Razor HD or UHD

[Firebug93]

I am going to upgrade from my viper hd 10x42 binos. Im split between the razor HD and UHD. Is the weight and size difference worth the better glass? I will be wearing these on my chest for out west hunts as I did with my viper hd.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

If the Razor HD and Razor UHDs are the only two that you will consider, then get the UHD.

If you are open to other suggestions then buy the Swaro SLC 10s right now. They are $200 off (not sure when this pricing ends) which puts them at the same price point as the UHDs.

 

[Firebug93]

I am hard on equipment so the vortex warranty is appealing and I can get the vortex at a great deal right now.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

Swaro, Leica, Zeiss, Meopta, Maven, Leupold... they all have similar warranties to Vortex. I wouldn't let the warranty be a deciding factor.

 

[sndmn11]

I am hard on equipment so the vortex warranty is appealing and I can get the vortex at a great deal right now.

That's like when you go to the "manager's special" bin in the meat department and talk yourself into buying the brown and gray beef that the expiration date has a few different stickers on top of each other so that you can save fifty cents.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Take a look at Steiner 10x42 Nighthunter XP Binocular We have demos for only $599.99. Lifetime no fault warranty and if you're not totally impressed with it we will take it back. GREAT binocular

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

I am hard on equipment so the vortex warranty is appealing and I can get the vortex at a great deal right now.

Vortex markets their warranty because that’s why most people buy them, Swaro Meopta etc have superior glass and same warranty.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Vortex markets their warranty because that’s why most people buy them, Swaro Meopta etc have superior glass and same warranty.

Swaro and Meopta do not have the same warranty.

Athlon, Bushnell and Steiner have similar "No Fault, No questions asked warranties" Swaro and Meopta do not cover accidental abuse

 

[JGRaider]

Swaro and Meopta do not have the same warranty.

Athlon, Bushnell and Steiner have similar "No Fault, No questions asked warranties" Swaro and Meopta do not cover accidental abuse

I"m going to call BS on that accidental abuse nonsense. I dropped my EL SV's in the sand mule deer hunting and you can imagine how all of the moving parts sounded. Swaro USA fixed it at no charge (twice actually), good as new, and never balked. Meopta fixed my buddy's eyepiece to his spotter because he twisted on it too hard and the power ring just spun around and around doing nothing. Same thing....fixed it no questions asked. Swaro and Meopta go out of their way to take care of their customers, not look for ways to screw them over like Leica and Nikon USA do.

 

[Firebug93]

I can get the Razor UHDs and HDs for a lot cheaper then the swaros right now. So it is a lot more then 50 cents.

That's like when you go to the "manager's special" bin in the meat department and talk yourself into buying the brown and gray beef that the expiration date has a few different stickers on top of each other so that you can save fifty cents.

 

[Firebug93]

Im just wondering if the UHDs are worth the extra 7.4oz compared to the Razor HDs

 

[Browninglover1]

I"m going to call BS on that accidental abuse nonsense. I dropped my EL SV's in the sand mule deer hunting and you can imagine how all of the moving parts sounded. Swaro USA fixed it at no charge (twice actually), good as new, and never balked. Meopta fixed my buddy's eyepiece to his spotter because he twisted on it too hard and the power ring just spun around and around doing nothing. Same thing....fixed it no questions asked. Swaro and Meopta go out of their way to take care of their customers, not look for ways to screw them over like Leica and Nikon USA do.

My Swaro’s went for a nice roll down the mountain and had the lenses absolutely destroyed. Swaro fixed them but it cost me a little over $100. I was completely fine paying the fee because it was MY fault that the damage had occurred.
Vortex would have replaced the binos for free, but the Vortex simply don’t compete optically with my Swaros.

 

[sndmn11]

Im just wondering if the UHDs are worth the extra 7.4oz compared to the Razor HDs

Yes

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I"m going to call BS on that accidental abuse nonsense. Swaro and Meopta go out of their way to take care of their customers, not look for ways to screw them over like Leica and Nikon USA do.

It's great the way Swaro and Meopta do go above and beyond with customer service, however, their warranty is not a no fault warranty like Athlon, Vortex, Bushnell or Steiner. The fact that they have covered things does not mean that they will or have to. If you doubt me/this call either/both and ask.
Swarovski 1-800-426-3089
Meopta 1-800-828-8928

 

[TheCougar]

Tough to say, it depends on what you want. UHD has better optics but are pretty heavy and bulky, plus they cost more. For the price, I don’t think I would get the UHD over other options for a similar price, which I know you don’t want to hear. I’ve had excellent service from Swaro. I bought SLCs after I got back from deployment and promptly dropped them on a rock the first day and knocked the ocular tubes out of alignment. Swaro fixed them for free and all I paid was the shipping. Can’t ask for more than that. Like many others on here, I think for your price point you should consider brands other than Vortex, be it Swaro or Meopta or Maven. I get it - Vortex has a killer military discount and great warranty and I am very rough on my gear too, but I have gradually swapped out all my vortex optics for Swaro and I wish I had done it sooner. You’re right, the Swaros are going to be more expensive with the Vortex discount - no two ways about it. But for a few hundred dollars you will get better glass than UHDs, in a lighter and smaller package, higher quality, and excellent customer service. Just my 2 cents.

 

[WRO]

If you'd like, I can shit in a shoebox and sell it to you with a lifetime warranty.

Buy once, cry once.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[rodney482]

Ive ran Razor HDs from coues in AZ to bears in QC and everywhere between. Never once did they let me down. I have also ran swaro EL SV and felt zero advantage. The weight/sz/price of Razors is very hard to beat. Most can be bought for under $800.

 

[Racethesunset]

As others mentioned, I would opt for the UHD unless weight is a concern.

Side bar... a few years back, I made a plan to save money and weight, and purchased Razor HD 12x50’s. They might have been the first set in Arizona at the time. Was gonna sell the Swaro El 12x50’s, get richer and lighter and faster. The HD’s were great for their price and features but they were not gonna replace the El’s for hours on end glassing up deer in high desert open country.

That said, I have not tried the UHD’s but my pops wants a pair, so might bite the bullet for him (again).

PM me if you can share the discount on the UHD, otherwise, good luck with your decision.

 

[Firebug93]

I am just split on the hd vs the uhd due to the weight

 

[Tahoe1305]

I sent you a PM with some more details, but IMO the UHDs are worth the weight for everyone except the most anal of ounce counters. I speculate that these folks would be more than willing to pay the extra $500-$1000 to just get alpha glass and split the difference on the weight.

For the glass quality, warranty that appears you are interested in, and price, they would be tough to beat. I personally think the Conquest HD is a good glass, weight, cost value as well. Not as good as UHDs in my opinion, but better than razors and split the difference in weight. Hope that helps.