Gear Review Vortex Razor HD Binoculars

By Darr Colburn

The new Vortex Razor HD line of binoculars has really caught my eye since they first came out. I have been most impressed with the edge to edge clarity of the Razor HDs.  In my opinion they stack up against many of the binoculars that are twice the money. I have not seen any other binoculars that compare to the Razors in the $800 to $1200 price range. The light weight and ergonomic design make the Razors easy to hand hold. The Razors are also easily mounted on a tripod with an Outdoorsmans stud and bino adapter. I don’t understand why some optics manufactures refuse to make their binoculars easily tripod mountable. The Outdoorsmans sells the 10x42 Razor HD for $1199.

Key Features Include:
• Premium HD extra low dispersion glass

• XR fully multi coated lenses for increased light transmission and maximum brightness

• Argon gas purged for superior waterproof and fog proof performance

The Razor HD stands up nicely against my older pair of Swarovski 10x42 ELs.  The Ocular lens on the Razor HD is 25% larger than the Swarovski.

The Vortex Razor HD binoculars are available in four models

• 8x42
• 10x42
• 10x50
• 12x50

Like all Vortex optics the Razors are backed by a no fault lifetime warranty. Here is the warranty right from the Vortex website:

Our warranty is about you, not us. It's about taking care of you after the sale.

The VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to you, our customers. We will repair or replace your Vortex product in the event it becomes damaged or defective—at no charge to you. It doesn't matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it. You can count on the VIP Warranty for all riflescopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes and monoculars.

• Unlimited Lifetime Warranty

• Fully transferable

• No warranty card to fill out

• No receipt needed to hang on to

If you ever have a problem, no matter the cause, we promise to take care of you.

I Phone Digi Scope Adapter

By Darrr Colburn

I was down at the Outdoorsmans yesterday and picked up a great new gadget if you have an I Phone 4/4S.  Kowa is making an I Phone adapter that comes with rings that fit my Swarowski Spotting Scope and Swarovski 15X binoculars.  They are also coming out with a ring that will fit on the Kowa Big Eye 32X binoculars.  The Outdoorsmans has these adapters in stock and they are $82.99.  I will post some pics and video over the next few weeks as I get the setup out in the field.  Thank you to the Outdoorsmans for staying on top of the latest and greatest gear and providing amazing customer service.

Swarovski 12X50 EL Binocular

I am pumped to give the new 12X50 EL binoculars from Swarovski a run through my dusty life.  They should be a great addition to the lineup.  I can't wait to see how they will stack up against the Swarovski 15X56's and the 10X42 EL's.  I am betting they will be the perfect tweener glass!  They look so clean and pretty.  I am sure the little 12X50's are wondering why they got punished and sent home with me......Thanks to the guys at the Outdoorsmans for all of their cutting edge info!  Look for a report on the 12X50's once I get a chance to dirty them up a bit.  I am eagerly waiting for the 10X42 EL Range that are coming mid June!

They come with some cool gadgets as well!

On the left is 10X42 EL and on the right is 12X50 EL

On the left is 10X42 EL and on the right is 12X50 EL

Gear Highlights

By Janis Putelis
A few pieces of gear that stood out on our backpacking trip.

Mountain Hardware Skyledge 2.1 tent
At four pounds, this tent is all that Jennifer and I need. Two doors means we're not stepping on each other getting in and out and the rain fly makes ample vestibule space if needed.

Montbell Eldo Jacket
Clutch-that is my Eldo jacket. In and out of hunting packs, ski packs, hiking packs for two years now and still warm and puffy. It's light so I never notice I'm carrying it, but always a welcome layer when I need it.

Leupold Kenai Spotting Scope
New this year, my first spotting scope. So far, so good. I really enjoy having the two eyepieces, the 30x fixed is wide enough that I can pan with it.

Lowa Tibet GTX boots Solid.

Black Diamond trekking poles
I've always been down on hiking with poles, just seemed like one more thing to carry, one more thing to add weight. Well, after a few friends convincing me to give them a try, I'm a believer. I did not use them much on the way up, but heading down steep, rocky trails with large step downs they were the ticket. We actually only used one a piece, but just that extra point of contact helped out my balance and definitely increased my speed. If I'm carrying a pack over 40lbs, my trekking poles will be with me. They are worth the weight!

Hunting Optics

I use the following optics on my hunts: Swarovski 10X42 EL, 10X50 SLC, 8.5X42 EL, 15x56, Docter 40X80, Kowa Highlanders 32X82.  Check out the photos for the tripods and the tripod heads as well as other accessories.  All the items above can be purchased at the Outdoorsmans in Phoenix.  If you have any questions in regards to the equipment listed please just email me.

Outdoorsmans Tripod with Dual Mount with Swarovski 15X56 and Swarovski 80X STS Spotting Scope

Close up of Outdoorsmans Dual Mount

Slik Pro 713 CF II Carbon Fiber legs

Outdoorsmans Bino Adapter mounts very easily

No Place Like the Arizona Desert

Darr and I spent yesterday glassing for sheep in the Arizona desert.  It was alive for sure and it was obvious that the recent rains had refreshed everything.  It was absolutely gorgeous outside at about 73 degrees.  The green grass was just starting to sprout all over.  We spotted some rams, ewes and lambs.  Darr was using the 32X Kowa Highlanders and I was mainly using the Doctor 40X.  We both have been using big optics for a couple of years and love them.  The Kowa's win the prize for optical quality for sure but the Doc's aren't half bad either.   Visit the Outdoorsmans for more info on big optics.

Kowa Highlander Binoculars

Well they have finally been put through the test for the last two months! My hunting partner Darr Colburn and I have been comparing our Doctor 40X's to our Kowa Highlanders 32X. The Kowa's definately win in all aspects of the comparison. The clarity of the Kowa's is unbelievable. The Docters are clear in the center but the Kowa's are clear all around the edges and the center. The Kowas come with 32X eyepieces but you can also buy the 20X and 50X eyepieces. The 32X lenses are the best lenses of that magnification that I have ever looked through. The pair that we purchased also has the Flourite lenses. I have not looked through the regular lenses but am very impressed with the Flourite. The Kowas can be purchased exclusively through the Outdoorsmans in Phoenix. (http://www.outdoorsmans.com/). Darr and I feel that these new Kowa's will be an integral part of our Coues Deer and Mule Deer glassing success in the future.