Vortex Razor HD Light Weight Offering

[Litehiker]

Well, at 24 oz. my SWFA 5 - 15 x 42 scope is not "light" but neither is it heavy.

What I did get is FFP, mil/mil turrets and reticle and side focus knob. All this for a mere $535. incl. shipping ($100. off on sale).

I'll take SWFA's ruggedness and lower price since it goes on my 6.5 CM Ruger American Predator for hunting. A good lower priced scope on a good lower priced rifle.

Eric B.

 

[WRO]

I'm not the original poster but I am sure calling BS on your post. I have compared lots of scopes side by side and know you lack experience in side by side comparisons. The Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50 in side by side comparison beat the Swarovski every time. By the way my vision is 20/20 in one eye and slightly better than that in the other.

You must have better vision than the vast majority of the world then..

Congrats??

 

[Rich Coyle]

You must have better vision than the vast majority of the world then..

Congrats??

I'm not alone in this experience a few of my friends who compared them were blown away by the Swarovski coming in second to the Bushnells. I purchased six of the 6500's and four of the Swarovskis and threw in a couple Nightforces; which beat the 6500's. I guess I shouldn't forget the Sightron, Nikons and Minoxes also. The didn't match the 6500's as well.

The most annoying thing is the cost of the Swarovskis compared to the others and then coming in third.

 

[Litehiker]

What you really want is the new Vortex Viper AMG HD. It ain't light at 29 oz. but still not heavy and it is relatively compact - and ALL parts are made in USA.

About $2,500. street price.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I do have a Bushnell Elite Tactical ERS 3.5 - 21 x 50 (H59 reticle) sitting on my Ruger Precision Rifle for competition and it does have very good glass. Not S&B good but very good. With that special reticle I paid $1,700. two years ago on sale. Great instrument for a moderate price, just like my Ruger Precision Rifle.

Eric B.

 

[Pdvdh]

I recently purchased a 2nd Swaro Z5 3.5-18X44mm with their BRH reticle. Found one for $1000. Now I'll spend another $100 to have some functional aftermarket turrets installed. So total cost will approach $1125. That's about how much more I'm willing to pay for this Swaro Z5, beyond the Vortex 3-15x42mm LH.

I find the Swaro is easier to get behind, the image is slightly brighter and sharper to my eyes, I like the BRH reticle better than the Vortex LH reticle, and I value the extra 3 power on the Swaro for sighting in and testing rifle accuracy at longer ranges.

I'll have ~25% more money into this 2nd Swaro Z5 than I have into my Vortex LH. That's about how much I prefer the Swaro Z5 over the Vortex Razor LH. Around 20-25%. But the Vortex 3-15 Razor LH is a nice scope for the currently prevailing purchase price. I'll likely keep it and mount it on a different backpacking/carry weight rifle.

 

[6point5x284]

What you really want is the new Vortex Viper AMG HD. It ain't light at 29 oz. but still not heavy and it is relatively compact - and ALL parts are made in USA.

About $2,500. street price.

Actually we DON'T want the AMG. Maybe on my comp rifle, but this thread is discussing the lightweight scope offerings for lightweight hunting rifles. 16oz is about max for that in my mind. While the AMG is a great offering, it's not needed or what we are interested in putting on 5-6 pound rifles shooting to the 700-800 yard range in hunting scenarios. I'm not saying it doesn't have a place, just not in this thread.

 

[6point5x284]

Thanks everyone for all the great info and reviews! Sorry I've been off the net doing some overseas work for a bit. Had to send in my back country rifle my scope was on, so threw it on a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 CM for the deer season, which is still a relatively lightweight rifle with legs, so is still a good fit.

I had differing results when comparing with the Z5. I preferred the brightness and overall picture clarity of the Razor LH. I did prefer the eye box of the Z5. Perhaps I had a lemon? I have looked through lots of Swaro spotters, but only a few Z5's. I sold that Z5 to fund another gun build, and kept the Razor LH. To be honest, I also compared the Z5 extensively with a VX-6, and also preferred the VX-6. They all looked amazing at lower powers, but from 12-15 (and through 18 on the Z5) the Z5 seemed to get dark where the others stayed bright.

Based off of everyone else's findings here, I'm thinking maybe I had a flawed scope. The spotters I've used sure were top notch.

The other scope I am a big fan of is the Zeiss HD5 line, however they add significant weight compared to the Razor and Z5 which was my biggest reason for going this route. Bottom line is I'd feel comfortable hunting with either of them on an expensive hunt hands down.

Thanks for the turret calibration info as well. I'll be sure to verify. I verify my comp gun and heavier LR rigs, but never thought about it for shots to max 700 on my lightweight rifles. Will definitely do that.

Thanks again for all the info. It is appreciated. Shoot straight this fall!

 

[Litehiker]

6point,

I stand corrected. Yep, the Vortex AMG is too heavy for a light mountain rifle.

Maybe in the future Vortex can come up with a light AMG model that equals the Razor LH weight.

Personally I prefer FFP reticles for all my scopes but I can see why, for hunting, some like SFP reticles.

Eric B.

 

[Rich Coyle]

I had differing results when comparing with the Z5. I preferred the brightness and overall picture clarity of the Razor LH. I did prefer the eye box of the Z5. Perhaps I had a lemon? I have looked through lots of Swaro spotters, but only a few Z5's. I sold that Z5 to fund another gun build, and kept the Razor LH. To be honest, I also compared the Z5 extensively with a VX-6, and also preferred the VX-6. They all looked amazing at lower powers, but from 12-15 (and through 18 on the Z5) the Z5 seemed to get dark where the others stayed bright.

Based off of everyone else's findings here, I'm thinking maybe I had a flawed scope. The spotters I've used sure were top notch.

A bought a VX-6 4-24X52, Swarovski z5 5-25X52, and a Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50. All were about the same for low light performance, but in order of best to worse as far as glass quality goes it was Bushnell, Leupold, then Swarovski. I sold the Leupold and the Swarovski. Don't get me wrong, they were all very nice. I didn't notice the Swarovski and Bushnell showed a tiny bit less correct color until I bought the VX-6. I was delighted they are all crystal clear from the lowest setting to their highest.

 

[rcoody]

I have the vx-6 2-12 on my lightweight rifle 16 Oz nice

Vx-6 3-18 only weighs 19 Oz

 

[Adikted]

Does anyone who has tried the Vortex light hunter also have a Swarovski Z3, I have the 4-12x50mm I'm curious how they would compare in low light. Really want a side focus but if the low light performance isn't there I'll wind up selling it.

 

[Pdvdh]

I have the vx-6 2-12 on my lightweight rifle 16 Oz nice

Vx-6 3-18 only weighs 19 Oz

bigngreen is experiencing reliability issues with VX-6. He sees more scopes than the average guy as customers bring him their rifles when they can't figure out the source of inconsistency and poor performance. He's tossed in the towel on Leupold scopes.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f18/chasing-my-tail-100-yard-zero-167909/index4.html

 

[Blacktail]

In reading all the reviews I am very interested but the one thing I am waiting to here on is how durable the scope is with heavy recoil. I am contemplating putting it on a 7mm STW that will be getting outfitted with a break soon..the reviews have been a big help thanks guys

 

[6point5x284]

I just swapped the scope from my 7 Rem Mag to my .280 AI for this season and was just about to start tightening down the rings, and noticed what is most likely a metal shaving in the scope. So now, I am sending it back for them to fix and send back. Should take them about 3-5 business days, so I should get it in time for my hunt. While that wasn't a recoil issue, it is an issue nonetheless and wanted to post it on here. As always, Vortex has a great warranty and it'll get taken care of pronto. But a little disappointing from their Razor line. Perhaps I am just hard on glass. I've sent my Premier back twice, a Zeiss back 3 times, Nikon binos back once, and Viper HD binos back once, and a buddies ATACR back once. Will keep everyone posted, but I expect zero issues with them taking care of me.