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Rifle Scopes Vortex LHT 4.5-22x50

Really looking forward to this. Interested in seeing subtensions for the XLR2. Part of one of the reasons I like the rest of the Vortex line is consistent reticles. Hoping this is somewhat consistent to the ebr line even if a bit different.
 
Yes sir, this is it. A bit surprised they spilled the beans in the podcast before official release. I have a review coming with the Bushnell LRHS which I see as the main competition (currently) for price and weight.
Do you mean the new GAP LRHS2 or the discontinued one?
 
Do you mean the new GAP LRHS2 or the discontinued one?

No, I do not see a non-illuminated scope competing with the Vortex LHT FFP, for me (and others) a crossover scope needs to have illumination so while the LRHS2 has "better" glass (than the LRHS/LRTS), it does not have illumination (something Bushnell and Burris are shooting themselves in the foot with IMHO). So my review will be in comparison to the older LRHSi scope for these reasons (the new LRHS2 without illumination has very little appeal to me).

I realize this is not an "ideal" comparison especially with one scope being discontinued but the LRHSi/LRTSi 4.5-18 scopes are the closest competition the Razor LHT FFP has with regard to price, magnification and weight. It also serves as a baseline as many are very familiar with the performance of the LRHS/LRTS series.
 
No, I do not see a non-illuminated scope competing with the Vortex LHT FFP, for me (and others) a crossover scope needs to have illumination so while the LRHS2 has "better" glass (than the LRHS/LRTS), it does not have illumination (something Bushnell and Burris are shooting themselves in the foot with IMHO). So my review will be in comparison to the older LRHSi scope for these reasons (the new LRHS2 without illumination has very little appeal to me).

I realize this is not an "ideal" comparison especially with one scope being discontinued but the LRHSi/LRTSi 4.5-18 scopes are the closest competition the Razor LHT FFP has with regard to price, magnification and weight. It also serves as a baseline as many are very familiar with the performance of the LRHS/LRTS series.
That’s definitely a fair point. I also am really only interested in illuminated models as a cross over scope. It still amazes me how few offerings are in this incredibly obvious category, at any price point for that matter.
 
Just patiently waiting for this exact same scope in a x36 or x42 objective in the 2.5-12 or 3-15 range. Hope it'll happen before 2023.
Not to derail the thread. But there’s supposed to be a Tract Toric 2.5-15x44 coming out end of year in this price range. Hopefully they keep the length and weight down.
 
No, I do not see a non-illuminated scope competing with the Vortex LHT FFP, for me (and others) a crossover scope needs to have illumination so while the LRHS2 has "better" glass (than the LRHS/LRTS), it does not have illumination (something Bushnell and Burris are shooting themselves in the foot with IMHO). So my review will be in comparison to the older LRHSi scope for these reasons (the new LRHS2 without illumination has very little appeal to me).

I realize this is not an "ideal" comparison especially with one scope being discontinued but the LRHSi/LRTSi 4.5-18 scopes are the closest competition the Razor LHT FFP has with regard to price, magnification and weight. It also serves as a baseline as many are very familiar with the performance of the LRHS/LRTS series.

I was hoping to get a comparison with the new gap scope. I don't care about illumination as higher power scopes are toys for me. If they were both non illuminated which would you favor?
 
For me personally I wish they would have left the top post off the reticle, in a hunting situation I don’t see where I would ever need to hold under
 
I do not see this specific magnification range option listed on Vortex website. Only 15x. What’s the deal with that?
 
Not to derail the thread. But there’s supposed to be a Tract Toric 2.5-15x44 coming out end of year in this price range. Hopefully they keep the length and weight down.
Keeping weight down has not been a priority for Tract with previous models so I'd be pleasantly surprised if they do so here...
 
Keeping weight down has not been a priority for Tract with previous models so I'd be pleasantly surprised if they do so here...
Agree

There’s the 4-20x50 FFP at 34oz (30mm)
and the 3-15x42 SFP at 21oz (1in)
Hopefully they keep this one in the low-mid 20’s.

I like the new LHT, but if the Toric 2.5-15x can come in at a similar weight it could be good competition for it. This category of full featured light/compact FFP optics needs more options.
 
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Keeping weight down has not been a priority for Tract with previous models so I'd be pleasantly surprised if they do so here...
Decided to just go ask and see if they’d release any details.

Should be 13-14” in length and around 26-28oz in weight.

Not ultra short or light, but certainly in the category.
 
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For me personally I wish they would have left the top post off the reticle, in a hunting situation I don’t see where I would ever need to hold under
I had a situation calling coyotes where I had 2 mils dialed from spotting two at 400 yards, but then one came over a side hill 75 yards away... This isn't a pure hunting optic, and looks almost perfect for a crossover optic.
 
@koshkin

Does the elevation turret only lock on zero or can you lock it at a desired dialed point blank elevation also?

Thank you for the informative live stream. Having Razors with both the 2c and the 7c, I agree with you on the overly long mil hashes, especially at the 1 mil with the number on top of it. I really like the lack of clutter around the center of the 2c but really like the .2/.5 hashes of the 7c so this XLR2 looks to be a great combination of both.
 
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I can't tell you how many times this exact scenario has played out for me.
This is one reason why I prefer to just not dial, if it’s 400y and in. Beyond 2MILs I start considering dialing, but almost never dial 2MILs or less holdover. The reticle looks nice for holding over in it, I hope it’s usable on low power also.

@koshkin, any pictures through the optic at various magnification? Great live stream also.
 
@koshkin

Does the elevation turret only lock on zero or can you lock it at a desired dialed point blank elevation also?

Thank you for the informative live stream. Having Razors with both the 2c and the 7c, I agree with you on the overly long mil hashes, especially at the 1 mil with the number on top of it. I really like the lack of clutter around the center of the 2c but really like the .2/.5 hashes of the 7c so this XLR2 looks to be a great combination of both.
Assuming it is the same turret as the other LHT and Strike Eagle, you can lock it anywhere.
 
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@koshkin how does this stack up to the AMG? I always wanted an AMG in 4-20 or similar, didn't like the 6x low end. I love my current LHT and this seems to be my perfect optic, but I'm just curious where it stacks up there. (Apologies if you cover this in your live stream, I haven't made it all the way through it yet.)
 
@koshkin

Does the elevation turret only lock on zero or can you lock it at a desired dialed point blank elevation also?

Thank you for the informative live stream. Having Razors with both the 2c and the 7c, I agree with you on the overly long mil hashes, especially at the 1 mil with the number on top of it. I really like the lack of clutter around the center of the 2c but really like the .2/.5 hashes of the 7c so this XLR2 looks to be a great combination of both.

You can lock it anywhere.

ILya
 
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This is one reason why I prefer to just not dial, if it’s 400y and in. Beyond 2MILs I start considering dialing, but almost never dial 2MILs or less holdover. The reticle looks nice for holding over in it, I hope it’s usable on low power also.

@koshkin, any pictures through the optic at various magnification? Great live stream also.

Thanks. I am about to head out to CompExpo. When I come back I will edit and post a through the scope video.

ILya
 
@koshkin how does this stack up to the AMG? I always wanted an AMG in 4-20 or similar, didn't like the 6x low end. I love my current LHT and this seems to be my perfect optic, but I'm just curious where it stacks up there. (Apologies if you cover this in your live stream, I haven't made it all the way through it yet.)

Tough call. It is a very different optic in terms of FOV, etc. It would probably be not as good as AMG, but broadly competitive with it. The mag range on this one is more useful for me and I prefer XLR-3 to EBR-7C.

ILya
 
Tough call. It is a very different optic in terms of FOV, etc. It would probably be not as good as AMG, but broadly competitive with it. The mag range on this one is more useful for me and I prefer XLR-3 to EBR-7C.

ILya
I'm with ILya here, AMG has outstanding glass with superb resolution and control of CA. Glass in the LHT is very good but not AMG good, I see more CA than I did in my AMG's but well within reason for the price class this scope falls under and better CA control than some others in this class. I like the reticle a lot. I would have preferred a 4-20 design instead of 4.5-22 but the fact we have a FFP long range scope under 22oz is outstanding. The next closest would be the March 3-24 but is in the next pricing tier, same with the Leupold Mark 6.
 
I'm with ILya here, AMG has outstanding glass with superb resolution and control of CA. Glass in the LHT is very good but not AMG good, I see more CA than I did in my AMG's but well within reason for the price class this scope falls under and better CA control than some others in this class. I like the reticle a lot. I would have preferred a 4-20 design instead of 4.5-22 but the fact we have a FFP long range scope under 22oz is outstanding. The next closest would be the March 3-24 but is in the next pricing tier, same with the Leupold Mark 6.
I don't expect the glass to be AMG good, but I am quite happy with my 3-15 LHT glass so this shouldn't disappoint. Damnit I can't wait to get my hands on one of these. If I like it as much as I think I will, I'll put one on every hunting/dual use rifle I own.
 
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Something just occurred to me, hasn’t Vortex already released this (similar) optic before.

The Vortex (Cabela’s) Intrepid 4.5-22x50

Made in Japan, 30mm tube, 22oz, but only about $500.

By basic stats they look nearly identical. They even called it a “Viper with Razor glass” at the time. I have no experience with this optic, I only know that it existed. Is this optic based on that same design? Completely new design? How did that one perform in comparison? What made this one cost 3x as much?

Anyone have experience with the Intrepid that could comment? @koshkin @Glassaholic
 
Something just occurred to me, hasn’t Vortex already released this (similar) optic before.

The Vortex (Cabela’s) Intrepid 4.5-22x50

Made in Japan, 30mm tube, 22oz, but only about $500.

By basic stats they look nearly identical. They even called it a “Viper with Razor glass” at the time. I have no experience with this optic, I only know that it existed. Is this optic based on that same design? Completely new design? How did that one perform in comparison? What made this one cost 3x as much?

Anyone have experience with the Intrepid that could comment? @koshkin @Glassaholic
Picture of scope you mention. I know nothing about it, but doesn't look similar to this.

1628107609010.png
 
Intrepid looks to be a 2nd focal plane
so only the mag range is really the same
 
Intrepid looks to be a 2nd focal plane
so only the mag range is really the same


Oh good catch, definitely is a 2nd Focal Plane. That’s significantly different then.

From basic specs and overall shape it appeared like it could have been a generational improvement to the same design. Probably not though being SFP in that one.
 
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Agree

There’s the 4-20x50 FFP at 34oz (30mm)
and the 3-15x42 SFP at 21oz (1in)
Hopefully they keep this one in the low-mid 20’s.

I like the new LHT, but if the Toric 2.5-15x can come in at a similar weight it could be good competition for it. This category of full featured light/compact FFP optics needs more options.

Mavin RS.1?

2.5-15x44, FFP at 14.1" & 24.5 ozs... but only MOA reticles.
 
@koshkin If you have played with this vortex razor lht, could you offer your opinion on how it compares with the nf nx8 4-32x50? The razor is at a lower price point, wondering if I am still justified in leaning torwards the nx8.
 
Mavin RS.1?

2.5-15x44, FFP at 14.1" & 24.5 ozs... but only MOA reticles.
Yeah, I saw those and completely lost interest with MOA only. How do you not have a MIL option?

Besides LPVO BDC’s I don’t have anything in MOA. Even there I’m switching completely to MILs.

Reticle design is just as important as the rest of the optic. Why I lost interest in the Mark 5HD 3.6-18x I was originally looking at for this application (plus rediculous up charge for illumination and even less reticle options).

I definitely prefer some sort of illuminated center aiming point, and a light tree/grid that mostly disappears under 8x or so.

That’s one thing I think they did right from initial look on this LHT, the reticle looks nice. I’m glad they chose not to illuminate the full tree, it just gets too busy in low light. Still waiting to see what it looks like on low power as I do a fair amount of shooting there as well, which is where a lot of FFP reticles struggle.
 
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Tough call. It is a very different optic in terms of FOV, etc. It would probably be not as good as AMG, but broadly competitive with it. The mag range on this one is more useful for me and I prefer XLR-3 to EBR-7C.

ILya
How does this new LHT compare to the 42mm March specifically for range/competition use?

Your video said you prefer the March on a range environment but I assume you were referring to the 52mm. The 42mm is almost the exact same weight as LHT but has even worse eyebox and dof than 52mm. Reason I'm looking at the two 21oz scopes is this is intended for Mammoth and other rucking competitions.

Finger is hovering over the buy button for the LHT.
 
This looks to be a perfect optic for walking around and shooting varmints (204, 17 Hornet, 22LR). Currently use a PST II 5-25 in EBR-2c and 2d variants (tried to like the 7b/c versions in the PST II and AMG, but didn't). Only criticisms about the PST II is that it's 31.2oz, no locking turrets, no locking eyepiece (last one a niggle, not really a bit deal). Glass quality was good for my use, never thought I'd bump the turret, but it happened.

Was scared of this new one going out of stock forever, ordered three lol ouch ow
 
Out of curiosity, how did you bump the turret? I run the PST G2 as well, and I see people worried about rolling turrets in hunting scopes but have never done so myself. It’d be informative to hear something to avoid.
 
Out of curiosity, how did you bump the turret? I run the PST G2 as well, and I see people worried about rolling turrets in hunting scopes but have never done so myself. It’d be informative to hear something to avoid.
I think it was from my soft case, as during that day of prairie dog shooting the gun went in and out a lot as I tried different locations. Doesn't help that I had the gun cases sort of stuffed tightly next together, and the in/out friction must've spun one turret a little. Didn't use a sling on that gun, so couldn't have been rubbing on my back etc.

This is starting to sound porno…

Ironically, I noticed I was hitting the PDs when I shouldn't have. Looked at the elevation turret and it was off a couple tenths. PD shooting is low stakes, but I got a little lucky. I was going to just tape the turrets, but then this lighter scope popped up, damnit!

edit: I know it wasn't me dialing and forgetting to reset, as I'm not a dialer. I hold for elev/wind.
 
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