Vortex Optics: Compact and Clear Glass for the Backcountry

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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, including the new compact Razor UHD binoculars and Viper HD spotting scope from Vortex.

Compact Razor UHD Binoculars

Vortex’s premium Razor UHD lineup has been a staple for serious hunters since their inception in 2019. Their most recent addition to the Razor UHD line includes two new compact offerings to include 8x32 and 10x32 configurations. Small in stature but mighty in performance, the new offerings provide weight-conscious hunters a viable option to shave weight from their overall kit without sacrificing optical quality.

The entire Razor UHD family represents the cream 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 the outside elements.

It is worth noting 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 reside in. 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 needed magnification when hunting big country. I received my test 10x32 Razor UHDs just in time to hit the turkey woods this past 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 I needed to differentiate a tom from a jake at 650 yards.

Compact Viper HD 11-33x50 Spotting Scope

Vortex Optics also recently released a new spotting scope in their Viper HD line to include a compact 11-33x50 model that darn near fits in the palm of your hand. If I am being honest, I was skeptical at first but that unfair judgement quickly faded once I took it afield. Not only did it serve its purpose in shaving weight from my pack on multi-day hunts, but it has also become a staple in the truck. It conveniently fits in the center console for quick and easy access when scouting for turkeys and waterfowl or looking at the numerous deer and elk that reside close to home.

The compact spotter features an HD Optical System, delivering noteworthy resolution, clarity and color fidelity as well as boasting Armortek lens coatings and a rubberized shell to protect the HD glass. One of the most convenient features of the Viper 11-33x50 spotter is its fixed Arca-Swiss adaptable mount. This allows for rapid use on a wide variety of tripods as well as window mounts. It weighs a mere 27.8 ounces and is only 10.3 inches long. For comparison, the Viper HD 20-60x85 spotting scope weighs 76.6 ounces and is 17.5 inches long.

Obviously, the compact size is great, but it also comes with a decrease in the spotting scopes magnification abilities. With a max zoom of 33x, the Viper HD compact shines when observing inside 750 yards. Past that distance you do start to lose some definition in your subject. As with most things in life, it is a balancing act to find the perfect combination that best fits your style and pursuits. While not ideal for extreme distance observation, this nifty compact spotter strikes a chord with backcountry hunters looking to shave weight without sacrificing the necessity of a spotting scope for long-distance observation.

Good glass isn’t cheap, though the reasonable price tag on the new compact options from Vortex are manageable. The Razor UHD 8x32 model prices out at $1,450 while the 10x42 model comes in at $1,500. The Viper HD 11-33x50 spotter comes in straight or angled configurations, both of which retail for $850. As with any investment, always remember that 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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