Vortex Razor 65 vs Kowa 66
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Has anyone had a chance to look through both a Vortex Razor 65 vs and a Kowa 66 side by side? I've just been waiting for the right deal on the Vortex Razor, but I've seen some comments/reviews lately raving about the Kowa 66. No one seems to carry Kowa in Minnesota, so I can't compare them unless I buy both online and return one.
If I buy the Kowa in the US it's about $150 more than the Vortex. Some better deals can be had buying the Kowa straight from Japan on eBay. Anyone done that? I've ordered a few small items in the past from China and Japan on eBay and had no problems (just longer shipping times) but this is a little higher ticket item. I'd be giving up the US Warranty on the Kowa by buying it from China, but depending on the cost savings, it might be worth it.
This is a scope I'd be packing quite a bit. So I'm not ready to go to the 80mm class scopes. I bought a 50mm Razor last year for CO Elk hunting and did not care for it. My Vortex Viper Binos were more comfortable to glass with. I've since replaced those with some Swaro EL's (non-sv), but I can't move up to Alpha glass with the spotter.
Talked to Eagle Optics and although they liked the Kowa glass a bit more over the Razor, they didn't sound too high on warranty work/support by Kowa.
Kinda keeps me leaning Razor. But still interested if anyone has experience with the two.
Creedmore Sports is a Kowa dealer. Occasionally they have some really good sales. Got a pair of kowa binocs at a great discount awhile back. The binocs work great and have a USA warranty
warranty!! MikeC. That is all
Eagle Optics is Vortex! Of course they're going to brag about the Vortex warranty because they own the company.
Eagle Optics is Vortex! Of course they're going to brag about the Vortex warranty because they own the company.
Huh...I did not know that. That does connect some dots though.
Have never looked through a Vortex but I did have a Zeiss, Leica, and Swarvo on tripods next to a Kowa. To my untrained eye I could not see enough of a difference to justify doubling the cost. I have had the TSN 66 Kowa on two sheep hunts and have been very satisfied with it. one of the deciding factors in going with the Kowa was that it is shorter and lighter than the other 3.
Eagle Optics is a large optics retailer, you probably already knew that, that just went to the makers of the optics that other companies were selling them and "cut out the middle man". Problem is that they specified some cheaper specs so they could make more profit.
I always hear about Vortex's great warranty but it's the same as 90% of the other companies out there, the odds of using it are much greater than other companies though.
All true about Eagle Optics, but I will say having gone directly to the store since I live in Wisconsin. They were truly impartial and went and got me several different pair to look through and compare. It was a 2 hour drive but well worth it. I will also say Vortex has been awesome- I settled on the Razor HD's. I lost a lens cap during deer season, emailed them from my deer blind, 2 days later they had new covers at my house - no charge. Anyway my experience with both companies has been excellent for what that's worth. Plus they are from Wisconsin so they have to be honest, and hard working!
Flatbow....Were the "Zeiss, Leica, and Swarvo on tripods next to a Kowa" all 65mm scopes?
Vortex and Eagle optics are the same company.
But I don't know if other companies can match their warranty. They will repair or replace your optics NO MATTER WHAT. They will repair or replace them ff you drop them, run them over with your truck, have you dog eat them, etc.
Will other companies do that?
Well here's a warranty story for you.
I was original purchaser of a fine Kowa spotting scope. It's served me well, but has been well used for many, many years.
The seals gave out and the internals fog up, so I sent it back to Kowa as it has Lifetime Warranty.
They told me they no longer have parts but graciously offered to sell me a new model at a discount roughly equal to 25% off the body/objective, but I'd have to pay full price for the eyepiece, since my eyepiece wont' fit and doesn't fall under warranty.
To say I am miffed is an understatement. I argued for a while, but gave up as it was apparent that it's a waste of my time.
Good by Kowa, hello Vortex.
Of course no guarantee that Vortex will still be around years in the future when/if I need to use the warranty, but at least if I drop the scope on a rock or something like that in the near future I'd be covered by Vortex.
Carl
Yes most companies will do the same as Vortex. Leupold replaced a scope that I had a horse roll over on and bend it. I wanted to know if it was fixable and what it would cost ans to my surprise they sent me a new one at no charge. Nikon has a no fault warranty as do most other companies. And ask a retaier that carries all the brands which one has the highest warranty return rate? I bet it will start with a "V"!
smarba: That sucks big time! That pretty well seals it for me, I'm buying the Vortex.
I've heard several stories like Zingers Leupold experience. Many people claim Swarovski has a no fault type warranty too, but they don't. It may be good, but it's not true "no fault." They might replace stuff at no charge sometimes, but not always. I had the strap lugs wearing through on a used Swaro EL I bought and I was hopeful (not expecting) that they would just repair it. It cost me $150 for the repair and they did make the binos look basically brand new, which was pretty cool. They did charge me to replace worn out lens covers too. I'm not complaining by any means, just saying...it's definitely not the same warranty as Vortex.
Leupold is renowned for its customer service.
I realize that we are paying more for Vortex, as they have to include X% to cover their warranty, but at the end of the day, knowing I don't have to worry when my daughter wants to look through my binos.
Warranty is only as good as the company behind it and honestly Vortex is a relatively new kid on the block. Who knows what will happen in a decade or more.
I bought into Brunton's unconditional HALO warranty, which was worded basically like Vortex.
Then when it came time to use it for my binos, lo and behold Brunton no longer makes optics and won't do anything for me.
Makes me second guess whether sticking to names with a long history aren't a better value in the long term. Then again Kowa has been around a very long time too.
Does Zen Ray still exist as a company? I remember just a year or two ago eveyone bragging about their warranty.
I ended up ordering a new Razor. There are a couple dealers out there that will accept "offers" on these and one knocked off a couple hundred bucks. That really sealed the deal for me. Knowing myself, I will probably end up with a swaro in a couple years anyway, but this is a good way to work my way up, without dropping a couple grand all at once. That's basically how it went with my binos.
http://www.thedodgevillechronicle.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=8&ArticleID=6205&TM=51456.74
climb.on: if I recall, they all were 65's. the only difference being the Zeiss was straight and the others angled.