Browsing Eagle Optics and saw a new Razor HD - single hinge design, right lens diopter, less FOV 388' on 8x42, but only 25 ounces. It also mentions APO optical system - some of you more smart optical people will have to tell me what that means? I am not sure I like the look to much.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/vortex/vortex-razor-hd-8x42-binocular-2
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/vortex/vortex-razor-hd-10x42-binocular-2
Aren't the double hinge HD's only a year old. I know SteveC had them but I know he had an issue on the focus.
I did have one and sold it. My issue was with the diopter/focus. The focus knob came off in my habd one day. WHile this is no big deal in and of itself, I was not impressed by the underlying construction of the diopter and focusing arrangements. I thought I took a picture of that, but evidently I did not. Frankly it looked like something I'd expect on a bargain basement sort of arrangement, not a nearly $1,200 binocular. Vortex fixed it as they do with all issues, promptly, no questions asked, quickly, and no hassle. My problem then became one of having no underlying confidence level in the mechanism.
I applaud the new right eye diopter placement. Why people sometimes view this as a negative is beyond me.
All the APO designation probably means is that there is a triplet objective, with one element air spaced from the other two, which are cemented. If one looks at a reasonable definition of what APO is, it is easy to get the idea that this is a good deal as it will appear to offer potential to further correct chromatic abberation. It looks to offer the potential of focusing different wavelengths at the same point. Henry has been referenced in other posts here, and I agree with him. HD glass was simlpy Vortex "Market Speak" now we likely will see "APO" as further "Market Speak".
The Razor HD I had showed more field curvature and pincushion, resulting in a weaker edge that I would have preferred for the nearly $1,200. The centerfield resolution was close enough to alpha level to reduce the discussion to nit picking. If the new Razor improves the edge and enhances the focus reliability then I think Vortex is on the right track.
I would refer everyone to the Hawke Panorama if we are looking for similarity. Or maybe even some sort of hybrid incorporating element sof the Hawke Sapphire ED. However, as I understand from Vortex their Razor line is Japanese. I have no idea if the "new Razor" is still Japanese.
http://www.hawkeoptics.com/binoculars/sapphire-ed.html
http://www.hawkeoptics.com/binoculars/panorama-ed.html
However, external similarities can only go so far and often too much can be made of them.
Now, thinking about this for a bit, it might be that their own Talon HD was close enough to the Razor performance that the Razor sales were suffering. So they really do a neat looking 8x32 Talon, leave the open bridge design to the Talon HD series. Then they ressurrect the Stokes DLS, which design they already had on hand, update the glass and coatings, lengthen it a bit for the "APO" business and have a "new Razor". That looks a lot like the older Stokes.
. It may well be something really different. Just looks too similar to me for it to be a coincidence. The Hawke references are probably irrelevant.
