Looking to buy a pair of binos for my son for Christmas looking at the Leupold BX-1 McKenzie and the Vortex Crossfire HD. I've got a pair of the old Leupold gold rings can't beat them, but they don't make them anymore. Anyone have any input on the above models would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

For the price range your looking at; I’d look into a set of Mavens

I have a pair of Vortex Viper HD 10x50s I bought for about $500. I bought my wife a pair of Vortex Diamondback 10x42s. for $140. I can't tell much difference if any.

Vortex Diamondbacks are on sale at cabelas right now. I feel for the sale price they cant be beat.

Vortex has a unconditional lifetime guarantee. Leupold does not, recently fount this out the hard way. Vortex headquarters in not far from me here in WI, they have been absolutely spectacular donating to our archery club and our new high school trap shooting team. Not to mention what they do for military vets. I wont own anything but......

@ lidner115. I would be interested in your experience with leupolds warranty if you don't mind elaborating.

about 3 years ago i bought a leupold rangefinder, a something 1200tbr, around $400. well after about 6 months the display started melting, not bad but noticeable. didnt really worry bout it. well after a year and 6 months i couldn't even hardly read it. I googled it seems to be a pretty known problem. contacted customer support they apologized and said to far out of warranty, would sell me one at retail minus 40% or some crap. Told them they suck!!!!! On to a Vortex story, actually another rangefinder story.

A buddy had a vortex rangefinder, left it on the back of his truck and drove off, remembered it but it was demolished! He picked up what he could and called Vortex and explained the situation. Customer Service said if you send me one piece that recognizable that its actually a Vortex product, i'll send you a new one no questions asked.

Another story i have diamonback binos with a harness, i thought i had harness around my arm while carrying a bunch of stuff, i didn't, they fell on concrete with eyecups out, broke one clean off. I drove up to their office handed them the broken ones they handed me new ones, i was there literally 45 seconds.

VORTEX all the way for me!

With enough marketing hype, low enough cost from overseas products and great customer service when the company starts, you could probably sell anything. Vortex might be the best thing since sliced bread but given their relative newness to the market I’m still skeptical.

I've had nothing but positive experience with Leupold customer service/warranties, for the past 40 years. As an Alaskan Master Guide, I depended heavily on my optics... scopes, spotting scopes, binocs, range finders etc.

Truth be told, I seldom NEEDED customer service, since the products held up wonderfully.

I probably fall into the category of "loyal customer," so just take this at face value!

Pete

Honestly. Go to a bird watchers forum. Those guys are serious about their glass.

Looked at the vortex at cabelas. Doesn't look like the zoom adjustment in the middle is easy to use. For thise that have one, is it difficult to adjust with that tiny knob?

I own vortex 12x 50 hd razors , 10 x 50 hd vipers and a pair of 10 x 50 diamond backs ( can't remember if they are HD I won them in a raffle) all new this year. Here is the break down from this years elk hunt

12 x 50 mostly used on a tri pod glassing up elk at long range 2 to 3 miles mostly just able to find elk and by color determine bull or cow occasionally ably to see horn but not count points. id rate them 4 out of 5

10 x 50 vipers could still find elk but not as good at the longer ranges always hand held and easier to use hand held compared to the 12 x 50s, not as sharp as the razors could see the elk but never put horn on them at those ranges id rate them 3 out of 5

10 x 50 Dimond backs ok glass for leaving in the truck or for a kid that might not take care of them like I do mine, my step son used these and was able to find some elk after he got thru the learning curve ( first hunt) just not as crisp as the other 2 sets of glass close to vipers as far as image goes Id rate them 2.5 out of 5

all 3 sets were easy to focus and use by multiple people

No mine say made in China. Maybe the glass is usa. But the product says made in China. Still a good product. I have the cross fires. No complaints what so ever other then the weight, they are kinda heavy.

No experience with either brand, but I have a pair of Redfields that I am extremely happy with.

Vortex lower end is made across the sea but all their top end is made right here.

I believe everything above Diamondback is made here.

vortex gets my vote

Thanks for the info, Linder 115

Vortex - the best warranty you will have to use.

The best bino glass is European. Second is Japanese. Fourth is China.

Look at Maven’s C class binos. Better Japanese glass.

I bought the vortex 12x50 and love them. I lost the front lens caps while moose hunting in Alaska, told the guy at scheels and within a week I had a new set in the mail.