Vortex Viper HD, old or new...?

[huntcoop]

Which are better, a few years old made in Japan Viper HD’s or the new made in China Viper HD’s...

 

[gr8fuldoug]

A made in the Czech Republic Meopta Meopro

 

[huntcoop]

Thanks for not answering the question Doug

 

[gr8fuldoug]

lol
When we handled Vortex we were not happy about the change on the Viper or Razor Binoculars from Japan to China. It did substantially lower the price of the binoculars. Optically there is not a noticeable difference, however, I am sure there's some difference or they wouldn't have had that price drop

 

[Buzby]

The Chinese vs Japanese payroll difference would be more than enough to justify a price drop, and still leave room for increase profit.

 

[huntcoop]

Somebody must have intel on any potential differences...

 

[Tomly]

People rag on the China made Vortex binoculars, but I haven’t noticed a drop in build or optical quality on the samples I’ve seen. I would kind of shrug it off considering the Vortex warranty. If your pair weren’t up to snuff, contact Vortex and trade them out.

 

[Wirrex]

I have the original viper hd’s. I handled the new ones and was pretty disappointed. The glass seems just as good but the materials felt totally crappy in comparison to the Japanese models. I will look elsewhere if and when I get a new pair.

 

[ChrisAU]

Was looking today, AA optics has refurb 10x42 Viper HDs for $300. Really got me thinking about seeing if they can beat my crazy good (by luck, manufacturing variances) 10x42 Diamondbacks. For background, I tried some Mavens (the $350 one) and they weren’t close to my Diamondbacks, I was so excited to try the Mavens too. I also put them side by side with a friends Swaro ELs...I better be quite before I’m ridiculed to death!

Edit: Meant to add, I bought a pair of 12x50 Diamondbacks because I was so impressed with my 10x42’s, and they sucked in comparison. The 12x50’s were black before legal light ended here in Alabama looking down a 600 yard powerline while my 10x42’s still showed detail on whitetails at 400-450 yards...for a long time. I don’t think I’m getting rid of the 10x42s for a while lol.