Binocular Comparison: Vortex Razor UHD 10x42 vs. Maven B2 11x45

[@jwlerza22]

I'm very confused on why this BBQ guy did one of the best gear review comparisons I have ever seen. Literally watched the whole thing. Very great job. Stumbled on this because I recently was thinking about picking up the Mavens. Thanks man!

[@86mhayez]

I never thought i would get help purchasing binoculars from the same guy that showed me how to smoke a brisket

[@aviationworld8939]

Thank you for taking your time and putting togethere great presentation. Six months ago I've purchased Mavens C1 10 x 42 and based on your great presentation I've just purchase the Mavens B2 11x45 I can't handily wait to get them...

[@Nessy3nity]

Great review brother! I was on the fence but I'm definitely going with the Mavens B2. Thank you for an excellent honest review.

[@intox69]

Appreciate the review man, you obviously put a lot of work into it.

[@luisrod14]

Great job on this video! Thanks for the help.

[@jcsabolt2]

It seems like the Gold Standard has always been the Swarovski EL line. However, a few years ago I compared them and about a dozen others to a pair of Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 and have the edge to Nikon, but I was splitting hairs with a razor blade. Excellent info on the Mavens. I honestly have been unimpressed with Vortex’s glass compared to others at the same or lower price point. Vortex makes their money with their no fault warranty.

[@Frostytravels]

Great video, very honest and comprehensive. Gave you a sub man.

[@MrRottman43055]

Great Review. I have Razor HD & Maven B6 and there is no comparison, the Mavens are better, more clarity, crisp bright view.

[@mikelastpass689]

Really enjoyed the review. Nothing beats a fine pair of binoculars. I Recently purchased my 1st & probably only really good pair of binoculars I'll ever own & what a difference... Nothing like good glass. Although probably not a choice for what you would consider for hunting due to the weight but I wouldn't trade my Fujinon Tecno Stabi 14x40s for anything. I use them weekly making videos of wildlife especially eagles snatching fish... Simply amazing. I always enjoy your bbq videos & didn't realize you were doing this type work as well. 👍

[@joshuakg5ptt225]

awsome review thanks for something useful not just clickbait with afilate links to a store like so many other vids on youtube very very useful thanks

[@La-huh]

Best comparison I have seen on you tube, pulse you are consumer and real person who uses these not like every other video on you tube made by sales person of company or sponsored by company…you made my mile clear to purchase maven I think they look cool too pluse mave is up front with all the details of product……thanks ..🎄

[@harveydanger8282]

Good video but couple of points. Both are nice binos and close in specs but not quite apples to apples. First the Mavens have larger objective lens so not surprising you were able to see object a few minutes longer at night. Also they have 10% more magnification as they are 11x vs Vortex which are 10x so that will affect "resolving power" tests. The flip side to that is the Vortex has a much wider field of view. So while both are great binos at their price point they are not quite apples vs apples. If you want a little more magnification the Mavens may be the way to go. If you want a little more field of view the Vortex would be the better choice.

[@agusr32]

The Maven has a larger objective because it is 11x instead of 10x. The pupil is actually smaller than the Vortex's, so you should see objects slightly dimmer with the Mavens if not taking into consideration the transmittance.

[@karenshahmoradi6558]

Thank you for comprehensive and honest analytic review.

[@desertguy395]

Great review. I'm gonna have to try out the Mavens, I'm kinda worried about handshake with the 11 power.

[@InCountry6970]

This is a solid review and I agree on many of your points. I also own a pair of the Maven 11X45.
One detail those prisms are called Abbe-Koenig.
Good job !

[@MusikPiratCH]

He did pronounce it perfectly (I'm Swiss German) and the prisms are Abbe-König (I guess it's written Koenig for the non-Germans)! 😛
Ernst Karl Abbe was a physician and worked together with the founder of Zeiss (Carl Zeiss and Otto Schott)! That's why Zeiss is using those prisms! 😍

[@davidlytle3974]

Excellent review, fair comparison. Thanks.

[@koltinkenney]

This helped so much. Thank you!

[@MRWKFClark]

Literally deciding between the 10x50 of razor hd or B series right now. And I dunno if you labelled the videos wrong or messed up the focus when dog is coping but in every comparison I thought the vortex looked better than the mavens

[@DeepAscension]

I agree

[@BustaGrill]

Got my sub. In the market and was looking at these two, have you looked thru Tract Optics?

[@chrishutchison5031]

? What do you rub on them? How long do you smoke them, and at what temperature? I tried it without this info. The lenses got greasy and they were tough as a rock.

[@dragonseggs]

Great review... tuned in for BBQing tips, but as an avid photographer, and use a Swarovski 12x50 in the field, I absolutely think it is the best I've experienced. I would be interested in how you see the Mavin 11x45 stacking up to that. Of course you will will have to shell out a few thousand to review but it would be cool. Maybe not a fair comparison but if something is half or less the price for indiscernible difference in optics... I wanna know! The light transmissivity of the Swarovski glass sold (suckered) me long ago.

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

Highly affordable brand. 🫨

[@24kachina]

I’m a life long Arizona deer and elk hunter. That’s the most practical and well explained bino review I’ve ever seen online. Keep up the excellent work and good luck in Colorado.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Thanks! I really appreciate it. I just tried to make the video I wish I had watched before spending a ton of time looking online to try to understand the lay of the land

[@24kachina]

Mad Scientist BBQ I’m curious what caliber/load you’re planning to use for your hunt. I hunt Coues deer and elk in AZ, lucked out and drew a coveted bull tag for late November. I’ve hunted since I was a kid (and I’m 52 now) and collect rifles, so I’m up a tree, whether to use my first .30-‘06, 7 MM Magnum, .300 Win Mag, or nifty .270 . . . I’ll probably carry my 7 MM for days when I’ll mostly be stumped up and glassing, the lighter .270 when I’m humping up hills.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Todd Hale
I spent a long time and did a lot of internet research to figure out what I should get. I settled on 7mm mag because I figured it was about as versatile as anything I could find which is especially important because it would be my only hunting rifle. After arriving at that decision, I told a busy of mine who is a very experienced hunter, and he recommended 270 win. His reasoning was “it will recoil less, which means you’ll shoot more, which means you’ll get better, which means you’re more likely to cleanly kill an elk.” So I got a 270. Currently deciding between 150 grain accubond long range and 150 partitions. 56 grains Hodgdon 4831 sc, Winchester brass, Winchester primers. Shooting right at 2900 FPS. I think what you’re doing makes a lot of sense though. If I had more rifles, I would probably do something similar! Good luck on your hunt! I hope you find yourself one of the monsters I have seen in pictures from Arizona hunts.

[@24kachina]

Thanks, and good luck to you. Can’t go wrong with either of those billets so long as you test them in your rifle, which obviously you have or will, it’s surprising how much accuracy variance there can be between different cartridges. I used to hand load way back before I had what are now teenaged kids, would like to resume one of these days but life intervenes and factory ammo is excellent these days. Winchester has a factory 7 mm load using a newer Nosler modern high BC bullet I’m gonna try, but typically I’m partial to Hornady, although right now I’m lucky to have a stash of ammo because popular hunting cartridges are largely out of stock.

[@commonsense5709]

Try getting a pair of Kowa binoculars with fluorite glass in the $800-$1200 price range depending on sale. Way better than the Maven and Vortex and very close to the Swarovski.

[@DrDanMD]

From what I have seen through(NL Pure 12x32, Zeiss SFL 10x42, i returned both for a Meopta B1 Plus HD 15x56 to compliment my Swaro Curio 7x21 which is an amazing pocket bino

[@tyliogghio4741]

I have the exact pair and he said "when you look through it looks almost beyond lifelike" and That statement is completely true. I am in love with these binoculars and personally will never probably need a new pair

[@UrMom_says]

This is by far the best optics review I've ever seen. Super in depth and to the point. Good job dude 👌🏼
Man I wish you had a pair of Leupold bx-4 to compare to others in its price range. Looking for the best I can get in that $500-700 range

[@rosco3411]

The C3 or c4 from maven would be an awesome choice. for even less than your price range.

[@desertguy395]

The Athlon Cronus gets rave reviews for its optics and price point, maybe the best unknown bargain out there from what I've read.

[@UrMom_says]

@@desertguy395 I bought some a couple months ago and absolutely love them

[@desertguy395]

@@UrMom_says That's great. I have a pair of Tract Torics, 10x42, which are really something, and the Athlon Cronus was rated even higher than them in a 26 best binoculars for hunting review. In fact, it beat many $1,000.00 binoculars.

[@chadd587]

​@@rosco3411The Mavens C series is not NEAR the quality and performance level of the B. That is their low cost China made option all companies seem obligated to have.

[@havana335]

Have youu ever tried doing a review on thr Tract Torics? They are incredible!

[@KenKnowledge]

This review even stretched all the way to Sweden. I got to say, ive wathed A-LOT of bino reviews lately. This one strucked me as genuinely honest and BS free. And on top of that he did all the tests that make it even easier to understand the diffrences between them. I love it. And I thought I was going to by a pair of Meopta's.. I'll might have to go heavier on my research.

[@mrmaxaxl]

Eller så köper du ett par Swarovski EL's! Grrrymma! 🔭.
Lätt de bästa jag haft/använt.
De är dyra men priserna börjar gå ner då de (Swarovski) introducerat nya flaggskeppet NL's. De kostar 30 000 o så mycket tänker jag inte punga ut.

[@KenKnowledge]

@@mrmaxaxl nhaa, you get a lot more bang for your buck with the Meopta brand, and, they'r still produced in house, in Europe.

[@mrmaxaxl]

@@KenKnowledge Haha! Ja de är säkert bra!
Jag är nöjd med mina iaf.

[@KenKnowledge]

@@mrmaxaxlI bet you are. Any mid to premium brand will make do for just about anyone.

[@bikeboy0012]

Man get the mavens 2x doubler and do a review. I'm really interested in that setup instead of a spotter

[@millerbrosmediaoffgridflyf7767]

UHD's are made in Japan, its printed right on the outside of the eyecups. Great review, didn't even know you did stuff other than smoking/cooking so that's cool!

[@Mixedpuppy]

I appreciate your work on this review. I seen many more reviews on Vortex than Maven but comparing head to head was interesting. One question though. Are the Maven B Series Objective Lenses Apochromatic lenses? It says they use 3 elements in that set but it didn’t say “Apochromatic”. I know the objective lenses in both the Vortex HD and UHDs use them. The big difference being the UHDs now use Abbe-Koenig Prisms. It’s rare for me to find binoculars with both Abbe-Koenig and Apochromatic lenses in them. It’s much more rare to see them in 8x42 or 8x56. Vortex has the 8x42 with these features but neither company makes 8x56 low light Binos with both these features that I could see.

[@michaelyanni4422]

Thank you that was a great video

[@Abc-nb9yt]

sith the us chart test you have to place the maven 11x , at 10% more distance to compensate the less vortex power, for understand well the difference of contrast-resolution

[@orionfixr7713]

Very good job on the review . I'd never heard of Maven before this . Doesn't matter ,I can't afford either of the optics in your review . LOL !!

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Pretty pricey stuff. If you are interested, maven also makes a cheaper line of stuff that is top quality for the money and vortex makes several good models at different price points

[@DrDanMD]

Vortex for riflescopes, for binos no unless you just care about price and warranty. I love Vortex

[@dannybeeh6332]

Great video, but I found a Polish site that does tests on binoculars, Vortex UHD is made in Japan and has about 88% light transmission.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

What’s the name of the website?

[@billcrockett4976]

Go with the vortex you won’t be disappointed. I’ve been using vortex for around five years now. Not only the vortex binoculars but their scopes also. Never had an issue with neither on moisture, glare and or fogging up.
Vortex also comes with best warranty on the market from what I have read but never had to use. I had many conversations with their reps at hunting conventions.
Good luck on your hunt. Come to West Texas and hunt Mule deer you won’t be disappointed......

[@Lexidezi225]

Where can I hunt mule deer in Texas? I’m a Nevadan so I’m used to public land to hunt anywhere really. Texas is a bit different as there is no public land lol

[@jakejoling6425]

What are your thoughts on the Razor UHD vs Razor HD? Is the difference really that noticeable?

[@commonsense5709]

Better off buying Kowas with fluorite glass for a lot cheaper than the Vortex UHD and Mavens. They're tier 1 level.

[@willc3384]

Best review I’ve seen on binos

[@MoldAdvice1]

If you want to know about good optics ,you don't ask Hunters(I was a Guide) Ask a Bird watcher, They see the details not a Animal to score the size of the trophy..I started Bird watching and my Bino's changed. I know have the Swarowski EL models and Also have a pair of Leica's and your eyes will love them and not be strained. Love your BBQ lessons..

[@hambone950]

the thing i noticed with the mavens is its clear all around in the glass. vs vortex where you need to be centered for it to be clear and cloudy in the peripherals. i had the razor hd. biggest bitch about mavens is there is no lock on the adjusting ring.

[@jeans3490]

Can you make a video on exactly how you rest/hold your Briskets? And for how long? Perhaps two or three different ways to test what the best holding method is. (Nobody ever shows exactly how they hold in their brisket videos. Just wrap vs. unwrap methods. Think this would be awesome to go Mad Scientist on!) Cheers! 🔥👍🏼🇺🇸

[@brisketwizard8004]

Would also like to see an in depth brisket resting & holding video. (good info on the binos!)

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Will do

[@jeans3490]

Mad Scientist BBQ right on!
I recently wrapped (for the first time) to finish my cook in the “Foil Boat” method (a la Leroy & Lewis BBQ/Chud’s BBQ on RUclips). When finished cooking, I topped the exposed bark on top with butcher paper, then fully wrapped brisket first in plastic, then in foil - and held at 170 degrees in oven for 10 hours (that’s as low as my oven goes).
I took bits and pieces of methods from several different bbq channels on how to “hold”. Wanted to try something new, as I finished brisket at 6:00am, and wasn’t serving until 5:00pm
Wasn’t the juiciest brisket ever when I unwrapped (wasn’t too dry either), but still had really good flavor. The bark softened more than I wanted.
I think I needed to have a lower constant temperature (around 150) to hold for 10 hours. But my oven doesn’t go that low.
Still searching for the perfect (best) method to hold - while maintaining juiciness and crusty bark! Looking forward to your video!! 🔥👍🏼🇺🇸

[@TimCraneMostLegit]

That was a good review! It reminded me of Tiborasorusrex videos. By the way if you see glass that is made in Shot Germany AKA Shot Glass its pretty good....its the best...everybody says so.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Hmm not familiar with that channel. Yeah from what I understand it’s the European glass that commands the $3000 price tag

[@jh14102]

Would do a review on your range finder? And maybe the rifle you use,and why you chose it?

[@MadScientistBBQ]

I probably won’t do a whole video on it but I will probably cover it in the next (and probably last) hunting gear video. I got the vortex razor hd 4000. Seemed to be more than I needed but I liked that it has extended range and a vortex warranty.

[@commonsense5709]

The $450 Maven rangefinder has best in class glass and lifetime warranty including their electronics.

[@millerbrosmediaoffgridflyf7767]

Was it just me or did the Maven images shown look way worse? (Had to re-watch this to confirm) also I think a Head 2 Head comparison needs to include the same power and objective size…

[@johnrobert4877]

Great work

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Thanks!

[@johnrobert4877]

@@MadScientistBBQ I've noticed that you took the time to reply back to multiple people's comments I think that is great That you took the time not only to read our comments but to reply back as well I've been watching your videos for the past 4 years consistently in have grown to show a great appreciation for smoking all kinds of foods and having the proper technique and tools to be a better chef Keep up the great work

[@MadScientistBBQ]

John Robert thanks! I try to be active in the comments for the first day or so. If I try to keep up with all of them, it can be overwhelming. I’m glad the content has helped!

[@richardbowles7690]

Well, you stepped deep into the intersection of marketing, physics and material science. Welcome. Keep hunting for the elusive objective criteria -- the holy grail. This is an EXCELLENT ultra low bs emissivity video.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Haha thanks for that

[@tyliogghio4741]

Wat

[@commonsense5709]

This comparison just made me go for the Maven B5 18x56 instead of the Vortex Razor UHD. The Mavens were also cheaper. Other Binocular veteran testers commented the Mavens are closest to Swarovski at a more affordable price point. I prefer to invest in actual quality instead of marketing and dealer mark-ups.
Looking forward to Swarovski SLC 15x56s and NL Pure 12x42s someday.

[@jakejoling6425]

Also, for your resolution test, that isn't an accurate/fair comparison unless you accounted for the difference in magnification. (i.e., moved further away with the Mavens)

[@MusikPiratCH]

Why should you? In reality you don't step back only because you're using different binos! 🤔
He isn't doing labor testing here. It's an in-the-field observation and therefore I rate it more valid than those "theoretical testings" nobody (except scientists) knows what they are good for? 😇🤣

[@jakejoling6425]

@@MusikPiratCH because then it’s not apples to apples. I’d rather know which has better the glass than have the obvious pointed out (that a higher power of similar glass will resolve more than a lower power).

[@torrowtwister91]

I Compared razor 12x50 maven 11x45 and Swarovski slc 10x42 all on tripods glassing out to 800 yards. Mavens and swaro Were on another level. Razors were compact for 12x50. The mavens were the biggest. Swaro should take notes from maven for focus knob and eye cups. Swaro glass if it is better it’s very minimal. Also maven does a demo program so you can try them out. There b series is all assembled and customizable in Wyoming. With the same warranty as vortex.

[@commonsense5709]

Nothing can compare with the Vortex warranty. You can run the Vortex over with your truck, drop them over a cliff and send 51% of the the broken parts pieces and get a brand new replacement from Vortex. I highly doubt ant other brand can match this type of real no fault warranty.

[@jakejoling6425]

You need to back the Maven’s up compared to the Vortex, though, since they have a higher magnification. It’s not apples to apples otherwise.

[@tedjob21]

I own two pair of Maven binoculars and their monocular. I did some research, not alot and am not an expert in any way. I chose Maven because of optics clarity and the fact it's the closest thing to an optical product made in the US than anything other than Trijicon.

[@commonsense5709]

They aren't actually made in the US. They are only assembled in the US. I personally avoid buying Trijicon after I found out their warranty is only 5 years from date of manufacture NOT date of actual purchase for their electronics such as illuminated reticles and red dots same as SIG's electronics warranty. Nightforce is only 3 years warranty on electronics such as illuminated reticles. Bushnell is the worst only one year on electronics including illuminated reticles too.

[@chadd587]

​​@@commonsense5709Trijicons use materials that degrade over a certain amount of time. Same thing with OLED tvs and lithium iron phosphate batteries. You can't warrant a finite shelf life. But people buying Trijicon equipment usually are conditioned to upgrade in that timeframe anyway as technology dictates.
And mavens are the closest thing in the bino world to made in the USA.

[@airbrgr]

My wife is an avid bird watcher. I may have to surprise her with a new pair of glasses. Maven for the win.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

I’m sure she would appreciate it. Good binos made me appreciate the outdoors a lot more.

[@eric224]

Hi from Montreal, Not an hunter just a Guy who like to watch nature: just make a crazy move: I Bought from Maven the B1 675$ in special (900$)....... a big guess..... hope I will like them a lot!.. Eye Relief is 18.5mm what I need with Glasses and can operate at -13F with is important for me in Montreal...... Cheers.

[@michaelduncan2759]

Jeremy, a lot of stores (Bass Pro, etc.) will let you try different binos. Everyone’s vision and perception of quality is different. Also, there are two guys on RUclips who review and compare stuff like this, I will find the channel and let you know what and who they are.

[@edward3553]

But which one tastes better?

[@MadScientistBBQ]

😂 well the question is really which one will help me find something that tastes better

[@edward3553]

@@MadScientistBBQ Perfect response... (begins slow clap)

[@csidodge]

Go try out some American made Leopold Binoculars

[@MadScientistBBQ]

I have never looked through their best stuff but I have checked out some more inexpensive models. They are definitely good quality and have a great warranty

[@commonsense5709]

It's doubtful to actually find an American made Leupold binoculars unless you find a vintage model. They are lately outsourced from Asian countries.

[@scottharrington1309]

I've been doing exactly what you're talking about for about a week now! We went on a small vacation last week to the border of Kentucky and Tennessee where the hill's are pretty big and spread out. After arriving there with all our bushcraft and camping gear it dawned on me that I completely forgot to bring the only pair of binoculars that we own in our household. They are a pair of Bushnell 7x35 420 ft. At 1000 yds. 140m. At 1000m. Field 8° and their about 35 years old! They was a Christmas present given to my father to help him see a little better when he would go to a Red's game or watch us when we played little league baseball. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that their not some top of the line binoculars that you would want to take on a bear hunting trip in the Rockies. But that being said, I am pretty impressed on how decent they are for a older pair of enexpensive binoculars. So now that brings me to the point at hand. I'm looking for something that has powerful zoom capabilities but still keeps thing's sharp and clear. So in the last few days I've learned a lot about good glass and how you have to pick your poison. If you want good zoom you loose field of view. And the more powerful they are the more you have to be super steady with them or put them on a tripod. So I'm trying to find the best that brings thing's up close and are extremely clear that is totally fog proof and waterproof. So far after watching about 100 RUclips videos I've narrowed it down to either the Vortex Viper 12×50 or the Athlon Cronus G2 15×56 UHD binoculars. I can't wait to see the world through some real glass!

[@tradrodsandcustoms]

Snows bbq....i wanna try em so bad

[@harlequin2280]

I thought the audio on the vortex's was better.

[@MrThespian4]

It's time to do some wild game bbq ,and we can all learn from it. White tail?

[@ItsRyanTurley]

Love the enthusiasm on your new hobby! Really looking forward to more content around the hunts and smoke thereafter. But I would suggest a 2nd channel for this sort of content ✌🏼

[@MadScientistBBQ]

I understand, but this is only gonna be a one-off video series. A couple videos that detail the equipment, then the hunt, and hopefully a bunch of videos cooking the meat.

[@1tr1ck]

Snows bbq 🤙🤙🤙

[@TMITNA]

My first binocs were hand-me-downs from my dad.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

My first ones were a pair my brother forgot at my place, and he told me to keep them.

[@ashtanga2000]

Steve Rinella, of MeatEater, said looking through good binoculars you can see a bear, but looking through great binoculars you can see the hairs on the bear.

[@swiftusmaximus5651]

So 10X means 10X, thanks for clearing that up for me.

[@michaelduncan2759]

Jeremy, the guys on “Backfire” RUclips channel do a lot with this kind of stuff. You also must consider durability and product support as well.

[@mell_gif]

What wood do you recommend when smoking your binoculars? 🤔

[@MadScientistBBQ]

😂

[@desertfox3860]

Nice, thanks.

[@bizpixvegas7651]

Nice review. Your video shows the Maven having CA and serious clarity issues. What is missing?
For my money, I went with a Athlon Midas 12x50 G2 UHD ($360) and could not be happier. For S&G I took them to a Sportmans Warehouse and compared them side-by-side with a bunch of more expensive glass. It matched the Vortex Razor HD (not UHD), Leupold BX-4, Leica Trinovid, all costing 2x-3x more than the Midas. The only ones that beat my Midas G2 were the Vortex Razor UHD, the Swaro NL Pure, Leupold BX-5 and the Leica Geovid, all priced 4x-8x the price of the Midas. Even then the differences were minimal. The only test I did not have a chance to do was low light. Edge-to-edge clarity lack of CA and overall image quality of the Midas G2 is great. The only complaint is the cheap bag they provide for such a high quality optic. Their warranty is a as solid as Vortex.

[@MichaelSelhost]

Ha! The trump impression was unexpected but more entertaining than it should've been 😂

[@ads3453]

Mavens look like shit compared to the Razors, that last shot showed massive CA all over the Maven shot.

[@outyxt800]

Ya I noticed that too. It was blurry where as the razor was clear. However, in video he said Maven was better but I can’t see it. I want mavens but this video shows vortex Razor had better more clearer pic. Shit!

[@opponoastos]

@@outyxt800 Also, there's more detail in the Vortex Razor's than in the Mavens.

[@commonsense5709]

No idea why anyone would actually waste their money on Mavens and Vortex when the Kowas with fluorite glass are way better and cheaper. They're really close to Swarovski at less than half the price.

[@ads3453]

@@commonsense5709 True I only recently tried Kowas TSN-88s and they are a lovely scope. Not quite as good as the ATX 85 though which is making the decision on which to get harder. BTX is possibly pushing it towards the Swarovski.

[@commonsense5709]

@@ads3453 I had previously owned a Swarovski and the next high end spotter I plan to buy will probably be a Kowa 99S 30-70x with the optional 1.6x extender.

[@belavet]

I thought these were smoker models when I first read the title lol
Not for nothing but I feel like this is a bit off topic. You should start a hunting channel for more videos like this. I know I would still subscribe.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

I understand but this is only going to be a short series about hunting elk and hopefully getting to smoke/grill it. 1 more video on equipment, then the elk hunt and if I’m successful hopefully quite a few videos of different ways to cook wild game.

[@kriswarren6202]

Schot glass from the schot glass factory. ELD glass from Japan low dispersion glass is a better quality glass than a non eld from japan and Fl or flourite glass is another level of high quality. Schot glass carries a lot of clout as it some of the finest glass on the planet. Flourite or FL is used in very high quality products and eld glass is still terrific but it is a step down in quality.

[@IonorRea]

From the footage at 27:35 look Vortex a lot sharper, Maven showed afterward have a lot more chromatic aberration (rainbows) but compensates with extra magnification, unless Maven was not properly focused.

[@chadd587]

What you are seeing is his phones resolution. Nothing to do with the binos.

[@IonorRea]

@@chadd587 Why are you presenting your assumptions as if you know what you talking about? Trolling night?
Vortex Razer UHD 10x42 has additional apochromatic lenses which reduce chromatic aberration but additional glass reduces low-light performance as was found in this video. I got a 9x45 Sig Zulu 9 made by the same factory that produces Maven B2 11x45 in this video and chromatic aberration is also clearly visible in strong daylight but I paid 600 GBP for an open box new piece, so I can hardly complain about getting what are basically bit heavy but better build than Maven B2 low-light oriented hunting binoculars for a significantly lower price, yet still with a transferable lifetime warranty for this discontinued product...

[@chadd587]

@@IonorRea I'm pointing out the fact that you are watching a video on a phone looking through another phone and then through binos. We can't possibly determine resolution or clarity since cameras include filters and masks, uploading compresses and re renders, and your phone and my phone are of varying display quality. Nothing about either optic.

[@IonorRea]

@@chadd587 Color fringing near the edges of objects in high contrast scenes (chromatic aberration) directly affects perceived sharpness by your eyes, the phone shows exactly the same color fringing as my binos which are basically rebranded B2 as far as optics go, and you can see it by both your eyes and capture it by modern phone camera. So while what you suggest sounds reasonable in theory, it's just your false assumption, as I got a few reviews of optics on Amazon with captured images of color fringing with a phone camera as is also visible by your eyes but I am not even sure if you understand what I am talking about because you don't need to have a camera with a resolution of your eye to capture chromatic aberration that affects perceived sharpness, or perhaps you do not consider seeing rainbows around black markings on white paper under a strong light as something that affects your ability to recognize details. In the end, your comments did not say anything to those understanding the topic anyway, only may create a false impression about the reviewed product to the inexperienced, which would make them think that they will not see exactly the same color fringing also by their own eyes, and perhaps consider these binos for birding, for which they are not great, unless you mostly looking at owls at night or something similar..

[@gsnicholas8522]

@@IonorReaI’ve used both the razor uhd and maven b2. I can say without a doubt that the Mavens are better by a fair margin. In fact, I’ll take the Maven over Swaro SLC binos.

[@vdubbub1986]

Like most backcountry hunters will tell you, ounces equal pounds, pounds equal pain.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Makes sense.

[@torreyintahoe]

Spending 1400 on vortexes is ludicrous. If money is an issue get Nikon HD. If you can swing 1800 get a pair of used Swaro EL's.

[@commonsense5709]

Kowa Prominar with fluorite glass is the best in the $800-$1200 price point.

[@torreyintahoe]

@@commonsense5709 Kowa spotters are outstanding.

[@jamesbailand4311]

If a company has German or Japanese made components you'll know, because they will tell you.

[@joshuatang69420]

I this was barbecue video

[@david_reynolds3660]

That took like 5 seconds. Vortex made in Japan. You don’t try very hard. But $1100 - 1500 for Binos is ridiculous.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Eh, I don’t think so. The vortex website doesn’t say but third party sources say the razor line is made in Japan. The question though is where is the glass made. Is it made in Japan? Probably. Do they tell us? No. It’s possible that somewhere on their website they say, but it’s definitely isn’t readily available to the consumer. They have products from China, Japan and the Philippines. Ultimately I just want to know where they are from rather than doing detective work on the internet and listening to online hearsay.

[@commonsense5709]

Vortex has been switching over to China for better profits and lower quality so I wouldn't be too surprised if their current UHD Razors are made in China.

[@ashtanga2000]

Don't buy these through Amazon, b/c they take a huge cut.

[@vog7271]

That trump comment 🔥🔥🔥

[@jonathancarrion3982]

Where’s the brisket ? Wtf just happened here?

[@DVO45698]

Ok, now make a video where you cook ribs with binoculars.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

I’m making a video where I cook a steak with a lens from a big screen tv. Not too far off

[@LANPOCALYPSE]

LoL, these are both out of my price range.... 8(

[@paulwatterson5992]

What kind of prism? My hearing is not that great. Thanks nice video. Oh what is that gadget that you have to attach your phone to the binocular? Nice Trump impersonation.

[@Mazin-4444]

Vortex is worst brand in my point of view , lenses are not clear and transmission of light is very low

[@commonsense5709]

People buy Vortex for their best warranty. You can trash their products run them over with your truck and send them 51% of the broken pieces then you get a brand new replacement no questions asked.

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

This made me want Vortex.

[@billmoyer3254]

you have a lot to learn about optics, stick to BBQ.

[@bavariasuhl]

both are crap glass.

[@MadScientistBBQ]

Eh I dunno if I would go that far. They are definitely not the most expensive but they are good value for money. I have only ever tried out Zeiss, Swarovski, and Leica inside a store so it’s hard to judge the quality.

[@skers211]

I Can’t comment on the vortex glass but maven’s glass is quality glass. Especially for the money. Been in and out of many different forums(birdwatching, sniperhyde, rokslide) and the people who have had extensive time with some of the best binoculars in the world($2,500-$3,000 Leica and Swarovski models) claim that they have to use a very discerning eye to locate the small differences in the quality of these $1,100 mavens. And even then they say they are only noticing them because they have to go out of their way to look for these differences. It’s Japanese glass too so I’m curious why you claim it’s such shoddy glass for the mavens. Do you have any information to back your claims? And honestly I’m just curious about any information you might have. I own the B2s and I can say without a doubt it is not crap glass. But then again I haven’t had any time behind the leica’s and the Swarovski sets that sell for 3 times these either. I can only go off of what reputable forum posters on the subject can tell me in that regard.

[@mrector23]

@@skers211 - It’s all splitting hairs at this point. You get a good pair of binoculars at the $500-1000 price point. Above that you’re just getting different levels of excellent all the way to the top with a NL Pure or a Victory SF.

[@commonsense5709]

Kowa Prominar with fluorite glass is cheaper and way better than either Vortex and Maven.