Anyone have any hand's on experience with either of these?
I'm looking for a quality compact and am not up to spending on the Ultravid or Nikon 8x20 HG.
Thank's for any input.
Hi Brad,
I'll start by saying I'm a rank amateur here...BUT....I actually own the Vortex Sidewinder 8x42's. I bought them recently (within the last month) and they are my first pair of halfway decent bins. I'm still getting used to them..in fact just came in from outside. My opinion on them is good overall. My only issue is the focus knob makes a slight crackling noise when it moves and I doubt it's supposed to. BUT...it doesn't seem to affect the performance at all, so I didn't send them back. The optics to me seem pretty good (far better than what I was using). They feel solid and well-built (other than the focus knob issue...but that's likely a fluke). They have a GREAT warranty (in fact, my guess is that if the focus thing ever really started to bother me, I could get it taken care of with no problems). I have found it very easy to contact someone in the company. Both times I wrote to them, I received a reply within as little as 15 minutes.
I would assume that the two models you mentioned would be similar to mine (they are fairly close in price-range)
I can't say they're better than....well...anything...because I really haven't had the opportunity to try anything else. BUT..as I said, my experience with them has been quite satisfactory as of now.
Oh...and if you tried them and they weren't your thing....I would suggest Eagle Optics....I got mine from them...and one pair DID have to go back (UPS played soccer with my package and the bins got knocked around a bit too much)....they were VERY friendly and helpful. I will definitely go back to them.
Hope this helps
Ozz
btw....the first pair did NOT have the issue with the focus knob....