After hunting this weekend I finally had the aha! moment that everyone eventually has about binoculars. Was glassing up a hillside with my lower end binoculars next to my uncle who was using his Swaro SLC’s. Long story short, a couple of bucks stepped out of the brush on the hillside we were glassing as it was approaching dark. He and my wife went and tried to close the gap to get her a closer shot - I stayed behind to keep an eye on the deer. He left his swaros on the tripod and I thought just for fun I’d look through them…that was an expensive mistake lol! The deer were so clear compared to what I had been looking though I could’ve swore I was watching TV. Needless to say now I’m on the hunt for some nicer glass. Now I don’t have swaro money so those are out unfortunately, but I was looking at the Vortex Viper HD line and everyone seems to love them. Figured I would see if there were any other opinions or suggestions from you guys before I pull the trigger on a pair?
No experience with Vortex. I have some nice swaro’s myself.
Got them at a great price-store demo models. So keep that in mind while searching. Still not cheap, but not as crazy as I could have been.
My next binocular is going to be the Burris LRF https://shrsl.com/4ando. Used some last week and compared it to my $1,500 Vortex Fury’s. It wasn’t close. The Burris was significantly more sharp AND has the rangefinding capability too.
But I’m also torn because the Sig Zulu6 binos get SUCH AMAZINGLY POSITIVE reviews that I just have to give them a real try on a hunt. Stabilized does seem to be the way of the future. https://shrsl.com/4andw
Another idea - How about keeping less expensive binoculars for quick scanning and portability, but adding a spotter? Even a mid grade spotter will often beat out expensive binos in many respects since you can zoom in more and have a bigger objective for light transmission.
Maybe a Maven spotter and a tripod?
My brothers and I all used Vortex Diamondback binoculars for years. They were great. Two years ago I picked up some 10x42 Vipers from Cabela’s for Black Friday for $300. Now comparing them side by side to my Diamondback’s, I can’t believe the difference. My 8 year old now uses the Diamondbacks.
I have been very happy with my Vipers, especially if you find them for a good deal around the holidays coming up. I’m sure if I looked through some Razors I would hate my Vipers though.
You’re never going to make a mistake by saving longer if you need to and going for alpha (or near alpha) optics. Great glass will always be great and sometimes “good enough” just leads to having to save for the alpha glass down the road. I’m not sure of your budget but if you’re looking at Vortex (and are a veteran) you get a 40% discount across the board so that puts their top of the line Razor UHD in that $1200 range. The Razor HD can be bought for around $800 or so. I think these are probably the best optical binos without going to the big 3 (Swaro, Leica, and Zeiss).
I’ve said it in the past but seriously consider looking at birding/birdwatcher reviews of optics as they’re much more discerning and descriptive of the differences compared to the typical hunting review. Kowa is another good option optically. Personally, outside of the high end Vortex binos, I don’t consider most American brands on the same level as the best from Europe or even Japan. I’ve looked through several and immediately put them back down. They just don’t compare well with Vortex Razors being the lone exception from the ones I’ve looked though.
I have Maven B.6 12x50. I like them a lot. I think they are just a little better than the top of the line Vortex. Compared them and that’s what I thought. Was going to but Swaro’s but after looking through both couldn’t justify paying the extra 2000 dollars. Think I paid 1100 and I don’t regret it.
Jim, any update on when you will have your Burris dealership and stock?