Bench shooters, hunters, birders, and researchers have all come to value the solid results of the compact Nomad spotting scope. With the key features of fully multi-coated lenses, BaK-4 prisms, waterproofing, and fogproofing, the Nomad is a strong performer at an economical price. Strong construction, waterproofing, fogproofing, and the Vortex VIP warranty guarantees the Nomad will continue performing for generations. Get yours and you won't leave home without it!.
Optical Features
Fully Multi-coated Lenses
Increase light transmission with multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces.
BaK-4 Prisms
Optimize light transmission through the prisms.
Construction Features
Porro Prism
Offer maximum image quality and durability in a traditional design.
Straight Body Design
Is favored by users because it works well for viewing downward from elevated platforms, such as decks and patios.
Rubber Armoring
Provides a secure, non-slip grip.
Adjustable Eyecup
Rolls up and down for comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses.
Design Features
Waterproof
Optics are sealed with O-rings to prevent moisture, dust, and debris from getting inside the spotting scope.
Fogproof
Barrel is filled with nitrogen gas to inhibit internal fogging.
I purchased this scope after using an older model Celestron scope for hunting Coues Whitetail in Southern Arizona for several years. I'm pleased with the quality of the glass and what you get for the money. I read several reviews before puchasing it and compared it to the Leupold Ventana. I decided to go with Vortex because of their lifetime, no questions asked, warranty. Plus, I found it here for a great price. I've had the opportunity to test it on a few hunts recently. I counted the points on a few small bucks at about 500 yards on 40 power, and I could tell that a deer was a buck at about 1300 yards on 60 power, but definitly could NOT count the points. I don't recommend the scope if you plan to use it for anything over 40 power. After 40, clarity greatly decreases, objects look dimmer, and the exit pupil shrinks dramatically. Over all, I'm very pleased with the scope and would recommend it to anyone on a budget looking for a great scope.
Great bang for the buck
-
06/29/2011
by
Dwight from Northern Virginia
Bottom line: This scope has most of the performance of scopes costing 10+ times as much.
Longer version: I am a physicist, but also a practicing redneck. I understand spherical abberation and chromatics, but that's not how I am rating this scope. I bought it for shooting and hunting, so that's the basis of my review.
1. Shooting scope: I can see .223 cal holes in the black part of the target at up to 130 yards (the limit of my range). Can't ask for more than that.
2. Hunting scope: I can count the tines on deer horns and estimate the size of the rack at beyond 400 yards (the limit of my rangefinder).
In short, this scope does what I need it to do and passes with flying colors.
In the 20-30X range, this scope is as clear and bright as a $3k "euro-scope." The euro is more durable, and at the very edges of the FOV you can tell a difference in clarity. But in or near the center they are very difficult to distinguish - amazing performance for a $300 scope. Between 30 and 40X, there is noticeable dimming, so if you need this kind of power in low light conditions you just might have to spend the extra bucks. In the 50-60X range, the performance really tails off - much more noticeable darkening and very difficult to get a clean focus. I don't stargaze, and rarely have the scope set above 30X, so this one works just perfectly for me. I'm happy as a clam.
In my experience, the mechanicals on this are excellent - the focus knob has just the right tension to be easy to use yet allow fine tuning. The lock ring that lets you rotate the scope for the best eye position is really handy. The lens caps are durable and easy to use. The only down side is the scope cover is kind of cheap and cheesy - but I fixed that with a $30 Cabela's scope carrier.
And the Vortex warranty and service are outstanding. I haven't "broken" this one yet, but did manage to drop my Vortex Viper binos off a rock ledge and dislodge the prism. Vortex fixed it and returned it with absolutely no problem. Great people - one of their techs called to ask me just what I had done to break the binos; I thought he was looking for a reason not to repair them under warranty. That was, to my delight, not the case - they just wanted to know what conditions caused the malfunction so they can improve later designs.
You just can't go wrong with this scope or, in my opinion, Vortex products. The fact they are American made is just icing on the cake.
Vortex Nomad Spotting Scope Manual
Email
Print
