Where to start? There have been plenty of reviews of the Vortex Razor 5-20x50 scope, but now that I'm a proud owner of one I thought that I'd add one more. I'll try not to rehash to much of the old stuff, just add some quick notes, thoughts and observations.
First, in case you don't have time to read the whole thing, I think the Razor is a very good scope that presents a great value with all the right features at the best price point in the scope market. I've taken the Razor out for at least 3 trips to the range. This isn't a review that's going to guarantee years of service (Vortex does that) or one that can tell you how well it tracks to 1,000 yards cause I only got the chance to shoot it to 300. What my review will tell you is that the Vortex was shot right next to a Premier 5-25, a S&B 4-16 and a Hensoldt 4-16 and that it faired pretty well. My only regret is that I don't have anyone local that I shoot with that has a Nightforce for me to put it side by side with, since I and many feel that it's going to be the closest competitor given the price range and features.
Here are some quick, one line reviews, of all the basic stuff. Others have covered it much more in depth and there's no reason to spend any more time on it just to repeat the same stuff.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Scope/Body</span> - It's stout, built well, no worries here.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Color</span> - It's actually nicer than I expected, looks at home on a black rifle or anything else.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Rings</span> - Mine are Vortex, well made, equal in construction to all the big boys.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Loc-Tite</span> - Mine had the fix before I got it, so I'm happy there.
<span style="font-weight: bold">35mm</span> - Sure, 34mm would be nice, but the Vortex rings are nice and it does allow for a ton of elevation.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Scope Caps</span> - Definitely could use some improvement, just order BC's - #19 for the eye and #43 for the front and move on.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Rubber Power Ring</span> - No worries here, feels like it's on there solid, provides a nice grip.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Power Indicators</span> - Like the numbers being angled on the rubber ring, easier to read when prone, well thought out.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Zero Stop</span> - Solid, works great, easy to set and use (little more on this later).
Now, the meat of the review for the big stuff that counts.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Glass</span>
As stated, this scope was shot next to all the big boys. I, like other reviewers, am not a glass expert. The glass on the Vortex is very nice though. I never once went from one of the others back to the Vortex and thought "Hmmm, back to lower grade glass". The Hensoldt was brighter, but it's design lends it to be brighter than anything out there. Now maybe, just maybe, if I setup some goofy eye charts and tried to read a magazine at 300 yards around dusk with the scopes then I could tell you that one was clearer than the others. However, I shoot targets, some big and some small, but targets all the same. In no way was the Vortex glass any less capable of seeing and shooting the targets than any of the other scopes mentioned. Without a doubt, Vortex HD glass is just fine for me.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Turrets</span>
The big one here is always that elevation turret. It looks BIG, it is BIG, but it's really not that big. It's easy to grab, with or without gloves, plus all the space gives room for clear markings and well spaced clicks. My Hensoldt and the Vortex are both mounted fairly low to the rifle, high enough for BC caps but not much more. I measure them both from the top of the base to the top of the turret and the Vortex was 3/8" higher, really not that much. Maybe if I was a high speed low drag type of guy it might matter, but for me it's a non issue. I have heard of one guy getting at the match in PHX getting his windage knob caught on gear and turned some without him knowing, so for some the big knobs might be an issue. The elevation has a zero stop, so that prevents turns at least one direction, the windage does not so maybe the chances go up some. A locking windage turret would be awesome, but not sure it's worth all the design and engineering changes that would take.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Reticle</span>
I'm a big fan of this one. I know some have said it's a little thicker than they'd like, but the open center really makes up for this. I'm used to shooting with the thicker reticles and 99% of my shooting is either tactical matches or getting ready for them. I don't need a fine reticle for punching tiny holes in paper, this is not a benchrest scope. Using a 1" black square with a 1/2" white square inside of it, you're still able to quarter the white part and shoot for groups. The windage holdoff dots below the crosshairs are a little fine, but I think they are useable for the rare occasion that I'll actually use them. If I'm shooting any distance at all I'll be dialing the dope and holding wind with main horizontal crosshair, not a little dot below.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Eyebox, Eye Relief, Etc</span>
The eyebox on this scope does take a little more getting used to. Thank goodness for adjustable cheekpieces on rifles, it makes it easy, but a stock pack and foam/tape would do the same thing. You need to make sure your head is in the right position or you will get some shadowing. Spending a few extra minutes to insure all this before tightening down the rings is worth it. I've seen Sam@Vortex discuss how the long eye relief plays some tricks on people and it's true, keep that in mind when setting up your scope. I was a little too close to the scope the first time I put it on a rifle. Sam also explained something about perceived tunneling not being tunneling because the FOV wasn't shrinking, just the edges of the scope coming into view, but maybe he'll chime in and explain more. If there was one major difference between my other scopes and the Vortex, I'd say it was the eyebox, it just wasn't as easy for me to jump behind the rifle and be 100% comfortable. Though it did get easier with time and I was comparing it to the Hensoldt, so the Vortex had it's work cut out for it there.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Zero Stop</span>
It works great, as advertised, etc etc. I did want to add one thing about it though, in Lowlights review of the Razor he mentioned that it was a negative for him that the clicks went away when adjusting the zero stop. I disagree, I like that the clicks go away, this lets you dial (smoothly) to exactly where you want to be. No .1 mil (1/3") clicks, but a fine adjustment of any amount to dial the scope to a perfect zero. For real "operators" I'm sure a .1 mil click is plenty accurate, but sometimes I'm anal and I've seen zero jump from one edge of the bullseye to the other with a full click, wishing I could dial a half of a click. Good news, with the Vortex you can!
<span style="font-weight: bold">Illumination</span>
I had read that someones scope had a brighter horizontal crosshiar than vertical. I'd have to say that mine is the same, but probably never would have noticed if it hadn't been brought to my attention to look. I rarely shoot at night and on my particular scope the difference isn't enough that it would hinder your shooting, but there is a difference so it's a relevant part of my review. I hear that Vortex might make a design change to fix future issues, but I wouldn't wait for the change to buy a scope (it's that minimal).
<span style="font-weight: bold">Tracking</span>
Possibly the most important feature and I sadly can't comment on it. Sure it tracks fine to 300, but big deal. After about 10 trips to the range I'll bring an extra large piece of paper and do it right. At that time I'll update this, but for now I haven't read a report of others having tracking issues so that's good. If I do have an issue then I have no doubt Vortex will make it right.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Customer Service</span>
Honestly, haven't had to use it, but the CS is what convinced me to try this scope. Seeing Sam@Vortex handling issues before he was asked to, apologizing without excuses and just stepping up when Vortex needed to made me want to give them a shot. Plus the fact that they have the PST coming to market, the scope that shooters have been begging for but no one has delivered, shows that Vortex is listening.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Summary </span>
I'm very happy with the scope, it's pros far outweigh its cons. It is a great value and right now the only scope that I know of that offers all of the features it does at the under $2k price point. Some will say the Nightforce is close, but I like more than 15x on the top end and think the MLR reticle is a little bit thin. I will own another Vortex or two, I'm trying to decide on another Razor or waiting for a PST to try. I'll soon have more rifles than glass and the thought has crossed my mind that for the price of one Hensoldt I could nearly buy two Vortex, that value is hard to ignore.
One last note, if you're going to buy a Vortex or any other scope, support your snipershide.com sponsors.
Sorry for the marginal pics, just wanted to show some of the test subjects involved.
First, in case you don't have time to read the whole thing, I think the Razor is a very good scope that presents a great value with all the right features at the best price point in the scope market. I've taken the Razor out for at least 3 trips to the range. This isn't a review that's going to guarantee years of service (Vortex does that) or one that can tell you how well it tracks to 1,000 yards cause I only got the chance to shoot it to 300. What my review will tell you is that the Vortex was shot right next to a Premier 5-25, a S&B 4-16 and a Hensoldt 4-16 and that it faired pretty well. My only regret is that I don't have anyone local that I shoot with that has a Nightforce for me to put it side by side with, since I and many feel that it's going to be the closest competitor given the price range and features.
Here are some quick, one line reviews, of all the basic stuff. Others have covered it much more in depth and there's no reason to spend any more time on it just to repeat the same stuff.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Scope/Body</span> - It's stout, built well, no worries here.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Color</span> - It's actually nicer than I expected, looks at home on a black rifle or anything else.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Rings</span> - Mine are Vortex, well made, equal in construction to all the big boys.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Loc-Tite</span> - Mine had the fix before I got it, so I'm happy there.
<span style="font-weight: bold">35mm</span> - Sure, 34mm would be nice, but the Vortex rings are nice and it does allow for a ton of elevation.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Scope Caps</span> - Definitely could use some improvement, just order BC's - #19 for the eye and #43 for the front and move on.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Rubber Power Ring</span> - No worries here, feels like it's on there solid, provides a nice grip.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Power Indicators</span> - Like the numbers being angled on the rubber ring, easier to read when prone, well thought out.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Zero Stop</span> - Solid, works great, easy to set and use (little more on this later).
Now, the meat of the review for the big stuff that counts.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Glass</span>
As stated, this scope was shot next to all the big boys. I, like other reviewers, am not a glass expert. The glass on the Vortex is very nice though. I never once went from one of the others back to the Vortex and thought "Hmmm, back to lower grade glass". The Hensoldt was brighter, but it's design lends it to be brighter than anything out there. Now maybe, just maybe, if I setup some goofy eye charts and tried to read a magazine at 300 yards around dusk with the scopes then I could tell you that one was clearer than the others. However, I shoot targets, some big and some small, but targets all the same. In no way was the Vortex glass any less capable of seeing and shooting the targets than any of the other scopes mentioned. Without a doubt, Vortex HD glass is just fine for me.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Turrets</span>
The big one here is always that elevation turret. It looks BIG, it is BIG, but it's really not that big. It's easy to grab, with or without gloves, plus all the space gives room for clear markings and well spaced clicks. My Hensoldt and the Vortex are both mounted fairly low to the rifle, high enough for BC caps but not much more. I measure them both from the top of the base to the top of the turret and the Vortex was 3/8" higher, really not that much. Maybe if I was a high speed low drag type of guy it might matter, but for me it's a non issue. I have heard of one guy getting at the match in PHX getting his windage knob caught on gear and turned some without him knowing, so for some the big knobs might be an issue. The elevation has a zero stop, so that prevents turns at least one direction, the windage does not so maybe the chances go up some. A locking windage turret would be awesome, but not sure it's worth all the design and engineering changes that would take.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Reticle</span>
I'm a big fan of this one. I know some have said it's a little thicker than they'd like, but the open center really makes up for this. I'm used to shooting with the thicker reticles and 99% of my shooting is either tactical matches or getting ready for them. I don't need a fine reticle for punching tiny holes in paper, this is not a benchrest scope. Using a 1" black square with a 1/2" white square inside of it, you're still able to quarter the white part and shoot for groups. The windage holdoff dots below the crosshairs are a little fine, but I think they are useable for the rare occasion that I'll actually use them. If I'm shooting any distance at all I'll be dialing the dope and holding wind with main horizontal crosshair, not a little dot below.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Eyebox, Eye Relief, Etc</span>
The eyebox on this scope does take a little more getting used to. Thank goodness for adjustable cheekpieces on rifles, it makes it easy, but a stock pack and foam/tape would do the same thing. You need to make sure your head is in the right position or you will get some shadowing. Spending a few extra minutes to insure all this before tightening down the rings is worth it. I've seen Sam@Vortex discuss how the long eye relief plays some tricks on people and it's true, keep that in mind when setting up your scope. I was a little too close to the scope the first time I put it on a rifle. Sam also explained something about perceived tunneling not being tunneling because the FOV wasn't shrinking, just the edges of the scope coming into view, but maybe he'll chime in and explain more. If there was one major difference between my other scopes and the Vortex, I'd say it was the eyebox, it just wasn't as easy for me to jump behind the rifle and be 100% comfortable. Though it did get easier with time and I was comparing it to the Hensoldt, so the Vortex had it's work cut out for it there.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Zero Stop</span>
It works great, as advertised, etc etc. I did want to add one thing about it though, in Lowlights review of the Razor he mentioned that it was a negative for him that the clicks went away when adjusting the zero stop. I disagree, I like that the clicks go away, this lets you dial (smoothly) to exactly where you want to be. No .1 mil (1/3") clicks, but a fine adjustment of any amount to dial the scope to a perfect zero. For real "operators" I'm sure a .1 mil click is plenty accurate, but sometimes I'm anal and I've seen zero jump from one edge of the bullseye to the other with a full click, wishing I could dial a half of a click. Good news, with the Vortex you can!
<span style="font-weight: bold">Illumination</span>
I had read that someones scope had a brighter horizontal crosshiar than vertical. I'd have to say that mine is the same, but probably never would have noticed if it hadn't been brought to my attention to look. I rarely shoot at night and on my particular scope the difference isn't enough that it would hinder your shooting, but there is a difference so it's a relevant part of my review. I hear that Vortex might make a design change to fix future issues, but I wouldn't wait for the change to buy a scope (it's that minimal).
<span style="font-weight: bold">Tracking</span>
Possibly the most important feature and I sadly can't comment on it. Sure it tracks fine to 300, but big deal. After about 10 trips to the range I'll bring an extra large piece of paper and do it right. At that time I'll update this, but for now I haven't read a report of others having tracking issues so that's good. If I do have an issue then I have no doubt Vortex will make it right.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Customer Service</span>
Honestly, haven't had to use it, but the CS is what convinced me to try this scope. Seeing Sam@Vortex handling issues before he was asked to, apologizing without excuses and just stepping up when Vortex needed to made me want to give them a shot. Plus the fact that they have the PST coming to market, the scope that shooters have been begging for but no one has delivered, shows that Vortex is listening.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Summary </span>
I'm very happy with the scope, it's pros far outweigh its cons. It is a great value and right now the only scope that I know of that offers all of the features it does at the under $2k price point. Some will say the Nightforce is close, but I like more than 15x on the top end and think the MLR reticle is a little bit thin. I will own another Vortex or two, I'm trying to decide on another Razor or waiting for a PST to try. I'll soon have more rifles than glass and the thought has crossed my mind that for the price of one Hensoldt I could nearly buy two Vortex, that value is hard to ignore.
One last note, if you're going to buy a Vortex or any other scope, support your snipershide.com sponsors.
Sorry for the marginal pics, just wanted to show some of the test subjects involved.
