10 x 42 Razors or SLC

schoolhousegrizz · Jun 30, 2014

I currently have monarch 12 x 42's. My wife wants some binos and said she will take the monarchs and I can upgrade, she is awesome. I know Swaro SLC's are said to have better glass than the razors, however, every time I go and check them out the razors seem more clear and brighter. The razors are more comfortable in my hand as well. The thing holding me back is the reputation of Swaro glass. Have any of you had experience with both or either one?

lundellhunting7 · Jun 30, 2014

I would go with the slc 100%

Timberbuck · Jun 30, 2014

How old were the SLC's you were comparing to the Razor?
The new SLC is quite a bit better than the razor.

Fortis · Jul 1, 2014

Meopta 10x42 HD

Founder · Jul 1, 2014

Well, I own both and for my pack trip I'm headed out on, I grabbed the Vortex Razor HD's. Don't get me wrong, I do like my SLC's but I like the feel, weight, and size of the Razor's a bit more. In the beginning, the Razor's felt strange after having used the SLC's for several years, but now I lean towards the Razor's because of the size and feel. The SLC's are a few years older. I have never noticed a difference in the glass. SLC's about 8 years old and Razor's about 3 years old.

You will want a Binoc-lock for the Razor's if you go with them though.

I just looked at the prices of each optic at Camera Land and they have the Razor's at $1200 and the SLC's at $1800. I don't believe the SLC's could be that much better, even brand new.
They have the Demo's at $950. I'm cheap and poor, but knowing what I know, and based partly on price, I'd be happy buying the Razor's.

Isn't buying optics a tough task? So hard to really know the difference and whether a little better optic is worth an extra $1000 or so.

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Willametteriveroutlaw · Jul 1, 2014

The difference is edge to edge clarity and over all longevity. There are numerous reports of the coatings failing over time on the asian glass, where as the swaro's will last forever.

Also you are comparing non hd glass in the 8 Y/O SLC's versus the new ones that are HD glass and have revised ergonomics. You won't get a good review in the store side by side, but outside in real world conditions, its completely different.

mtmuleys · Jul 1, 2014

well said. The SLC has better edge sharpness than the other binoculars. It may not be important to everyone. But it certainly is to me. When I scout the area, I want to have a good peripheral vision in my binoculars FOV. SLC gets the job done right. To get the image quality like SLC without draining the wallet, I would look into the Zen-Ray's PRIME HD binoculars. They have field flattener lens similar to SLC binos.

257Tony · Jul 2, 2014

Instead of spending $1200 on new Razors, grab a pair of used Sworobright EL's for around $1400, they are a whole different class of bino.

GLEDEASY · Jul 2, 2014

>Instead of spending $1200 on new
>Razors, grab a pair of
>used Sworobright EL's for around
>$1400, they are a whole
>different class of bino.

This ^ is what I would do as well. Haven't had the SLC or razor's in hand but I've owned the EL's and you won't be disappointed (I would say 1400 is on the upper end of what you could find them for).

Lots of choices, but you've already won the battle with your wife allowing you to get a new pair

Rambo · Jul 6, 2014

I agree.^^^ I bought my Swarovski 10x42 Els used for $1400 and they are excellent.

Timberbuck · Jul 6, 2014

The current SLC does not have field flattener lenses-you are thinking about the Swarovision. Does not matter, the SLC is sharp in about 90% of the view. Totally sharp edges are not needed in a hunting binocular and the "rolling ball distortion" or "globe effect" they cause are detrimental to some peoples eyes when panning (which is what we are doing when looking for game.)

The new SLC has better optics than any mentioned here including the older EL. The current SLC and Swarovision have HD lenses, the older EL does not. The current SLC and Swarovision have updated lens coatings over the older EL also. The current SLC is slightly brighter than the Swarovision because of less lens surfaces in the binocular.

If I was going to spend $1400 on an older EL I would save $350 more and buy a new SLC or a buy a Zeiss Victory HT demo for about the same. Then you would have one of the two best hunting binoculars going IMO.

schoolhousegrizz · Jul 7, 2014

Thanks for the info everyone, I think I will need to do a little more looking through both.

schoolhousegrizz · Jul 7, 2014

Both brand new

schoolhousegrizz · Jul 7, 2014

Thanks Spencer

Timberbuck · Jul 7, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jul-07-14 AT 04:59PM (MST)[p]Its impossible to judge binoculars for brightness inside a store with artificial lighting.

If possible wait until dusk and take both outside the store to evaluate.

The Razor HD is a good binocular but you need to judge them on more than brightness (the razor is not brighter period but it is plenty bright). The SLC will have a larger sweet spot,better CA handling and sharper image. IMO the razor is too light for a 10x and hard to hold steady. The SLC is built better and will retain more of its value.

I you could find a lightly used Razor for about $800 it would be an ok buy but no Vortex binocular is a good value at $1200. You would be lucky to get $800 out of it in perfect condition a year from now.

schoolhousegrizz · Jul 7, 2014

Thanks, I could get brand new Razors for 950 cash and SLC's for 1,550 from a rep.

swivelhead · Jul 8, 2014

Swarovski is an investment, no optic retains it's resale value like Swaro glass. You can thank us later.

fatrooster · Jul 11, 2014

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID49/8585.html

Found this in the Monster Muleys classifieds. fatrooster.

schoolhousegrizz · Jul 25, 2014

Ended up buying a bow instead.

LeddSlinger · Jul 27, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jul-27-14 AT 12:14PM (MST)[p]>Instead of spending $1200 on new
>Razors, grab a pair of
>used Sworobright EL's for around
>$1400, they are a whole
>different class of bino.
>
>
>

I disagree. The new HD Swarovision binos are in a class of their own, but the older EL's are maybe equal to the new Razor HD's.

I had the razor 10x42 HD 2012 model and they were great, though I think the field of view was almost TOO wide if you know what I mean. 362 ft @ 1000 yards is huge and demands a lot of attention from your eyes. But glass is excellent and the warranty is second to none. My buddy had an eyecup break on his Swaro SLC 15-56 bins and Swarovski charged him $80 to fix it. I had trouble with an eye cup on my Vortex Razors and Vortex refunded me $1200 to get a brand new pair off the shelf of the local sporting goods store. So that's something to keep in mind.

I used that $1200 credit to put towards the new Razor 10x50 HD bins instead of the 10x42 that I had and the 50s are WAY better. Much brighter and the field of view is a little more concentrated to help me focus on the area I am looking at. I believe they are 315 ft @ 1K.

I currently have my buddy's new model Swaro SLC 10x42 bins on hand and I have extensively compared them to my Razor 10x50 bins in all lighting conditions and even total darkness with street lights. I can't really tell a difference. I tried and tried, but they are pretty much the same. In daylight, I think the Razors make color "pop" a little better and provide a slightly "flatter" view with the new APO glass they put in the 2013+ models. Detail on both are absolutely stunning. In low light, maybe the 10x50 Razors are a hair brighter due to the larger objective, but it is very hard to determine definitely. I believe they are about dead even in low light. I think the SLC's would definitely be better in low light when compared to the Razor 10x42's, but the 10x50s step up the Razors low light game for sure and they don't weigh much more.

So I believe it's kind of a toss up. If considering the SLC vs. Razor, I would go with the 10x50 model Razor and save yourself $500 plus have a better warranty to boot. Nobody can touch the Vortex VIP warranty coverage, it is by far the best in the business.

Now if you can afford the new Swarovski HD Swarovision bins, that's the way to go. Those things are insane bright and clear. On a whole different level than the SLC or Razor, especially in low light. But they are $2500 new....

Gator · Aug 20, 2014

Good Choice. LOL

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