Bino question: Vortex Razor HD or Swarovski?

[wymtnpounder]

Cabela's Euro AKA meopta great glass for the money, holds up well vs any glass out there and If you have any trouble take it back to cabelas. I have used meopta's warranty and there was no charge but it took a couple weeks. That said I have EL Ranges, mainly because of the rangefinder.

 

[les welch]

I didn't read all the replies, so not sure if you even bought already.

Swaro hands down. You won't regret it.

 

[Kilboars]

Im following this post myself. Been thinking razor because of the warranty, but after reading peoples experience with the swaros' I may hold out and REALLY blow my budget on the swaro 10x42. And from there....I will have to decide on the lighter slc, or the EL

I thought the slc were fantastic so i can only imagine what the EL must be like.


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[Hatchet Jack]

Try to keep track of the abbreviations and the different types of binoculars. So I don't end up buying the wrong ones. Can anybody tell me what this six, three* means?

They seem lower priced than the others.

SWAROVSKI OPTIK EL 10X42 6,3* BINOCULARS


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It means 6.3 degree field of view actual. To get apparent field of view you multiply the actual by the power.

 

[cornfedkiller]

Try to keep track of the abbreviations and the different types of binoculars. So I don't end up buying the wrong ones. Can anybody tell me what this six, three* means?

They seem lower priced than the others.

SWAROVSKI OPTIK EL 10X42 6,3* BINOCULARS


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The 6,3* is the degrees of your FOV, and was on the pre-swarovision (called swarobright) binos. If you want the Swarovision binos with the field flatteners, they are 6,4*.

Also, the black hinge frame things and the location of the word "swarovski" and the little bird are different on the older ELs and the swarovisions. The non-swarovision model has the bird on the on the left barrel (when looking through the binos), and Swarovski on the right, and they are both about centered between the eyepiece and objective lenses. On the swarovisions, the bird is on the right and up near the eyepiece, and Swarovski is on the left barrel down near the objective lens. The hinge thing is harder to explain, but you'll see what I mean if you google it.

Also FYI, if you see a serial number, if you add 1930 to the first 2 digits, that will tell you the build date.

 

[Jeff Martin]

Try to keep track of the abbreviations and the different types of binoculars. So I don't end up buying the wrong ones. Can anybody tell me what this six, three* means?

They seem lower priced than the others.

SWAROVSKI OPTIK EL 10X42 6,3* BINOCULARS


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Keep in mind, when looking at the Swaros, you will have older versions that do not have the Swarovision. You do not want the ELs without SV in my opinion. If you go all the way to Alpha, then go all the way! ;-)


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[Elkoholic87]

I just nabbed a like new pair of Razor HD 10x42s for $650. I think I'll pass on $2000 plus binos. Again, is it worth the extra money? For some guys, it is. I think I'll be just as happy with the Razors.


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[Kilboars]

Hmmm. Thank you guys.

I guess i need to do some research and make some notes.

Im looking for a pair on eBay so i need to no what I'm looking at.


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[Jeff Martin]

Check out Sample List Home page


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[Zbot]

I paid $1800 for a brand new pair of SV ELs. Definitely worth every penny. Look around and be ready to buy.

Go Swaro every time, theres a reason they are the top of the line.

 

[dreamingWest]

Last summer, I took advantage of Maven's demo option and Cabela's generous 90-day return policy and reviewed multiple binoculars to select the best for my eyes and hunting methods. I reviewed Swarovski SLC-WB 10x42 (the newest), Vortex Razor-HD 10x42, Meopta Meopro-HD 10x42, Maven B2 11x45, and Maven B1 10x42. Getting them out of a store and onto a tripod was eye-opening to say the least. I'll spare you guys the 10 pages of notes I ended up writing during my review process.

After multiple in-store comparisons and chatting with Swarovski N.A. at the Dallas Safari Club I decided to make the SLCs the high end of test binoculars rather than the ELs. So $1800 became my price limit. This knocked out some Zeiss and Leica glass that I probably should've considered. My other selection criteria for the test were: 10x, higher quality than the Leupold Mojave/Vortex Viper/Vanguard Endeavor level glass, and compatible with Outdoorsman's excellent tripod adapter system.

Final Rank:

1. Swaro SLC
2. Maven B2
3. Meopta Meopro
4. Vortex Razor
5. Maven B1

Notable

• The question was never are the Swaros that good too, as the answer was always yes.
• The Maven B2s are exception at the $1000 price range. But when the sun is setting, the Swaro image is shocking.
• The SLCs and B2s provided a significantly better image than the others in all but the most basic conditions. (i.e. center of field, bright daylight, handheld)
• The Meopros and Razors were nearly identical images. I like that the Meopros are assembled in the USA and their build quality was second to none.

I can provide a lot of non-technical comparison data between these five if anyone is curious. Initially I was concerned I was wasting my time and my eyes wouldn't be able to tell the difference. This thought came from being deceived in stores. Once home and on a tripod, it was pretty easy.

Ultimately, this little anecdote is what confirmed I wasn't going crazy and decided to pick the SLCs over the B2s.

I invited my older brother over to evaluate my test binoculars. After listening to me talk about them for a couple of weeks he was intrigued. He came over around 6pm (this was in June) and agreed that the Maven B2s were exceptional and he wouldn't be able to justify the added cost of the Swaros. I said, "you came over too early, let's go fishing and come back during sunset." When we got back he had the B2s on a tripod glassing some livestock about 500 yards away. I was hand holding the Swaros. I asked if he was ready to switch. We switched and 10 seconds later he looked up at me and said "I just don't understand!" He dropped all his Cabela's points on some new SLC's the very next day.

 

[Kilboars]

The 6,3* is the degrees of your FOV, and was on the pre-swarovision (called swarobright) binos. If you want the Swarovision binos with the field flatteners, they are 6,4*.

Also, the black hinge frame things and the location of the word "swarovski" and the little bird are different on the older ELs and the swarovisions. The non-swarovision model has the bird on the on the left barrel (when looking through the binos), and Swarovski on the right, and they are both about centered between the eyepiece and objective lenses. On the swarovisions, the bird is on the right and up near the eyepiece, and Swarovski is on the left barrel down near the objective lens. The hinge thing is harder to explain, but you'll see what I mean if you google it.

Also FYI, if you see a serial number, if you add 1930 to the first 2 digits, that will tell you the build date.

Thank you much. Good to know.

I just figured out i was looking was looking at an 11 year old pair on ebay.


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[Tex68w]

Good to hear that the Maven B2's were that good in your opinion. I understand that with most high-end binos the biggest difference from 1st place, usually Swaro's, and everyone else, is in low light comparisons. While I find that leg up impressive, I don't think most can justify the massive price jump for what equates to a five minute advantage at the end of the day. Now there may be a situation where you find yourself needing that extra few minutes of visibility to view an animal, but in most instances your day is already over and/or seeing that animal with that little light left won't make a bit of difference as it's already too late to legally and/or ethically take a shot.

 

[TheCougar]

I had razors and switched to SLCs. I get a mean discount on the vortex and I paid pretty much full price for the SLCs. I love them and for me, they are worth every penny. If you're going to splurge, do it right. Buy swaro and NEVER have bino envy. If you have the funds, I say do it! But then again, I have no problem spending other people's money...

 

[rodney482]

You got a great deal.. bet they work great

I just nabbed a like new pair of Razor HD 10x42s for $650. I think I'll pass on $2000 plus binos. Again, is it worth the extra money? For some guys, it is. I think I'll be just as happy with the Razors.


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[Kilboars]

Ive got a person willing to sell his 2016 Swarovski 10x42 EL for $1,700 cash. Just wondering if thats to good to be true for new El's?

Its a field pro package.

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[dotman]

I thought the slc were fantastic so i can only imagine what the EL must be like.


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I'd recommend looking through the EL's before you buy, some prefer the SLC's as the field flattening in the EL SV's give them a rolling ball effect. I don't have this issue with the EL's but the SLC's are no slouch and easier to get a tripod mount for. I wouldn't just jump at the EL's over the SLC's without comparing.

 

[dotman]

Ive got a person willing to sell his 2016 Swarovski 10x42 EL for $1,700 cash. Just wondering if thats to good to be true for new El's?

Its a field pro package.

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You won't find them much cheaper if even cheaper but that's around demo prices at times so it's fair imo.

 

[Kilboars]

You won't find them much cheaper if even cheaper but that's around demo prices at times so it's fair imo.

Yesterday I became a proud new owner of a fresh new pair of 2015 10x42 Swarovski EL Field Pro's. Was able to agree on $1,600.

The binos were missing the tab on the side that holds the strap. I called Swarovski on the drive home and their over nighting me two new ones. What a great company.

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[rodney482]

Are these the 6.4 field flat Els?

Yesterday I became a proud new owner of a fresh new pair of 2015 10x42 Swarovski EL Field Pro's. Was able to agree on $1,600.

The binos were missing the tab on the side that holds the strap. I called Swarovski on the drive home and their over nighting me two new ones. What a great company.

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