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Rifle Scopes Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

wareagle700

wareagle700

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Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 5, 2010
2,408
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SE Georgia
#1
I noticed while dry firing with the reticle lit that the illumination will flash off then back on when the gun fires. Is this normal? If so, what is the purpose of this feature?
Thanks.

Also, I love everything about this scope so far. (minus the cheap lens caps) It complements my .260 very well.
 
#2
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

A dry fire should not do anything to the scope. I have not noticed anything like this on the ones I have handled. Are you sure you aren't blinking everytime you pull the trigger? LOL
 
#5
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

It has to be a sharp jolt to make it go off, like the firing pin dropping or cycling the bolt hard. It comes right back on every time. Probably less than 1/2 a second. You probably wouldn't notice it while shooting but dry firing with a dark background its easy to see.
 
#6
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

My Razor 5-20 does the same thing. It always instantly comes back on so I never worried about it. I thought maybe it was suppose to do that for some reason.
 
#7
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

When you turn the knob slightly back and forth between clicks, does it also turn off? Not actually turning a full click to go from a power setting to an off notch, just rocking it back and forth on that power setting.
 
#8
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

Same problem - just have to wonder about the tolerances in the clicks/elect......

I cranked on the housing a bit more, and it seems to have made things better by 90%.

Not exactly my hopes for the scope.... I spoke to Vortex and they said send it back if it keeps doing it.

I was having issues with the reticle "blinking" past setting 8, ultimately not coming on past 9. but if I jossled it a bit, it would come on but any bump would take it out....
 
#10
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

Thanks for the replies. I don't see it as a problem, I rarely have a need for the illumination anyway. I just didn't know if it was normal or if it has a purpose.
 
#11
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

I never noticed it before, but yesterday I went and did some dry fire with the illumination on and sure enough it flashed off and back on when the bolt cycled or when the trigger broke. When I set the brightness level to 11 it seemed to stay on though.

I'm wondering if it might be a low battery. I'm going to pick up some new ones today and give it a try.

If you leave the battery in, after a few months it will die even if you don't use the illumination.
 
#12
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Frogman77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I never noticed it before, but yesterday I went and did some dry fire with the illumination on and sure enough it flashed off and back on when the bolt cycled or when the trigger broke. When I set the brightness level to 11 it seemed to stay on though.</div></div>

Just dry fired mine with Illum. on. Does exactly the same thing you experienced.

I believe that Vortex knows about the battery drain problem.

John
 
#15
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

I'll give it a go with fresh batteries and report back, I'm wondering if the flickering is just from not enough power.
 
#19
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

I just got off the phone with vortex a little while ago. Scott's over at SHOT. I haven't sent him a PM though. The gentleman that took my call was aware that this thread is going on about the illumination. But he said to call back after SHOT which is understandable.
 
#21
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

Were really splitting hairs now, nobody has a problem with this happening, as there is no reason TO have a problem with it...but its gotta get fixed.

The battery drain is another issue, one that I wouldnt mind seeing solved.
 
#22
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

No change with New Bats from my end as well.

I'd say the problem comes in when you can't get any illumination, as in my case......and the flicker shouldn't be there either. I'd say that isn't splitting hairs, that is expecting a scope of X $$$$ to function as well as their established competition.

 
#23
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

This is probably why it hasn't seemed like Vortex has been on top of this. It would seem they were.

From Scot Berish's Shot SHow 2011 Blog, about the Razor 5-20: "The real news is the new ocular housing design. Slightly shorter, <span style="font-weight: bold">with a new illumination hookup</span>, less fussy eye relief and noticeably less tunnel vision, this new eyebox is quite the improvement over the old style. Now here's the punchline: For all you guys who dove into the Razor but bemoan the high magnification sight picture and critical eye relief, Vortex will replace the ocular housing at no charge to you upon receipt of your old scope!! Please note the spare ocular housings are not in stock yet but are expected to be arriving in the spring. I think this is a great example of the extreme dedication of Vortex to their customers and the true commitment of the service they provide. I am impressed."

John
 
#25
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wolf22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hell yah................ </div></div>

Yeah... I might just keep buying Vortex stuff.
grin.gif


Great job you guys.

John
 
#27
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

If you arent getting any illumination, that is a separate problem, and one I would want fixed. But if the illumination turns off for the split second when you fire the gun....who cares. If they told you it was designed to do that would you still have an issue with it?

I of all people understand that you want a $2000 scope to function properly, I had never spent over $400 for a scope before this. I just look at it as every person that sends in their Razor to get this "non-issue" looked at, then get it back and it has the same non-problem, that possibily delays the shipment of more PST's. Ill gladly stick my foot in my mouth if someone has a good reason they need illumination for the .02 seconds it flickers when the gun is fired.

Im very happy to see the fix coming down to all previous owners, but only for the battery drain issue, and I wont complain about a more forgiving eyebox.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wolf22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No change with New Bats from my end as well.

I'd say the problem comes in when you can't get any illumination, as in my case......and the flicker shouldn't be there either. I'd say that isn't splitting hairs, that is expecting a scope of X $$$$ to function as well as their established competition.

</div></div>
 
#28
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

Pretty sure a manuf. would make it very clear that the 'flicker' condition is normal in their marketing/owners manual - during bolt mvment, dry fire, and live fire.

Vortex has never stated the 'flicker' to be normal nor appropriate. I believe the new design signifies that (most likely).

They cared cuz the owners cared. That is why Vortex will continue to grow rapidly. They have listened to the customer and continue to provide some of the best support avail. That is commendable in todays business/corp. ethics.
 
#29
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

Mine only turns off on all but the highest setting.

They know the flickering is a problem. I have the e-mail that says it. They also said that I could continue to use it until they have a new part to fix the illumination problem. This was back in November when I bought the scope. I won't hesitate to buy another one just because of this minor problem from a brand new design.
 
#30
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

Guys i don't know if I'm just lucky or vortex is really on the ball with the CS.

I just got home from a two day hunt and in the mail was a replacement cap for the illumination battery cover sent free of charge. I put the new cap on and there was no more flicker. I don't know if they just took my info down when I called but I suspect they're going through their listing of folks that they know ate current owners of the razor hd and sending them a replacement part. I'm told this will take care of the flickering but not the battery drain. The new Occular replacement should take care of both.

Thanks vortex! Can't say enough about the Customer service.
 
#32
Re: Vortex Razor Illumination Question.

That's correct. I did call to mention the flickering.

And no, I did not ask for a replacement, it just showed up.

I know that my info pops up on their computers based on my phone number because they automatically have my home address when I've called in the past to get misc parts.
 
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