Vortex kaibabs vs Vortex Viper hd 15s binos

[akrem44]

I am looking to get some new 15s and am wondering if the kaibabs are that much better to be worth double the price of the vipers. I always hear but what you can afford, but if they are close in comparison are they really worth the extra money? I have a vortex viper spotter and the glass seems great to me but then again it's the only one I have used. If you have used both or just one could you please leave a review so I can narrow down my search. Thanks


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[Ikeepitcold]

I like my Vipers but to get the best idea on comparison go to a sporting goods store and try them out side by side.

 

[mcseal2]

I had the 15x50 vipers for a short time. 3 of us took them out scouting one evening looking at whitetail in corn, alfalfa, and soybean fields that were cut. None of us were really impressed with the clarity or light gathering, we felt we could see more with the 10x binos we had. I returned them for a credit and saved up a while longer, ended up with Swaro 15x56 I'm very happy with.

I have looked through Kaibabs at the stores and they always seemed excellent. I haven't used them outside in real world conditions though. If it was me I'd either save up for Swaro or buy the Kaibabs. I would love to have my Swaros outside in real world conditions side by side with the Vortex and see if there was really a difference that justifies the price difference. I think Vortex is darn hard to top at their price point. Still my hunting buddy had a new Vortex Razor HD 20-60 spotter that we were pretty impressed with. One day at a pawn shop he found a used older non-HD Swaro STS 20-60 spotter and bought it. That Swaro looked like it has had a hard life, but when we put them on tripods side by side and watched deer until the sun went down 3 of us felt it was considerably better than the new Vortex. We have stuck to the better stuff from the big 3 (Swaro, Leica, Zeiss) since and just saved up until we could afford the best. We figured we'd upgrade down the road if we bought cheaper stuff now, better to just spend once and be done with it until the technology gets so much better its worth upgrading again years down the road.

 

[akrem44]

Thanks for the review! I have been leaning towards going for the kaibabs just so I know I got the best 15s vortex has to offer and there is no doubt in my mind. Thanks


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[Shooter09]

If you're only considering the Kaibabs vs the Vipers I'd say to go with the Kaibabs. I think you would be much happier if you continued to save and got the Swarovski 15x56 SLC HD.

 

[akrem44]

Ya I looked at those and would like to have them one day. I bought the viper 15x50 and took them hunt in AZ with me and liked them. While I was there I stopped into a local bird watching shop that sells all top end optics located in Prescott AZ and got to try all of them side by side. I saw how much better the kaibabs were and had to buy them which I did later on eBay and got a killer deal and I am overly happy with them. Though I did try to swaros and yet they are Better than the kaibabs but only in light not clarity. I do plan on having them in years to come but as of right now I am very happy with the kaibabs.

 

[Tim McCoy]

The Minox 15x56 is another very good one. Light and rugged. Most reviews put it right there with the Kiababs, usually for less. Different warrantee. Minox used to make a 15x58ED that most reviews put just slightly below the Swaro 15x, a good used pair of those for 600-700 ish would be hard to walk away from. I have several Minox optics, they have held up very well for 10 years, light and rugged.

I use my 15x over my spotting scopes for all but the longest range work. I find them easier to use, have less eye fatigue, and I seem to be better able to resolve details with two eyes.

Were I looking for a new pair of big eye bino's, I'd look hard at the Vortex 20x56 Kiababs too. They may be a great solution for all but twilight usage. Most of my 15x usage is to find bedded game in daylight, feeding/moving game in the brush, so it may make the 20x a better option for me, but they were not made when I bought my 15x so am not sure. Be a fun comparison to do, Vortex 15x vs 20x, is the 5x worth the loss of 5-10 minutes or what ever of twilight viewing time?

 

[Jessekenton]

I would have to agree with mcseal2 and shooter09. If there is one thing that you don't want to skimp on it is optics. I know that you are looking at the vortex and they are great binos, but you simply can't beat swarovski. I got a good deal on some 15×56 off of eBay last year. If you do your research I think you can go home with a sweet pair of swaros for the same price maybe a little more that kaibabs, but its worth every penny. The quality of the glass even on a used pair is still better than vortex. Just my opinion. Mine were brand new for $1575. Look around a little, might be worth it.

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