Rifle Scopes SWFA SS vs Razor HD

[B3dlam]

Alright so I am still bumming around trying to settle on a scope for my 6.5 creedmoor ar-10. I am currently looking at the vortex razor hd 5-20x50 and the SWFA SS HD 5-20x50. Both are mil/mil and can be had for 1300 ish for the swfa and 1900ish for the razor. I am curious what you guys think of them I plan to mount it with a 20moa base which will maximize the internal travel. Just looking for some input about these or something else comparable in price that I should be looking at.

 

[cyrekzz]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

I'm wondering the same question... i currently own the SS myself. Was looking to see about the Razor though - i think one of the big differences seem to be 5mil per turn vs 10 mils per turn.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

The SWFA SS is a great scope for it's price point.

However the Razor HD is the superior scope. While the SS has "high speed" turrets, the Razor HD has better feel on the clicks and zero stops.

The illumination on the Razor HD is much better and I prefer the reticle choices in the Razor.

Now if the Razor price point is a stretch, the SWFA SS is a great scope. I shot a match with it last week and it worked perfectly. It's currently sitting on the AE MkII and I will be wrapping up the review soon.

 

[NoFail]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

Get the SS and buy lots of ammo with the savings......

 

[Flatland308]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

I have owned both and currently use a Razor on my TRG. The SS is a great scope but I think that the Razor edges it out in several areas. I also like the reticle options more with the Razor and the illumination control is better.

 

[Flyingbullseye]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

For the owners of either or both how's the glass between them and do you experience any eye fatigue while using them over extending periods of time?

Flyingbullseye

 

[Radar360]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NoFail</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the SS and buy lots of ammo with the savings...... </div></div> +1

 

[Kiba]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Flyingbullseye</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the owners of either or both how's the glass between them and do you experience any eye fatigue while using them over extending periods of time? </div></div>

I have several 5-20 HDs and 1 Razor HD with the new version eyepiece and EBR2B reticle.

I find the glass on the SWFA to be a little more clear and have a bit more resolution and prefer the eyebox of the SWFA a little more than the Razor. The Razor is very good, but the SWFA is just a little better IMO. Both are just fine when I use them over extended periods but my eyes like the SWFA a little bit better.

The Razor has the edge IMO in regards to the reticle illumination, knob feel, zero stop, and reticle (I prefer the EBR2B to the SWFA Mil-Quad, while both get the job done the EBR2B gives you a few more options for holdovers.) I do wish the Razor had 10 mil knobs but with a zero stop it's not much of an issue to me. The 35mm tube of the Razor HD does limit your mounting options a bit compared to the 30mm tube of the SWFA 5-20.

I like both scopes. For me it came down to price vs performance; when it came time to change the scopes on a bunch of my rifles it made more sense to stock up on 5-20HDs during the group buy-- but if I could have picked up Razor HDs with EBR2B reticles for $1000 I would have.

I'm very happy with the 5-20HD and don't plan on parting with any of mine anytime soon-- they get the job done and I've yet to be able to fault one of them for any of my shortcomings behind the trigger.

 

[Radar360]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

Another option is the Vortex Viper PST and even more ammo or reloading equip.

 

[Jeeprider]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

I have owned both still own the SWFA, I find the SWFA to be more clear at distances.

 

[B3dlam]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Radar86</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another option is the Vortex Viper PST and even more ammo or reloading equip.

</div></div>

I did have these in mind as well although it is more limiting on internal travel then either the razor or the ss.

 

[cyrekzz]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

yeah - those 6-24x50 viper pst's came out just ahead of the ss 5-20hd... there was such a long back order that i couldn't get my hands on one, luckily the SSHD came out and i was all over that! I couldn't afford the razor, plus i think they were going through their "eye box fix" at that time too. Wow, alot of things kinda happened all within a few months

 

[winxp_man]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Radar86</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NoFail</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the SS and buy lots of ammo with the savings...... </div></div> +1</div></div>

+2

 

[JCB]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

I own both and will echo most of what has been said above. I am not an expert in the evaluation of optics and I don't have as much time behind SS but I would give it a slight edge on the glass. That being said, the glass in the Razor is very good so I wouldn't let that be the sole basis of the decision. I don't find myself shooting the Razor thinking that I am missing anything due to the difference in the glass. I like the EBR-2B reticle over the one in SS and in my opinion the feel of the clicks on the Razor are better. At the same time, the Razor has 5 mil turrets compared to the 10 mil on the SS. Improved feel vs. speed, take your pick. I haven't really used the illumination in either of them so I can't provide a fair comparison there. I would say if you buy the SS go ahead and get the cat tail to ease the change of the magnification. In my opinion, they are are both great options at their respective price points with no glaring weaknesses. Are there better scopes? I'm sure there are at a price. I find both of these to be great values.

 

[magnum_99]

Re: SWFA SS vs Razor HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The SWFA SS is a great scope for it's price point.

However the Razor HD is the superior scope. While the SS has "high speed" turrets, the Razor HD has better feel on the clicks and zero stops.

The illumination on the Razor HD is much better and I prefer the reticle choices in the Razor.

Now if the Razor price point is a stretch, the SWFA SS is a great scope. I shot a match with it last week and it worked perfectly. It's currently sitting on the AE MkII and I will be wrapping up the review soon. </div></div>

Agreed. I happen to own one of each and I find the SS to be very nice but without a zero stop and slight darkening of the image at max magnification where the Razor has a superior reticle in the EBR2B and better overall glass. The only thing I don't like about about the Razor is the 5 mil knobs. I do really like the SS at the $1k price point, but the Razror is far superior at $1,500.00, which is what I paid for mine used. Also, the super stiff magnification ring on the SS is silly, and the design of the parallax knob sucks and is hard to use. The Razor has neither issue.