Vortex Razor UHD 8X32 and 10X32 Mid Size Binoculars

[Matt Cashell]

The Vortex UHD (Ultra High Definition) line of binoculars recently expanded with the introduction of lighter, more compact 32mm models (8x32 and 10X32).

I was able to take a deep look at them with a top competitor in the class, the Swarovski CL 10X30.

Vortex Razor UHD 32mm Binoculars Review

I am curious on the thoughts from Roksliders on these new mid-size bins from Vortex. Which one would you choose?

 

[JGRaider]

8x32. Can you give us some tidbits? A teaser? Something? I've never cared for 10x32 configurations personally.

 

[Matt Cashell]

8x32. Can you give us some tidbits? A teaser? Something? I've never cared for 10x32 configurations personally.

Ha!

You shouldn’t have to wait long!

I generally prefer 8x in a 32mm objective as well, because I don’t have a brightness penalty over my usual 10x42.

This particular 10x32, however, really started to win me over though because of the immense FOV and full-size “feel.”

Other 10x32s are often so tiny they are really hard to hold steady by hand.

 

[JGRaider]

You're killing me......Thanks!!

 

[stan_wa]

I am really interested in the fov on the 8 powers the specs look great I wanna hear how usable it is !

 

[JGRaider]

Ha!

You shouldn’t have to wait long!

I generally prefer 8x in a 32mm objective as well, because I don’t have a brightness penalty over my usual 10x42.

This particular 10x32, however, really started to win me over though because of the immense FOV and full-size “feel.”

Other 10x32s are often so tiny they are really hard to hold steady by hand.

Calling Matt Cashell, calling Matt Cashell.........

 

[Justin Crossley]

Matt's review is live!

Vortex Razor UHD 32mm Binoculars Review

 

[JGRaider]

Excellent write up. Always appreciate the comparisons to current models/competition. Thanks.

 

[Browninglover1]

I'm pleasantly surprised to see how well these stacked up against the CL. My 8x32 EL's are still one of my favorite binos ever and these UHD seem like they'll be very similar optical quality. Coming with a nice harness is icing on the cake.

 

[Reed104R]

I own many pairs of binoculars. If I had to choose only one pair to keep, it would likely be my Leica 8x32's. Perfect size for most any application. Mine are 30 year old BA's and their performance has never ceased to amaze me. I'll bet these new UHD'S are even better.

 

[mustelid_master]

@Matt Cashell Is the advertised FOV of 470-ish feet on the 8x32 accurate in your experience or an exageration?

 

[Matt Cashell]

@Matt Cashell Is the advertised FOV of 470-ish feet on the 8x32 accurate in your experience or an exageration?

It is an accurate spec.

 

[Bedrock]

Just about every Vortex optic that I or my friends own has had to be sent back and replaced, usually within the first year or two. Their quality control is non-existent and while their no fault warranty is great, it doesn’t do much good when the optic fails in the middle of a hunt

 

[echampion8]

How did they compare optically/build to the maven b1.2 (field flatteners?)


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[Matt Cashell]

Just about every Vortex optic that I or my friends own has had to be sent back and replaced, usually within the first year or two. Their quality control is non-existent and while their no fault warranty is great, it doesn’t do much good when the optic fails in the middle of a hunt

What was the failure you or your friends had with a Razor UHD binocular?

I haven’t heard of durability complaints of this series.

The build quality on these tested binoculars was sturdy and inspired confidence in the hand, but of course only time will really tell.

 

[Matt Cashell]

How did they compare optically/build to the maven b1.2 (field flatteners?)


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Build quality was comparable overall.

Neither are advertised as having field flatteners and both show a small amount of pincushion distortion.

The 10x32 Razor UHD is quite a bit wider in FOV vs. the 10x42 B1.2.

 

[mustelid_master]

How did they compare optically/build to the maven b1.2 (field flatteners?)

The Maven series has field flatteners?

 

[echampion8]

The Maven series has field flatteners?

No. I called Maven today and they confirmed they do not have flatteners. Only the B.2s


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[Matt Cashell]

To clarify, correcting with a "field flattener" is a way for the optic manufacturer to counter field curvature.

Some manufacturers also correct for distortion so some field flattened binoculars have both reduced field curvature and low distortion (like the Swarovski EL), although the two properties are not the same thing. Sometimes even the manufacturers themselves conflate the two in their advertising.

I wouldn't get too caught up in it anyway. Some "field flattened" binoculars show some field curvature, and some designs without a field flattener show very little curvature anyway.

Overall optical quality of these Vortex Razor UHDs AND the Maven B1.2s are near the top of their respective classes. Excellent performance.

 

[Bedrock]

What was the failure you or your friends had with a Razor UHD binocular?

I haven’t heard of durability complaints of this series.

The build quality on these tested binoculars was sturdy and inspired confidence in the hand, but of course only time will really tell.

No experience at all with the UHD series, but over the last few years the Razor HDs I’m familiar with, both binoculars and spotting scopes, have been running a 90% failure rate, including my 10x42 binoculars that have been replaced twice and my 1st Gen. 20-60 x 85 spotter that never worked worked from the day I bought it, went through 3 eye pieces trying to find one that would zoom in cold temps. (But Vortex did admit that those were junk and finally replaced it w a Gen 2) I could go on and on about various friends bad luck but let’s just say I don’t have enough faith to shell out money for UHDs because they put marginally better glass in them.