Perfectionist from United States, UT Public Profile

When I initially purchased these, I was expecting a "Made in Japan" mark beneath the eye cup. When I received the item and saw a "Assy in Philippines" mark, I was initially left with some concern that they might not have the same build quality that Japanese assembly lines can provide. After a few days of testing and consideration, I was left questioning whether or not "Made in Japan" or "Made in Germany" marked optics carry the same leverage that they used to. After browsing the internet to clarify my misconception toward the country these upper end Vortex optics are manufactured in, it is my understanding that Vortex employs Japanese workers to oversee the manufacturing of their higher end products in remote facilities to ensure their quality expectations are met. I am fortunate enough to have a small amount of exposure to the culture in the Philippines and I have consistently seen high levels of integrity and professionalism in both their education and their career paths, which is the foundation of a strong, capable workforce, regardless of which country they reside in. It's reassuring to know that Vortex chose a location with a skilled and respectful workforce rather than opting for more questionable alternatives; Outsourcing their manufacturing facilities is also what results in the reduced cost at the consumer level.

The build quality is very good and consistent with what I'd expect from a high end optical product, with no manufacturing defects or issues. The glass is e