Vortex Razor Vs. Viper

[GrizzlyLC]

Hey ladies and gents. I want to start off wishing everyone a merry Christmas.

I'm pretty new to quality optics still so I'd like some insight from the more experienced crowd. I'm looking for a set of binos for hunting and a spotting scope for precision shooting/hunting. I'm a Vortex fanboy but with that warranty how can't I be. I would really like to use the "buy once, cry once" mentality and purchase both in the Razor line but is the added cost over the Viper line equivalent really worth it? I should also mention that I have a Viper PST 4-16x50 scope and I love it, but I haven't pushed out far yet so I don't know the limitation of the glass. any insight or advice will be greatly appreciated

here's what I was thinking for the razor line.

20-60x85mm Spotting scope

10x50mm binos

 

[savagelh]

I'm in the same boat as you looking for a new spotter. You pretty much have to look through both and see if it's worth it to you. I think I'm going with the buy once cry once mentality and going with the razor over the viper.

 

[thecoug]

I use both the spotting scope and the 10x50 binos.. Clean glass... I have Schmidt and Bender as well and there is minimal difference.. I did have an issue with the binos and they gave me a brand new set while they checked out mine... They did the fix and I returned the others.. I have no complaints.. Some of their low end gear is just that, altho they do replace.. re the 4-16 viper It is notably different than the high end scopes.. I recommend them.. If you have deep pockets go over the top, otherwise buy the best you can!!!

 

[Clocked92]

I have quite a bit of experience here as I run Razor bino's and spotting scope and my dad runs Vipers.

Binos - Glass is incrementally better on the Razor's for sure. You definitely notice a larger Field of View with the Razors. To me the ergonomics of the Razor's are better and feel more comfortable for hours of glassing in a day. You might have a different opinion on that, best thing would be to try them out and see. Don't overlook something as small as how they fit against your face. When using them for hours each day for weeks at a time, you start to notice. In terms of image quality, the Razor's are better, but if you had the Viper's and didn't look through the Razors, you wouldn't be disappointed. BTW, both binos I'm comparing are the 10x42.

Spotting scopes - I'm running the 20-60x85mm Razor and my dad has the 15-45x65 Viper HD. Hands down, without a doubt the Razor is a better scope. I can pick a deer's antlers apart and tell what points he has from a mile away with the Razor. I'd have to be 500 yards to do that with the Viper. If you can find the older 20-60 Razor on sale because the new one is out, buy the old one in a heartbeat, it's what I did.

Optics are one of those things that you definitely get what you pay for. Vortex warranty is great and because of that everything tends to hold their value quite well. I don't ever see myself selling my Razor optics though.

If you have any specific questions, PM me and I can let you know.