Vortex HD 20-60 Spotting scope just not clear enough past 2k yards.

[Mr.Knowit all]

I bought a spotting scope and I decided to save a little money and go with the Vortex. They are a great company with incredible customer service and some of their products are good too. My biggest complaint is the eye relief, it seems like I have to practically set my eyeball on the lense.
The other is the clarity at higher magnification. We were shooting 2226 the other day and a friend had a Swarovski and the clarity was..... WOW!!! He was able to see the very subtle splashes that I could not so we switched and what a great spotting scope Swarovski makes.
I understand that Swarovski cost 3x the price of my Vortex and it is unfair to compare the two. IMO you have to have as CLEAR of a picture as possible to shoot and/or spot ESPECIALLY when shooting ELR. I never really noticed much until we pushed it that far out. Does anyone know of a clearer spotting scope for a grand? Leopold?
Thanks

 

[jepp2]

Does anyone know of a clearer spotting scope for a grand? Leopold?

You don't mention specific models you looked through. If you had the Vortex Razor 20-60 x 85mm ( https://www.midwayusa.com/product/9...85mm-angled-body-green-with-pro-gt-tripod-kit ) which I believe is now being replaced with a new model, that is a pretty good spotting scope.

My wife is a very active birder, so I spend some time looking through the spotting scopes she uses (almost too many to name). And the Vortex does pretty well against her Swarovski. But you were giving both an extreme test.

And to answer you question, I haven't seen anything close to the quality of the Vortex for under a grand.