Vortex vs Swarovski?

[wildfowler.250]

Folks has anyone compared these side by side? I know vortex have a good rep. Their best model I think is the Razor UHD which is around £1300-£1500.

At the same time, swaro EL 10x42 are around £1500 anyway.

Everyone raves about swao aftercare which is why I’d probably lean that way . But can the two really stand side by side or is it that the mid range vortex are just decent for the money?


All coming from an old leica 8x32 hand me down owner,(which I love) so I’m impartial.

 

[FISH BOY]

Swaro all the way - nothing beats them.

 

[Nickb]

Swaro nothing compares ...live mine.

 

[bluesako]

as above, but i like leica there great, i have a pair of slc,s 8x30,s, fantastic picture and they didnt break the bank when i bought them. bs.

 

[Brighty3006]

SWAROVSKI

 

[Koenig]

Swarovski are without doubt the pinnacle of optics for most. When about to buy a pair I borrowed an albeit older pair from a mate. I couldn’t get on with them at all. The last light capability he raved about didn’t work for me, I didn’t think my old Vortex Diamondbacks were much behind them. I think this all comes down to individual eyesight. Another buddy of mine bought some high end Leicas only to keep them for about a week - again just didn’t work for him. He went back to Swarovski. Try not to be seduced by the marketing men. Ideally you should try a few pairs and not in the shop, but under poor light. Vortex Vipers work for me even when compared to other Vortex models so it’s not even a brand specific thing.

 

[nun_hunter]

Swarovski does have legendary customer service, but there are still plenty of stories about with people needing to pay for repairs, replacement parts and servicing. That is something you do not have to worry about with Vortex, including accidental damage.

If I was spending £1500 on binoculars I would definitely sacrifice a few minutes extra in the dark for 100% peace of mind.

Having been stung by Zeiss for a useless £600 range finder they refused to repair and told me to buy a new one, I'd choose Vortex every time.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Having owned cheap binoculars, then Zeiss, then Swarovski, then Leica (twice), then Kahles, I'm back to Leica. Swarovski and Leica are both very good in my limited experience.
Regards
JCS

 

[JockStalk]

I’ve had a pair of Vortex razors in 10x42 and they were very, very good. Goof proof warranty too. Would rate them on a par with Swaro.

I also have Swaro and Zeiss, previously leicas (binoculars) and all are good glass.

At this age my eyes is likely more of an issue than any fag papers width of difference between them.

 

[mealiejimmy]

Swaro if it's only glass, Vortex if they are rangefinders
Swaro will cover non electronic components for life but nly give 2 or 3 years warranty on any electronics
Vortex give a lifetime warranty on both glass and electronics

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Overlay]

Have and use swaro, zeiss and Schmidt and bender
For sharpness of view. Swaro

For reticule and illuminated dot zeiss

For light capture for dusk and dawn definitely the later model Schmitt and bender and fire dot

Lieca are also very good, that’s all a friend of mine uses, when he’s out stalking but he is always the first one back to the truck at dusk saying he ran out of light ?

To be honest they are all exceptional scopes better than most, I use a swaro 1-8 x 24 Z8i for woodland stalking on my .308 and it’s very rarely over 6x the clear view with the incredible field of view makes it exceptional you can shoot and see clearly for a distance more than you would shoot

FWIW I would go with one you like and get on with, weight of a scope is not worth mentioning . But what you think is best for you and what your quarry is

everyone has their favourite, I shoot 222,243,6,5 and 308 in heavy fluted match barrels, couple of extra ounces either way doesn’t really matter and I wouldn’t even notice it light or heavy

 

[Dave_45]

I don’t think Swarovski are the extra ££ worth over vortex.

They are better glass wise but not hundreds if not 1000 ish worth for a few extra minutes.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Swaro if it's only glass, Vortex if they are rangefinders
Swaro will cover non electronic components for life but nly give 2 or 3 years warranty on any electronics
Vortex give a lifetime warranty on both glass and electronics

Cheers

Bruce

Worth noting that the Vortex rangefinding binos (Fury, I think...) have equivalent glass to their Viper range of Binoculars. I don't know how Swaro or others compare in terms of the glass in their rangefinders, but if you buy Vortex Fury be aware that you're not getting the best glass they have.

That's said, I have a pair of 10x50 Vipers and I really like them.

 

[homer]

Vortex, never worry about a repair bill again!

 

[Fair Hill]

Vortex, never worry about a repair bill again!

There's a lot to be said for that peace of mind and because it is not confined to the original purchaser it is an even bigger Brucey bonus.

 

[Koenig]

Worth noting that the Vortex rangefinding binos (Fury, I think...) have equivalent glass to their Viper range of Binoculars. I don't know how Swaro or others compare in terms of the glass in their rangefinders, but if you buy Vortex Fury be aware that you're not getting the best glass they have.

That's said, I have a pair of 10x50 Vipers and I really like them.

I tried Vipers against Fury’s in Bass Pro. The sales Rep let me try them in a darker lit corner of the shop and to my eyes the Vipers were sharper and clearer by a noticeable margin. The only thing I can think of is the addition of the LRF making a difference but have absolutely no evidence to back this up - just my little test. Pity really, because I wanted the Fury’s and LRF and they were on offer.

 

[Stover Rover]

Swarovski Field Pro models, the latest EL incarnation have been reduced in price recently. But don't expect a nice case they come in a simple cloth bag now.

 

[Cottis]

I tried Vipers against Fury’s in Bass Pro. The sales Rep let me try them in a darker lit corner of the shop and to my eyes the Vipers were sharper and clearer by a noticeable margin. The only thing I can think of is the addition of the LRF making a difference but have absolutely no evidence to back this up - just my little test. Pity really, because I wanted the Fury’s and LRF and they were on offer.

It's not just the Fury's. Within a few months of ownership I sold Geovid HDB3000's as I felt they were optically poor compared to my Vortex Viper HD, (which I stupidly sold) especially low light capability. Fortunately the price shot up while I owned them so I only 50 quid overall when I sold them.

I was then lucky to get a really good deal from Toby at McLeod's on a range master 2700b and some Ultravid HD's which are brilliant.

I've never looked through an RF binocular and been amazed and that includes Zeiss. Not tried the latest Swaro though

 

[@theroedeerguy]

I went from Swarovski 8.5x42 EL to Vortex Fury HD5000 because I wanted an integral rangefinder in my binoculars.

Without a doubt the Swarovski provided a pin sharp image and incredible low light performance.

That said the Vortex do everything I need them to and I’m identifying and shooting just as many deer with them, arguably more thanks to the rangefinder.

If light levels are so low that I can’t identify in the Vortex the chances are it’s getting a bit dark for a shot.

I kept my Swarovski winged eye cups and use them on my Vortex which I find helpful in providing a better sight picture for my eyes.

 

[Sampo]

I would pick Vortex anyday to avoid having to walk on eggshells. Its warranty is worth it when you are out stalking and no amount of whatever clarity optics is going to win for me when a broken electronics is going to leave me with a repair bill. You want to be at ease with your tools and use them than trying to protect them all the way.