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leupold HD or vortex razor

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varmintmaster77 View Drop Down
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    Posted: March/04/2008 at 18:37

My next binocular purchase is narrowed downed to leupold HD 8x42 or vortex razor 8x42.I have read good reviews on the razors,But i haven't seen or heard many reviews on the leupold HDs.I would appreciate any opinions  on the leupolds.Im leaning towards the leupolds,please help me decide.Thanks Steve....

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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2008 at 21:30
I happen to have the same situation.  My choice will be for an 8x42.  I am also leaning toward the Leupold Gold Rings as well.  I really am not sure why the price came down so drastically on the Gold Ring.  This may get me flamed, but in my opinion, the Leupold Gold Ring HD is the best glass available.  I like them better than the Swarovski, which is the direct in the field comparison I have had the most experience with.  The Gold Rings also feel better to my hand than anything else.  They are a bit heavy, but for situations where a binocular and a day pack are the only things you're carrying, it is not objectionable.  If Leupold had not dropped the GR into the Razor price range, then the Razor would be my choice.
 
Steve
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2008 at 15:21
I thought that Leupold Gold Ring binoculars were pretty compact and comfortable to hold, but optically, Razors looked noticeably better to me.

Now GR HDs, I have only seen at the SHOT show, so I could not compare them to anything.  They looked pretty good, but nowhere near the wow-effect generated when you look through Leica Ultravid HD or Nikon EDG or Zeiss FL.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2008 at 17:57
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

...nowhere near the wow-effect generated when you look through Leica Ultravid HD or Nikon EDG or Zeiss FL.
 
I must be difficult to impress because, I've never really had this "wow effect" experience with any optic.   That is, until I look at the price sticker. Big%20Grin 
 
Maybe I just expect too much for $2000+
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2008 at 18:26
I may get flamed for this as well but I have looked through several pairs of the Leupolds GR and GR EDs in both the 8x32 and 8x42 configuration and none of them impressed me really. I tend to agree with Koshkin. I guess I expected more from an FL/ED style glass specimen. The image seemed a tad soft and not nearly as bright as some of the others in their original price range.
 
Having said that and after having owned a couple of pairs of the Razors I would choose the Razors especially in the 8x42 configuration. The 8x42 Razors have a superb 411 foot field of view and they weigh in at around 29 ounces. The image is also tack sharp...almost comparable with the Zeiss FLs. Actually the Razor's image reminded me quite a bit of the Leica Trinovids in terms of sharpness, CA control and color representation. Compare that with a 380 or so foot field of view on the Leupolds and their 33 ounce weight and it seems the Razors have a definite edge.
 
I know Leupold is reported to have good customer service though I have never had to use it (have owned several of their bins). I have used Vortex customer service though and it was excellent. They actually sent me replacement bins and I had them within a week.
 
Just my thoughts.


Edited by FrankD - March/05/2008 at 18:28
Frank
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2008 at 19:17
FrankD,

Nice to have you back, again.

Not to worry about getting "flamed", by now you should be made of asbestos.

If you ever have an opportunity to look thru the new Leica HD 12x50 please let me know what you think.

Leica Ultravid HD

      
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2008 at 19:43
Yes, good to have you back again, FrankD.  I've really enjoyed your bino savvy.  Where ya been, brother?
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/06/2008 at 11:55
I addition to Frank's remarks, i would have to mention that Leupold's eyecups are enormous in diameter and hard. Very, very uncomfortable. 
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FrankD View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/06/2008 at 18:46
Sorry guys. Archery season took me away from many of the optics forums for a few months. This website along with birdforum are blocked from my access at work because they are message boards and in the case of this site, weapons related.
 
BW,
 
I have yet to look at either the Leica HDs or the new Nikon EDGs but both are on my short list. Good to be back guys.Wink
Frank
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2008 at 16:15
How did your archery season turn out for you, Frank?
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/07/2008 at 19:19
Ted,
 
Good in the sense that I managed to take a nice doe from a ground blind with my 5 year old son. That was his first experience actually out hunting with me. He is hooked. ;)
 
Not to get off topic or anything. :)
Frank
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/08/2008 at 20:48
Good deal, Frank!  Any hunt with your child is always memorable!
 
Back to the topic at hand, the Razor scored near the top in this "mid priced binocular round-up" done by Mike and Diane Porter, along with 13 testers, and it appears the stiff focus issue was the only thing that kept it from top honors.  However, it's worth noting that the stiff focuser has been fixed since this review was done.
 
They felt it was unsurpassed in optical quality, even going so far as to claim 
"Of all the binoculars we tested, no binocular excelled the Vortex Razor for optical quality."
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote antler addiction Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2008 at 02:03

Sorry new poster been reading for a while though. 

Anyway another one you might consider is the Minox HG.  I bought a 8.5x43 set for Dad we think they are great.  Light, smooth focus, nice feel and very good optically.  They compare well to my El's at a fraction of the price.  I haven't had the opportunity to look through the Razors yet, however the styling is like my el's which is one reason I bought them.  I have looked through the vipers and was impressed, I thought their were better then my Pnetax SP's at less money to boot.
 
How would you rate the Razors vs the EL's or Minox Hg's.  Those who have compared them?  My hunting partner is looking and doesn't want to spend EL money. 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2008 at 17:49
Antler, I haven't had the opportunity to compare those binoculars head to head, but best I can recall, the HG and Razor seemed pretty close in terms of optical quality, except the Razor has considerably more FOV than the HG.  The EL is in a totally different class of binoculars, so I would expect that it would outperform the other two, but I have no basis of comparison since I haven't spent any time behind an EL outside of looking at them in stores.  I would bet that the difference isn't as significant as the price difference would seem to indicate, though.  As is usually the case with optics, beyond a certain point, increasingly smaller improvements in optical quality comes at a significant increase in price.
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SamC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2008 at 20:46
I am saving for a pair of Razor binoculars, there are better but IMHO, they are the best bang for your buck right now.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote antler addiction Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/25/2008 at 00:33

RifleDude, have you looked through the 10x vipers or razors?? He says he'd rather have 10x's.  Thanks

I notice the difference between the HG's and my 10x42 EL's but like you said the differences optically become more subtle.  It really boiled down to feel in the hand and I just didn't want to give them back..no regrets I have spent money on worse thingsShocked
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/25/2008 at 15:35
Originally posted by antler addiction antler addiction wrote:

RifleDude, have you looked through the 10x vipers or razors?? He says he'd rather have 10x's.  Thanks

I notice the difference between the HG's and my 10x42 EL's but like you said the differences optically become more subtle.  It really boiled down to feel in the hand and I just didn't want to give them back..no regrets I have spent money on worse thingsShocked
 
No, I haven't looked at the 10X version of either binocular.  I own an 8X42 Razor, and I've looked through the 8X42 Viper briefly.  The Viper is nice, but I found it didn't have quite the huge sweet spot and relaxed view of the Razor, not to mention it doesn't have as much FOV and the nice multi-position eyecups of the Razor.  Nevertheless, it is a fine binocular in its own right, and an exceptional value.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote thinkingman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/25/2008 at 23:39
I did spend the weekend looking thru Vortex Razor 10X and I'm sorry to say they just didn't work for me.
I have been using Nikon LX 8X32's and, this is subjective as all reviews are, the Nikons are much easier to use for my eyes.
Eye relief is much less critical and the field of view is huge on the Nikons.
I will return the Razor 10's and try the 8's and see if it narrows the gap.
This is just my opinion but hope it helps.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/26/2008 at 09:08
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

I thought that Leupold Gold Ring binoculars were pretty compact and comfortable to hold, but optically, Razors looked noticeably better to me.

Now GR HDs, I have only seen at the SHOT show, so I could not compare them to anything.  They looked pretty good, but nowhere near the wow-effect generated when you look through Leica Ultravid HD or Nikon EDG or Zeiss FL.

ILya


Where would you rate the Swarovski EL's? I get that wow-effect looking through them and seeing the brilliant colors and far away objects but I haven't played with the FL's.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/26/2008 at 12:16
The ELs are very good and definitely compete against the likes of Ultravid.  I think I would give the edge in resolution to the FLs and Ultravid HD and EDG, but as I said before more testing may be needed.  Swaro generally always had a wider sweet spot than Leica and Zeiss, but I think Nikon EDG may challenge and beat the EL in the sweetspot department.

ILya
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