Rifle Scopes Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

J

JCB

Private
Minuteman
Feb 22, 2006
97
1
Tennessee
#1
I'm looking for a good optic for a .308. I'm interested in a FFP mil/mil set up and I have pretty much narrowed it down to these two. I would love a US Optics 3-17 but it's just a bit out of reach.

I've searched for and read most of the information I could find on here about these two scopes but I've not had the luxury of evaluating either of these in person.

I'm leaning towards the Razor. However, it appears the IOR can be had for a bit less than the Razor, especially once you include the cost of rings in the deal.

Which one would you choose and why? I would especially appreciate input from persons that either own one of these or have had some hands on experience with them.

Thank you!
 
#2
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

I have the IOR 3-18x42mm FFP "Snipers Hide". I think it's a Gen 2. Got on the list in 2007, and recieved it in 2008. I think it was $1495, shipped, with Seekins rings.

I've moved it around between several rifles. I really like the reticle in general.

It seems like the reticle gets too big up on 18x though, and that's where I tend to use it most.

The flip side is that it it's still usable below 10x.

I keep thinking it might be a good fit for my AR-10, but I still haven't tried it there.
 
#3
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

I have the same IOR and I haven't looked through many that are more clear or crisp. I've herd the Vortex isn't quite as nice, but have no first hand knowledge. Certianly not bad, but the IOR is exceptional. I think the 3-18 IOR is probably one of, if not the best optic for the AR, especially if it's not plagued with some of the reliability issues of the earlier ones. If you're buying used, try to find one of the latest gen. scopes. The new ones should be GTG.
JMO
 
#4
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

I hear good things about the Vortex Razor HD and see more and more of them popping up in matches. Both are pretty big beefy scopes but the Razor has big turrets.
 
#6
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

John, Thanks for the link. I had read that thread and it was definitely one of the more informative ones I found. Now that you've had a few more months with the Razor are you still pleased with it?
 
#7
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

Yes. Very much. The Razor has far exceeded my expectations, but then again, it's more than double the cost of any other scope I've ever owned. I have no regrets about buying it, but I still have a wandering eye.
grin.gif


John
 
#8
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

JCB,

I have the Razor and I like it just fine, although it is mounted on a custom .300wm. My concern would be how easily you could put up with the scopes size on a .308. Maybe it is not an issue at all but if I was to have a smaller caliber weapon built I would probably go for a smaller high quality unit.
 
#11
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

Having had the Razor and an IOR, the characteristics that really stuck out to me were that the IOR had great glass. The Razor was very robust and had excellent reticle design.
 
#13
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

I'd say get the Razor. Glass quality alone does not make a dependable scope. The Razor is built very well and once you get into this league, no scope is going to have bad glass.
 
#14
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

I don't have a Razor but have shot through one. I have owned an IOR 3-18 FFP. Glass quality was close but I'd give it to the Razor by a slim margin. Quality goes to the Razor hands down! Just looking at the numbers on the dials there is a noticeable difference. Both are built like tanks but the Razor is built like a modern A1 tank vs some WWII model. The zero-stop on the Razor is rock solid and probably one of the best out there. You can probably find a good price on one in the For Sale section or call one of the Hide vendors and speak to them personally about the scopes you're looking at. CS Tactical, Liberty Optics, SWFA, Europtics.

I've dealt with Liberty and SWFA and both have been great but I'm sure the others will treat you right.

mike
 
#15
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

I own both (and a IOR 2x10x42 on a 308 AR also) the IOR 3x18x50 is on a FN bolt gun in 300WSM. the RAZOR is on a 24" barrel AR (that my wife has some how adopted) Anyway I am happy with both scopes but here are my thoughts.

First some will tell you IORs have problems and that is true with some older generations but if you weed through all the posts you will fine that the GEN-4's have been very very reliable. The IOR I agree has slightly better glass. I love the retical, but I agree with another post that at 18x it gets rather large. Now you must remember FFP so the target gets larger also, dot covers the same amount of area, but at first it doesn't seem that way until you hold on target and zoom in and out a couple times. at 3x you can still just make out the numbers on the retical so it is still usable. It also has very good eye relief. last scope on the 300wsm would just touch my eyebrow when shooting made me scared of the gun. adjustments have been very good. The finish seems like it would scratch easy, it is more like a paint.

The RAZOR has a very good retical at higher powers, but at 5x really just becomes a cross hair (EBR3 which I like, but EBR2 is more popular I believe). Has good eyerelief also but above 15x the eyebox gets rather small (sensitve how ever you like to discribe it). And yes I have sent mine in for the updated eye piece. The finish on the razor is an anodizing I believe and it seems alot tougher (some hate the color though).

Both seem built very well, I would give the edge to the RAZOR because of the finish.

Really the post "high end glass part 2" tells it just like it is and would agree with the post when it comes to these two scopes.

you have a tough choice ahead. If you can buy new I would for sure 100% buy from liberty optics, Scott is great.

If i had it to do it over I probably would have bought two of the same scope just so I only had one design to master. Which one you ask well that would be the IOR because I had it first. But I just wanted to try the RAZOR because of everything I had read. Am I sad I did NO, but also not jumping to sell the IOR and get another RAZOR. They are that close at least for me.
 
#17
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

Oh don't get me wrong, I really do like the my IOR, as you said great retical. I found a great deal on a RAZOR and had to try it. I don't regret the RAZOR but it dosen't do anything special for my either. I was just as happy (still am) with my IOR. Wife shoots through the RAZOR the most now, I shoot through the IOR if that says anything.
 
#18
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

The IOR is fantastic and cheaper. The reticle I my favorite of all those I've tried.

I have the 3.5-18x50 and if I were looking for a scope with all f those features, it would absolutely be on the very short list.

If you can live without a zero-stop, you might check out the new SS 5-20x50 as well. I have 2 different SS scopes (and 3 of these new ones on order!), and SS has very high quality gear for very competitive prices. They are always onthe short list when a new scope is under consideration.
 
#19
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

Don't own an IOR but have been shooting a Razor for a year and half now. Have tried twice to replace it w/a S&B but haven't been able to bring myself to do it. I love my Razor. Don't see myself switching anytime soon. When you buy a Razor not only will you be getting an outstanding scope but you will also have one of the best warranties in the business. We have the EBR2B instock and ready to go.
 
#20
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

Love the glass and reticle in the IOR 3.5-18x50. Turrents are good and clicks are repeatable. I tend to favor this scope over my USO SN-3 (although certainly a nice optic). Haven't yet compared these two in low light.

No experience with Vortex.
 
#21
Re: Help me decide. Vortex Razor 5-20 or IOR 3.5-18

Looks like this thread found a second life. I appreciate all of the input. I ended up going with the Razor and haven't looked back. I've been completely satisfied with it. Nothing against the IOR as I'm sure it is a fantastic scope and would have been a great option. Seems like I hear plenty of good about both of these and not enough cons to make either a poor choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Vortex Razor HD Gen2 4.5-27x56 or Athlon Cronus BTR 4.5-29x56 APRS6 and switching to MRAD from MOA.
Replies
6
Views
423
Holliday
Holliday
Jojo417
Rifle Scopes Bushnell Mped 3-18 vs SE 3-18
Replies
10
Views
509
Jojo417
Jojo417
A
Nightforce NXS 3.5-15X50mm C429 vs Leupold Mark 4 ER/T 6.5-20x50 H58 110562
Replies
3
Views
280
Agent1138
A
D
Rifle Scopes optic choice for 20" hbar gas gun
Replies
15
Views
729
owtlaw
O
O
Novice Scope Recommendations
Replies
2
Views
263
gr8fuldoug
gr8fuldoug
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts
You must be at least 18 years of age to use this site
You confirm that you are at least 18 years of age by continuing to use the site.