• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Rifle Scopes Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

Doyputasos

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 11, 2012
235
2
Southern California
So I finally got my Viper PST 6-24 FFP in MilRads mounted and ready and I was pumped. Then, today I looked through my buddy's Razor at 20x and I now understand why they are worth double. Please, no one I know buy a Schmitty.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

Yep. And now that you're already screwed, look through a schmiddy! It made my nightforce seem like a millet.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

I am contempleting buying another Vortex Viper PST for another bolt gun. Do you think the Razor is that much better? I do not have any buddies with the Razor and the PST has suited me fine as of now. Where do you think the Razor would start to outshine and outperform the PST? 800yds? 1000yds?
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

What will be the purpose of said bolt gun? I own a Razor for comp, a PST for long range target fun/hunting, and I own a Viper HS midway special for my 5.56 gas gun that is also a target/hunting rifle. All the scopes serve their intended purpose just fine.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

The purpose of the gun would be to shoot mid size game from 300-800 yards and target shoot one day to 1,000 yards. Is the Vortex Viper PST capable of serving this and is it a good value compared to whatever else is out there?

Thanks.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: arbogb06</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The purpose of the gun would be to shoot mid size game from 300-800 yards and target shoot one day to 1,000 yards. Is the Vortex Viper PST capable of serving this and is it a good value compared to whatever else is out there?

Thanks. </div></div>

Ya, the PST is more than great for what you are doing! We were shooting at a 9x16" steel at 1400 yds. The razor has a better clarity but it would not serve you any better in a real life situation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SonicBurlap
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

Thanks for the help. When I talked to vortex they stated it would be perfect for my application but was not sure if it was the salesman personality or actual good information.

Thanks.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

If it was a salesman being a salesman, they would have up-sold you and told you to get the Razor HD. As long as you have your rifle setup to shoot 1000 yds and understand the amount of total travel needed, either scope would suit you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SonicBurlap
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mwsenoj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So I finally got my Viper PST 6-24 FFP in MilRads mounted and ready and I was pumped. Then, today I looked through my buddy's Razor at 20x and I now understand why they are worth double. Please, no one I know buy a Schmitty.</div></div>

mehh... i put my razor next to a S&B and did see much of a difference for a extra 2k
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

I just had the same choice to make. I went with the PST 6-24 FFP. I really wanted the EBR-2B reticle that the Razor offers but I wanted to have the left over funds to buy more reloading components and get more time at the range. This is on a .308 so I will most likely only stretch it out to 1000-1200 yards and the PST should be fine for that. I will at some point build another rifle and go for a mile (260, 338, 284) something of that nature and it will most likely be getting a Razor on top of it.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

I must say after buying a used S&B on a whim (yeah, I know, who does that?) I have become pretty critical of optical quality.

If I leave the S&B in the safe and take the rifle with my DMR or Elite Tactical to the range, I hardly notice as they are both very good scopes... good glass is good enough for all but twilight or dawn conditions that I don't shoot in (so far).

If you can afford the Razor, get it. If not, the Viper PST has proven mechanicals and will do the same job just as well.

Joe
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

I have both so here is my take. For jut plain target shooting at known distances, the PST is great. The Razor has a more forgiving eyebox, easier to get on target, more positive zero stop, more elevation and windage adjustment, better glass, and the illuminated reticle control is much better quality and more postive. PST has more magnification which I do notice shooting paper. I like the Razor better out in the field, but the difference is diminished for range use.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

Blackfoot - Thanks for the comparison that is exactly what I was looking for. Makes it easier when someone has both and provides details on the positives and drawbacks. With your comparison and my application (and budget) the Viper PST will fit my needs perfectly.

Thanks.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blackfoot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have both so here is my take. For jut plain target shooting at known distances, the PST is great. The Razor has a more forgiving eyebox, easier to get on target, more positive zero stop, more elevation and windage adjustment, better glass, and the illuminated reticle control is much better quality and more postive. PST has more magnification which I do notice shooting paper. I like the Razor better out in the field, but the difference is diminished for range use.</div></div>

I also own both, and couldn't have put it any better myself. The PST is good, but the Razor is great if you can afford it.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

I also just went from a PST to a Razor. The Razor has a more crisp image and is more defined; the image/view is good all the way to 20x where the PST starts to lose clarity at about 20x; eyebox is more forgiving at high mag; zero stop is solid where the PST gets you close to zero; preference of reticle goes to the Razor EBR2B; and while many dislike it, I really dig the big ele turret/numbers since my near vision sucks now. That said, the PST is a great optic overall. Mine was always 100% dependable. Its really not a fair comparison as the Razor should be better for double the price.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RobG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also just went from a PST to a Razor. The Razor has a more crisp image and is more defined; the image/view is good all the way to 20x where the PST starts to lose clarity at about 20x; eyebox is more forgiving at high mag; zero stop is solid where the PST gets you close to zero; preference of reticle goes to the Razor EBR2B; and while many dislike it, I really dig the big ele turret/numbers since my near vision sucks now. That said, the PST is a great optic overall. Mine was always 100% dependable. <span style="color: #990000">Its really not a fair comparison as the Razor should be better for double the price.</span> </div></div>

x2
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scissorhands</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RobG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also just went from a PST to a Razor. The Razor has a more crisp image and is more defined; the image/view is good all the way to 20x where the PST starts to lose clarity at about 20x; eyebox is more forgiving at high mag; zero stop is solid where the PST gets you close to zero; preference of reticle goes to the Razor EBR2B; and while many dislike it, I really dig the big ele turret/numbers since my near vision sucks now. That said, the PST is a great optic overall. Mine was always 100% dependable. <span style="color: #990000">Its really not a fair comparison as the Razor should be better for double the price.</span> </div></div>

x2
</div></div>

This is also true. Bang for your buck, the PST is nearly impossible to beat.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

Having in the past upgraded from a PST to a Razor, I agree with all of the above -- and it was definitely worth the upgrade for me.

My buddy has a S&B -- and I'll give the S&B it's due, it has even better clarity, amazing low light performance, and it seems like a more forgiving eyebox as compared to my Razor (in a somewhat more compact package) -- but for me not enough to justify the extra expense (whereas PST to Razor definitely was). Plus Vortex rocks as a company
smile.gif
 
Vortex got anything coming out to compete with the Beast or Bushnell 4.5-30x? Or anything at all in the Razor line? 5-20x has been out a while.
 
Anyone compared the PST and/or Razor to Trijicon's scopes? I'm just talking glass quality. Trijicon's glass, IMO, seems to be right up there with Nightforce. Just trying to get an idea of what to expect from the two Vortex scopes.
 
I have not looked through either, but what I know about HD glass is that it doesnt have as much wash-out at longer distances
or past 800yds. You will get better clarity in low-light conditions at distance w HD glass also.
 
The razor has 18mils each way as aposed to the 9.5 of the pst. Shooting 338 out to a mile the pst will be fine. Shooting 308 out tht far it's gonna be a challenge with the pst. There both great and I personally have found the only glass manufacturer ill buy from. I can give my base and glass to my kid and if hey break it who gives a shit. They'll fix it or send u a new one
 
Ive had the NF NXS 42x and the NF BR 42x but got unemployed over last summer and had to get rid of them, but now that Ive got a good job and got back into midrange fclass shooting, I got a PST and love it. Its zero stop is great. Ret is good and the glass is very clear. As far as the Razor goes no idea. If you get a good deal on a PST I would buy it again. I got lucky and got a MOA instead of MIL like I wanted. I put mine on a 20MOA base and in Burris Sig rings with another 10MOA in them and could get well beyond 1000. But with what you are going to do with it, I would save the money and just get the PST.
 
just got my new razor hd this week and mounted it last night. I'm hoping to take it to the range this weekend for zeroing. The clarity is superior to almost every scope I've ever looked thru. You can see the 1K difference in price between the pst and razor.
 
Good to hear all the good reviews on the Razor. I have PST FFP Mil/Mil in the 4-16 and 6-24 and love them. However I am building a ELR 300win or 338Norma (Still trying to decide which one) and the PST's don't have enough adjustment to get out to a mile and beyond, so I have been thinking about the Razor. This just helps confirm what I was thinking. Unfortunately no dealers around here carry the higher end Vortex so I won't be able to look through one before buying it. Good ole south Texas for you, if it isn't a Leupold scope on a Remington rifle it must be no good.
 
So I finally got my Viper PST 6-24 FFP in MilRads mounted and ready and I was pumped. Then, today I looked through my buddy's Razor at 20x and I now understand why they are worth double. Please, no one I know buy a Schmitty.

I would for for PST if I need a lower cost scope, and plenty of other good options if I am about to spend the price tag near Razor.
As far as the shmitty comment.......You just don't know until you know. And when you know, you won't compare apples to oranges. :)
 
I can do the same job with my PST on my 7-300WSM @ 1200 yds that my NXS on my Edge does @ 1200 yards.
 
Sorry if this is posted elsewhere, but I am new to the blog. I was wondering if anyone had experience with the lower powered 1-4 PST or Razor, and could give a comparison. My brother is currently serving in Afganistan and his Eotech doesn't have any magnification so I'm looking to get him one of the two. Of course I would just get him the more expensive Razor, but money is very tight right now. Will there be much difference for distances up to 300 yards? Thanks for any help
 
If it was a salesman being a salesman, they would have up-sold you and told you to get the Razor HD. As long as you have your rifle setup to shoot 1000 yds and understand the amount of total travel needed, either scope would suit you.

here is an example of a sales man that doesnt know shit...........i walk into a local gun store ask for a vortex pst and was specific why... budget, features, what have you...guy bluntly says you dont want that crap you need a nightforce nxs... i say no all i do is hunt and shoot 500 meters i dont need such overkill for what i want it for... tries to sell me the nf saying that vortex are crap and would never carry that junk in his store and so on so i left.... went back a few months later to get some primers and what do i see a display for vortex optics .... same guy comes up to me and says you looking for a scope i just got these in they are vortex pst and im like, some idiot told me these were crap he replies with nah they are great quality for the price then tries to sell me the razor trying to convince me they have lay a way and shit .. as i pay for my primers he asks who was talking shit about vortex apparently that guy has no clue what he is talking about about ... i tell him....you were i asked you about these scopes a few months ago and you said they were crap junk that you would never sell ... look on his face priceless
 
  • Like
Reactions: SonicBurlap
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scissorhands</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RobG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also just went from a PST to a Razor. The Razor has a more crisp image and is more defined; the image/view is good all the way to 20x where the PST starts to lose clarity at about 20x; eyebox is more forgiving at high mag; zero stop is solid where the PST gets you close to zero; preference of reticle goes to the Razor EBR2B; and while many dislike it, I really dig the big ele turret/numbers since my near vision sucks now. That said, the PST is a great optic overall. Mine was always 100% dependable. <span style="color: #990000">Its really not a fair comparison as the Razor should be better for double the price.</span> </div></div>

x2
</div></div>

This is also true. Bang for your buck, the PST is nearly impossible to beat.

Would you pay $1300 for the Gen 1 Razor or $900 for theGEN II PST?
 
Would you pay $1300 for the Gen 1 Razor or $900 for theGEN II PST?
Gen 1 razor hands down... That being said if you can swing another few hundo... Used gen 2 razors can be had 1500-1700$ now a days.

The glass between gen 1 razor and gen 2 pst is a major improvement (at least to my eyes)
 
  • Like
Reactions: SonicBurlap
Would you pay $1300 for the Gen 1 Razor or $900 for theGEN II PST?

Zommmmmmmmbie threaaaaaad.....

That said at $1300 I’d go directly past a Gen 1 Razor and to a Tract Toric with that PRS reticle. Razor is a good scope but the Tract is better. Gen 1 glass kept me away from looking at Gen 2s for awhile because I thought the glass couldn’t be *that* much better for only a couple extra bills — but it is.
 
At $1300, I'd buy a used SWFA HD 5-20 over the Gen 1 Razor and save a few hundred bucks.

If I was stretching to $1300, I agree with pilotscrappy that I'd be thinking about just a few hundred more for a gen 2 razor, which is an upgrade in nearly every way from the gen 1. Or a Delta Stryker, which is my personal favorite since I don't really love any of the vortex reticles.
 
Re: Vortex Viper PST vs Vortex Razor HD

I just orderd a razor this morning so here's hoping they are as good as everyone says:)
They are, and more durable but covered by the same no questions asked lifetime warranty. And for full disclosure I am not with Vortex, or a salesman but I do own a Razor HD 5-20x50 in real life and use it here in the Rockies and front range quite frequently up to 1,400 yards. The Gen II glass is better, so is the magnification, and the turrets are improved but the total elevation of the Gen I has the Gen II and most of the snob optics beat by far and the zero stop is easier to set on the Gen I.
 
Last edited:
I own both of those scopes, the HD for two years and the PST gen 2 for one. The HD went on a center fire rifle for which I had intentions of PRS comp's. The PST went on a 22 RF "training rifle" which I have been using in PRS style rimfire matches. I liked the fact that they have the same reticles and near the same magnification. I go back and forth between the two quite often and I cannot sit here and say that the veiw quality of one is "superior" to the other. Our matches are in open fields, deep woods and all in between and I have never felt limited or disappointed. I wish the HD didn't weigh 48 oz but thats another discussion. So -- if you feel that strongly about the Razor's view being that much better than your PST and other people feel the same after looking, you should send it back to Vortex. Their CS has always been top notch and they should not hesitate to take care of you.
 
I have a 1-4x PST on an integral 10/22 rifle I put together with Kidd parts and it's a damn nice scope for that application IMO.
 
I own both of those scopes, the HD for two years and the PST gen 2 for one. The HD went on a center fire rifle for which I had intentions of PRS comp's. The PST went on a 22 RF "training rifle" which I have been using in PRS style rimfire matches. I liked the fact that they have the same reticles and near the same magnification. I go back and forth between the two quite often and I cannot sit here and say that the veiw quality of one is "superior" to the other. Our matches are in open fields, deep woods and all in between and I have never felt limited or disappointed. I wish the HD didn't weigh 48 oz but thats another discussion. So -- if you feel that strongly about the Razor's view being that much better than your PST and other people feel the same after looking, you should send it back to Vortex. Their CS has always been top notch and they should not hesitate to take care of you.
You must be talking about the GEN 2 Razor HD and its 48.5 oz. because the Razor HD GEN 1 only weighs 37 oz.. The OP was talking about 20x, meaning GEN 1.
 
I had some time to dick around with a Vortex Viper PST gen 2 5-25x50 on the range today. And I have to say that it was acctually pretty damn good. Sure, there are some CA, like any Vortex scope. But was it absolutely horrible? No!
The thing is that I have used a Schmidt & Bender PM2 for just over 2 years now, and while it is absolutely a great scope, it cost 3 times as much as the PST G2 around here, and I would be hard pressed to say that it is a three times better scope
 
So I finally got my Viper PST 6-24 FFP in MilRads mounted and ready and I was pumped. Then, today I looked through my buddy's Razor at 20x and I now understand why they are worth double. Please, no one I know buy a Schmitty.

Schmitt's are great, but damn does that low power tunneling drive me mad. I can't tell a difference between my Mark 5 and my buddies pmII in clarity.
I can tell you I wouldn't want to go back to a PST after looking through either one. You do get a lot more for $2k vs $800. I think the laws of diminishing returns kick in hard past $2-3k though.