Re: Another Vortex Razor HD Review
That's a tough call.
Glass quality is a wash. The Razor seems to have a little better contrast, but not enough to say one has better glass than the other.
I feel that build quality on the USO is higher. They really are built like a tank. The only part of the USO that doesn't hold up to that is the illumination module, and I have been told the digital ones are almost ready. I just feel that the SN-3 is designed to take more abuse. I don't really have anything tangible to base that on other than the way the components feel and what we have seen from other "incidents" with USO scopes.
The reticle illumination on the SN-3 is better. The actual EBR-2 reticle on the Razor is better.
The click spacing on the Razor is a little wider, which helps when your hands are frozen and your are gloved up. The Razor turrets are MUCH faster to zero than the EREK. The EREK is much lower profile than the Razor.
The SN-3 exhibits a little "tunneling" from 3.2-5x. The Razor has no tunneling that I could perceive.
The SN-3 has a magnification range and FOV that is better suited to a LE Sniper. I am using the Razor on my duty rifle right now, but I spend a lot of time scanning over the top. I also shoot with both eyes open.
Both scopes are excellent, and I have to nit pick to find fault. John at USO has stated that they will be introducing some "Christmas Tree" type reticles soon.
If I was shipping off to a warzone tomorrow and had to take an optic, it would be the SN-3. However for now I have been keeping the Razor on my primary rifle. The reticle design and the higher top end magnification gives me an added advantage when shooting competitions.
The biggest point that would tip me one way or the other would be if I need it "right now" or if I needed a custom feature not offered on the Razor. Unless you luck out with a stocking USO dealer, you are going to have to wait for some time on a USO. You can call a Vortex dealer and have a Razor on the way the same day.
There are small items I would like to see changed on the Razor. I would like to see them replace the rubber magnification ring with a knurled aluminum piece. Knurled aluminum will get chewed up and still work. Rubber will get chewed up and ripped off. I would like to see them ditch the fiber optic tubes. I have not been in a lighting condition yet where I could not see the markings, but could see the tubes. I think they will just serve as a target indicator. If I spray bomb this one, the tubes will get painted over.
One feature that I have now talked to two manufactures about is a windage milestone. What I would like to see is an adjustable "heavy click" when your windage knob is at zero. I realize this would add complexity to the turret, but I have lost count of how many times moving to the FFP has rotated my windage turret. The next USO I buy will have a capped windage turret because of this. If I got into position in the dark and could just reach up and spin the turret to the heavy "click" then I would know my windage was zeroed out. Obviously this would have to be instituted with a windage stop to prevent a full rotation. It's probably a pipe dream, but I figure if I talk to enough manufacturers at least one will give it a try.
