In this post, I want us to explore the difference between Vortex Viper HD Vs Razor HD Binoculars to help you make the right decision on the best binoculars for your needs.
Comparing these two giants is not a walk in the park. The two binoculars by Vortex offer the best of the Razor and Viper series. They are both very resilient models that are built with heavy-duty construction for multi-terrain use.
The two binoculars are ideal for use in a wide range of applications including in concert, in competition, or on the hunt. If you are looking for the best choice between the two, below is a little breakdown to help you through.
Comparison of the Vortex Viper HD vs Razor HD Binoculars
Durability
The chassis is one of the most important parts of the binocular. This is the housing that holds all the different parts together in the form of a unit. There are different models from different manufacturers and they vary in the type of their chassis material.
Hgh-end binoculars are made of magnesium, which has an excellent strength to weight ratio. It is lightweight while at the same time being firm enough for outdoor use. This makes the binoculars very travel-friendly. There is also Polycarbonate plastic, which is the cheapest compared to other construction materials but can withstand temperature changes.
Vortex Viper binoculars are more highly ranked than the Viper series in terms of their chassis and construction material. They have a magnesium housing while the Viper ones have polycarbonate plastic chassis.
Binocular Power
This is represented by numbers written on binoculars. The first number shows the magnification, while the second number tells you the size of the objective lens diameter. If a binocular is a10x42, the magnification is 10X meaning that the image will be enlarged ten times compared to the normal one. On the other hand, 42 represents the size of the objective lens. This controls the amount of light transmission thus affecting the image brightness.
In our case, both the Vortex Viper and the Razor offer variants with different magnification and objective lens sizes. The Vortex Viper series has four models: 8X42, 10X42, 10X50, and 12X50 just like the Vortex Razor series. They are all full-size, and no small-size option is available in both series.
Size and Weight
Size and weight matter during outdoor activities like hiking, biking, camping, birding, or hunting. Razor binoculars have a slightly lesser weight compared to their Viper counterparts. In the 10X42 options, for example, the Razor 10X42 HD Binoculars weigh 24.8 oz while the Vortex Viper 10X42 HD Binoculars weigh 24.9 oz.
Low Light Performance
Both binoculars are equipped with fully multi-coated lenses, dielectric coatings, and phase-coated prisms. However, they do not have the same low light performance as the Razor series binoculars have better low light performance than the Viper ones.
The Viper series binoculars have XR fully multi-coated lens, while the Razor series have XR Plus fully multi-coated lens. Plus coatings ensure more clarity and optical precision in Razor binoculars for an optically sharp image from dusk till dawn. This makes them some of the best binoculars in low-light performance.
Field of View
Field of view is the total area of the view you can see with a pair of binoculars while at a stationary point. A wider field of view is always better when it comes to binoculars. With a wider field of view, you will be able to spot your target easily and quickly focus on it. A field of view that is more than 315 feet at 1000 yards (105m at 1,000 meters / 6.0°) would be great for making memories.
Razor Binoculars have a wider field of view compared to the Viper series. The Vortex Razor 10X42 HD Binoculars for example has a field of view of 362 feet at 1000 yards while its counterpart in the Vortex Viper series has a field of view of 341 feet at 1000.
Eye Relief
Eye relief refers to the total distance between your eyes and the eyepiece of the binoculars. It is especially important for people who use binoculars with eyeglasses. A longer eye relief means a better view for an eyeglass wearer. It also results in more comfort and less eye strain. Eye relief of more than 16 mm is adequate for eyeglass wearers.
The Viper series binoculars have longer eye relief compared to their Razor series counterparts.
Conclusion
Money is a great consideration when choosing your next pair of binoculars. However, with the two Vortex giants, the price margin is not very significant. This means that you can choose the binocular that best suits your needs in terms of optical performance, durability, or image quality while still within your budget.
Our choice would be the Razor series due to their remarkable low-light performance, among other incredible features.