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SwaroEL 12x50 swarovision or Vortex Razor HD 10x50

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fishermanhunterguy View Drop Down
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    Posted: March/16/2015 at 22:30
Hey guys I just turned 30 and will be getting engaged soon. I told my future wife that if she gets a nice ring to have for the rest of her life that I am getting a nice pair of binocs to have for the rest of my life. Anyways after some research and personal opinions I have it narrowed down to the Swarovski EL 12x50 with Swarovision or the Vortex Razor HD 12x50. Can someone on here talk me into spending twice the money on the Swarovski's? Price really isnt a big issue like I stated I will have these forever and they are a gift I will always remember. I guess if theres other strong opinions to go another way let me know too, but as of now I really like these two. Thanks for any advice!
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fishermanhunterguy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fishermanhunterguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 22:33
Sorry in the original post titled I wrote Razor HD 10x50, I meant to wtire Razor HD 12x50
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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/17/2015 at 00:56
For me, 12x is too much for extended handheld use. For most people 10x is the practical limit of what you can easily use handheld.

Personally, between the top brands I have a slight preference for Leica Ultra video and Geovid HD-B. However, that is sort 9f a personal thing. The new Zeiss Victory HT is excellent two. Swarovision is easily my least favourite of the three. The field is extremely flattened and looks unnatural to me resulting in more eye fatigue than Leica.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 07:44
IMHO, a guy is welcome to spend whatever amount of money he wants to.  I'm a huge advocate of buying premium glass, especially binoculars.  I do agree with koshkin.....10x max for handheld, more xx's if using a tripod.

If you're set on 12x, I'd personally save the $$$$ and go straight to the Cabelas Euro 12x50 HD.  They give up little to nothing on anybody, and their tough as nails.  

I'm not a SV fan either.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 08:49
Regarding your listed choices:

Both are good options in 12x.  The 12X50 EL SVs are optically impressive across the field.  The Razor HDs are great on-axis, and notably less sharp than the EL SVs at the edge.

Whether the difference is worth it to you, is really up to you.

I would pose this question to you:  If you can really afford either, and if it is truly a lifetime binocular, then what does even $1000 or more extra matter when spread over a lifetime?
-Matt
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fishermanhunterguy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fishermanhunterguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 16:06
Hey thaks for the replies. Ya I should be looking at the Cabelas Euro 12x50 HD's too. My only hangup with those is that they are 37oz vs the Vortex Razor 12x50 HD which is only 28.7oz. And the Swaro EL 50 is 35.2oz.  To me thats a pretty big difference. Will I notice that extra weight after a day in the field? Also will the extra weight make it more difficult to stabilize the image when using the binocs freehand?
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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/17/2015 at 17:07
With high magnification binoculars, weight is your friend.  Heavier binoculars are easier to keep stable.

Have you ever used 12x binoculars for any length of time unsupported?

Are these intended to be general purpose binoculars?  or something specialized for open spaces?

ILya

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fishermanhunterguy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fishermanhunterguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 17:41
Cool ya I was wondering that, that maybe the extra weight would be good for stabalizing. Obviosly its no benefit for carrying around but 12x binocs are meant to do that as much I spose and if you are you get the harness to carry them against your chest anyways I spose...
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fishermanhunterguy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fishermanhunterguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 17:42
^ 12x are not meant to carry around as much is what I was trying to say vs say 8x or 10x ^
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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/18/2015 at 12:29
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

With high magnification binoculars, weight is your friend.  Heavier binoculars are easier to keep stable.

ILya


Great advice. Thunbs Up
I prefer Porro prism binoculars especially those made in Japan. (i.e. Minox BD 10x44 BP) 8>)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/18/2015 at 13:06
If this is a lifetime binocular remember as life progresses you get older. Big Smile  Dumb sounding statement maybe, but I was 30 once and it seems like yesterday.  I'm 67 now.  Steadiness at hand decreases as age increases, you will find that out soon enough.

My impression is that you are on the verge of making a mistake.  The mistake I see as likely being made that more magnification is better.  That is a pretty typical mistake.  My heartfelt advice to you is to go no higher than 10x.  That is the practical upper limit for the vast majority of humans to hand hold a binocular.  So if you are planning to use this for typical handheld binocular observation activities 12x is too much.  If you plan on using a tripod for most uses, it will be OK.

Since cost is not an issue, go wherever you can and look at Swarovski, Zeiss and Leica binoculars.  How a binocular fits your face, eyes, and hands is more important at that level than the make.

Good luck, welcome to OT by the way!


Edited by Klamath - March/18/2015 at 13:11
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 10-Ring Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2015 at 07:00

Personally, I would forget about 12x and look seriously at the Swarovski 10x42 SV or 10x50 SV both beautiful binoculars. Probably, even better for general use would be the Swarovski 8.5x42 SV which many birder's seem to rate for it's outstanding optical characteristics. Try them first in case you're susceptible to the so called "rolling ball" effect. Currently, the Swarovski EL Swarovision binos are on special.

The Zeiss HT 10x42 is a nice binocular (I owned one for a while) although it tends to give a slightly washed out look in brighter conditions and I think is better suited to duller and low light conditions where it excels.

The Leica Ultravid HD Plus 10x42 is worth a look too. Leica colours tend to be a little exaggerated and the image is quite high in contrast. At least the ones I've looked through and I own a Leica 1600b Rangefinder. The downside of increased contrast is that you can lose some detail in the shadows. Still, it's not excessive and the Leica colour may appeal to you.

Don't dismiss the 8x42 bins either.







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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2015 at 08:20
I'm going to have amend my previous post a bit.  If  guy is willing to spend the money, having spent a few weeks with the 10x42SV, and lately the 10x50SV, I can honestly say it is the finest glass I've ever laid eyes on, and I've seen most every high end glass out there, with the exception of the Zeiss SF.  The SV's are amazing.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 10-Ring Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2015 at 22:27

Originally posted by JGRaider JGRaider wrote:

...  The SV's are amazing.  

Have to agree. My 8x32 SV's are brilliant.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote verminator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/06/2016 at 11:59
if you want to spend a lot less money then try a some zen ray prime HD'S got a pair and a friends got the SV's same mag centerfield res very close fov very close fraction off the price off the alpha's.Big Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Samolot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/09/2016 at 06:29
Fishermanhunterguy,

First off, congratulations on the imminent engagement! I just registered to offer you my two cents: Due diligence is key. I was in the same boat as you, looking for a 12x top-notch binocular. Although I capped my budget at 1,500$. I first got the Vortex Razor HD 12x50. I did think the light weight would be great, but the other people on this forum are right, the light weight does make it more prone to "shakes". Everyone shakes btw, even 27 year old's like me. Then I started to notice excessive color fringing whenever I looked at high-contrast areas (essentially a strip of purple would show up between a darker and lighter object). Another thing I began to notice is that the field of view is compromised by being relatively blurry on the edges. In the end, I returned the binoculars in exchange for a different pair, the Meopta 12x50 Meostar HD (Same thing as Cabela Euro HD 12x50). The weight is comparable to the Swaro's, and the image is exceptional. The added weight does make the binocular steadier (although I did invest in a nice tripod to carry with me on my hikes, which enhanced my viewing experience exponentially). Also you really don't feel the weight around your neck. I hiked with them for three hours with no problems. Although the field of view is narrower than the razor's, its sharp from edge to edge, and no color fringing! The focus knob is not as smooth as the Razor's, but its still easy to work with.

Both are great binoculars, with lifetime warranties, but in the end, you just have to try these binoculars out yourself. I have heard that nothing beats the real alpha-glass (Swaro, Leica, etc...), and I humbly admit I have never tried them.

Good luck!
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