Rifle Scopes NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

[Heronion]

First, I'm sorry if this has been covered.
Second, this is not a quid pro quo thread.
Third, I'm only interested in opinions of people who have either 1) owned these scopes or 2) used these scopes.

So, the deal is, sometime in the hopefully-not-to-distant future, I plan on upgrading from my SS10x42M. Not that it's a bad scope--I consider it fantastic, especially for the price--but I'd like to get myself a truly good piece of glass that I'll have for my Savage build.

I've sort of narrowed it down to either Nightforce NXS or Vortex Razor HD. Or the new SWFA SS5-20x50 HD. Mainly because Hensoldt, SuB, and Premier are too expensive. IOR gets mixed reviews (and IMO is ugly as sin). And I'm thoroughly capable of buying used. So telling me "used SuB instead of new Nightforce" will just make me cranky.

I like the 5ish-20ish range of magnification; good for hunting, but also good for longish-range shooting. So, I'm starting my research now. I would simply like the input of people who have used or owned these scopes, and would like to know what these people have PREFERRED. You are welcome to tell me why. But I don't want a this vs. that thread. I just want to hear from owners, which scope is your go-to scope. I mean, I have a few rifles, and they're all great, but there's that ONE that I always find myself just "liking" more, for no particular reason. That's what I'm looking for.

Which one would you rather cuddle up with in front of the fire, so to speak.

Thanks.

Brian

 

[Greene]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

I had a NXS 5.5-22x56 with High Speed MOA turrets, ZS, and NP-R1 reticle. I sold the scope to purchase a new Razor HD MIL Turrets with EBR-2B reticle.

I prefer the Razor for what I am using the scope for. NOT SAYING IT IS BETTER THAN THE NIGHTFORCE, just that the Razor fits the bill better for me and here is why.

*Switched to the MIL system but NF offers that also.

*Wanted to go a FFP scope rather than the SFP as I use this setup to run tactical matches, hunting, etc. NF offers that but was able to get into the Razor a touch cheaper than a FFP Nightforce.

*Love the EBR-2B reticle which proved very functional in a Long Range Tactical match.

*I like the way the you don't have to float the zero on the Razor and can fine tune it to bullseye zero the set the zero stop.

*Pefer the Illuminated control for the Razor as well.

*Extra 5x magnification over the NF F1.

This is just the reason I like the Razor and your needs along with others may differ from mine.

Hope this helps.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

A year ago this week I obsessed over my choice of my first high quality piece of glass. Cost is not a huge issue for me, but I always want value for my dollar. I went with the NF F1 in 3.5 - 15. In the past year, I have attended three top of the line precision scoped rifle classes with all manner of fine optic. I have mounted S&B, USO, Premiere, and others. To this day, I remain confident that i made the right choice. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Heronion]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

Thank you sirs. This is extremely helpful, especially the bit about switching to the Razor. Everything you said is exactly my opinion on the Razor. I like the cheaper FFP, the illumination controls, and I love the reticle. Right now I'm slightly leaning towards the Razor. So much time to decide, though.

 

[tt350z]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

I used to own a 5.5-20X56 NF with NPR-2 reticle, with regular 1/4 MOA knobs and no zero stop. I had sold it a while ago so I can't compare directly with the Razor HD EBR-2B which I now own.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Things I like about the Razor HD:</span>

Zero stop is solid, like hitting a brick wall, no question about where your stop is.

I actually like the taller elevation knob, I can still read the numbers while turning the elevation with no issues. Both knobs have nice solid clicks.

Ability to zero elevation with no clicks. You will never be in between a click when zeroing.

I'm a fan of the brownish color of the scope, gives it a unique look.

Reticle, I originally had the EBR-2 reticle, but the holdover dots were pretty hard to see, my particular scope needed to be sent back to the factory for a few issues (nothing that affected it's operation), and I was able to swap to the EBR-2B reticle free of charge. I really dig the open center of the crosshair.

Price, I was able to get a brand new Razor HD from a site sponsor for a excellent price. Even with shipping and a new set of American Rifle Company M3 rings, I was still under $2000.

<span style="font-weight: bold">A few things that I would have prefered:</span>

A slightly thinner reticle, but it's still not overly fat by any means, just personal preference.

Longer parallax knob, I feel that it is a bit to short for my liking.

If the mag ring was knurled aluminum like on the Viper series.

Reticle illumination could be better with less bleeding, but I don't shoot at night, so it's a moot point for me. But if you do shoot a lot at night, it's something to consider.

I guess for some people its large and heavy. I've got a M2008 action, AICS, and a MTU contour barrel, so a light weight build wasn't my intention, so I never once wished I had a smaller lighter scope.

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

Ill give a vote for the Razor. Have one with the 2B reticle, absolutely LOVE the reticle.

Id say at this point in time the best bang for your buck would surely be the SS during the group buy, but I just cant get myself to dig the reticle one bit, at least not compared to the Vortex.

The clicks on the Razor are extremely positive, due mainly to only being 5mil per rev since there are large gaps between clicks you can realy feel them. The SS is lacking ZS, but with 10 per rev, if its going on a 308 or similar its not really necessary. On a 338 or something ELR that you may dial 20+ mils the ZS would definitely be nice.

 

[Megahoser]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

Razor, hands down.

 

[7mmRM]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

Not that I dislike my Razor, but Id rather have another F1.

 

[bohem]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

I have the 5.5-22x50 and a pair of Razors. I have a new occular and an old occular Razor.

The new one fixes the occular knurling comment that tt305z made. For his edification, if you send the old occular scope in they will upgrade it for free for you.

OK, so what I've noticed:

Getting used to the FFP took a little work, I was no used to the reticle "changing" in my FOV but it's a nice feature.

I feel the glass on the Razor is better than the NXS at high magnification. At anything from 5x to ~12x the 2 are both really good and I couldn't tell you a difference between them.

The illumination on the NF is nicer in some ways. It is cleaner than the Razor, however, being able to adjust the level "on the fly" with the Razor is a boost over the NF method. Given both systems, for now, I'd still take the NF because of the how clean it comes out. No bleeding as was mentioned above.

Both scopes are built tough as nails.

The zero stop on the Razor is really really nice. The turrets are every bit as good as the NF, and it comes with a little fiber optic bar on it to help realize where the turret is in low light.

I don't like having the turrets running in 15 MOA per turn on the Razor, NF's 10 or 20 MOA per turn is faster to deal with IMO. My 1000yd dope for one particular load ~+23 MOA, it is much easier to think "10, 20, 3" than to say "15, plus 5 is 20, plus 3 more".

The parallax knob on both scopes don't have any issue to me, I like the slimmer knob on the Razor more actually. This I'd chalk up to personal preference after using it for a while. Some guys will like it, some won't. I happen to like it and enjoy the scope.

I like the NPR1 reticle a little more than the EBR-1 because of the 1 MOA hashes available in the NPR1. If the EBR1 had a small tick mark halfway in there, I'd be completely satisfied with it.

The big 35mm tube on the Razor gives me 125 MOA of total adjustment over the 5.5-22's only having 100 MOA. On my UGSW actioned 7/300 WSM I have a 20 MOA rail and appx 20 MOA still under the zero for both scopes.

For those guys who want to dial up 100MOA or more (shooting subsonics at distance or really stretching out a 260 or the like) then the Razor has more adjustment available.

The old occular on the Razor is inferior to the NXS and it was immediately noticeable. When I got the new occular in, the improvement was so much that I really didn't have a positive answer as to "which has the better eye relief and eye box?"... it's extremely close now to me.

All said and done:

I will buy another Razor over getting another 5.5-22 NXS at this time.

 

[tt350z]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

The new one fixes the occular knurling comment that tt305z made. For his edification, if you send the old occular scope in they will upgrade it for free for you.
</div></div>

All Razor's with the EBR-2B reticles have the new ocular without the rubber coating, so needless to say, mine does have the updated ocular.

I'm talking about the actual magnification ring, which is still rubber coated.

 

[CMH]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

I have owned both NF 5.5-22 NPR1 and a Razor and am currently in-line for a 5-20 SS. NF was very well made - I didn't care for a couple of things. they are all minor - I will admit that right up front. I didn't care for the reticle - it was difficult for me to see. And yes, I tried the ocular adjustment against pure white paper, blue sky, etc. Many adjustments - same result - the reticle would not stay in focus for me after any period of time behind the gun. As a disclaimer - I have worn glasses for quite a while. I used to shoot without them and adjust my optics. I just recently started shooting with them, and I can tell you this amplifies any optical issues - at least in my experience. Anyhow back to the NF - I also did not care for the feel of the turrets and knurling patterns. Is there anything wrong with them? Absolutely not. Do Razor controls feel more to my particular liking - you bet. I also like the Razor reticle.

All that being said, I am selling my Razor now as I don't have a need for such a heavy duty scope - I think the SS is going to be a great scope and still heavily enough made for my use. I do not use my scope for any duty use - I am not LEO or MIL. For the price of the Razor I can nearly get two SS - which I currently have two scope spots on rifles to fill.

Bottom line - neither are bad scopes. If possible, I would get my hands on one and don't just look through the glass, crank the turrets - mess with it. See which one feels better to you. Unfortunately on SS there are only a few folks that have them right now - but hopefully us ordinary folks will be getting them when first shipment hits.

Casey

 

[bohem]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tt350z</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

The new one fixes the occular knurling comment that tt305z made. For his edification, if you send the old occular scope in they will upgrade it for free for you.
</div></div>

All Razor's with the EBR-2B reticles have the new ocular without the rubber coating, so needless to say, mine does have the updated ocular.

I'm talking about the actual magnification ring, which is still rubber coated. </div></div>

I misread what you were talking about, my mistake.

 

[Bob munden]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

had my nightforce for years and it has been beaten, not on purpose and it has never failed me. my buddys razor got sent back to vortex for not wanting to hold zero. you cant go wrong with the battle proven nightforce! if your going to get a vortex wait for a little because they are so new to the game let the kinks get worked out. when the razor worked it worked well

 

[264win]

Re: NXS or SS5-20x or Vortex Razor HD - Preference?

I had both a NF f1 [ newer one with the new MD 2.0 reticle ]and a razor for about 2 months while trying to decide which one to keep.
I wound up keeping the NF, but only due to some very minor personal preferences. To my eyes the Nf had a noticeably wider field of view [ both on 15x ], and seemed to gather light a bit better in the evening. I also found the size and color of the NF to suit my taste a little better.
The Razor is a solid scope with more power and a lower price tag than the F1. You cant go far wrong with either.