What Binos are you carrying?

[JGRaider]

Every truly independent review of a Vortex product I have seen since the company’s inception has ranged from “not satisfactory” to “absolute garbage”.

Admittedly, objective reviews get drowned out by all the hype flowing from their gigantic marketing budget. Just about anyone who’s anyone in the hunting space is on their payroll. Plus, they were one of the earliest “stealth marketers” via social media in the business and pioneered the “no questions asked” gear warranty (which you will definitely need). A huge part of their budget is for marketing and warranty work.

No doubt their innovative marketing strategies would make a great case study for college business classes, but their optics suck.

You must not read many reviews then, as there are plenty out there that would rate the Viper HD, Razor HD, and Razor UHD from very good to excellent/alpha.

Do you have any links to those "independant" reviews that rate Vortex binoculars as not satisfactory or garbage?

 

[cbeard64]

You must not read many reviews then, as there are plenty out there that would rate the Viper HD, Razor HD, and Razor UHD from very good to excellent/alpha.

Do you have any links to those "independant" reviews that rate Vortex binoculars as not satisfactory or garbage?

First of all, finding any truly independent “reviews” takes a lot of effort. The vast majority of “reviews” are not reviews at all but product-pushing in disguise. Especially when it comes to Vortex products. Their marketing has saturated the outdoor products space since their inception.

Jay Nichols of Mindful Hunter is one of the very few independent reviewers in the outdoor space. No sponsors. Totally independent. And thorough to the max down to the various factors of each product with side-by-side reviews of all factors considered scored and placed on a spreadsheet. More often than not when optics are reviewed other experienced guys take part in the testing/review.

All available on his website.

Vortex almost always ranks near the bottom of every review compared to other optics brands. So much so that when a Vortex Razor compact spotting scope did respectfully well in a recent test (middle of the pack IIRC) it was a surprise to all.

His most-used word for Vortex products is “garbage”.

Other “reviews” I am referencing are admittedly not professional or formal tests but guys that I trust who have used Vortex in the field. Plus tons of bad reviews on forums relating to both Vortex’ optical performance and reliability.

I admit I can’t say for myself because I have (and would never) take a chance on Vortex products for all the reasons I have referenced.

I honestly cannot recall having read, seen, or even heard of a bad “review” of a Swarovski product’s optical performance or reliability in almost 30 years of paying attention. With the obvious exception of price.

So I made the decision long ago to use Swarovski optics. In 30 years I have had two pairs of binoculars (EL and NL) and one spotting scope (STS 65). The ELs I sold paid for well over half of the upgrade to the NLs.The sporting scope is still with me and will likely remain with me until my last hunt.

I’m pretty sure I have both enjoyed much better optical performance and likely even saved $$ by not having to keep changing during that time since there was no need.It is hard to imagine a product category where the old maxim “Buy once, cry once.” is more apropos than optics for hunting.

 

[JGRaider]

That's what I thought.....you don't have any proof of these "independent" reviews, just your opinions, and your opinions are fine, just leave it at that. All you have to do is search on https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/, Bird Forum, and 24HCF to find positive reviews. For the record, I own a couple of Swaros, a Razor HD, a Razor UHD, and several others, and if your position is "all Vortex is garbage" then you haven't a clue what you're talking about.

 

[cbeard64]

That's what I thought.....you don't have any proof of these "independent" reviews, just your opinions, and your opinions are fine, just leave it at that. All you have to do is search on https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/, Bird Forum, and 24HCF to find positive reviews. For the record, I own a couple of Swaros, a Razor HD, a Razor UHD, and several others, and if your position is "all Vortex is garbage" then you haven't a clue what you're talking about.

I have been a voracious consumer of almost every optics review site and forum extant (including the ones you name) for 3 decades.

You can find positive reviews of any product line. For reliable information, one must look both behind and beyond the “positive” reviews. Negative reviews are as a rule more reliable (for reasons that should be obvious).

I gave you a specific place to look for the “proof” you say you seek. It’s actually the most helpful and reliable source for unbiased information on outdoor gear I have found. Many agree. It’s all there. Yet you ignore that and come on within 10 minutes of my post and choose to instead take offense. (No doubt the Vortex marketing strategy works.) Like many, it is clear to me you are not actually seeking information, but validation.
Fortunately for you, as a result of Vortex’s popularity, there’s a lot of that to be found. Unfortunately, that won’t help when it comes to objective performance and reliability in the field.
Good luck to you sir.

 

[7layerburrito]

Also, what does "garbage" even mean? It's not like Vortex products don't work or fail if you breath on them too hard. With optics in particular, I feel like prices really do scale alongside quality -- the glass, lens coatings, the build quality -- but even a 250 dollar pair of Vortex binos is gonna blow a lot of the stuff our dads used out of the water. People should buy (and be happy with!) what they can afford. Entry level stuff available today could really be used for a lifetime with little concern.

I have some Nightforce, Swaro and Leica products, and a couple Vortex LHT rifle scopes -- all have done a great job helping me kill stuff.

 

[JGRaider]

I have been a voracious consumer of almost every optics review site and forum extant (including the ones you name) for 3 decades.

You can find positive reviews of any product line. For reliable information, one must look both behind and beyond the “positive” reviews. Negative reviews are as a rule more reliable (for reasons that should be obvious).

I gave you a specific place to look for the “proof” you say you seek. It’s actually the most helpful and reliable source for unbiased information on outdoor gear I have found. Many agree. It’s all there. Yet you ignore that and come on within 10 minutes of my post and choose to instead take offense. (No doubt the Vortex marketing strategy works.) Like many, it is clear to me you are not actually seeking information, but validation.
Fortunately for you, as a result of Vortex’s popularity, there’s a lot of that to be found. Unfortunately, that won’t help when it comes to objective performance and reliability in the field.
Good luck to you sir.

Unlike you, I've actually used them in the field, hunting. You haven't, so you're just guessing and that's the difference. I've been hunting since 1971, it's my thing. I've owned, used, or seen most of the high end brands in existence. I'm not guessing. BTW, never heard of this Jay Nichols guy, so provide a link to his reviews calling the Razor HD and UHD garbage. If he does in fact hold that opinion, that's fine, but it makes him a clueless fool.

 

[cbeard64]

Also, what does "garbage" even mean? It's not like Vortex products don't work or fail if you breath on them too hard. With optics in particular, I feel like prices really do scale alongside quality -- the glass, lens coatings, the build quality -- but even a 250 dollar pair of Vortex binos is gonna blow a lot of the stuff I dads used out of the water. People should buy (and be happy with!) what they can afford. Entry level stuff available today could really be used for a lifetime with little concern.

I have some Nightforce, Swaro and Leica products, and a couple Vortex LHT rifle scopes -- all have done a great job helping me kill stuff.

First of all, that’s Jay’s word, not mine.
Second (and to be fair) my belief is it is used in the “relative” sense in that his testing and reviews for the most part do not involve comparisons of obviously low-end products and product lines to high-end products and product lines.

For example, the “higher-end” end Vortex Razor line would be tested with higher end alpha optics, the mid-range line tested against other mid-range product lines, etc., etc.

 

[JGRaider]

You previously said this:

cbeard64 said:
Every truly independent review of a Vortex product I have seen since the company’s inception has ranged from “not satisfactory” to “absolute garbage”.

So post up some links to these reviews.

 

[cbeard64]

Unlike you, I've actually used them in the field, hunting. You haven't, so you're just guessing and that's the difference. I've been hunting since 1971, it's my thing. I've owned, used, or seen most of the high end brands in existence. I'm not guessing. BTW, never heard of this Jay Nichols guy, so provide a link to his reviews calling the Razor HD and UHD garbage. If he does in fact hold that opinion, that's fine, but it makes him a clueless fool.

It’s 2025. Google Jay Nichol and/or Mindful Reviews and see for yourself. Again, it’s all there. If you really want information, that is.

Obviously I have touched a nerve. I’m not going to go out and buy Vortex just to argue with a guy who obviously isn’t listening anyway. In short, I’m not going to use any product that has such a varied and spotted history as Vortex when other, better options are available to me. If that doesn’t make sense to you, I’m sorry.

 

[cbeard64]

Info on site:

 

[eaglemountainman]

Well, to get back on track...

I carry a pair of Kowa Gennys, 10.5X44, in my pack for scanning off a tripod while hunting the west. They're a bit heavy, but I'll gladly pay the penalty for their image quality and eye comfort. I carry a pair of much lighter 8X33 Gennys on my chest for offhand glassing, while on the move and for final stalks. They also serve me very well back in the Northeast whitetail woods.

To round out my western glassing system, I recently switched up from a TSN-554 that ive been extremely happy with for the last 7 years, to a TSN-66S. While I love the new glass, I'm not sure whether I'll stick with it, or go back to the 554.

 

[JGRaider]

It’s 2025. Google Jay Nichol and/or Mindful Reviews and see for yourself. Again, it’s all there. If you really want information, that is.

Obviously I have touched a nerve. I’m not going to go out and buy Vortex just to argue with a guy who obviously isn’t listening anyway. In short, I’m not going to use any product that has such a varied and spotted history as Vortex when other, better options are available to me. If that doesn’t make sense to you, I’m sorry.

You made the comment that Vortex is garbage, just back it up. If you can't, then just say so. Some anonymous nobody on youtube doesn't count.

No nerve touched here, as I have quite a few binos to use. I'm not a brand loyalist, I like those that perform well in the field.