What happened to Vortex?

[fmyth]

I appreciate all the replies. As I may have mentioned, I have next to zero experience with binoculars. I just don't hunt out west enough to justify them yet.

I spotted a pile of critters with my Vortex Diamondback Binos and managed to kill a few elk and mule deer with my Vortex Crossfire scoped rifle. I upgraded binos this year to Athlon Cronus 10x42s which some people feel are the best binos under 1k. The Athlons were 4X the price of the Diamondbacks and in my opinion are just a tiny bit better. I also upgraded my scope to a SWFA for reliability. The Diamondback binos are on sale at Midway for $129. Might buy another pair to keep in the truck console.

 

[35WhelenAI]

My elk hunting buddy got a pair of Diamond back 12x50's two seasons ago and I had the chance to compare them back to back with my Viper 12x50's. Vipers were hands down better with respect to chromatic aberration, edge to edge clarity and definition such as looking at a hillside with lots of trees. The branches were more crisp and didn't blend into each other with the Vipers, and there wasn't that hint of aberration that was there with the Diamondbacks.

With that said, I have two pairs of the Cabelas/Bass Pro $299 10x42 Vipers and if they fit my hand better (pretty damn small size for big hands) I would carry them more. Comparing them to the 12x50's, they are every bit as clear and crisp, but I the 12x for me is more useful for picking things apart at 300 yds or so despite the lesser field of view.

For me, I would like to upgrade binos and am in that phase of which brand up a notch on the food chain would be the choice. Lots to look at, think about and read about over the winter.

 

[Deadfall]

I had a couple pieces...donated them to a neighbor kid just getting going.

 

[jonny5]

I've been using Vortex products for about a decade now. Have had good luck with them myself. Rifle scopes, spotters, binos and rangefinders. I do a handful of big game hunts each year and the critters keep coming home in the back of the truck.

And I'd say their customer service is second to none, regardless of industry.

Use what works for you.

 

[jimh406]

I have two Vortex spotting scopes. They are Razor HDs one is the 27-60 and one is 22-48. Both are second generation. They are pretty nice. I chose them after a lot of reviews and viewing other spotting scopes. I bought the 22-48 which is a bit smaller, and I felt like was too good of a deal secondhand to pass up.

However, I've never owned a rifle scope from Vorex. I'd consider it, but with no issues with Leupold for decades, I'm staying with them. It's not worth it to me to have a Vortex fail just to try them. They are probably fine.

I've also never owned a pair of their binoculars. I was considering them and then found out about Tract Tonics. With their warranty and free returns, I gave them a try. Now, I have two pairs. They are about half the price of top Vortex binoculars, and I feel they are probably better. They are cheaper because they sell direct with no retail markup.

So, I'm not against Vortex, but just don't have a lot of reason to buy a riflescope or pair of binoculars.

 

[Ucsdryder]

vortex is very popular, maybe not as much on rokslide but go to any trail head and you’ll see a grip of binos, spotters, and rifle scopes. Go to some of the other forums and people say great things about vortex.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Vortex is still fine, but at one time they had best price point in the mid to higher mid range category. They are no longer the price point leader there. Maven/tract/etc have really squeezed them out.

Upper end are still great optics just not the dominant price point option

 

[JGRaider]

I greatly underestimated the Vortex Fury AB. So far it's a great piece of equipment, and I don't miss my Geovid's at all.

 

[hunting1]

Viper HD at $299 from Cabelas is a steal. Glass is not bad. Their scopes unless you are talking Razor, well meh.

 

[Rick M.]

I think there's an unfortunate standard across most industries that still have some market share that can be capitalized upon, where a company hits the ground running with seemingly high quality, lower-priced products alongside a fierce marketing campaign. Then, once they have the numbers and a decent reputation, they cheapen everything down the line for a few years of insane profits before losing their reputation. Rinse and repeat.

 

[Reed104R]

I'm sure alot of Rokslide members read the AS Daily Bulletin. If you check the published equipment lists for the major bench rest competitions, you will notice an inordinate amount of high end Vortex scopes. The last couple lists I reviewed had very few Leupolds. I'd say Nightforce still holds the top spot.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Yep, you are right, it is quite the difference in cost. Took 6 months of donating plasma, not that big of a sacrifice when you really think about it. Well worth it. I’d rather benefit from the top tier glass now while I’m young. I’m a poor Fireman, but I’d still do the same over again.

No OT shifts at your department? Haha donating for 6 months is some dedication my dude good on you

 

[chutinlead]

Never an issue with Vortex binoculars.

I'm not interested in their rifle scopes. Too much weight is the over arching reason. In my experience Leupold is going to give the lighter weight in a scope that I haven't had one fail in 30 years.

I have a pair of 12x50 vipers that were made in Japan. I like them quite a bit. Have picked up some of the 10x42 Vipers that are offered in Bass Pro/Cabela's sales over the past couple years.

I will be honest, if I did Vortex again it would be a Razor or Razor UHD.

Vipers have worked great, however I do know the next price point up brings quite a bit of improvement. Past that, I feel it's diminishing returns to the next level.

Put a good scope on your rifle, however use great glass for binoculars. Time to up my game and practice what I preach on the binocular side.

I have slowly moved away from all my vortex riflescopes, but for the $700 I paid for a used set of Japan 12x50 Razors, I would do that again in a heartbeat. I also have their razor rangefinder and Gen 1 20-60 Spotter with the MOA reticle eyepiece and have zero issues with any of those.

My 22LR/223 rifles all wear Athlon scopes (Great bang for the buck and parallax down to 10yd to shoot indoors), and my NRL Hunter/Hunting rifles I switched to NF (mostly because of the testing going on here).

Vortex honestly just got big and complacent and let the smaller startups like Athlon/Arken pass them. The value isn't there anymore, and for the price and their time in the market they haven't figured out how to make a better/tougher scope.

 

[Bono]

I think people got wide, that’s it

 

[Hnthrdr]

Yes. On lower powers their stuff was just ok, but at higher powers everything I've tested from them was grainy. I tested one of their rifle scopes and as soon as I'd raise it to full power it was as if someone just turned the lights out. Same for a pair of Viper 15x50's in comparison to other's 15 power bino's. Clarity and brightness are two of the characteristics I value most with optics.

I agree even with the razor line of spotters they are not as clear or crisp on high power, I think they were a good value at the time I bought them but will get upgraded down the road

 

[Neckbone]

Well, in terms of myself, I was a large Vortex fan a number of years back. But a number of discussions on optics made me reevaluate what I want in a scope.

I no longer think it’s normal or acceptable to have to re-zero scopes when the only thing that has happened is some light backpacking or riding in a vehicle.

I no longer think it’s normal that a turret only doesn’t consistently dial.

And I no longer put the same emphasis on scopes as I do binos or spotters, where I’m looking for that wonderful glass I can stare through for hours on end. I like glass, but for a scope, as long as I can see during legal light, the focus is going to on its performance as an aiming device first, and as a wonderful viewing experience second.

For these reasons I’ve moved away from Vortex as they don’t meet the needs of what I look for now. This isn’t to say I’ll never use a vortex, but they’re not what I’m putting on my rifles that I backpack hunt with.

What do you put on your rifles that you backpack hunt with?

 

[Reed104R]

Vortex is the only brand of scope used by at least 15% of the top shooters in the PRS benchrest series since it started in 2012. I think close to half of the top shooters one year actually used Vortex target scopes.

 

[ljalberta]

What do you put on your rifles that you backpack hunt with?

I currently have SWFA fixed scopes on them, with a 3-9 on backorder to try. I also have a couple Bushnell LRHS scopes in use.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Viper HD at $299 from Cabelas is a steal. Glass is not bad. Their scopes unless you are talking Razor, well meh.

They are a great $300 pair of binoculars but a decent $500 pair. Glass can be "good enough" depending on what you are looking for.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Vortex is the only brand of scope used by at least 15% of the top shooters in the PRS benchrest series since it started in 2012. I think close to half of the top shooters one year actually used Vortex target scopes.

How many pay for them out of pocket versus are sponsored by Vortex? How many scope failures including loss of zero are reported?