Bino question: Vortex Razor HD or Swarovski?

[Kilboars]

I'm at the point with my hunting gear that I want to purchase a great pair on binos and I'm willing to spend up to $1,800. I think:-/

I take good care of my stuff so I'm the type that likes to buy the best and then just use it forever. I live in FL and hunt hogs mostly year round which I have 8x32 binos for but hunt out west every year for Elk and Mule Deer and want to get a set of 8x42. Just got a lease in MT so I'm needing some better glass. Also turning 54 in March:-/

I hear only good thing about the Vortex warranties and I can get the RazorHD's 8x42 new for $1000 but for that money should I bite the bullet and go for the Swarovski SLC 8x42 for $1,700?

Any help or insight greatly appreciated

 

[WRO]

swarovski swarovision - MonsterMuleys.com

You're welcome.

And no on the razors, there are a lot better options at that price range.

 

[CRAGGAR]

To each his own.I own the Razors and i love them.Had them for 4 years now and have spent 100+ days a year with them.I know Swaros are great but have been very happy with them.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

This comparison (or something similar) gets brought up a lot, I did when I was looking 2-3 years ago.
My best advice would be to compare them and choose from there. I took in a lot of info and advice and bought the Razors. Ended up selling and going back to the original plan. YMMV

Esse quam videri

 

[SLDMTN]

#4 Talking optics with Matt Cashell from Rokslide.com

Some good info and opinions about 10x42 binos.

 

[AK Troutbum]

If you can afford the Swaro's, do it. European glass is still the best out there and it's my opinion that Chinese optics aren't even a close second.


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[Ronb]

A brand new pair of swarovski 10x42's swarovision just sold on ebay yesterday for $1550. The deals are out there. You just have to go get them.


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[Jeff Martin]

Razors are a good value but they are NOT Swaros. Matt Cashell likes the Meopta HD against any Binoc in that price- yes, any....


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[bigdesert10]

I use Vortex optics almost exclusively and have never felt like they were the limiting factor in any of my hunt success. That being said, if I could afford swaros more comfortably, I would probably go that route. Only other thing I would say is get 10X42's rather than the 8 power stuff. 10's are still plenty manageable to freehand and that extra 2x is nice to have when you're trying to decide if you're looking at antlers or brush.

 

[GibsonKuenzi]

Even at Vortex Razor price range there are better options in my opinion. Save your money for Swarovski. You shouldn't need a warranty for a good set of binoculars. Nevertheless, most manufacturers will stand by their product and provide customer service. Vortex customer service gets a lot of attention and I think it's because a lot of their products end up back at customer service to get fixed.

 

[Kilboars]

This comparison (or something similar) gets brought up a lot, I did when I was looking 2-3 years ago.
My best advice would be to compare them and choose from there. I took in a lot of info and advice and bought the Razors. Ended up selling and going back to the original plan. YMMV

Esse quam videri

Selling the Razer?

Yes, Thanks. Unfortunatety I can't take different pairs of Binos to the woods.

 

[Kilboars]

I use Vortex optics almost exclusively and have never felt like they were the limiting factor in any of my hunt success. That being said, if I could afford swaros more comfortably, I would probably go that route. Only other thing I would say is get 10X42's rather than the 8 power stuff. 10's are still plenty manageable to freehand and that extra 2x is nice to have when you're trying to decide if you're looking at antlers or brush.

That what I was worried about, free handing 10x42 on the move.

 

[Kilboars]

Razors are a good value but they are NOT Swaros. Matt Cashell likes the Meopta HD against any Binoc in that price- yes, any....


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I looked at those briefly just didn't know a lot about them.

 

[Kilboars]

swarovski swarovision - MonsterMuleys.com

You're welcome.

And no on the razors, there are a lot better options at that price range.

Are these yours and do you know if they'd still have a warranty?

 

[Whip]

I have a pair of Swaro 8.5x42 EL's and I'm happy I have them. But I bought them a long time ago before prices climbed to the stratosphere. If I had to do it all again I'd probably be looking real hard at the Vortex. Is there a difference? Yeah, of course there is. But to my eyes anyway is not a double the price difference. Maybe my eyes are just not that good, or i don't know what I'm looking for or maybe I'm just not good at using binoculars. But I've compared mine side by side with a partners Vortex and I have to admit his glass is aweful darn good.

I think to some extent it depends what you are hunting and how you use them. If you're perched on a hillside glassing long distances for hours at a time, sure the better glass is going to shine. But much of the western hunting that I tend to do I'm using them to glass 1/2 mile or less across a canyon and maybe trying to tell the difference between a raghorn and a decent bull. I'm not trying to figure out what he'll score. Only if he's worth a climb. (And it doesn't take much of a bull to be worth a climb for me )

Only you can decide what is important to you based on what you expect them to do for you and how you will use them. If money is not an object and you have everything else that you need - go for the best. But even the SLC's are a notch down the ladder from top of the line. You could still end up with bino envy in the long run if having the very best is important to you.

 

[Jeff Martin]

That what I was worried about, free handing 10x42 on the move.

I run the 8x and chose weight, resolution and FOV over the additional power. Power preference is very subjective and personal. But I have alpha glass in both 8x and 10x and the 10s collect dust!


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[WRO]

Are these yours and do you know if they'd still have a warranty?

Not mine, and yes they'll still have a warranty. Having the tripod stud and adapter is a huge bonus.

I free hand 12s on a regular basis.

 

[Kilboars]

I run the 8x and chose weight, resolution and FOV over the additional power. Power preference is very subjective and personal. But I have alpha glass in both 8x and 10x and the 10s collect dust!


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Torn between the 8x42 or 10x42. I will be wearing these.


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[rodney482]

Nothing wrong at all with 8x

You can find Razors for 1/2 the price SLC. Razors are 98% of Swaros.

 

[1signguy]

Just gave my 10x42 and 11x33 Razors to the son. Upgraded to Swar 8x30 CL, 15x56 SLC, and ATS 65.
It was an expensive upgrade but the Swaros are that much better! Buy once cry once...