Tested and Reviewed: New 10x32 Razor UHD Binocular from Vortex

The old adage “ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain” rarely rings more true than when referring to backcountry hunting adventures. With that in mind, one of the most common gear trends in recent years, specifically amongst the Western hunting community, is that of reducing weight while preserving performance. It makes sense. And with that trend, a smorgasbord of ultra-lightweight gear has flooded the market in recent years. Optics are generally viewed as “mission-essential” gear and few, if any, hardcore hunters are willing to sacrifice the edge optics give to save a few pounds. Fortunately, optic companies have taken notice and a new genre of compact optics are making their way into the backcountry, like the new compact 10x32 and 8x32 Razor UHD binoculars from Vortex.

With several options to choose from, Vortex Optics premium Razor UHD lineup has been a staple for serious hunters since their inception in 2019. New for 2024, Vortex just released their most recent addition to the Razor UHD line with the launch of both 8x32 and 10x32 configurations. Small in stature but mighty in performance, the new offerings provide weight-conscious hunters a viable option to shave some weight from their overall kit without sacrificing optical quality.

The entire Razor UHD family represents the crème of the crop from Vortex optics, sparing no expense to provide the clarity and resolution that hunters expect from a premium binocular. Headlining the Razor UHD lineup is Vortex’s UHD (Ultra High Definition) Optical System, providing true color fidelity, impressive light transmission and appreciated edge-to-edge clarity. Vortex also incorporated their fully multi-coated XR Plus Lens Coatings, further maximizing light transmission and low-light performance when hunters need it most. Other notable features include a rugged magnesium chassis to decrease weight and increase strength, ArmorTek technology to protect your investment from exterior lens scratches, tripod adaptable with a ¼-20 threaded attachment in the hinge and of course, they are both waterproof and fog proof to provide premium performance regardless of outside forces.

It is worth noting that there is one minor difference between the new 8x32 and 10x32 models and the rest of the Razor UHD line. To accommodate the compact size of the new models, they feature a smaller Roof-Schmidt Pechan prism while the rest of the models in the Razor UHD line sport Roof-Abbe Koenig prisms. Despite the prism systems, the difference in optical performance between the compact models and the rest of the Razor UHD line is negligible.

So, just how small are the new Razor UHD models? Both the 8x32 and 10x32 models are 5.7 inches in length, 5.1 inches wide and weigh 21.9 ounces. For comparison, the 10x50 Razor UHD binoculars are 7.6 inches long, 5.9 inches wide and weigh 36.5 ounces. A couple of inches in length and nearly a pound more might not seem like much, but I can assure you the weight and space savings with the compact models is noticeable.

Despite the smaller 32mm objective lens, the new compact model provides the largest field of view when compared to their larger siblings. At 1,000 yards, Vortex advertises the linear field of view for the 10x32 Razor UHD is 388 feet while the 10x50 model provides a 341-foot field of view. While not a huge advantage, a larger field of view is rarely, if ever, a bad thing.

For testing, I chose to go with the 10x32 model given the open country of the West I live in and spend the majority of my days afield. In my opinion, 8x binoculars shine in the hardwoods and heavily forested regions where typical glassing ranges are sub-300 yards while 10x binoculars give the additional and needed magnification when hunting big country. I received my test 10x32 Razor UHD’s just in time to hit the turkey woods this spring. Covering country is the name of the game in my neck of the woods when in pursuit of the King of Spring and the new compact binoculars were ideally situated for the job. They were light enough I rarely noticed they were there, yet provided crystal-clear optical performance when needed to differentiate a tom from a jake at 650 yards.

With the release of the new models, Vortex also announced that all Razor UHD models will come standard with their new Green GlassPak Pro Binocular Harness (which retails separately for $135). This modular harness protects your investment from the relentless elements but it also provides the ability to secure additional pouches and accessories for rangefinders, mouth diaphragms, extra cartridges, tags, etc. The GlassPak Pro also features one-handed operation, quick release buckles, DWR treated exterior and a quiet microfiber interior.

Good glass isn’t cheap, though the reasonable price tag on the new compact Razor UHD’s is manageable. The 8x32 model prices out at $1,450 while the 10x42 model comes in at $1,500. Expensive? Yes. But you get what you pay for and it is difficult to put a price tag on good glass. Like it or not, premium glass often makes the difference between success and failure on the mountain.

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