Time for new binos

[Takeem406]

Back in my college days I worked at Bob Wards and used my Vortex bucks to get a pair of Gen 1 Razors in 10x42. These were outstanding until my buddy showed me his new Viper HD's, a lesser model but newer that were 10x as clear!

Time for an upgrade!

Id like 10x42 or 50's in the $1000-$1500 range.
I don't mind Vortex binos, hate their rifle scopes but I'd buy their binos. How are the new Razors?

And of course can a guy touch a good European brand model for that price range? I like Leica and I've heard Zeiss is really good.

Seems I'm always using my binos, sent my old Vortex in on Monday and trying to elk hunt without them is a pain!

Thanks guys!

 

[elkguide]

Leica or Swarovski would be the only ones that I would consider.
Vortex are very good for the money but once you look through one of the other two mentioned, well let's say there is no going back.

 

[Takeem406]

Kinda what I'm thinking... I dunno, I bought a Vortex HS LR rifle scope and since then I've been kinda anti Vortex. What a terrible piece of glass for $600. I can buy a VX2 for half that with a lot better glass!
Any particular models I should look at from those two brands? I've looked for hours online and they all blur together and get confusing after a while. Our little Scheels is the only high end bino dealer and they don't have much to look through.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Totally agree with elkguide. If you're patient, there are usually some good deals to be had around various websites and possibly eBay. I've been slowly transitioning over to all Swaro optics. I rathole a little bit of money away every month and keep a lookout for things that I'm in need of, when I find what I think is a good deal, I jump on it.

 

[Justin Crossley]

There are a lot of good binoculars in that price range. The new Vortex are really nice glass for the money. Maven also makes great binos for the money, and should be considered. Meopta is another brand you should look at. I'm not saying they're all equal to Swaro, but as you climb in price, the differences get smaller and smaller. Just try to look through as many as you can, and get the ones you like the best for your budget.

 

[Bubblehide]

I did a whole lot of research several years back before buying what I have now, Cabela's Euros, made by Meopta. When I bought mine, the Meopta's speced out (light gathering ability in all conditions) exactly the same as the comparable Swarovskis. Since purchase, I have compared them side by side to comparable Swarovskis (Pre Hd Glass), I cant tell the difference and neither can several people that I know. I don't know how the Cabela's (Meopta) glass currently compares but it's worth a look.

 

[PathFinder]

The Euros are definitely worth a look. I've got two pairs and really like them, but I think the new Swaros and Leicas are a tiny bit better. Razor HDs are great for the money, but there's definitely quite a bit to be gained by moving up to Zeiss/Meopta/Swaro etc. Looking for used premium glass is a great idea. Watching the Utah/KSL classifieds I saw some killer Swaro deals go by over a month long period.

 

[Flyrod]

Vortex has a great warranty. If those Gen 1 Razors ever failed or got damaged I would send them back in and see what they would do for you. Not sure if they keep a surplus of new Gen 1 around for returns……I wonder what they have for a situation where the damage is catastrophic. They show pictures of shot up glass, stuff that fell out of the truck, dog destruction……. hmmmmmmm…..
Remember…. No Fault Warranty….

Just saying…………..

 

[Zbot]

I got a brand new pair of demo ELs for $1800. I bet you can get a used pair for your price range. Look and be patient.

I spent about three months and a ton of calls/web surfing to get my pair.

 

[dotman]

Vortex has a great warranty. If those Gen 1 Razors ever failed or got damaged I would send them back in and see what they would do for you. Not sure if they keep a surplus of new Gen 1 around for returns……I wonder what they have for a situation where the damage is catastrophic. They show pictures of shot up glass, stuff that fell out of the truck, dog destruction……. hmmmmmmm…..
Remember…. No Fault Warranty….

Just saying…………..

No fault unless damage is intentional, common man, that's the crap that drives up prices for all or makes good warranties/return policies turn to crap.

 

[dotman]

Op.... Checkout Natchez, they have the best deals on demo swaro stuff. Also with shot show just ending good deals on demos will be coming.

 

[elkguide]

No fault unless damage is intentional and hope the guilt wouldn't ya

I couldn't get up in the morning and look in the mirror if it was just to get the warranty.

 

[dotman]

I couldn't get up in the morning and look in the mirror if it was just to get the warranty.

Me either....

 

[cornfedkiller]

Several pairs of Swarovski EL 10x42 (pre-swarovision) on eBay right now for $1200-1600.

When I was looking for binoculars, I watched several pairs of the pre-swarovisions go for $1200-1300 on there.

 

[Takeem406]

Vortex has a great warranty. If those Gen 1 Razors ever failed or got damaged I would send them back in and see what they would do for you. Not sure if they keep a surplus of new Gen 1 around for returns……I wonder what they have for a situation where the damage is catastrophic. They show pictures of shot up glass, stuff that fell out of the truck, dog destruction……. hmmmmmmm…..
Remember…. No Fault Warranty….

Just saying…………..

They got ran over last season and got sent back. They came back and the barrel on the left side was fogged so they are back in... One day I'll finally get them to the "here's a new pair of a the current Razors" level of FUBR lol! I'll definitely keep them around especially with my kids coming up and the wife or whatever.

Awesome feed back boys!

I stopped at the Havre N 40 today and looked at the Razor HD's. In the store like all Vortex they seemed amazing. I wish optics companies would let you try them for a weekend and if you don't like them you can send them back.

Now for a guy who doesn't want to pack a spotting scope around, should I go ahead and go to 10x50 or maybe even a 12x50? Or is the standard 42 objective just as good? I had the old Vortex Nomad and it seemed I was going out of my way to find places to use it. So I got rid of it. Now Id like a scope for the gun range and that's about it, or scouting...

Seems like a lot of us are in Great Falls MT area so you know how it is. Over by Lincoln it's dense timber but huge open parks or up along the Hi-Line you can watch your dog run away for days. I think a little extra zoom would be handy.

Should I go ahead and step up to 12x? Or is it too hard to hold em steady without a tripod?

Thanks again

 

[Takeem406]

So how's Swaro vs Leica? Is the Swaro the way to go? Now on the high end glass if you want to send them in to get cleaned up and refurbished after a few years can you do that for free or little money?

 

[elkguide]

Not using Vortex but I use 10X42's and find them to be just right for 90% of all of my hunting. If I need to see clearer at a longer distance, then I need to get out the spotter. I have found that I can't hold the 12 power glass steady enough and 15 power there is not any chance.

 

[elkguide]

So how's Swaro vs Leica? Is the Swaro the way to go? Now on the high end glass if you want to send them in to get cleaned up and refurbished after a few years can you do that for free or little money?

I've used Swaro's for over 25 years and they are great with their warranty work or for a regular "tune up." The times that I had to ask for repairs they were all my fault. (I had fallen on them or dropped them a long ways down.) I have also sent them in several times for a quick refresher. Their turn around time was always super. I don't know if the human eye can determine which of those glasses are better but I know that the Customer Service Department at Swarovski is the best!

 

[Takeem406]

Looks like Swaro might be a great option then! Thanks! How about the Leica range finding binos? Are these just a gimmick or are they useful?

 

[michaelc10]

I agree Swarovski or leica, I've had my 8 x 32 leica ba's for a long time, would never sell them. Compared them in the woods with my friends Swarovski el's , honestly liked mine just as well.couldn't tell the diffrence.