Bino Questions

LAST EDITED ON Aug-18-15 AT 04:32PM (MST)[p]I have narrowed it down to razors or slc swaros. I am currently using 12x42 nikon monarchs. If I could buy a pair and there would never be any additional costs (repairs) then I would get swaros. I have been saving for awhile so I could get either pair. I just don't want to be spending money on repairs, which I would not have to worry about with the razors. Also, I want to get 8 or 10 power. Their main use would be for picking out game, not judging. I nearly always carry a spotting scope for that. Any suggestions? Which binocular? Which power?

I have had my Swarovski SLC 10x42 for 15 years and outside of slight dis-colorization where my hands held them and one lens cap that broke off nothing wrong with mine. I did send them back to Swaro for cleaning and they gave them a good cleaning, replaced the lens caps and so they are good for another 13 years....providing that I don't drop them or something.

Cost was less than $75 so that is nothing for 13 years of use and won't sell them till I quit hunting...which is not that far off at my age.

For many years I used a pair of CANON 8X30 7.5* Binos. Bought them at the PX over in Vietnam in 1966. I use to carry them in my work truck till one day I went to use them and could not see anything...turns out one of the lens inside got knocked out of whack. Sent them back to Canon and had them repair till I bought a pair of Leupold 10x28 pocket ones. But after one season in MT trying to determin if the Bull was legal brow tine, I made up my mind to get a good set. The Swaro were best for my eyes over Leica & Zeiss.

Brian
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Thanks

Why do you think you will need to pay for repairs with the Swarovski's?

They treat their customers great. Take care of them and you will be fine. The Swarovski is built much better. You should not let possible repair costs guide you decision.

Problem with the vortex is that you have a much higher chance of having to send them in to get fixed for QC problems. Yes their warranty is great but it becomes a pain to have to use it because of build problems.

You would be nuts to buy the Razors over the SLC when you can afford the SLC. Besides it is better optically and will hold much more of its value than the Vortex.

You guys have made some great points, I will get the SLC's. What about 8 or 10 power? I'm thinking 8.

I have a pair of 8x30 Swarovski binos that are over 30 years old. I sent them back for repairs 3 years ago and they rebuilt and replaced everything including making them waterproof, which they weren't before. They charged me about $140.00 for this service and they are better than before. Last month my wife lost one of the eye cups and Swarovski replaced them both for free. They have a great product and stand behind it for decades.
Hope this helps.
MTShasta

If you are hunting in trees or close terrain get the 8 power.
If you are hunting longer distances get the 10 power.
I agree with everybody else....get the SLC's. fatrooster.

If you hunt big country then get 10x's, but get it set up to use on a tripod, otherwise get the 8x for use mainly by hand.