Rifle Scopes Vortex Razor HD II OR Bushnell XRS II ?

[Slo cat]

The specs on these two scopes are pretty close. For me, it boils down to which has the better glass. I would appreciate your knowledgeable opinion on glass. I like the Horus 59 reticle, but the EBR-7C is OK. The higher weight of the Vortex is a slight advantage for me. I am open to buying used, and the Razor HD II scopes have been showing up daily at about $1,650-$1,700. But I qualify for a military discount which makes the XRS II a bit less for me. But price is so close that I would go for the better glass.

What do you think? Here is my comparison spread sheet:

	Vortex	Bushnell
QUALITIES	Razor HD II	XRS II
1. Magnification range	4.5-27	4.3-30
2. First Focal Plane	Yes	Yes
3. Reticle	EBR-7C	Horus 59
4 Christmas Tree?	Yes	Yes
5 Illuminated?	Yes	No
6. Elevation Range	28.5 MRAD	29.0 MRAD
7. Exposed turrets?	Yes	Yes
8. Adj Paralax?	Yes	Yes
9. Field of View	25.3-4.4	24-4
10. Objective Size	56 mm	50 mm
11. Locking windage?	Yes	Yes
12. Guarantee	Lifetime	Forever
13. Weight	48.5	37.8
14. Zero Stop?	Yes	Yes
15. Eye Relief	3.7"	4.1"
16. Tube Size	34 MM	34 MM
17. Throw Lever?	No	Yes
18. MSRP	$ 2,900	$ 3,197
19. Street Price	$ 2,129	$ 2,250

20. BEST GLASS (per votes this thread)
Vortex Razor HD II: One1bravo, koshkin
Bushenell XRS II: Hollywood 6mm

 

[Goes-Bang]

Just recently bought a 2nd Vortex RZR-42708 for a new project. Check with Scott at Liberty Optics for price on the Vortex. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[elmuzzlebreak]

I would go with Vortex on the basis of their customer service, even more for a high level optic like this. Just nice to know that if there's an issue they'll fix it or send you an entirely new one. I don't know what others have experienced with Bushnell but I've had mixed results getting someone on the phone.

 

[Nathan11B]

I’m on my second XRS II, love this scope (G3 reticle), but the Razor II HD is a bit more established as a high end scope with proven tracking and reliability. Bushnell scopes seem to have a more unique following (yes, I’m one of them) and I kinda hear them referred to as the “budget high end” while they do have top tier features they still lack the some of the necessary requirements to be top tier like vortex, nightforce, S & B. If I was picking based upon the spreadsheet you laid out, Razor II would be my choice. Simply because of the reticle. Bushnell could open up the objective to a 56 like many flagship scopes and work on reticle design to draw more shooters in, but I’m happy with mine. Never had any problems or issues with function. Think you will be happy with either honestly, I’d still pick the Razor because I don’t like Horus reticles.

 

[One1Bravo]

I have a Razor with the EBR-7C and an XRS II with the H59 and I really like both but the Razor edges out the XRS II. The glass is brighter and the turrets are louder and more tactile.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

razor

 

[SingleShot85]

Bushy... for me

 

[One1Bravo]

Also I just noticed your comparison chart shows the XRS II with an illuminated H59. The only illuminated reticle in the XRS II is the G3. So if that's an important feature to you that rules out the XRS unless you're ok with the G3 reticle. And the Gen II Razor doesn't come with a throw lever.

 

[TXBO]

The Razor Gen II can be purchased new for $1850. At that price, it's a must have.

 

[TXBO]

https://www.milehighshooting.com/vo...2704-razor-hd-gen2-4-5-27x56-ebr-1c-mil-mill/

 

[TXBO]

https://www.milehighshooting.com/vo...r-hd-gen-ii-4-5-27x56-riflescope-ebr-2c-mrad/

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I'm an admitted Bushnell fanboy, but to my eyes the XRS2 wins on glass quality over the Razors, and it's a good bit lighter. I've never gotten the complaints on Bushnell reticles, as I think the G3 is perfect for most uses. Both of mine have tracked perfectly and survived knocks (including a rifle falling on the scope, elevation knob first onto gravel with no damage or zero shift) without a hitch.

 

[Slo cat]

Also I just noticed your comparison chart shows the XRS II with an illuminated H59. The only illuminated reticle in the XRS II is the G3. And the Gen II Razor doesn't come with a throw lever.

Thanks for the corrections.
And it looks like the Street Price for the Razor is a moving target.
I appreciate the posts on glass comparisons. Thanks.

 

[koshkin]

Last XRS II I saw was very good, but not as good as the Razor Gen 2.

I'd go with the Razor.

ILya

 

[Slo cat]

Last XRS II I saw was very good, but not as good as the Razor Gen 2.

I'd go with the Razor.

ILya

OK, decision made. I'll go with the Razor. Thanks all for your thoughts.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

Last XRS II I saw was very good, but not as good as the Razor Gen 2.

I'd go with the Razor.

ILya

Most interested in your general thoughts re the XRS II, I've been extremely impressed with the example I have, and I come from a background with Schmidt, NF, Premier etc. I'm somewhat surprised by how little is in circulation about the XRS II.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Most interested in your general thoughts re the XRS II, I've been extremely impressed with the example I have, and I come from a background with Schmidt, NF, Premier etc. I'm somewhat surprised by how little is in circulation about the XRS II.

I think it's a combination of 1) people remembering the previous gen glass (which wasn't bad, just not as good as what's on the market now) and 2) assuming Bushnell is a 'cheap' optic because they're used to seeing the $200 and under WalMart/big box retailer Bushnell optics and assume it's the same with the top end stuff. There seems to be a lot of insitutional momentum in the PR community against them.

 

[86alaskan]

Razor for me, excellent scope, excellent customer service if you ever need it. Dead reliable adjustments, built like a tank.

 

[One1Bravo]

I think it's a combination of 1) people remembering the previous gen glass (which wasn't bad, just not as good as what's on the market now) and 2) assuming Bushnell is a 'cheap' optic because they're used to seeing the $200 and under WalMart/big box retailer Bushnell optics and assume it's the same with the top end stuff. There seems to be a lot of insitutional momentum in the PR community against them.

#2 was the reason I was so hesitant to spend the coin on the XRS II. I'm glad I did, like I said, I like it a lot.

 

[koshkin]

Most interested in your general thoughts re the XRS II, I've been extremely impressed with the example I have, and I come from a background with Schmidt, NF, Premier etc. I'm somewhat surprised by how little is in circulation about the XRS II.

It is a very decent scope and a definite step up from Gen 1 XRS. I happen to like G3 reticle which helps.

Bushnell priced it a bit too high for what it is, IMO. It would be very competitive with Cronus, Stryker and other similar designs, but I found it a little trickier to get behind on high magnification. It may be related to the 50mm objective vs 56mm.

Nothing really wrong with XRS II other than the price and now that Gen 2 Razor is a little less expensive....

ILya

 

[BallisticPrimate]

It is a very decent scope and a definite step up from Gen 1 XRS. I happen to like G3 reticle which helps.

Bushnell priced it a bit too high for what it is, IMO. It would be very competitive with Cronus, Stryker and other similar designs, but I found it a little trickier to get behind on high magnification. It may be related to the 50mm objective vs 56mm.

Nothing really wrong with XRS II other than the price and now that Gen 2 Razor is a little less expensive....

ILya

Roger that. Here in Australia the XRS II was/is on sale at USD $1300 (which is just stunning value), compared to the G2 Razor which I've only ever seen at US$ 2.7K here. Interesting how market forces create completely different price points.

 

[koshkin]

Roger that. Here in Australia the XRS II was/is on sale at USD $1300 (which is just stunning value), compared to the G2 Razor which I've only ever seen at US$ 2.7K here. Interesting how market forces create completely different price points.

$1300 is an amazing price for XRS II.

ILya

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

#2 was the reason I was so hesitant to spend the coin on the XRS II. I'm glad I did, like I said, I like it a lot.

The funny thing is I see people using that logic turn around and buy a Vortex, seemingly ignoring all of their budget/consumer end stuff. Not to say that Vortex is bad (their top end stuff definitely isn't), just pointing out the flaw in the logic.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

$1300 is an amazing price for XRS II.

ILya

It's an utterly insane price for one.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

It's an utterly insane price for one.

I just checked and the sale price was actually US$1265 for the non-illuminated G3 reticle...insane indeed. I purchased two, might go a third

 

[Nathan11B]

It's an utterly insane price for one.

Paid 1430 for mine used but you can hardly tell it’s used.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I own the xrs and it's 4.5-30x50.
to me it's great between 4.5-25/26 and very useable, but loses a little light for those last few powers.
it'll be exactly like what you have now, just higher power, they're tanks, turrets do their job, they're just a great choice.
vortex razors have the reputation as well, but, all I've read would say it'll beat the Bushnell in glass, not tremendously, but it's there.
Bushnell has an extra three power on top.
vortex I believe is illuminated, bushy is not.
vortex outweighs the bushy
I'm pleased as pie with my xrs, I run the h59 as well.

XRS1 or 2? I could see some loss in light on my XRS1, but I've yet to notice it on my 2s. Admittedly, I haven't been looking for it intentionally on the 2s, but it wasn't something you failed to notice on the XRS1.