Cabelas Intrepid Riflescope by Vortex

[Ledd Slinger]

Has anyone had a chance to check the Intrepid 4.5-22x riflescope out or use one yet? It seems to be a lot of bang for the buck as a hunting scope with the HD glass, side parallax, and nice target turrets. Always nice to have the Vortex VIP warranty as well.

My only concern, which isn't a major factor, is that Vortex claims to have built in only 50 MOA for elevation travel. My vintage Tasco Mag4 5-20×50mm scope has 44 MOA of elevation travel, and it only has a 1" tube. I would have figured that Vortex could have squeezed out at least 60 MOA by reducing the windage and using a 30mm tube. Heck my Zeiss HD5 5-25x has 65 MOA of elevation and it too only has a 1" tube!

Just wondering if anyone has got their hands on one to comment on the glass and actually verify the actual amount of total elevation travel. Thanks

 

[fourpower]

Has anyone had a chance to check the Intrepid 4.5-22x riflescope out or use one yet? It seems to be a lot of bang for the buck as a hunting scope with the HD glass, side parallax, and nice target turrets. Always nice to have the Vortex VIP warranty as well.

My only concern, which isn't a major factor, is that Vortex claims to have built in only 50 MOA for elevation travel. My vintage Tasco Mag4 5-20×50mm scope has 44 MOA of elevation travel, and it only has a 1" tube. I would have figured that Vortex could have squeezed out at least 60 MOA by reducing the windage and using a 30mm tube. Heck my Zeiss HD5 5-25x has 65 MOA of elevation and it too only has a 1" tube!

Just wondering if anyone has got their hands on one to comment on the glass and actually verify the actual amount of total elevation travel. Thanks

vortex is putting out to much junk.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah ive never been a major fan even though i owned 4 different Vortex optics in the past (razor, viper, diamondback). I just really liked the 4.5-22x mag range on this scope and hoping it might be better quality. Wouldnt be surprused if it aint just another chinese made optic from Vortex.

 

[GTshooter]

I put my hands on one at the local Cabela's. I own a few vortex scopes and I'm looking for a lighter weight option for a new build Kelbly's is putting together for me to pack hunt. The pro's I saw were that it was very clear (mind you I can only say clear for the 100 yds or so that are offered inside the store), I really like the reticle for hunting but without seeing it in low light not sure how well you would be able to see it in those critical minutes, and it was light weight in comparison to other vortex scopes with comparable glass. The two things that kept me from buying it were the uncapped turrets (I have an issue with a pst liking to turn when I'm packing it in, the good news is the shims and great reparability allow me to ensure it is zeroed when I stop) and the clicks are very "mushy". I think if you were shooting of a bench you would be ok with the feel of the clicks but they didn't seem like something i would be able to count by feel in a limited light situation. Without shooting it I would rate it a 4 out 5 for clarity and design.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I put my hands on one at the local Cabela's. I own a few vortex scopes and I'm looking for a lighter weight option for a new build Kelbly's is putting together for me to pack hunt. The pro's I saw were that it was very clear (mind you I can only say clear for the 100 yds or so that are offered inside the store), I really like the reticle for hunting but without seeing it in low light not sure how well you would be able to see it in those critical minutes, and it was light weight in comparison to other vortex scopes with comparable glass. The two things that kept me from buying it were the uncapped turrets (I have an issue with a pst liking to turn when I'm packing it in, the good news is the shims and great reparability allow me to ensure it is zeroed when I stop) and the clicks are very "mushy". I think if you were shooting of a bench you would be ok with the feel of the clicks but they didn't seem like something i would be able to count by feel in a limited light situation. Without shooting it I would rate it a 4 out 5 for clarity and design.

Thank you for your input

 

[Frankr]

any more info on this scope? where is it made? I am going to go look at one..I had a Viper HS LR 6-24x50 and was very disappointed in it..I have the Vortex 10x42 viper binoculars and really like them..I hear the 6-24 AMG is incredible but it is pricy and does not seem in sock anywhere . But I am looking for a scope.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Now they have the Vortex PST Gen II 5-25x scope coming out. A lot more features. I've kind of quit researching this one in light of the new Gen II's.

For a high end scope, I've really been looking hard at the new Swarovski X5i 5-25x56. Looks like one hell of an optic with some of the best glass in the world to boot

 

[dkhunt14]

Now they have the Vortex PST Gen II 5-25x scope coming out. A lot more features. I've kind of quit researching this one in light of the new Gen II's.

For a high end scope, I've really been looking hard at the new Swarovski X5i 5-25x56. Looks like one hell of an optic with some of the best glass in the world to boot

I was also reading about the Swarovski. I saw a review that said it was poor in light gathering. I don't know if I want to believe that one. I can't remember what the site was called. I have been reading so many. Actually it is possible it was the X6. I read so many my head is still spinning.

There was a really gold review on a German site. They used an eye chart and seen how many lines they could read in really dark conditions. Matt

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I was also reading about the Swarovski. I saw a review that said it was poor in light gathering. I don't know if I want to believe that one. I can't remember what the site was called. I have been reading so many. Actually it is possible it was the X6. I read so many my head is still spinning.

There was a really gold review on a German site. They used an eye chart and seen how many lines they could read in really dark conditions. Matt

Let me know if you remember which model it was. As far as the X5i models go, I am only aware of the 3.5-18x50mm and the 5-25x56mm models currently in production. I would imagine they would be good performers in low light, but I haven't looked through one myself so I cant be sure. I'll search for some reviews as well

The only models I see in 1-6X on Swarovski's website are in the Z6i family. Would make more sense if those weren't as good in low light.

 

[dkhunt14]

I believe you are right, it is z6. No target knobs so I am not interested
Anyhow. Told you I read a lot. Got the model numbers confused. Matt

 

[Frankr]

If you are looking to buy Swarovski X5i's pricy but I hear great...I you are looking at Z5's or Z6's you need to look at mins of adjustments..I think the Z5's only have like 40 MOA elevation and like 30 MOA windage...lot of money to play with tricky 20 MOA base and windage adj Rings...I think the Intrepid scope will be fine with a 20 MOA base..I been looking to the March 2.5-25x42 for my needs..cheaper and lighter than the Nightforce and Vortex and all reviews I can find and people I have talked to who own one love them...But I am going to look at the Intrepid because it would be nice to not spend that much..but right now I am leaning to the March...

 

[nakneker]

I've seen some used Swaros X5i at deep discounts lately. One was still NIB and sold right at 2K, it was the 3.5-18.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I've seen some used Swaros X5i at deep discounts lately. One was still NIB and sold right at 2K, it was the 3.5-18.

I have my eye on the higher power 5-25 model.

Normal street price new is $2599 on the 3.5-18 model, so selling in an auction for $2K as NIB is a good deal on a scope not coming from the store of an authorized swaro dealer. I'll have to watch for any 5-25 auctions

 

[chiliedogg]

The optic is made in Japan, and is probably the most bang for your buck you can get as far as glass quality goes. The turrets are a little spongy though, but for half the price of other optics with the same glass I can live with it.

The Cabela's Intrepid line are usually Razors. For instance, the Vortex Intrepid spotting scope WAS a re-branded Vortex Razor 20-60. Now that Vortex has changed their razor spotter to be a 27-60 instead I think the Intrepid Spotting Scope now has the Filipino Viper HD 20-60 glass though.

The Cabela's Euro series optics are made by Meopta.

The regular "Cabela's" and "Covenant" scopes are cheap Chinese crap similar in quality to a Crossfire. But don't hold that against the Intrepid and Euro lines - they're excellent optics.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah I own all the top end Cabelas Instinct Euro HD optics made by Meopta. Have the 10x32 binos (Meostar B1 HD) and the 20-70x82mm spotting scope (Meostar S2 HD).

I also bought the Cabelas Krotos HD 15-45x65mm spotter. Made in China, but the glass and construction quality is absolutely amazing. Can't figure out for the life of me who is making the Krotos spotters...it's not vortex. Some say they look like an Athlon spotter. Called Cabelas customer service a few times and they couldn't tell me. Nobody at the local Cabelas store knows anything either.