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Vortex Razor new release

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Category: Other Optics
Forum Name: Spotting Scopes
Forum Description: Big Eye Optics
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=43226
Printed Date: March/18/2024 at 21:49
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Topic: Vortex Razor new release
Posted By: muleymaddness
Subject: Vortex Razor new release
Date Posted: July/30/2016 at 07:43

Does anyone have any info on the new release of the Vortex Razor HD spotting scope?  I see that they've now updated their website, and beside a color change and heli focus, I wonder what the differences are performance wise?  I also noticed the 65mm is 56 ounces compared to the prior model of 49 ounces.




Replies:
Posted By: 3_tens
Date Posted: July/30/2016 at 09:19
A guess would be that since Vortex discontinued all of the eyepieces for the old Razor there will be a change in the eyepiece mounting to the point where the old eyepiece will no longer fit. The Razor design allowed the Swarovski eyepiece to fit on the Razor bayonet . There could have been a design infringement complaint from Swarovski. Just a WAG.


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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.

Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow
Now the rules have changed again.


Posted By: Peddler
Date Posted: July/30/2016 at 11:04
Probably right on Lile!

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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: July/30/2016 at 11:05
Wait, I can use Swaro eyepieces on my Razor HD spotter?

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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: SafariDreaming
Date Posted: July/30/2016 at 12:48
Not sure if the loss in magnification range is good though - its gone from a 20-60x (3x zoom) to a 27-60x....

If the new eyepiece is a Wide angle, that could be good but otherwise eyepiece wise, the new magnification doesn't appear as useful as the previous one...

RANCID - Yes you can use Swaro eyepieces on your Razor spotter (the older version anyway). Here's a pic of the Swaro 25-50x eyepiece on the Vortex Razor 85mm.



cheers
Jeelan






Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: July/30/2016 at 17:59
The new eyepiece is indeed wide angle.

I'll have one here on Monday, so I'll know more at that point.

ILya

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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: SafariDreaming
Date Posted: August/02/2016 at 07:19
Ilya, 

I'm interested in reading your comments on this one.....

Incidentally, for anyone who cares, Zeiss have also brought out a new Spotter - Zeiss Conquest Gavia.

Meant to be sit in a lower price brackets to the Victory Diascope range so it might go head to head in terms of price with the Vortex.

http://www.zeiss.com/corporate/en_de/zeiss-corporate-newsroom/news/press-releases.html?id=ZEISS-Conquest-Gavia-85 - Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85mm

http://www.photoinfos.com/Spektiv/Zeiss-Conquest-Gavia-85.htm - Zeiss Conquest Gavia pictures

Historically, Vortex's big advantage has been its price compared with the big 3 European houses and Nikon...

If the new Conquest spotter is priced competitively to the Vortex Razor, it'll be interesting to see if this impacts Razor sales.

cheers
Jeelan






Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: August/02/2016 at 08:47
Don't forget the newish meopta meopro spotters.  They are fantastic as well, and also in this "getting crowded" $1500 price range.   Lot's of good choices nowadays for quality optics. 


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: August/02/2016 at 08:51
The new Vortex spotter dies not have any markings on the country of origin other Thanh saying Assembled in the US.

I took a brief look yesterday and it seems like any exceptionally nice eyepiece. My first impressions of the image are very positive.

ILya

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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: SafariDreaming
Date Posted: August/03/2016 at 06:41
"assembled in the US" is be a big change for Vortex.

Their early Razor scopes (and Razor lineup in general) had a "made in Japan" label which was replaced by "made in china". The latter is what my 85mm Razor has on the foot.

cheers
Jeelan



Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: August/03/2016 at 16:30
I asked and the new spotters have components sourced from Japan with assembly done in the US.

My best guess is that the US assembly allows them to have more control of alignment tolerances and other QC factors.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: elkcrazedfrk
Date Posted: August/03/2016 at 18:32
Hey. Brand new to the forum. Can anyone say if there is any change to the actual optics between last years model and the brand new model?? I'm looking at getting the 65mm but cant see paying the extra bills for the new design unless there is a change in viewing quality.. thanks a bunch for the input.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: August/03/2016 at 19:00
It is a completely new design.

Everything is different.  How much better it is, I can not yet say with any certainty, but it looks pretty impressive based on a brief look I have had.  I like the new eyepiece.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: m1911
Date Posted: August/11/2016 at 08:23
Earlier this year I bought a Viper Spotting Scope, then sold it to a friend because I don't like the angled style and wanted straight.
I ordered a straight version of the Razor and during shipment found out about the new version.
I immediately swapped it out and sent it back the day it arrived.

I'm now waiting on this one and looking forward to it.....
(I also upgraded to the Carbon-Summit Tripod which is really nice!)




Posted By: m1911
Date Posted: August/11/2016 at 08:49
As a follow up.....and in the sake of full disclosure.....
I don't know much about glass.....but I just purchased a set of Razor Binoculars and think they are really great.....INCLUDING the look & feel.
(Kind of wanted them to match Embarrased )

Plus I have 3 Razor Gen-II Rifle Scopes in 1~6 and 3~18.....



Posted By: m1911
Date Posted: August/11/2016 at 11:49
And another thing....
Despite the fact I bought the new/straight 27~60x85, I really wanted to buy the slimmer, less powerful model in 22~48x65.....
Very cool and portable and will cover 90% of my shooting......but got nervous at the last second and bought the larger one.

THIS is COOOOOL!Cool





Posted By: m1911
Date Posted: August/20/2016 at 19:12
I pulled the trigger today on the medium Razor 22~48x65 today.....
It was driving me crazy, but I actually think I'll use it more than the larger one.
I also bought this car-window mount.....




Posted By: Kickboxer
Date Posted: August/20/2016 at 19:23
I know a guy who uses one of those, with a v-yoke gun mount, to shoot coyotes from his truck.  

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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living


Posted By: muleymaddness
Date Posted: September/19/2016 at 09:00
Any updates on reviews on this spotter?  Other than weight, it looks pretty good.  56.8 ounces for a 65mm is a bit heavy for hunting applications.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: September/19/2016 at 12:18
Originally posted by muleymaddness muleymaddness wrote:

Any updates on reviews on this spotter?  Other than weight, it looks pretty good.  56.8 ounces for a 65mm is a bit heavy for hunting applications.

I have been playing with it for a little bit now and I do not like the soft case that comes with it.  It is difficult to use with the helicoid focus wheel.

Aside from that, the spotter is absolutely superb.  Image quality is outstanding for this price range and the new eyepiece is very well designed.  Most wide angle eyepieces out there are of the 35x to 50x variety.  This one is a 22x to 48x and while it does not sound like much difference, I like having a little less magnification on the low end.  I have a lot of experience with Pentax 65mm spotters and with the original 65mm Razor HD.  The new Razor is noticeably better.  It goes head to head with 1st tier spotters and, I think, hangs with them pretty well.  I have spent a lto of time with Leica APO Televid 65mm with the 25-50x eyepiece.  I think the Leica is a bit better above 40x, but below 40x, the Vortex can easily hang with the Leica.  

I'll be doing a few more comparisons over the next month or two, but for now I am extremely impressed.  So much so, that barring something unexpected in a couple of future tests I have planned, I fully expect to buy this spotter from Vortex when I am done.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: muleymaddness
Date Posted: September/19/2016 at 13:39

Excellent!  Thanks for the short write-up.




Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: September/19/2016 at 16:48
The previous generation Vortex Razor spotter was made in China.  How was Vortex able to move assembly here to the USA, while cutting the price and improving quality?  That's tough to do.   



Posted By: billyburl2
Date Posted: September/20/2016 at 08:22
It's probably due to Vortex moving a lot of manufacturing back to the the USA! The new new line of Razor AMG, not to mention the Gen2 is taken apart and re-assembled with different internals. Vortex is growing abs providing American jobs!

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If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?


Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: September/20/2016 at 14:57
Hey, I think it's great.  Just wondering how moving production from China to USA allowed the price decrease?   I remember some of the Swaro bashers, when Swaro re-introduced a less expensive SLC HD, started wondering what corners were cut.  


Posted By: fishermanhunterguy
Date Posted: September/20/2016 at 22:35
I'm a little disappointed. I recently bought the 20-60x65 razor spotter in May. About a month later the newer version has come out. Should I try and sell my older version or isnt it that big of a deal? I use it for hunting in the fall and messing around with a little during the rest of the year.

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If your not a liberal by 20 you have no heart. If your not a conservative by 30 you have no brain.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: September/20/2016 at 23:28
Originally posted by fishermanhunterguy fishermanhunterguy wrote:

I'm a little disappointed. I recently bought the 20-60x65 razor spotter in May. About a month later the newer version has come out. Should I try and sell my older version or isnt it that big of a deal? I use it for hunting in the fall and messing around with a little during the rest of the year.


Does your current super serve your needs?

There is always something new coming it. If you chase that, you will be buying a new product every week.

If you current super worried well enough, stick with it. If not, upgrade.

ILya

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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: erinis0112
Date Posted: September/22/2016 at 14:21
looks really great and nice features.


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There's a God somewhere.


Posted By: stratofisher
Date Posted: October/15/2016 at 19:42
I have a Leupold Gold Ring HD.  Was thinking of getting a new 85mm razor and was wondering if anyone had recommendations on whether it would be worth the upgrade in terms of optics. 


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: October/15/2016 at 20:17
That is sorta a personal decision. I think it is, but it is easy for me to say when it is your money to spend.

ILya

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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: stratofisher
Date Posted: October/15/2016 at 20:21
I have looked through the Swaro and know it is far better.  Just never tried the Razor HD.  Had the opportunity to get one at a good price and was thinking I might go there as I am planning a big Mule deer hunt next fall and find scopes useful in finding bedded bucks.  Thinking a little more objective size would be nice. 


Posted By: anweis
Date Posted: October/15/2016 at 21:44
I have the older model 65 mm Razor HD and i like it very much. It is a very high quality scope. The only thing that i would make better would be a wider angle zoom eyepiece. 
I took the eyepiece off my Swaro scope and i tried it on the Vortex scope. My zoom is the wide angle 20-50 WA lens. I fit it on the Vorext Razor 65 mm scope and it worked well. 
I had 3 observations. 
1. My Vortex Razor 65 mm scope is pretty darn good and the view through it's eyepiece is not all that narrow. Using the Swaro eyepiece did not make a visible difference in image quality or pleasantness. I switched back and forth between the Vortex and the Swaro eyepiece and i did not find any particular difference. This saved me a pretty penny, because i was considering purchasing the new zoom eyepiece from the new generation Vortex scopes, or even a new Swaro eyepiece for this scope. Because i do use the scope, i like it, it's angled, light, smooth, and i can use a smaller lighter tripod with it. 
Instead of a new zoom, i found a relatively inexpensive Vortex 20x wide angle eyepiece for it and i like it. I got excellent wide angle views when i expect that i would need that (like scanning prairies or  watching hawks)

2. The Swarovski eyepiece did fit and work on my Vortex scope, but it had a 2 mm play. The lens did not click tight and lock perfectly in the scope body. That worried me because it may no longer be a dust and waterproof fit. The bottom of the lenses have an O ring, i think, and when they are twisted and locked the seal closes the space between the scope and the lens.  My fit was good, the lens was locked, but not tight. 

3. Between the Vortex 65 mm with two lenses and two excellent tripods, and a wonderful small and light Nikon 50 mm ED with it's own small and steady tripod and two lenses, i have portability and comfort and optical performance and i get all i want from a scope  99.9% of the time. I find myself using the large Swaro less and less, like a couple of days per year maybe. I keep asking myself why i don't sell this scope?


Posted By: Brocksw
Date Posted: October/25/2016 at 13:37
I was under the impression that optically nothing was changing under the newly released version with the exception of the field of view.  Everything else as far as glass, cut, lens coating, etc. was all staying the same with an upgraded housing.

This is the reason the magnification range was decreased and is now a 27-60 and not a 20-60.  This magnification was necessary in order to increase the field of view.

I believe that was the same way Swarovski increased their field of view in the ATX/STX.  However they also added the "Swarovision".  Kind of funny how so many spotting scopes are starting to look more and more like Swaro's with the focus ring placement.


Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: October/26/2016 at 09:58
Brocksw, Swaro doesn't have a Swarovision spotter, just binoculars.  


Posted By: Brocksw
Date Posted: October/26/2016 at 10:01
Originally posted by JGRaider JGRaider wrote:

Brocksw, Swaro doesn't have a Swarovision spotter, just binoculars.  


Atx/stx have "swarovision".


Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: October/26/2016 at 10:26
Originally posted by Brocksw Brocksw wrote:

Originally posted by JGRaider JGRaider wrote:

Brocksw, Swaro doesn't have a Swarovision spotter, just binoculars.  


Atx/stx have "swarovision".

I stand corrected with regard to the ATX.  Thanks for pointing that out to me.  


Posted By: Brocksw
Date Posted: October/26/2016 at 10:30
Originally posted by JGRaider JGRaider wrote:

Originally posted by Brocksw Brocksw wrote:

Originally posted by JGRaider JGRaider wrote:

Brocksw, Swaro doesn't have a Swarovision spotter, just binoculars.  


Atx/stx have "swarovision".


I stand corrected with regard to the ATX.  Thanks for pointing that out to me.  


I'm sure somewhere down the line you can return the favor.



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