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Vortex binoculars all made in China |
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NDhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/15/2006 Status: Offline Points: 601 |
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Posted: August/04/2017 at 17:55 |
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Vortex has now moved all production of binoculars to China. That includes the Razor and Viper that have all been made in Japan. Not a good decision. The highest priced made in China binocular in this size has not been over $500.00. I own many China made optics, but the price vs. value thing is a large consideration. |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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Have you confirmed that with Vortex?
Generally, I have been looking at the new Razor spotter which is made in China and it is a better optic than its Japanese made predecessor. I do think that they do some final assembly and alignment on it in the US though. What it means for the binoculars, I do not know, of course. ILya
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NDhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/15/2006 Status: Offline Points: 601 |
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Ilya: The made in China label means a lesser optic in any case for most of those that will frequent the forum. In binoculars, there are not any common, China made binoculars that are sold in the over $900.00 range. I think Vortex has made a big mistake moving everything to China. It will hurt the brand, and binoculars are their biggest optic market. With lots of midrange competition, Vortex prices will be dropping steadily, and they should. I am talking about Zeiss Conquest, Leica Trinovid, Nikon Monarch HG, Meopta Meostar, and the newbies of Tract, Maven and GPO. I have never been a Vortex fan, and the only reason, is there are lots of other choices, and this is another reason why. Jerry |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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A lesser optics means just that: a lesser optic. Country of origin is not necessarily a determinant of a lesser optic, not any more. Some of the stuff I have seen coming out of China recently has been pretty impressive. I do not expect their movement upmarket to slow down any time soon.
Oh, by the way, Zeiss Conquest you mention is made in China. If I remember correctly, the eyepieces are attached to the body in Germany and the design is done in Germany. However, they are made in China and they seem well regarded. I would probably not pass judgement until I see the product, but then again, to each his own. If I were to make a guess (and this is just a guess), going forward, Vortex will continue to use China and Phillipines for their OEM made stuff and either make or assemble their higher end stuff in the US. I have not seen most of the binoculars you mention yet, but I have tested Meostar and Trinovid and like those quite a bit. I liked the Trinovid more than the Razor binocular side by side. In other words, I am not terribly concerned where a product is made. I am more interested in how well it is made. ILya
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Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
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BTW I can remember way back when Made in Japan meant junk. |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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I can see how many people have an issue with Chinese made products simply due to political differences. I understand their concern, but ultimately for me, it comes down to the merit of the product. ILya |
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NDhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/15/2006 Status: Offline Points: 601 |
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Ilya: The Zeiss Conquest HD is made in Japan, not China. And you are correct, stamped made in Germany, as per final assembly. |
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Troubador
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/03/2017 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 58 |
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Jerry is correct. The component parts for Conquest are made in Japan. How much assembly is done in Germany? Enough that when the team assembling Conquests were taken off this in order to produce HTs this led to a shortage of Conquests. The rumour about Conquests only having the eyecups screwed on is, I believe only that: a rumour. Probably doing this could be legal and constitute 'made in Germany' under European Union law but I have been told by someone I believe that 'made in Germany' has to be much more than this if it is to carry that 'made in Germany' tag into the US market. More recent info suggests Conquests arrive in Germany as a kit of part-assembled components and final assembly and collimation and QA takes place in Germany. Conquest is fine value for money in my not so humble opinion but there are many great value models just now and Jerry mentions some of them. Made in China doesn't have to mean trash though so I think we should be cautious about jumping to conclusions about Vortexes from now on. Lets wait and see. Clearly Vortex wasn't making enough money based on Japanese production and I for one don't think profit is a dirty word. Profit is needed to develop a brand. In the meantime there are several brands out there delivering great value so Vortex need to keep their game up. Lee
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