When it comes to elk hunting, having a reliable spotting scope can make all the difference in the spotting game from a distance. Here, we’ll take a look at the Best Vortex Spotting Scope For Elk Hunting, each offering exceptional clarity, durability, and performance. Whether you’re scanning wide-open spaces or zooming in for a closer look, these spotting scopes are sure to enhance your elk hunting experience.
Additionally, we’ve included links to where you can buy the listed scopes as an affiliate, streamlining your shopping experience.
| 1) Vortex Optics Viper HD 15-45×65 Spotting Scope |  |
|
| 2) Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 Spotting Scope |  |
|
| 3) Vortex Optics Diamondback 20-60×85 Spotting Scope |  |
|
| 4) Vortex Optics Viper HD 20-60×85 – Angled Spotting Scope |  |
|
| 5) Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scope 27-60×85 |  |
|
| 6) Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scope 22-48×65 |  |
Is it Legal to Hunt Elk in the US?
Yes, hunting elk is legal in the United States, but specific regulations and requirements vary by state and often by the particular area within the state.
Each state has its own hunting seasons, bag limits, weapon restrictions, and licensing requirements for hunting elk. Hunters need to check the regulations of the state and the specific area where they plan to hunt to ensure they comply with all laws and regulations.
Where is Elk Hunting Most Popular?
Elk hunting is most popular in the western United States, where large populations of elk can be found in states such as Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah. These states offer a variety of elk hunting opportunities, including over-the-counter tags, draw hunts, and guided hunts on public and private land.
How To Choose The Best Vortex Spotting Scope For Elk Hunting
Choosing the best Vortex spotting scope for elk hunting depends on several factors, including your budget, hunting style, and specific needs.
Here are some key considerations to help you make the right choice:
- Magnification
Opt for a spotting scope with a magnification range suitable for elk hunting. A range of 20-60x is versatile, allowing you to scan wide areas at lower magnifications and zoom in for detailed observations.
- Weight and Size
Consider the weight and size of the spotting scope, especially if you’ll be carrying it over long distances. A compact and lightweight scope may be more comfortable to carry.
- Optical Quality
Go for a spotting scope with high-quality optics, such as HD glass and fully multi-coated lenses, for sharp, clear, and bright images.
- Price
Always set a budget and look for a spotting scope that offers the best value within your price range. Vortex offers a range of spotting scopes at different price points, so you should be able to find one that fits your budget.
- Accessories
Consider any accessories you might need, such as a tripod, carrying case, or digiscoping adapter. Some spotting scopes come with these accessories included, while others may require separate purchases.
Best Vortex Spotting Scope For Elk Hunting
1) Vortex Optics Viper HD 15-45×65 Spotting Scope
The Vortex Optics Viper HD 15-45×65 Spotting Scope is a compact and versatile optic designed for hunters, bird watchers, and outdoor enthusiasts who require high-quality optics in a portable package.
With a magnification range of 15-45x and a 65mm objective lens, it delivers bright, clear, and crisp images even in low-light conditions, thanks also to its high-density, extra-low dispersion glass and fully multi-coated lenses.
Not to forget, features a rugged, rubber-armored construction that is both waterproof and fogproof, ensuring reliable performance in any weather conditions.
It is also equipped with a helical focus wheel that allows for quick and precise focusing, while the built-in sunshade helps reduce glare and protect the lens from dust and debris.
It is compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry on extended hunting trips or hikes. Despite its small size, it does not compromise performance, providing users with clear and detailed views of distant objects.
Specifications
- Magnification: 15-45x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 65mm
- Field of View: 140-65 feet/1000 yards
- Close Focus: 16.4 feet
- Eye Relief: 18mm
- Angular Field of View: 2.7-1.3 degrees
- Linear Field of View: 75-35 feet/1000 yards
- Exit Pupil: 4.3-1.4mm
- Length: 15.8 inches
- Weight: 50.8 ounces
Pros
- Has Dual Focus
- Compact and Lightweight
- Build in quality
- Versatile magnification range
- Has optical quality
Cons
- It is not but it requires a tripod for extended periods of use due to its magnification range and size.
2) Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 Spotting Scope
The Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 Spotting Scope is a compact and high-performance optic designed for the discerning outdoor enthusiast.
With a magnification range of 11-33x and a 50mm objective lens, this spotting scope delivers stunning clarity and resolution, allowing you to observe distant objects with remarkable detail.
One of the standout features of the Razor HD is its high-density, extra-low dispersion glass, which provides exceptional color fidelity and contrast, even in challenging lighting conditions.
It also has fully multi-coated lenses that further enhance light transmission, ensuring bright and clear images in various environments.
Features a rugged and lightweight magnesium alloy body that is both waterproof and fogproof, making it ideal for use in the field.
The dual focus system also allows for quick and precise focusing, while the built-in sunshade helps reduce glare and protect the lens from dust and debris
Specifications
- Magnification: 11-33x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
- Field of View: 191-96 feet/1000 yards
- Close Focus: 6.6 feet
- Eye Relief: 20mm
- Angular Field of View: 3.6-1.8 degrees
- Linear Field of View: 114-57 feet/1000 yards
- Exit Pupil: 4.6-1.5mm
- Length: 10 inches
- Weight: 25.4 ounces
Pros
- Has adjustable eyecup and a rotating tripod ring, allowing for comfortable and customizable viewing experiences.
- Has a dual focus system that allows for both fine and coarse adjustments, providing quick and precise focusing.
- High quality
- Compact and Lightweight
Cons
- Does require a tripod for extended periods of use due to its magnification range and size.
3) Vortex Optics Diamondback 20-60×85 Spotting Scope
The Vortex Optics Diamondback 20-60×85 Spotting Scope is a high-quality and versatile optic designed for hunters, bird watchers, and outdoor enthusiasts who demand exceptional performance.
Has a magnification range of 20-60x and an 85mm objective lens, this spotting scope delivers impressive clarity and detail, allowing you to observe distant objects with remarkable precision.
Its fully multi-coated lenses, provide bright, clear, and sharp images even in low-light conditions. The scope is also equipped with high-quality prisms and premium glass, ensuring excellent color fidelity and contrast across the entire magnification range.
Also features a rugged and durable construction that is waterproof and fogproof, making it ideal for use in various weather conditions.
With a rotating tripod ring and an adjustable eyecup, allowing for comfortable and customizable viewing experiences.
Specifications
- Magnification: 20-60x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 85mm
- Field of View: 105-51 feet/1000 yards
- Close Focus: 22 feet
- Eye Relief: 20-16.5mm
- Angular Field of View: 2-1 degrees
- Linear Field of View: 105-51 feet/1000 yards
- Exit Pupil: 4.3-1.4mm
- Length: 15.5 inches
- Weight: 47.1 ounces
Pros
- Has a dual focus
- Has an adjustable eyecup and a rotating tripod ring, allowing for comfortable and customizable viewing experiences
- Built-in quality
- Versatile magnifications
Cons
- To some, the field of view at higher magnifications (51 feet/1000 yards at 60x) is relatively narrow compared to other spotting scopes in the same class.
4) Vortex Optics Viper HD 20-60×85 – Angled Spotting Scope
The Vortex Optics Viper HD 20-60×85 Angled Spotting Scope is a premium optic designed for hunters, bird watchers, and outdoor enthusiasts who demand the highest level of performance.
Featuring a magnification range of 20-60x and an 85mm objective lens, it delivers exceptional clarity, detail, and brightness, allowing you to observe distant objects with stunning precision.
Its high-density, extra-low dispersion glass, provides outstanding color fidelity and resolution, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Also features fully multi-coated lenses and phase-corrected prisms, ensuring bright and sharp images across the entire magnification range.
It withstands the rigors of the outdoors, with a rugged and durable construction that is both waterproof and fogproof. The scope features a rubber-armored body for added protection and a non-slip grip, making it easy to handle in wet or cold conditions.
Specifications
- Magnification: 20-60x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 85mm
- Field of View: 101-50 feet/1000 yards
- Close Focus: 36 feet
- Eye Relief: 17.8-19.6mm
- Angular Field of View: 1.9-1 degrees
- Linear Field of View: 101-50 feet/1000 yards
- Exit Pupil: 4.3-1.4mm
- Length: 17.5 inches
- Weight: 76.5 ounces
Pros
- The angled design allows for more comfortable viewing, especially when observing objects at different angles or heights.
- Dual focus system allows for both fine and coarse adjustments, providing quick and precise focusing.
- The 85mm objective lens allows for excellent light-gathering ability
- High quality
Cons
- Heavier
5) Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scope 27-60×85
The Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scope 27-60×85 is a top-of-the-line optic designed for discerning outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and birdwatchers who demand the best performance.
Its premium high-density, extra-low dispersion glass, provides outstanding color fidelity and resolution, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Also features fully multi-coated lenses and phase-corrected prisms, ensuring bright and sharp images across the entire magnification range.
Can withstand the rigors of the outdoors, with a rugged and durable construction that is both waterproof and fogproof. The scope
Features a rubber-armored body for added protection and a non-slip grip, making it easy to handle in wet or cold conditions.
With a magnification range of 27-60x and an 85mm objective lens, this spotting scope delivers exceptional clarity, detail, and brightness, allowing you to observe distant objects with stunning precision.
Specifications
- Magnification: 27-60x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 85mm
- Field of View: 88-47 feet/1000 yards
- Close Focus: 16.4 feet
- Eye Relief: 16.7-17mm
- Angular Field of View: 1.7-0.9 degrees
- Linear Field of View: 88-47 feet/1000 yards
- Exit Pupil: 3.1-1.4mm
- Length: 15.5 inches
- Weight: 65.6 ounces
Pros
- Well-built with a rugged, rubber-armored body that is waterproof and fogproof
- Offers high-quality optics with premium HD glass and fully multi-coated lenses, providing sharp, clear, and bright images even in low-light conditions.
- The angled design of the scope allows for more comfortable viewing, especially when observing objects at different angles or heights.
Cons
- To some, the field of view at higher magnifications (88-47 feet/1000 yards at 27-60x) is relatively narrow compared to other spotting scopes in the same class.
6) Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scope 22-48×65
The Vortex Optics Razor HD Spotting Scope 22-48×65 is a compact and high-performance optic designed for outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and bird watchers who require exceptional clarity and detail in their observations.
With a magnification range of 22-48x and a 65mm objective lens, it delivers sharp, clear, and bright images, allowing you to observe distant objects with precision.
One of the key features of scope is its premium high-density, extra-low dispersion glass, which provides outstanding color fidelity and resolution, even in challenging lighting conditions.
The scope also features fully multi-coated lenses and phase-corrected prisms, ensuring bright and sharp images across the entire magnification range.
Features a rubber-armored body for added protection and a non-slip grip, making it easy to handle in wet or cold conditions.
Despite its compact size, the Razor HD does not compromise on performance, providing users with clear and detailed views of distant objects.
Specifications
- Magnification: 22-48x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 65mm
- Field of View: 138-84 feet/1000 yards
- Close Focus: 26.2 feet
- Eye Relief: 17.8-16.7mm
- Angular Field of View: 2.6-1.6 degrees
- Linear Field of View: 138-84 feet/1000 yards
- Exit Pupil: 3-1.4mm
- Length: 14.8 inches
- Weight: 56.8 ounces
Pros
- Has a dual focus system that allows for both fine and coarse adjustments, providing quick and precise focusing.
- It is well-built with a rugged, rubber-armored body that is waterproof and fogproof.
- Offers versatility for a variety of viewing distances and situations.
- High-quality optics with premium HD glass and fully multi-coated lenses
Cons
- It requires a tripod for extended periods of use due to its magnification range and size.
FAQS
- Which Vortex spotting scope is best for elk hunting?
Some of them for example are the Vortex Optics Viper HD 20-60×85 and the Vortex Optics Razor HD 22-48×65, which are both excellent choices for elk hunting. They offer high-quality optics, durable construction, and the magnification range for elk hunting.
- Do Vortex spotting scopes come with a warranty?
Yes, Vortex spotting scopes are backed by the Vortex VIP Warranty, which is a lifetime warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these best Vortex spotting scopes for elk hunting offer exceptional performance and reliability. Whether you choose the Viper HD for its versatile magnification range or the Razor HD for its compact size and lightweight design, you can’t go wrong with any of these top-notch scopes.
With premium optics, rugged construction, and waterproof designs, these spotting scopes are built to withstand the rigors of the outdoors and help you spot elk with ease. Invest in one of these Vortex spotting scopes, and take your elk hunting to the next level.