Vortex Viper HD 10x42 binocs

[trueblue]

Anyone using the Vortex Viper HD 10x42's?
Looking at these or Swarovski, but price difference is huge going to the Swarovski.
Need to buy better binocs before my Sept mule deer hunt.

Also, what shoulder straps are you using?

 

[Hunter02]

I've looked through the Viper HD's and think they are real nice for the price point. Never looked through the Swaro's, but I'm thinking you should compare the Swaro's to the Razor HD's not the Viper. The Razors are awesome.

 

[Broz]

No Vipers yet. But my wife and son are both using 10x42 Vortex Diamondbacks. The first set we bought I took them out side the store and compared them to my Swaro 8x32's. I could not detect a difference. Since then we have compared them in the field and still no difference I can detect. The Swaro's are 8x32 and the diamondbacks are 10x42's. But for the $1000 + price difference I can't see a difference. Both are small enough to carry afield and we use the harness systems that keep them on your chest. I would not hesitate to buy the Vortex bino's. They are a great value and do what we need them to.

Jeff

 

[timberbuck]

There is a bunch of good glass in the $400-600 range.

The Viper HD is a good glass and not a bad choice.

I like the Nikon Monarch 7 a little better, it equals the view of the Viper HD but has a wider FOV. It can be had slightly cheaper.

I have read a lot of good reviews on the Kruger Caldera, its cheaper than the Viper HD and performs about the same.

The Zen Ray Prime HD and Leupold Mckinley are about the same price as the Viper HD but have better optics if you can get used to the large diameter eye cups which are needed because of the large field flattner occular lenses used.

The new Zeiss Terra HD for $400 is getting good reviews.

 

[timberbuck]

If it were me I would jump up to the $1000 class binoculars, they are noticably better than the $500 binos and very very close to the Alpha class $2200 binos.
They will be a lifetime worthy investment.

I would go look at these, I assume you want a 10x42.

Meopta Meostar HD/Cabelas Euro HD $850-1000
Zeiss Conquest HD $850
Vortex Razor HD $1100

I like the Meopta/cabelas Euro HD the best, its a little heavier than the other two and easier for me to hold steady. Of the Zeiss an Vortex I would pick the Zeiss.

 

[trueblue]

No Vipers yet. But my wife and son are both using 10x42 Vortex Diamondbacks. The first set we bought I took them out side the store and compared them to my Swaro 8x32's. I could not detect a difference. Since then we have compared them in the field and still no difference I can detect. The Swaro's are 8x32 and the diamondbacks are 10x42's. But for the $1000 + price difference I can't see a difference. Both are small enough to carry afield and we use the harness systems that keep them on your chest. I would not hesitate to buy the Vortex bino's. They are a great value and do what we need them to.

Jeff

Broz
Are you saying the $230 Diamondbacks are comparable to the $2000+ Swarovski 8x32's and can't detect any noticeable difference?
I am actually now looking at the Vortex Razor 10x42 or larger. Not sure what tripod setup to go with. To many choices.

 

[lloydsmale]

i had a pair of the old non hd viper 8x42 and they were impressive. I had them stolen out of my truck. I wish i could have afforded a pair of the hds that replaced them but it wasnt in the cards. Only complaint i had with the old ones is they were HEAVY

 

[jimbires]

I just bought the 10 x 42 razor bino's from cameraland on their vortex sale day , July 31 . I've only played a little , but so far I'm very impressed . a couple nights ago I had a few doe in my field at 10 minutes after sunset , 8:35 pm . certain ways the doe would stand I was able to see her whiskers at 120 - 130 yards .

 

[Broz]

Broz
Are you saying the $230 Diamondbacks are comparable to the $2000+ Swarovski 8x32's and can't detect any noticeable difference?
.

My go to Bino's are an older pair of Swarovski 8x30 SLC's. They have been back and refurbished at Swaro and new lenses were installed. So they are up to current stats. I have on many occasions compared them side by side with my wife's 10 x 42 Diamondbacks, and my sons 10x42 diamond backs. I would be just as happy with the diamondbacks as I can detect no difference in clarity. Yes, and for around $250

Jeff

 

[Browninglover1]

My go to Bino's are an older pair of Swarovski 8x30 SLC's. They have been back and refurbished at Swaro and new lenses were installed. So they are up to current stats. I have on many occasions compared them side by side with my wife's 10 x 42 Diamondbacks, and my sons 10x42 diamond backs. I would be just as happy with the diamondbacks as I can detect no difference in clarity. Yes, and for around $250

Jeff

Put them on tripods and the difference will be startling, especially at the edges. My dad bought an older pair of Viper 10x50's for $300 and at first I thought they were every bit as good as my Cabela's Euros, but side by side on a tripod the Euros were definitely better. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate buying either the Viper or Viper HD's because they are well worth the money and their warranty is incredible.

 

[Broz]

Put them on tripods and the difference will be startling, especially at the edges. My dad bought an older pair of Viper 10x50's for $300 and at first I thought they were every bit as good as my Cabela's Euros, but side by side on a tripod the Euros were definitely better. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate buying either the Viper or Viper HD's because they are well worth the money and their warranty is incredible.

I have had the Viper spotting scope along side my Swaro ATS 80 HD 3 times. Both focused on the same targets at many ranges. In and out of shadows too. The Swaro was $2800 the viper $850. They do the same for me here also.

Jeff

 

[Browninglover1]

I have had the Viper spotting scope along side my Swaro ATS 80 HD 3 times. Both focused on the same targets at many ranges. In and out of shadows too. The Swaro was $2800 the viper $850. They do the same for me here also.

Jeff

I looked through a Viper spotting scope and sold my $1700 Nikon because the Viper was honestly better. Vortex makes killer optics for the money.

 

[lloydsmale]

kind of miss posted. My 8x42s were razors not vipers.

 

[HuntnID]

I have the 10x42 Viper HD's. I have compared them side by side with by brother's Swarovski binos which are the same magnification. I was unable to tell much of a difference. They both looked equally clear. I also have the Vortex Razor spotting scope and all I can say is WOW. It is crystal clear and comparable to any other spotting scope I have looked through.

If you are trying to eek out every last bit of performance, the Swarovski's might be better because I have heard that you can glass later with them(I never compared the two in low light). Otherwise, Vortex gets my vote.

One thing to consider is the warranty. I also have a set of Diamondbacks. I left them on the coffee table and my dog chewed up both eyepieces, not just the rubber, but to the point where the actual hardware had bite marks. I called Vortex to see how much the repair would cost and they said nothing and that they would warranty them. They have had a loyal customer out of me since.