Rifle Scopes Image quality, NF 5-20 SHV vs Vortex Razor Gen1

[libertyman777]

I'm trying to decide which direction to go for a glass upgrade. I currently have an IOR 10x42 and it’s really nice to my eye.

I’ve never owned a Razor but I looked through one once and was blown away. Personally I thought the image was better than the Steiner 4-16 Military that I had to compare it with but it wasn’t an objective test by any means.

I had my mind made up to find a good used Razor Gen 1 to put on my TRG22 in .308. I will hunt with this rifle and I want to try some FT/R or maybe even a PRS match.

Then I saw the SHV scope. Looks like a good fit for what I plan to do.

New, the SHV scopes approach what a used Razor Gen 1 costs. I’ve seen some online comparisons on the PST and the SHV, but not so much with the Razor. Is the SHV/Razor an apples to oranges comparison? Should the Razor be compared to the NXS series?

But the Razor and SHV are both Japanese mfg correct? Could it even be the same plant?

To me, the downside to the Razor is the 35mm main tube.

Anyway, what do y’all think?

Paul

 

[NateVA]

I think the glaring difference between those two is that the SHV 5-20 is a second focal plane scope whereas the Vortex 5-20 Razor is a FFP scope. If you plan to do PRS matches, that should be your deciding factor right off the bat.

 

[libertyman777]

I think the glaring difference between those two is that the SHV 5-20 is a second focal plane scope whereas the Vortex 5-20 Razor is a FFP scope. If you plan to do PRS matches, that should be your deciding factor right off the bat.

And that being the FFP is better in that application, correct?

 

[NateVA]

And that being the FFP is better in that application, correct?

Yeah I'd go FFP every time. Incidentally, I upgraded to a Vortex 5-20 Razor from a Nightforce 5-20 SHV. My Razor Gen 2 arrives today but that Razor Gen 1 was great.

Take it from someone who got the SHV first then took a loss to upgrade to the Razor Gen 1.

 

[spife7980]

And that being the FFP is better in that application, correct?

Yes, you can use your reticle to measure shots without worrying about what magnification level you are on with a front focal plane. For that reason it is the preferred configuration in PRS where first round hits are preferred but quick corrections are a necessity. Second focal plane you would have to be concious of where you are at in your magnification range and then scaling your reticles subtensions accordingly. If a SFP reticle says 2 mils at 10x then at 5x it would actually represent 4 mils. Front focal is what you see is what you get. For F class (or other known range paper disciplines) that distinction is less important as the target itself can serve as the ruler and the finer aim point can obscure less of the target. Not a hard and fast rule as there are exceptions to literally every single thing but for broad strokes...

 

[GhostFace]

a friend of mine has a NF, not sure which one it is. it's either a NXS or SHV but his glass is better then mine Gen 1. Like it was said before ffp vs sfp and NF reticles leave a lot to be desired. I don't get that now that they acquired Horus...