Vortex 12X50 - Viper or Razor????

[rady0601]

I am in the market for some new binos and i am looking at the Vortex glass and i wonder how much of a difference there is between the Razors and the Vipers. I would suspect they are much better but are they worth twice the $$$ as the Vipers.

Thoughts?

[7mmremmag]

I have a Viper HD spotting scope and find the glass really good.
I have never looked through a Razor though.

[LJalberta]

Worth the money is something that is different for each person. If you like to glass a lot, and spend a good number of hours behind them during your days, then I would lean towards the higher quality pair. The greater the clarity, the less stress on my eyes throughout the day. If you do a lot of glassing at first or last light as well, and those final few moments are really important to you, then again I'd go with the higher quality pair. However, if you're more of a casual hunter/glasser, getting out the odd weekend throughout the year, not spending long sessions behind the binos, and have other financial priorities or gear you'd like, then the Viper's may be the pair for you.

I switched to a pair of Swaro SLCs last year and I have to say, the glass is astounding. No longer do I get headaches or feel no matter how much I focus, I can't get the clarity quite right. Plus, the low light abilities were quite shocking as well.

[Colin_r6]

I have the 10x42 Viper HD's from a few years ago. They were twice the price as the diamondbacks and the view was noticeably better (for me anyway). I looked through the Razors as well, and I couldn't tell the two apart.

Haven't looked back from buying the Vipers! I do sort of wish I would have checked out some more brands though, Nikon etc.

[Thunder Elk Hunter]

Look thru them both I picked the 10x42 vipers as they seemed as clear to me but that could have been the light conditions at the time. Did not see enough difference to justify the price of the razors and I have not found a spot were the vipers have let me down.

[ks.snow]

No personal experience, but maven's run the same price as vortex and apparently are a higher quality glass. I'd look into them as well.

[rady0601]

Is the warranty comparable as well?

[ks.snow]

Originally Posted by rady0601

Is the warranty comparable as well?

Unconditional lifetime warranty. I think they still have a demo program where you can try the optics out for either two weeks or a month and if you dont like them you send them back and get your deposit back.

[rady0601]

Cool, I will check them out as well. Thanks