Vortex, Burris & 2 Swaro warranty comparsion

[cody c]

Recently I found some good deals and trades and changed up some Optics which include:

Vortex diamondback HD 12x50 binoculars
Burris LRF range finding binos
Swaro Habicht Nova 4x32
Swaro Habicht Nova 1.5-6x42

The Vipers came to me cheap with a seized ocular focus adjustment

The Burris range finding Binos limited to about 350 yards where they claim over 1000

Both older Swarovski scopes were foggy, one with apparently damaged reticle.

I’ve sent them all in, and am waiting on the binos and a scope, and have some feedback about warranty between the three…

 

[struff55]

looking forward to your experience

 

[byronick87]

can we make bets on this?
Vortex will be the fastest for sure. I’ve had to use their warranty a little too may times…but they’re domestic so that’s a big plus.
I sent a Burris fullfield e1 for warranty back in November…they JUST sent a new one from their HQ down in USA - then it has to clear customs, go to stoeger Canada, then sent to me
Never had to warranty a swaro so looking forward to everything
Thanks for making this post

 

[cody c]

I can speak highly of all three, and am hesitant to bring up Swarovski as the best deal in a while is a cheap damaged older scope that gets sorted out to new condition but bought for the price of old goods is something I’ll look for again in the future.

Burris was short to the point. You pay shipping one way ($26) and email a tracking number but haven’t arrived yet to verify. RMA says I get a replacement though!

Vortex was fast and easy, I can’t remember if I paid for shipping, they provided a detailed inspection sheet and testing and were quick to respond to comments in email. I was impressed.

Swarovski, and here’s where they surprised me:

I had a question about removing (via machinist) the dovetail rail under the front bell. Which means purposely modifying or altering it, and if this would affect warranty..

A hard question, talked to 5 people to get someone to answer the question, was bounced between 5 people but probably didn’t wait more than a minute for each.. finally I talked to “Julia” who I told her I have a hard question, to which she responded almost but not quite cockily “I can answer your questions whatever they are” so I threw that question of modifications at her.

She hesitated for about 2 seconds and said “as long as I can read the serial number we’ll take care of it for you…. I was impressed, and although they bounced me through a few people they were all courteous well spoken and prompt. I think they may be trying to match Vortex warranty service, but either way I was impressed.

All I can say is that I am pleased with the three, and like Swaro’s registry page for also listing stolen optics.

Also, Burris was one week from receiving to shipping, but has been over two weeks in the mail headed back which is a lot.

Edit: on a side note, I was also looking at used Schmidt and Bender optics before acquiring the 1.5-6 Swaro.. S&B are only a 10 year warranty apparently.

 

[cody c]

One last thing when comparing glass..

I find Swarovski glass to have more of a tint.

And by that I mean the coatings they use do shift Color a bit. After playing with and newer Swaro scopes it makes sense. The tinting helps with definition especially in snowy or bright landscapes, it has an overall positive value, but seems in some ways darker or not as “true” to the eye as competition.

After a bit of use, it becomes a preference though, and the broader FOV and less optical darkening when your eye alignment is somewhat sloppy starts to stand out over some brands more than others.

A picture of the S&B klassik and the Swaro 4x32, been having fun making custom scope caps with thicker veggie tan and other leather, and lining with shearling and muskrat fur lately:

 

[Buzzballer]

I cant speak for the other ones. But I have had amazing dealings with Vortex. Their warranty center is in Guelph, Ontario and they are awesome. I had a used vortex PST 2, that was spray painted and lost zero. They took it back and fixed it free of charge for me. Probably laughing all the way how ever.

 

[cody c]

I’d like to update this thread:

Just received the Burris replacement LRF binoculars yesterday, it must be about 2-3 months from sending to return.

No communication (would be nice to know an ETA but not really required).

Easy, but i can see why there are some comments about it being easier to buy a replacement if you have an issue during hunting season.

Swarovski; still waiting on the 1.5-6 Nova.
Their website is nice to see the status, which in my case is waiting on replacement parts, but they e been waiting on receiving parts for a month.. mind you it is an older scope, for all I know they are making new parts or are waiting on the next large shipment, they don’t owe anything or to a specific timeline, but I can’t help but check the status every week as I’d like to finish that rifle build.

On a side note, I walked out from the house and tested the new replacement LRF Bono’s out to over 1100 yards last night.. stoked to get a MOA sheet done up for the 6.5CM this year with it. But.. I also pondered selling BNIB Burris and buying the Vortex Fury as an upgrade in warranty effectively.