Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Vortex, now all made in China.

I am not sure this has been posted on here before, but the news is Vortex is now having all
of their optics made in China.

The Razor and Viper binoculars at least have been made in Japan, for many years.

This is not good news.

How is the Razor going to compete with all of the nice midrange binoculars, such as the
Zeiss Conquest HD, Leica Trinovid, GPO, Maven, Tract, Monarch HD, Meopta Meostar.
They are all made in Japan or Europe.

These are all in the $999.00 range.

Who is going to pay that for a China made Razor ?

They have established a reputation now it's time to increase profits based on a reputation.
Sad, seems to be a trend the last 30yrs or so.

Probably only temporary, Vortex is moving into a new facility in Barneveld, WI in 2018. Was told they plan to handle a large portion of assembly there.

They would not have dropped Japan manufacturing if that is the case. It is now printed made in China on the optic
and boxes.

I'll be sticking with my Leupolds and Meoptas I guess.

Slow suicide if true.

I seriously doubt this, with their recent investment in US manufacturing capability, and the popularity of their flagship Razor line. Sounds like more gunshop gossip.

I never thought they were worth buying when they were made in Japan.

I think the real question is: Will they stay on top of things quality-wise, or trust to the tender mercies of their suppliers? Some contract manufacturers are committed to putting out a quality product and having a long-term relationship with a customer, and others will start cutting corners at the first opportunity. I suspect a lot of importers flit from flower to flower looking for the best deal as well, and that might have something to do with the attitude of the offshore suppliers.

Only Vortex stuff I have is a red dot and a 10x42 bino I got for Christmas. Both are Chinese and have worked just fine so far.

Fück China

Same here.

Source for this news?

I have never owned a Vortex That did not have to go Back in for repairs.......All I have Now is a Vortex red dot ....I am confident it will have to go back Too...

http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/razor_hd_amg_riflescope

"Nearly every component in the AMG, from the index-matched lenses to smallest screw, is engineered, machined, and assembled in the USA. The only component from outside the USA is the German manufactured reticle."

They have some made in the Philippines as well. Not uncommon for the lower cost items in China.

If this is really the case then they will have zero revenue from me.

Just another reason to put a nice Leupold on your hunting rifle.

Sitka Gear had the same "business model" IIRC . . .

Exactly. Seems the cool name spurs more purchases than common sense. The millenial crowd seems especially vulnerable to the Vortex name. Never owned one, never will. I have wasted enough time and energy on cheap optics.

I am far from a millenial being 55 years of age.I own razors,kiababs,ranger 1000 etc.I like their top end optics very much.I bought them because they are good glass.Not on the level of the big 3 but have been happy none the less.I just sent them an email and told them how disapointed i am that they have done this.And yes they did confirm that the Viper and Razor are now made in China.I don't know if i will be buying anymore Vortex.I have tried to make an effort not to buy anything if i have a choice made in China.I doubt that they care about me as one customer but i can spend my money where i want.I have been very loyal to them just kinda bummed.

None, and I mean none, of the Vortex scopes including the Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50 have glass as good as Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50. Eeven the owner of the Vortex agreed the 6500 has better glass. The same goes for the four Swarovski z5 5-25X52's I had. They are gone. Now I have three of the big Bushnells, one Bushnell 4200 4-16X40, and one Nightforce Varminter 5.5-22X56. Even the Nightforce glass falls barely behind the 6500. The Nightforce does beat in low light on the deer antlers by one minute.