Share your “Buy once cried once” lesson

[KHNC]

I feel like I just read the script for the next season of Eastbound and Down.

If you are a Marine, I bet you have experienced some of this. LOL

 

[robby denning]

When I made the jump from Pentax to Zeiss for my binos. I got it done with Pentax but sure liked the Zeiss and never looked back from top tier glass after that. I try mid-range stuff to help Roksliders (Maven, Vortex Razor, etc) but given the choice, always move back up to top glass.

 

[TheBootBowhunting]

If you are a Marine, I bet you have experienced some of this. LOL

If Im being honest, I was stationed in 29 Palms. I deployed to Kenya after the embassy bombing, did training exercises in Egypt and Kuwait. I did Afghanistan, twice.

I feel like there were no women in any place I was stationed or deployed, hindsight says I got lucky. I didnt experience the wonders of Subic Bay like the Marines before me, who all brought back a trophy and an extra human or two. I didnt go to Oki and also brought back a human or two from there. There was a point where my Sgt Mjr had 1 of each in his past, and was robbed so blind that he had to ride a bicycle to work. I wasnt at Pendleton or Lejeune where there are actual populations of people. So the things you are telling me, no, you got me on this stuff.

 

[KHNC]

If Im being honest, I was stationed in 29 Palms. I deployed to Kenya after the embassy bombing, did training exercises in Egypt and Kuwait. I did Afghanistan, twice.

I feel like there were no women in any place I was stationed or deployed, hindsight says I got lucky. I didnt experience the wonders of Subic Bay like the Marines before me, who all brought back a trophy and an extra human or two. I didnt go to Oki and also brought back a human or two from there. There was a point where my Sgt Mjr had 1 of each in his past, and was robbed so blind that he had to ride a bicycle to work. I wasnt at Pendleton or Lejeune where there are actual populations of people. So the things you are telling me, no, you got me on this stuff.

My good buddy was a marine 87-91, same time i was in the Air Force. He was in Subic Bay for just over a year on a boat crew. He has some stories that we have laughed our asses off about. I never deployed anywhere. PCS'd right as Desert Storm got rolling. Of course the AF had plenty of babes, with low morals. Was fun while it lasted and i was lucky not to "acquire" any extra humans. Glad you got back safe brother! In every way.

 

[KHNC]

When I made the jump from Pentax to Zeiss for my binos. I got it done with Pentax but sure liked the Zeiss and never looked back from top tier glass after that. I try mid-range stuff to help Roksliders (Maven, Vortex Razor, etc) but given the choice, always move back up to top glass.

Pentax was my first glass too. Wasnt terrible. I still have them actually.

 

[ShortMountain91]

Firearms for me. I lived with crappy shooting rifles and jamming shotguns when I didn't have the extra cash to get something nice. Since then I've jumped into a xbolt rifle and A5 shotgun and no problems. Also I got one of the early sitka fanatic jackets when they were starting to catch on. The price tag hurt but I love that thing and it has been used year after year since then with no intentions of retiring or upgrading

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[5MilesBack]

Wall tent. They aren't cheap but make a long hunt so much more comfortable.......especially after packing in for a few days and then coming back to the Ritz Canvas. If I had a TV in there with satellite, I could live in mine year round.

 

[idig4au]

Oh it would have to be my first “custom” build that Christensen Arms (Carbon Custom) built for me back in the day in 2009 when I didn‘t know what I was doing. For the $4500 I spent back then, I supposedly got a match grade carbon wrapped Shilen barrel, on a Weatherby ULW action (my request at the time) in a manners stock. It wasn’t chambered to a particular bullet and I don’t think the action was even trued. It shot okay for most part but did have problems with how the action functioned and had to return to them for rework.

Mind you this was years ago and during a time where there were questionable reports on quality and gunsmithing which could be just heresy. I think now, with changes of management and continued evolution, they make a good product. Just wish I was more educated at the time as for what I paid, I could have gotten a truly custom rifle made. Live and learn! And it’s still a nice rifle, just question if its worth what I paid when I compare to my real custom rifles I had built after this lesson

 

[Fatcamp]

Optics and boots. Pretty settled on glass. Have decent footwear I am happy with. Spent years looking through bad glass with sore feet. I didn't even know it. Thanks, Rokslide!

 

[Rokwiia]

I remember when Goretex first came out not a lot of companies carried it and those who did charged a hefty premium. Friends thought I was nuts spending that kind of money until they got drenched in the rain and I stayed dry.

I've always found that my pleasure in the outdoors was directly proportional to the money I spent. If I cut corners, sooner or later I came to regret it.

I have a simple lifestyle and don't go on lavish vacations or buy expensive cars. That said, when it comes to outdoor gear, I buy exactly what I want and enjoy it.

 

[robby denning]

Pentax was my first glass too. Wasnt terrible. I still have them actually.

ya, they really weren't too bad. I had durability issues, but optical performance was beyond acceptable.

 

[Meshnasty]

When I made the jump from Pentax to Zeiss for my binos. I got it done with Pentax but sure liked the Zeiss and never looked back from top tier glass after that. I try mid-range stuff to help Roksliders (Maven, Vortex Razor, etc) but given the choice, always move back up to top glass.

This. I still regret buying a 27-60x 85mm Razor. Should have just bought a Swaro.

 

[nphunter]

There is a reason Vortex pushes that warranty more than any other company...its cause they know you will need it with their stuff.

I here this a lot but have so many Vortex products and have never had to send a single one if for repair? I have a HST scope, Razor 65mm Spotter, Razor 10x42's, Razor HD 4000 range finder, summit tripod, skyline tripod, a window mount, 5 sets of viper HD's 10x42's, and one Viper HD 85mm spotter for work. I've had most of them for over 5 years and some for 10, my Razors all have the paint worn off of them they've been used so much and my HST has held zero and still hits steel at 1K after 6 years on the rifle and has killed a dozen animals.

They do offer a great warranty, they are the only company to offer a lifetime warranty on the electronics in their range finder, leica, swaro, zeiss, leupold, sig, etc. none of them do and most don't offer over 3 years. I am on my 3rd range finder in 5 years, I feel like my new Razor's will be the last pair I have to buy.

Maybe I'm just lucky but if feel like they get a pretty bad wrap online for offering a great warranty. I do know one thing is for sure, my gear gets used and used hard, I've had seveal motorcycle crashes with my Razors on my chest and have spend hundreds of hours behind them as well as my older viper glass at work.

 

[nphunter]

Packs for me, wasted a lot of money on packs before buying my Kifaru.

 

[robby denning]

I here this a lot but have so many Vortex products and have never had to send a single one if for repair? I have a HST scope, Razor 65mm Spotter, Razor 10x42's, Razor HD 4000 range finder, summit tripod, skyline tripod, a window mount, 5 sets of viper HD's 10x42's, and one Viper HD 85mm spotter for work. I've had most of them for over 5 years and some for 10, my Razors all have the paint worn off of them they've been used so much and my HST has held zero and still hits steel at 1K after 6 years on the rifle and has killed a dozen animals.

They do offer a great warranty, they are the only company to offer a lifetime warranty on the electronics in their range finder, leica, swaro, zeiss, leupold, sig, etc. none of them do and most don't offer over 3 years. I am on my 3rd range finder in 5 years, I feel like my new Razor's will be the last pair I have to buy.

Maybe I'm just lucky but if feel like they get a pretty bad wrap online for offering a great warranty. I do know one thing is for sure, my gear gets used and used hard, I've had seveal motorcycle crashes with my Razors on my chest and have spend hundreds of hours behind them as well as my older viper glass at work.

I've owned about 5 vortex products and haven't had to return anything yet. Most weren't used really hard, but my rifle scope's got 4 seasons, so probably 80 days on it, and all good.

 

[Goatie]

I here this a lot but have so many Vortex products and have never had to send a single one if for repair? I have a HST scope, Razor 65mm Spotter, Razor 10x42's, Razor HD 4000 range finder, summit tripod, skyline tripod, a window mount, 5 sets of viper HD's 10x42's, and one Viper HD 85mm spotter for work. I've had most of them for over 5 years and some for 10, my Razors all have the paint worn off of them they've been used so much and my HST has held zero and still hits steel at 1K after 6 years on the rifle and has killed a dozen animals.

They do offer a great warranty, they are the only company to offer a lifetime warranty on the electronics in their range finder, leica, swaro, zeiss, leupold, sig, etc. none of them do and most don't offer over 3 years. I am on my 3rd range finder in 5 years, I feel like my new Razor's will be the last pair I have to buy.

Maybe I'm just lucky but if feel like they get a pretty bad wrap online for offering a great warranty. I do know one thing is for sure, my gear gets used and used hard, I've had seveal motorcycle crashes with my Razors on my chest and have spend hundreds of hours behind them as well as my older viper glass at work.

Of the 8 vortex optics i‘ve owned, only 2 have not needed warranty work, my newest binos (razor hd) and a viper scope I had for 3 mos

 

[OverlandOnTheFly]

Of the 8 vortex optics i‘ve owned, only 2 have not needed warranty work, my newest binos (razor hd) and a viper scope I had for 3 mos

Kind of a mixed message, after having six prior Vortex products needing warranty work you proceeded to buy two more? Is it the value out weighed the warranty hassles, or... Not being smug, I own a few Vortex products and am wondering where you stand?

 

[Goatie]

Kind of a mixed message, after having six prior Vortex products needing warranty work you proceeded to buy two more? Is it the value out weighed the warranty hassles, or... Not being smug, I own a few Vortex products and am wondering where you stand?

At first they seemed like a great value. First scope I had for a few months had no problems but limited use. Next scope needed work ( I figured bad luck), next one I actually thought was the rifle and ended up being the scope. I think you get the idea... over time and experience I came to the conclusion that there was a common denominator. I gave the razors a chance after researching Japanese optics factories and tiered pricing in the optics/glass industry. Also, I got them new for $650 so I figured if they needed warranty work they’d get sold for a good value for someone else who isn’t requiring higher end field reliability but appreciate decent glass.

 

[menhaden_man]

How about many dozen $40 coolers before breaking down for a $400 pelican with lifetime warranty

 

[DudeBro]

How about many dozen $40 coolers before breaking down for a $400 pelican with lifetime warranty

I've been planning to buy a Kong 70 and 110 for 2 years and can't bring myself to pay the pricetag. I wish I could rent them like I can good optics.