweight scopes for the traveling birder, but if you can at all afford or save up for the Viper over the Crossfire, I highly recommend it. That doesn’t mean, though, that the Crossfire doesn’t fill an important niche. It’s a great purchase for those on a budget, or those buying a first scope for a beginning birder and, honestly, many people may stay perfectly content with their Crossfires for the foreseeable future. If you need a scope to just carry around in the car or keep in a cabin without having to worry too much about it getting stolen, the Crossfire also could be just what you’re looking for.

Whichever scope you buy, I do highly recommend the Mountain Pass tripod, which is well-suited to both scopes both in weight, dimensions, and cost. I’ll also point out that both scopes work with Vortex’s Pro Car Window Mount. I have not yet used this, but plan to write up a review as soon as Braden and I can head out into Montana’s grasslands this summer.

Though both scopes offer great value for the money, after our testing we both felt that birders will be happier if they stretch their budgets for the Viper rather than going for the more inexpensive Crossfire. **(Photo provided by Vortex.)**

If you enjoyed this review, check out these other recommended optics for birders:

Vortex Viper HD Binoculars

Nikon Monarch HG Binoculars

Nocs Pro Issue 8X42 Waterproof Binoculars

Vortex Bantam HD 6.5X32 Binoculars

Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 spotting scope with Mountain Pass tripod

Binoculars & Scopes for the Happy Holiday Birder (FSB Shopping Guide, Part 1)

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Today, Braden and I celebrate our 250^th blog post! We can hardly believe it ourselves, but it just shows what can happen when the passion of birds and birding infuses your souls. We also celebrate our first year of mixing things up by adding book and equipment reviews. Ahead of the holiday buying season, in fact, we’d like to recap some of our favorite items for that “Bird Nerd” in your life—or maybe even for yourself. If you’re tired of buying stuff, we also include some of our favorite groups working to protect birds around the globe. In Part 1 of this three-part effort, we run down great binoculars and spotting scopes. In our next two posts, we’ll talk about some of our favorite bird books and bird conservation groups. As always, we thank you for your interest and urge you to share these posts with your friends and family—especially if you want them to buy you something!

**Serious about upgrading your birding optics? Read on!**

As 2025 draws to a close, we don’t claim to have tested every brand and model of optics out there, but have been fortunate to put products from both Nikon and Vortex through the paces. We gotta say that if you’re in need of great optics at reasonable prices and with amazing warranties, you won’t do better than these two brands. Nikon products tend to sell close to their official list prices and can be purchased from their website here, or from third parties (see below). Vortex products, on the other hand, usually can be found at much lower prices than what they list for. To get the best price, start with your local indie sporting goods store, but if you can’t find what you want, Dick’s Sporting Goods, B&H Photo, and Land, Sea, & Sky are solid, reputable businesses we’ve had great experiences with.

Binoculars for around $100

Our most popular post of this year was our review of the Vortex Triumph HD 10X42 binoculars, and for good reason. Not only do the Triumphs offer excellent quality at an amazing price, they come with Vortex’s mind-boggling no-questions-asked replacement and repair warranty, something I still can’t believe even exists! One downside to the Triumph HDs is that their minimum focal length is a fairly long 16 feet. Then again, I only need a closer focus than that once or twice a year, so a casual or beginning birder will hardly be affected. See our full review here.

**Vortex Triumph HDs offer excellent value for most beginning birders and, like other Vortex products, come with a lifetime no-questions-asked warranty.**

Especially if small and lightweight is your goal—or if you’re buying binoculars for the kid in your life—you will also want to consider the new Vortex Bantam HD 6.5X32. Though aimed at kids, these lightweight little gems are fantastic for travel, backpacking trips, or people with sore backs. I loaned a pair to my brother and he didn’t want to give them back! Even more amazing, they can purchased for about $70—a sizzling deal at a time when many of us have to cut back on spending. See our full review here.

Binoculars for about $300

The first serious binoculars Braden and I ever bought were Nikon 10X42 Monarch M5s—and Braden still uses them today! How can that be, you ask? Well, not only are the Monarch M5s solid, well-built binoculars with sharp, clear optics, Nikon offers great repair and replacement policies. Braden has sent his in twice for repair—and received brand-new replacements free of charge. You can’t beat that. For $300, these are an excellent investment for those on a budget, but still wanting binoculars that are up for almost any birding situation.

**Braden and I both relied on our Nikon Monarch M5s for the first eight years of our birding. They are still Braden’s go-to optics!**

“Best Bang” Binoculars for about $500

If you’re willing to shell out just a bit more, I was especially impressed with Vortex Viper HD binoculars. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that these may deliver the best bang for your buck available. During my trip to Texas last spring, they performed extremely well in a variety of conditions. Our guest contributor Roger Kohn and his wife Claudia also use these and are very happy with them. See our full review here.

**After testing products across the Vortex line, I have to say that I think Vipers deliver the biggest bang for your birding buck!**

Gasp! Shelling out a Grand!

I’ll admit it: I never thought I’d be using $1,000 binoculars, but boy am I glad that I do! Especially if you bird a lot in dark, overcast conditions—or even in shockingly bright ones—stepping up the quality can really make a difference. My top pick in this price range? Nikon Monarch HG 10X42s. I took these on last winter’s trip to Colombia and was uber-impressed. My very first morning, I saw a woodpecker fly into a dark, overhanging branch of a tree at least two or three hundred yards away. I thought “No way will I be able to ID that.” When I raised my Monarch HGs to look, though, I was astonished to be able to recognize it as one of the birds I especially wanted to see: a Crimson-mantled Woodpecker! See our full review here. I must add that because these were the first binoculars I reviewed this year, I didn’t realize just how good the optics are, so if you have the cash, you will not regret getting these.

Also in this price range, you will want to check out the Vortex Razor HDs, also priced at about $1,000. I have been using the Razors extensively since last spring and have been very happy with them. I especially love the extra-smooth center focus knob. See our full review here.

**Me and my birding amigo Roger in Colombia last February, where my Nikon Monarch HGs delivered superior performance! Meanwhile, Roger is shown happily birding with his trusty Vortex Vipers.**

Ready for a Spotting Scope? Sure You Are!

When we first started birding, Braden and I resisted getting a spotting scope because they seemed like such a pain to shlep around. Within a couple of years, we realized that scopes are essential birding equipment. Many, many manufacturers make and sell spotting scopes, but I’ll tell you, this is a purchase you will want to stretch for. We bought a cheaper scope in the $300 range—and are sorry we did. A couple years later, we sprung for a Vortex Viper HD 20-60X85, and love it. I just looked these up at B&H Photo and it looks like they can be had for about $700—a screaming deal. Don’t forget, though, that you also need a tripod to go with that scope. If you can afford it, I recommend buying a Vortex tripod to go with your Vortex scope, so that you won’t have to keep messing with a tripod adapter, which will invariably come loose as you are lugging your scope around.

**Braden zeroing in on a rare Piping Plover in eastern Montana using our beloved Vortex Viper HD 20-60X85 spotting scope.**

The above scope is definitely a “car model,” meaning it’s heavy enough that you won’t want to carry it more than a couple hundred yards. Last summer, though, I also tested a Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 spotting scope with Mountain Pass tripod. At a total weight under five pounds, this lightweight combo is perfect for taking on planes in your backpack or even heading out into the wilderness if you’ve got to have a spotting scope with you. Just checking different outlets, it looks like the scope/tripod combo can be had for about $1,000 right now. It won’t pack the magnification of the bigger scope mentioned above, but it’s a great trade-off for those of us who travel a lot. In fact, I didn’t want to send my evaluation scope back to Vortex and am considering buying one for my own holiday gift! See our full review here.

In calm conditions, the Razor HD 13-39X56 and Mountain Pass tripod perform like a dream. Because they are lighter, wind produces more shake, just as it does for all but the heaviest scope/tripod combinations, but a convenient hook allows you to hang a stabilizing weight from the tripod.

Vortex Razor HD 10X42s: Holiday Optics Upgrade (FSB Equipment Review)

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One of the highlights of my 2025 has been the opportunity to field test various bird-related equipment, especially binoculars and scopes from Vortex. In fact, our review of the Vortex Triumph HD 10X42 binoculars nabbed top spot among our most popular posts for the year, narrowly beating out our review of the Nikon Monarch HGs. And speaking of the Monarch HGs, this week I am pleased to offer my thoughts on binoculars that run in the same $1,000 price range as the HGs—the Vortex Razor HD 10X42s.

**The Vortex Razor HD series of binoculars offers both superior optics and terrific build—and yet is still within reach of many (indeed, most?) serious birders.**

The Vortex Razor HD series is not to be confused with the Vortex Razor UHD series—Vortex’s absolute top-of-the-line binoculars that come with price tags to boot. Maybe I’ll get a chance to review one of the UHDs sometime, but for now I am focusing on binoculars that a larger swath of typical birders can enjoy and afford—and the Razor HDs fit right in with that theme.

I’ve been using the Razor HDs for the past several months—a clue to how much I like them. Perhaps the best way to analyze them is to compare them to Vortex’s next step down, the Viper HDs, which we reviewed in this post.

**Me with my buddy Scott—and my Razor HDs—during our recent outing to Bodega Head in California.**

Right off the bat, I have to say that both the Vipers and Razors offer exceptional clarity and light transmission—to the point that I would be hard-pressed to place one above the other in a blind “binocular tasting” test. I have used both models in all kinds of situations, including dark and overcast conditions, and been thrilled with the images reaching my eyes. According to the Vortex website and my Vortex rep, however, the Razor HDs use a superior, tougher coating that provides better clarity and sharpness, and tougher protection so that the lenses are less likely to scratch.

Vortex has also gone to the trouble of using higher density glass for the Razors, as well as matching the lenses for better color matching at all wavelengths. Notably, in the Razors more of the image remains in focus at a range of 1,000 yards than is true of the Vipers. These things probably won’t be obvious to most users, but will, I predict, show up more in extreme conditions and as your own birding skills progress.

Where the differences between the Razors and Vipers really become obvious is in the build of each model. Both feel comfortable and solid to hold, but the Razor HD tubes are crafted from magnesium rather than from polymer—an upgrade you expect to find in all higher end binoculars.

Even more impressive, the central focusing knob has much better action than you find on the less expensive models. One of my few complaints about the Viper HDs was the relative stiffness of the focusing knob, and how far you have to turn it to bring an image into focus. Vortex solves both of these problems with the Razor HDs. A single revolution of the knob takes you from a ten-foot focus to a distance of a mile or more! I can’t emphasize how awesome this is when you’re out in the field and have to switch from looking at a Lincoln’s Sparrow in front of you to a mystery raptor cruising a distant skyline. Not only that, the action is so smooth on the Razors that fine adjustments are accomplished with ease.

**The smooth and functional central focusing knob is one of the features that really stands out on the Razor HDs.**

Other specs on the Razors are very similar to what is found on the Vipers. The Razor HDs have a slightly wider field of view (6.9 degrees compared to 6.5 degrees) and are also .3” longer. Both weigh just under 25 ounces, light enough for most people to haul them around all day—especially if you use the Glasspak™ harness system that comes with most Vortex binoculars.

Both also have eye relief tubes, but the Viper’s are a bit longer—17 mm versus 16.5 mm on the Razors.

As you’d expect, the Razor HDs are waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. Like the Vipers, the Razors also have locking diopter rings—the mechanism that corrects the central focusing knob for people whose vision is different in each eye.

**The Vortex Razor HD series of binoculars is an excellent choice for those looking to step up the quality of their field optics—and not break the bank.**

“But what about price?” you are undoubtedly asking—and since I’ve been comparing the Vipers with the Razors, you’re probably wondering if paying more is worth it. While the Vipers can be purchased for under $500, the Razors take a hefty jump up to about $1,000 at the time of this writing. Oh, what to do?

Let me begin by saying that if you are used to cheaper, crummy binoculars, you’ll be delighted by either one of these models. Both are covered by the amazing Vortex lifetime, no-questions-asked warranty along with excellent customer service. If the Razors simply aren’t in your budget, the Vipers are a very nice investment in your birding activities and will last you as long as you can still bird.

If, however, you’ve just sold some NVIDIA stock or have just benefited from recent changes to the tax code, I would definitely encourage you to opt for the Razors. Even if you’re not wealthy, but want to make sure you get the most pleasure out of your future birding, the Razors make a solid one-time investment that will last a lifetime. $500 extra sounds like a lot—and it is to most of us—but if you’re serious about birding, you will most likely forget about the price difference the first time you focus in on a Common Tody-Flycatcher in the mountains of Colombia, or perhaps even an Evening Grosbeak in the backyard.

So there you have it—and with Christmas coming up to boot. What a coincidence! Or . . . was it?

For more information on the Vortex Razor HDs including where to buy them, click here!

**Seeing your first Common Tody-Flycatcher in the mountains of Colombia will likely make you forget any higher price you paid for your Vortex Razor HDs.**

Vortex Bantam HD 6.5X32s: Binocs for Kids and Travelers (FSB Equipment Review)

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Thank you for checking out our reviews! Braden and I write this blog to share our love of birding and provide useful information for our fellow birders. We do not receive any payment for any of our posts, but if you’d like to support our work, please consider buying one or more *new copies* of Sneed’s award-winning books such as Birding for Boomers or Warblers & Woodpeckers: A Father-Son Big Year of Birding. We appreciate your support and hope that you keep enjoying the world’s greatest activity!

Recently, my brother joined us to celebrate our youngest child’s graduation from high school. We had some extra time, so naturally we went to look for birds, an activity he has steadily been getting more interested in. He didn’t bring binoculars, so I loaned him a pair of Vortex Bantam HDs I have been testing out. The problem? When he departed, he didn’t want to give them back!

Although created and marketed for kids, the Bantam HD has terrific selling points for adults as well. But let’s start with the kids. Quite a few companies have been selling binoculars for kids lately, and that’s a no-brainer. As more and more adults get into birding, they naturally encourage their children to enjoy the activity, too. But most adult binoculars are too heavy and sometimes too complicated to use for the average kid, so it makes sense to seek out optics specifically designed for young people.

**The Bantam HDs are lightweight, easy to use, and offer excellent light transmission and sharpness.**

Unfortunately, many “kid binoculars” look and feel cheap—and often break almost immediately. Others come with high price tags (think $500 or more). I don’t know about you, but as a parent I can think of better places to put those extra few hundred bucks—at least until your child has shown an unquenchable passion for birds. And that’s where the Bantam’s first big selling point comes in: it can be purchased for only about $70.

More important, Bantams feel like real binoculars in your hands. They have sturdy construction, a comfortable grip, long eye-relief tubes for those with glasses, and a diopter ring to accommodate different vision between eyes. Oh, and did I mention they are waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof? Beyond all this, the clarity of the image they present is impressive. I hate to say this, but I found the focal sharpness to be better than the more expensive Triumphs we reviewed earlier in the year (see our review).

**Though marketed for kids, the Bantams are an excellent choice for travelers as well.**

The Bantam HDs do come with some trade-offs. While the optics are excellent, the rating 6.5X32 means that the magnification (6.5 power) is not as great as you find on most adult binoculars (including the Triumphs mentioned above). Also, minimum focal distance is a fairly lengthy 12 feet. This won’t be an issue for most users, but could come into play when looking at butterflies or other insects—or just screwing around, which of course most kids are wont to do when having a cool new toy in their hands. However, the Bantam HD’s light weight and ease-of-use more than compensate for these disadvantages.

Oh yeah, the weight, you may be thinking. I haven’t mentioned that yet, but here it is: these binoculars weigh a mere 14.4 ounces—less than a pound. In other words, they are light enough for almost all kids to carry them around for hours without complaint. And that means that they also are mighty attractive to adults as well.

**On several recent birding trips that I led, I let adults use my pair of Bantams. The coordinator from our local natural history center immediately ordered half a dozen pairs!**

In fact, almost everything about the Bantam HDs screams TRAVEL BINOCULARS! Even if you’re not going on a dedicated birding trip, all birders understand that it is essential to take along a pair of binoculars on every adventure. But on a casual trip a regular pair of binocs, with its awkward size and weighing a couple of pounds, can make a person hesitate to stuff it into a carry-on. Years before trying out the Bantams, I bought myself a pair of Vortex Vanquish 8X26s for backpacking, travel, and to keep in our trusty minivan for “emergency birding.” They worked just fine for this—but despite their greater magnification and slightly lighter weight, I like the Bantams better. Why?

**For travel, I found the Bantams to be a better choice than the more expensive Vortex Vanquish 8X26 (pictured here)—despite the greater magnification of the latter.**

* The Bantam’s optics are just as good, if not better.

* Because the Bantam uses a roof prism system instead of a Porro (side-by-side) prism arrangement, I find the Bantams more comfortable to hold. According to Vortex, they also are more durable. (See this article for a comparison of roof versus Porro prism binoculars.)

* The Bantams are actually cheaper to buy.

You can probably tell that I’m unusually enthusiastic about the Bantams, and their low price makes them an almost risk-free investment—especially given that, like all Vortex products, they come with an unbelievably generous lifetime warranty. Whether you’ve got a promising young naturalist in your life or need a pair of handy travel birding binoculars, you won’t be sorry you checked these out.

Oh, and you might be wondering, Did my brother ever give my Bantams back before he left? The answer is yes—but he looked so forlorn about it I immediately ordered him his own pair!

Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 spotting scope with Mountain Pass tripod: A Perfect Travel Combo? (Equipment Review)

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When it comes to equipment, birders tend to follow similar progressions. With binoculars, for instance, most of us start by borrowing any binoculars at hand. From there, we buy our own binoculars, focusing more on the sale price than the quality. Then, one day, we happen to look through a friend’s really good binoculars and it’s like “Whoa! I’ve got to save up for these!” If you’re at that point, check out our two recent reviews of binoculars that we highly recommend:

Vortex Viper HD Binoculars (Equipment Review, and/or Texas 2025 Part 2-½)

Nikon Monarch HG Binoculars: FSB’s First Equipment Review!

Birders, though, also go through a progression with spotting scopes, from not thinking we need one at all to wanting to get the best possible scope we can afford. But birders who travel a lot also progress to another step: getting a scope that is easy to travel with. Which is where I currently find myself. After going through the typical birder “evo-scopo-lution,” Braden and I bought ourselves a Viper HD 20-60X85 a couple of years ago. I can’t sing the praises of this scope highly enough. I like it so much that I lugged it with me on recent trips to California (see our post “Chasing Migrants”) and Canada (see our post “Birding Victoria, BC”). The problem? It’s not exactly travel-friendly. At eighteen inches (45 cm) long and weighing in at five pounds (2.3 kg), just the scope alone demands some tough packing decisions. Add in five pounds for a sturdy tripod, and just like that, you’ve increased your travel calculations by an awkward ten-plus pounds!

I was discussing this dilemma with a Vortex dealer account manager recently and I asked him, “Hey, do you have any good travel scope/tripod combos I can try out?” Three days later I received a Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 scope with a Vortex Mountain Pass tripod. Even better, I was just about to head out on a trip to central Montana where I would be able to put it through its paces (see our last post, “Hi-Line Report”). But before I critique this dynamic duo, let me give you some basic stats:

* Fully assembled, the Razor HD 13-39X56 scope measures only 10.5 inches long—short enough to fit into almost any backpack. When the eyepiece is removed, it shrinks to an incredible 8 inches!

* The Razor HD 13-39X56 weighs only 1 lb. 14 oz—less than one of those silly two-pound weights many of us buy for rehab exercises.

* The Mountain Pass tripod measures just over 21 inches—also short enough to slip into many backpacks—and weighs almost exactly 3 pounds.

**One glance shows the dramatic difference between packing my usual scope/tripod combo (bottom) and the Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 scope with Mountain Pass tripod (top).**

In other words, the entire combo comes in at an almost feather-light 5 pounds—less than half of what I am used to lugging around. This alone gave me a huge crush on it! But (suspense building), how did it perform? I had the chance to use the scope in both optimal and stormy conditions, so let me take those one at a time.

Optimal Conditions: Basically, I could not be more pleased with the Razor HD 13-39X56/Mountain Pass combo in great conditions. For its size and weight, the scope’s optics are terrific, giving sharp, clear images at distances of at least a couple of hundred yards. In fact, under the vast majority of conditions, interference from heat waves and similar air turbulence will distort the image before the scope’s distance precision is exceeded. Birds and other animals look like they are almost right in front of you in all their crisp, colorful glory. What’s more, I took the combo out on a two-mile jaunt at a local birding hotspot and hardly paid it any attention as I strolled along with it resting over my shoulder. This is in sharp contrast to my other, heavier scope/tripod combo, which Braden and I have to frequently trade carrying as it digs into our shoulders.

**I did not try this myself, but the scope is light and convenient enough to easily mount on a window, say, at Freezeout Lake or Bowdoin?** **(Special window mount required.)**

Stormy Conditions: During my recent trip to Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, I unfortunately encountered very gusty conditions. As you might imagine, using the scope/tripod combo proved more challenging. The optics, of course, stayed the same, but the combo’s light weight began to be a factor. I had to hold down the tripod with one hand to reduce shake enough to get on distant ducks and other birds—but this is a problem even with my heavier scope/tripod combo and every other combo that I have used in windy weather. To help compensate for this, the Mountain Pass tripod comes with a hook from which you can hang a stabilizing weight, but that means you have to bring this along with you (or use a boot, young child, or other handy hangable weight). I did not try this myself, but I’d guess that even with the weight, gusty conditions will pose a challenge. That’s no criticism of the combo—just a fact of birding life.

In calm conditions, the Razor HD 13-39X56 and Mountain Pass tripod perform like a dream, as I learned on a recent trip to Freezeout Lake near Great Falls. Because they are lighter, wind produces more shake, just as it does for all but the heaviest scope/tripod combinations.

To help matters, you don’t have to use the lightweight Mountain Pass tripod. The Razor HD 13-39X56 is so good that you might make it your only scope purchase, and if you do, you might consider buying a heavier tripod that will deliver better performance in rough conditions.

**As this photo clearly shows, beefier carbon-fiber tripods are available for the Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56. Check out the Vortexoptics.com for details.**

However, the point of this article is lightweight travel, and I have to say that the Razor HD 13-39X56/Mountain Pass combo strikes a wonderful balance between weight, magnification, and quality. An added advantage to this combo is that because Vortex makes both products, you won’t need an additional mounting plate to affix the scope to the tripod. Mounting plates generally are a pain in the rump, always coming loose at inopportune moments, so for me this is a significant advantage.

You are probably asking yourself, “Does the Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 scope have enough magnification for distant birds?” With a maximum magnification of 39, the answer is that it certainly has less than what I have on my 60X85 scope. That said, I did not feel very limited by this. Again, in my experiences atmospheric disturbances are usually more likely to limit your observations than the power of this scope.

This guy is obviously using his scope to check out a Northern Goshawk for his life list. Er, or maybe he’s looking at an elk. Either way, the Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 delivers enough oomph (magnification and clarity) to serve as your primary birding scope in most situations.

More about the tripod: I should point out that before receiving the Mountain Pass tripod, I was a strict adherent to “ball head” tripod heads, ones that allow you to quickly tilt and rotate the scope in any direction with a single control knob. The Mountain Pass head, though, comes with a “pan and tilt” head, but unlike some other pan and tilt heads I’ve used, both the pan and tilt also are controlled by a single knob. This makes the whole thing almost as easy to use as a ball head. To lock down the swivel of the head, you just hand-tighten the knob further. I suspect that this may wear out or get stripped over time, but as I’ve mentioned in other posts, Vortex’s lifetime warranty has you covered.

Like many other tripods, the Mountain Pass features four-part, telescoping legs that allow it to adjust to almost any height (though folks over 6-feet tall may want a taller tripod). The tripod legs also have levers that allow them to splay extremely wide for observing, say, a grouse lek at eye level.

Pricing: I have been so taken with this scope that I’ve neglected to mention the price. Although listed considerably higher, the Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56 scope can currently be purchased for right around $1000 while the tripod runs about $150. These are not insignificant sums, but are a great value for the quality you get—as anyone who has used cheaper scopes and tripods will quickly learn.

Bottom line: I love the Vortex Razor HD 13-39X56/Mountain Pass combo and am deeply upset that I have to return it to Vortex. Who are they to ask for their equipment back, anyway? I suspect, however, that I will be purchasing this combo in the future and am already looking forward to using it on a host of future travel birding adventures.