I'd like to see a 6x18 Viper, be on it immediately!
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New midsized Razor UHDs (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Bill Atwood
- Start date
Ignatius
Inactive member
As long as it isn't one of those fiddly double-hinged efforts I could get behind that too. (My Curio, brilliant as the view is, has been relegated to the truck while the VP8x25 is now my EDC as it were.)
Boogieshrew
Well-known member
Would you expect the 8x32 uhd razor to have edge to edge clarity with a 9* fov? Does it have field flatteners?
yarrellii
Well-known member
Wow, this is really interesting, a high level Vortex 8x32 (I can't fault the Diamondback HD 8x32, great value, especially considering the warranty) of a range that hasn't got a compact binocular is really an interesting move, and even more if you think about that huge FOV. ¡Nice! I would love to try it, however, just like @Cest what I would really like is a 8x32 Viper HD.
On the one hand, one could argue that a really nice Viper HD could steal some sales of the Razor UHD. However, on the other side, since Vortex has decided to place this on the UHD (and not HD) Razor, maybe that is a wise move, so they could then get an 8x32 Viper HD and separate it enough price-wise (and also "prestige"-wise in the perception of their clientelle). Furthermore, since the Razor UHD are quite large and heavy for an 8x32 (the same way the UHD range is on the large/heavey side overall), at 620 g (21,9 oz) they are about the weight of a Zeiss Conquest HD (an already hefty 8x32), but taller and wider. It seems as if there would be a clear gap in their line-up, so they could launch a more compact and light Viper HD 8x30/32 that competes directly against the 8x30/32 bunch of "lightweight and compact" 8x32 like the Nikon MHG, Zeiss SFL, Opticron Traveller, Kite Lynx, etc, that weight around 450 g (16 oz). Now that would be really interesting. By many accounts, the 32 mm format is selling well and, although Vortex seems to cater mostly for hunters (were long reach and also big aperture play a role), 8/10x32 seem to be safe bets for anyone wanting to sell. So, maybe just wishful thinking, but if there's anyone from Vortex reading... make an 8x32 Viper HD at around 500-600 $, 8º FOV, 16 oz, rugged and dependable, and I think it would be a serious contender. #daydreaming
If they were to offer a 6x18 Viper, I'd happily take it in either configuration they saw fit to develop it into. Fortunately for many of us small Ultravid and Curio owners the double hinges haven't been a problem, though a single hinged pocket would be great to have.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
A Viper HD in 8x30 and 10x30 may even be better if similar in size to the MHG. That leaves the 32 UHD as a more substantial in girth and similar to SF, NL, and EL.
Boogieshrew
Well-known member
Hi all,
I briefly tried the Razor 8x32 uhd yesterday and was disappointed to find the view really falls off at the edges. The sweet spot being approx 50-60% of the fov. For my eyes and eyeglasses at least. I found the blurry edges strong enough to distract from the view. It may be that my eyes/brain would adjust to this over time if I used them long term (as I did with the Swarovski 8x32 sSV rolling ball when I first used them) but I am not convinced of this at the moment.
Within the sweet spot the view is very nice: sharp and contrasty. Nothing to complain about here.
There was some rolling ball when panning but not too distracting. I think I would get used to this but at present I am not used to it from the binoculars I use so it was noticeable.
I found them lacking eye relief so I could not see the whole fov without jamming my glasses hard against the eyecups. Although the eyecups edges are soft and yielding, it is not comfortable to press so hard on my glasses. An extra 1mm would probably be enough to prevent this.
The lack of eye relief will stop me trying them again. If the e/r was comfortable, I would give them a longer test period to see if my eyes can get used to their view. All binoculars have their idiosyncrasies but I find that with use I can get used to most of them.
In the hand they feel comfortable and very well made. Sturdy. The focus wheel is very smooth and the view snaps into focus well. Very nice.
A shame they don't suit my glasses. I was really hoping to like them. A 9* fov in a small binoculars is very appealing.
I would recommend trying them if you're looking for an 8x32. They may well suit you better than me.
I briefly tried the Razor 8x32 uhd yesterday and was disappointed to find the view really falls off at the edges. The sweet spot being approx 50-60% of the fov. For my eyes and eyeglasses at least. I found the blurry edges strong enough to distract from the view. It may be that my eyes/brain would adjust to this over time if I used them long term (as I did with the Swarovski 8x32 sSV rolling ball when I first used them) but I am not convinced of this at the moment.
Within the sweet spot the view is very nice: sharp and contrasty. Nothing to complain about here.
There was some rolling ball when panning but not too distracting. I think I would get used to this but at present I am not used to it from the binoculars I use so it was noticeable.
I found them lacking eye relief so I could not see the whole fov without jamming my glasses hard against the eyecups. Although the eyecups edges are soft and yielding, it is not comfortable to press so hard on my glasses. An extra 1mm would probably be enough to prevent this.
The lack of eye relief will stop me trying them again. If the e/r was comfortable, I would give them a longer test period to see if my eyes can get used to their view. All binoculars have their idiosyncrasies but I find that with use I can get used to most of them.
In the hand they feel comfortable and very well made. Sturdy. The focus wheel is very smooth and the view snaps into focus well. Very nice.
A shame they don't suit my glasses. I was really hoping to like them. A 9* fov in a small binoculars is very appealing.
I would recommend trying them if you're looking for an 8x32. They may well suit you better than me.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
Interesting, that’s two things that surprised me. Eye relief is advertised as 19mm , which we’d think is good for everybody, and that there’s some globe effect, I don’t believe they have field flatteners.
That's interesting. It's good to get a report from someone who has held one. I also thought 19 mm eye relief would be enough. For the price I would expect near edge to edge clarity. I guess I will wait and see if they put out a Viper.
Boogieshrew
Well-known member
As they say, your mileage may vary! So don't let me put you off. Give them a try.
I took am surprised that 19mm wasn't enough er for me.
Is the globe effect only caused by field flatteners? The first time I saw it was in opticron bga classic 7x36s. They don't have field flatteners. I thought the rolling ball related to the substantial field curvature that it had.
I took am surprised that 19mm wasn't enough er for me.
Is the globe effect only caused by field flatteners? The first time I saw it was in opticron bga classic 7x36s. They don't have field flatteners. I thought the rolling ball related to the substantial field curvature that it had.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
I think some are confusing globe effect , usually because of field flatteners (not always,Nikon EDG) with distortion.
Boogieshrew
Well-known member
Hi Paul,
I see globe effect in the opticron 7x36 and the Swarovski el sv 8x32. One without and one with field flatteners.
Interested to know why in the opticron. Is it the field curvature? The edges could be focussed in so I think there was only field curvature not distortion.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
I don’t think those are both globe effect, I think the one with the curved lenses could be pincushion distortion.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
Its on my radar.
tenex
reality-based
The FOV looks like a typo, considering the unremarkable specs of all the other Razor models. What could possibly be going on?
The video Paul uploaded does claim "edge to edge clarity". But "clarity" is a weasel word.
In which direction do Razors focus to infinity? And are they made in China or Japan?
Paultricounty
Well-known member
HD’s made in the Philippines, UHD’s MIJ.
dries1
Member
Not much info out there on these. Surprising.
NDhunter
Experienced observer
If you want a single hinge pocket, get a Zeiss. Not sure why you think a 6x18 binocular is such a
good size.
Jerry