Why is everyone selling their Vortex optics?

kingfisher

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It seems that every other day someone is selling their Vortex spotter or binos. I am curious why so many depart with an optic that so many consider so good. I know that online, marketing can play up the quality of a brand. Vortex is a marketing machine, even on forums. So, are any of selling because the optic didn't live up to the hype? If you sold your Vortex product, why?
 

bradb

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Because I have a buying problem and I want Vortex new stuff

I am also selling my Kifaru Bikini frame. Why? Read above :)
 

Becca

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I have run 10 X 42 Razor HDs for the last two seasons, and have no intention of selling them anytime soon. i have no complaints whatsoever, and feel like Vortex offers quality optics at a reasonable price point. I have previously used optics made by Swarovski, and Zeiss and don't feel that the difference in optical quality is commensurate with the increase in price, at least to my eyes.

For what it's worth, we often sell quality gear because we decided to go a different route...different objective size, something lighter, or maybe we got a good deal on something and then decided we don't need it anymore. Just because we list something for sale doesn't mean we were dissatisfied.
 
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S&S Archery (Rob)

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I think Vortex is a great stepping stone for buyers. You can start at the diamondback, and then sell, move to the Viper HD, then on to the Razor. I will agree that they are not the best optics, but they are the best bang for your dollar. When i do sell my Razor 65mm spotter, it will be for a swaro...
 

bradb

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I always feel that if we could ever do "blind" test/choices in optics peoples choices would often change. Heck they would probably end up with different brands in various things. I don't think there is a "the best"
 

bbrown

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Probably upgrading to Swaro.
Nailed it!!! At least for me anyways - had the opportunity to grab a pair of the 10x42 EL Ranges that I could not pass up - actually waiting for them to get dropped off now. I want to compare the Razors to the ELs but you will probably see them listed in the classified here soon.

Started out with the Vipers and I still think they are the best bang for the buck in the mid tier binos. Got the itch to upgrade to the Razors so I rat holed cash and picked up a pair before last hunting season. They were very good for the money with a huge field of view, great ergonomics and light. My only complaint was the edge to edge clarity - not terrible but noticeable. Got to spend a couple days on a mule deer hunt going back and forth between the latest version of the SLCs and the Razors both mounted on a tripod. The SLCs were better but I was surprised how well the Razors hung in there right up to last light.

Vortex Warranty is top notch and their customer service is great. Every time I have sent anything back to them it has always been because I screwed up or just wanted to have them cleaned and inspected before the upcoming season. Sent my Razors in last week - they are already through the service dept and heading back to me - less than 2 week turn around including shipping.

On the other hand I looked through a pair of the Diamondbacks and was pretty disappointed - they had a terrible off white/yellowish tint and were not very sharp. I even tried a couple pairs but they all were the same. I was picking up a pair for my brother in-law and wanted to get the Vortex for the warranty (he is a bit rough on gear) but in that price range there was much better options. Ended up with the Nikon Monarch 5s which happened to be on sale for about the same price.
 

hflier

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I think there are those folks that will be happy with $300 optics, but then when you start buying the higher grade of optics like some of the Vortex mid level glass, you see what you have been missing and then you become a junkie and want the best. So they are a stepping stone.
 

5MilesBack

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I have not been happy with any of the Vortex items I've had. I sold an HS LR scope that was too dark and dull all the time. I sold a 50mm Razor spotter because it was too small. Then I sold the 65mm version because it was just too grainy at max magnification, and the eye relief disappeared at that mag as well. That's 3 strikes in my book. I have no idea why everyone else is selling, that's up to them.
 

dotman

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Nailed it!!! At least for me anyways - had the opportunity to grab a pair of the 10x42 EL Ranges that I could not pass up - actually waiting for them to get dropped off now. I want to compare the Razors to the ELs but you will probably see them listed in the classified here soon.

Started out with the Vipers and I still think they are the best bang for the buck in the mid tier binos. Got the itch to upgrade to the Razors so I rat holed cash and picked up a pair before last hunting season. They were very good for the money with a huge field of view, great ergonomics and light. My only complaint was the edge to edge clarity - not terrible but noticeable. Got to spend a couple days on a mule deer hunt going back and forth between the latest version of the SLCs and the Razors both mounted on a tripod. The SLCs were better but I was surprised how well the Razors hung in there right up to last light.

Vortex Warranty is top notch and their customer service is great. Every time I have sent anything back to them it has always been because I screwed up or just wanted to have them cleaned and inspected before the upcoming season. Sent my Razors in last week - they are already through the service dept and heading back to me - less than 2 week turn around including shipping.

On the other hand I looked through a pair of the Diamondbacks and was pretty disappointed - they had a terrible off white/yellowish tint and were not very sharp. I even tried a couple pairs but they all were the same. I was picking up a pair for my brother in-law and wanted to get the Vortex for the warranty (he is a bit rough on gear) but in that price range there was much better options. Ended up with the Nikon Monarch 5s which happened to be on sale for about the same price.

Ha, a buddy here in KC fell into a can't pass up deal on the exact same swaro binos, he sold off his Meopta HD's so I'm sure the Razors will move on.
 

bbrown

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Ha, a buddy here in KC fell into a can't pass up deal on the exact same swaro binos, he sold off his Meopta HD's so I'm sure the Razors will move on.

I just hope they fit in that FHF case - really don't want to try to have to find one in large in CB.... ha!
 

dotman

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They will, his did. But he did get the 8x42 but im sure they are the same size overall.
 

Beastmode

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I absolutely love my razor spotter and razor binos. As stated above the only reason I would sell is to get Swarovski or maybe Leica. I don't know when this will be though. Swarovski is great glass but as stated before the razors really are an incredible optic for the money. Nothing wrong with them. You see so many of them for sale because so many people have them. If they were junk guys would be giving crappy reviews and getting rid of them during hunting season. This is the time to sell buy and trade for most of us.
 

LaHunter

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I had a Razor 65mm spotter for 3 seasons and really liked it alot. I bought a Swaro 65mm STS spotter and sold my Razor. I had no complaints at all with the Razor, but it is not as good as a Swaro. I have looked through both side by side multiple times in actual hunting conditions and the Swaro STS is better. That's why I sold my Razor.
 

PWCGray

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I'm one of those guys selling some of their optics right now! haha

It's just a numbers thing. Vortex sells a ton of optics, so you are naturally going to see a secondary market for them.

The Swaro thing is also no joke. From my experience there is pretty damn little difference between the razor line and Swaros. However, there is a little difference, and that little difference can drive a grown man crazy... crazy enough to blow money in an almost criminal way
 

luke moffat

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Nailed it!!! At least for me anyways - had the opportunity to grab a pair of the 10x42 EL Ranges that I could not pass up - actually waiting for them to get dropped off now. I want to compare the Razors to the ELs but you will probably see them listed in the classified here soon.

I would be interested in what you think between the Vortex Razor HDs and the Swaro El Ranges being the EL Ranges do not use HD glass.
 

Colberjs

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What are you guys opinions between the Razor HD's and Zeiss Conquest? I've been considering upgrading my Viper HD's to the Zeiss but may consider the Razors.
 

PWCGray

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What are you guys opinions between the Razor HD's and Zeiss Conquest? I've been considering upgrading my Viper HD's to the Zeiss but may consider the Razors.

I looked at 42mm in Razor HDs, conquests, leupold hd mojave proguides, and swaro EL across a wide range of conditions. I couldn't tell any difference between the first three, hence went with the proguides due to cost. EL's were better in most conditions. I later purchased them because I couldn't let go. Everybody has a little different experience but that was mine.
 

dotman

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What are you guys opinions between the Razor HD's and Zeiss Conquest? I've been considering upgrading my Viper HD's to the Zeiss but may consider the Razors.

I prefer my Zeiss but if I was you I would also consider the Meopta HD or the Cabelas branded version of the Meopta in the Instinct line.
 
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