Re: SB vs. vortex razor
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrob300</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What a lot of people don't understand about this whole scope thing is that it comes down to a LOT of subjective, personal opinion. What works for one guy is "garbage" to another.
Just getting the features that you really need/want in any one package is hard enough, but then throw in subjective criteria such as quality of glass, low light performance, quality of clicks on the turrets, zeroes line up, durability of the paint, etc., ad nauseum...
That said, I think the Vortex Razor is an extremely impressive scope for the money and if all I were doing is shooting tactical steel matches with it, it would be just about perfect for my needs. But there's always that one other thing I want my scope to do...
I did get to lie behind a fellow competitors S-B at the Potomac Match (you should join us sometime... you could get a gander through quite a few different scopes)and was immediately impressed. The glass was noticeably crisper and a little brighter (which is saying a lot... I think the Razor has outstanding glass) and I like the elevation on the turrets and the P4F reticle would be perfect for the all around shooting I do. But cost is a serious issue for me, so at this point I went the opposite direction and currently am sporting the DMR with G2 reticle. With the exception of lack of zero stop and a definite downgrade in glass, it accomplishes the tasks I demand from it for nearly 1/3 the cost of the S-B. Right now, that is the overriding factor for me.
You cannot let someone else tell you what scope is right for you. Figure out what you want to do with it. Ask for advice on which scopes might fulfill that role, try to get behind them and then if you still even have a choice, pick the one that you feel better about. Otherwise, you're going to be spending as much time in the For Sale section as I do... I'm never happy.
John </div></div>
John, although I agree with a lot of what you say, there are certain points where I believe you are off the mark. Quality of glass and the quality of low light performance, i.e. coatings, are not "subjective". These are elements that can be measured and quantified, albeit it not be the average Joe, but I guarantee you it's there.
Other than that I think you're spot on. Personal preferences do play a role as far as things such as clicks go. (Personally, I don't care for the S&B clicks and find the Bushnell and Vortex 100x better).
The best advice is get behind everything you're interested in and buy once, cry once.
You get what you pay for with scopes.