Bino what am I missing

USMCret

FNG
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May 12, 2020
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Some might say this is like comparing apples to oranges (in two ways). Swarovski is a top-tier optics company, and Vortex is not; however, the CL is Swarovski's bottom-end glass and the UHD is Vortex's top-end. Maybe it's the "VIP Warranty" premium that makes the Vortex cost the same? Craziness.
 
Never used those Vortex so can’t speak to them.

But I would be open to used glass. The Swaro ELs can often be had very cheap on this forum.

Also, Vortex has massive discounts for first responders though various programs.
 
Five years ago I paired Vortex UHD and the NL Pure because I needed another pair of good binos because my dad was coming out for mule deer hunt and I needed to save some money because I needed to buy another pair of binos for dad.

Truthfully - the Vortex UHD were in same ball park (at least from my eyes) when literally used side by side on tripods glassing long distance basins for Muleys. And the Vortex (snagged gently used and were about $2k cheaper) was NOT a $2k difference (again not in my eyes). Vortex were great.

I think in your comparison you are seeing two semi comparable pairs of binos (regardless of name).

I would also suggest - you can save money by buying used from reputable source - and are then able to buy higher optic glass and specs, again in my opinion.

Good luck.


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Used high quality that shows pride of ownership can be a bargain. I bought a pair of 8x30 Swarovskis about 10 years ago for $500. Perfect shape, no problems at all. Gave the Vortex 8x binos to my son.
 
Vortex’s UHD are made in Japan and are top tier optics, no matter who builds them. Swaro could’ve released them and called them the SLC 2.0 and nobody would bat an eye. Edge to edge, color fidelity, brightness, clarity, everything. It’s all alpha. The UHD is a completely different animal than any of their other products, and it isn’t even close.

To echo above, the CL is swaro’s bottom barrel offering, and they suck. IMO, it’s not that the Razor UHD’s are overpriced, it’s that the CL’s are grossly overpriced.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water on the UHD’s, they’re alpha.
 
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I almost pulled the trigger on the 8x32 UHD but ended up with NL 8x32. You can pick up some EL 8x32 for $1200-$1500 pretty often. Not sure how those UHD’s compare to older EL’s but I’d imagine a person would be happy with either.
 
I appreciate the feedback so far, but I posted in the sheet form and I guess my thought is do I really want to carry the weight of 42s or would it be a better idea to carry something in the 30 class?
 
I appreciate the feedback so far, but I posted in the sheet form and I guess my thought is do I really want to carry the weight of 42s or would it be a better idea to carry something in the 30 class?
The 42s are huge in the vortex UHD line. Sierra has killer deals on vortex if you don't qualify for Leo discounts. They are "refurbished " but I'm not sure they aren't new and just say that so they can sell for super cheap

 
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