Rifle Scopes NF F1 or Vortex Razor HD?

[eric.s]

Hi,
I've working on my first long gun build for a little while now and after doing hours of research I'm still undecided on weather to go with the Nightforce F1 or the vortex razor hd. At first I had my mind set on the NF, but after doing some more research I've read a lot of threads of people saying that the razor has clearer glass, a great zerostop set-up, and just as durable as the NF; not to mention the life time warranty(I believe NF does too, not a 100%). Anyways it seems like its half and half, some people prefer the NF and vice versa and I guess it comes down to preference. I just figured I would give it a shot to ask your alls opinions, since the majority of you have a ton of experience and knowledge, and can maybe steer me in one direction. OK so here it goes... I like how NF offers the mil dot reticle(md2.0). But I do like the regular mil style reticles aswell like the NF's MLR or vortex's EBR-3. I know 15x power is plenty to a grand if the glass is clear. But 20x power is a little extra bonus, if its just as clear. However how do the scopes compare at 800 yards and less? Is the lower 5 power clear at 100,200,300, etc.? Or would it be smarter to go with the F1 with the 3.5? I know the F1 is about $500 dollars more, but honestly I rather spend the 500 + if its worth it. Then again I've read that the razor w/ the hd lens is actually clearer. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Please give me your alls unbiased opinions. Preferably if you've owned or shot with both. Thanks a lot for the help!

Gun setup:
Mcmillan a5
Rem 700 SA
Stock ACC SD 20'' barrel 1-10 twist(another thing I'm unsure with. Figured I would try different bullet loads, before I switched to a match grade)
Timney Trigger
Badger 20 moa base, m5 BM, recoil lug
Getting bolt and action trued and stock glass bedded from my 2112 buddies in Quantico

Thanks again,
Feel free to add any opinions on barrel opinions aswell.

P.s- sorry if this was too long of a post(first one)

 

[VJJPunisher]

think yer gettin into peoples personal prefference fonboiness between these two, never owned a vortex product but i gots an F1, my eyes can't tell the difference in it and a NCStar. Reckon my only advice here is which one holds a higher resale value since I believe them to be equally comparable. Not that you plan on turning and selling but hey, thats one way to help decide if you cant. Of course I'm mildly retarded and am typing this and licking the screen all simultaneous like so hopefully someone smart will show up

 

[OldGuardShooter]

I took both outside and ended up with the F1 both are great scopes and to be honest there is a combo package in the forsale section on the razor that you get a nice mount worth a few hundred for free....

 

[Palehorse68]

I have both..the F-1 sits on top of my LWRC REPR and the Vortex HD is on my FN A5...you can't go wrong with either.. I would lean towards the Vortex only because it has a little more power.. A few weeks back I was banging steel at 1235 yds on my FN A5..looking through the Vortex was very pleasing.

 

[Rhyno]

Vortex warranty is second to none should you need it.
Nightforce is a little better designed IMO, from aesthetics standpoint.

 

[eric.s]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I'm still unsure at this point haha, but I'm leaning towards the vortex. I agree with you Rhyno that the NF design looks nicer but I am more of a fan of vortex's power knob being the European style instead of the whole ocular lens part, so I can put a bulter creek cap on instead of a bikini style. However can the vortex owners tell me honesty if the glass picture is clear at the lower power settings? Thanks

 

[thrusty]

NF F1 has the better zero-stop, better aesthetics and probably built tougher....low zoom range, higher cost, 30mm tube, reticle illumination is not as easy to set, 110MOA of elevation travel...probably the higher resale value based on it's name and reputation.

Vortex Razor has higher magnification, good clarity across all the mag. levels, less expensive, 35mm tube, 125MOA of elevation travel, easily adjustable levels of reticle illumination, uses shims for zero-stop... I don't personally like the color of the scope. Best warranty...no question.

 

[hk dave]

I personally really like the F1s way of adjusting magnification. Makes it fast and easy.

I was making the same choice years back, and I went with the F1, primarily because of the reticle and because for my particular application, I preferred having 3x over 20x.

There isn't a realistic shot for my cartridge that I can't make because my scope is 15x.

I liked the idea of the Razor, and I get that it has awesome customer service, but I've read too many instances in which that customer service had to be used.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

what caliber are you shooting? what distance are you going to shoot mostly. you have a high magnification scope and a lower, will the lower do the trick or do you need the extra magnification? is the additional magnification a disadvantage to a close range shot?

 

[hypno02]

I was stuck with the same choice and I went F1. Amazing riflescope. NF products give me a peace of mind that I'm not sure any other company could match. Like HK dave said, vortex of course has the best warranty out there, but I'd rather have a scope that I trust will never need to be serviced or repaired. I do love the reticles offered by vortex though. Wish something other than a horus was offered by NF in a 'Christmas tree' style reticle.

 

[Captramrod01]

Vortex Razor has higher magnification, good clarity across all the mag. levels, less expensive, 35mm tube, 125MOA of elevation travel, easily adjustable levels of reticle illumination, uses shims for zero-stop... I don't personally like the color of the scope. Best warranty...no question.

PST uses shims for its zero stop. Razor definitely does not.

 

[thrusty]

PST uses shims for its zero stop. Razor definitely does not.

Stand corrected - thank you sir.

 

[eric.s]

I will be shooting 308, most of my shooting will honestly be 800 yards or less. But I want to have the option to shoot a grand. So on that note the 3.5x is sounding better now. Plus I really like the mil dot reticle NF offers(what I'm used to). I guess I can't go wrong with either or. Now I just have to purchase one and not look back, instead of continue to be unsure haha. I appreciate all the help though!

 

[hk dave]

Eric... take a good look at the MLR2 reticle. It's simply awesome. My favorite non Christmas tree reticle by far.

 

[tylerw02]

think yer gettin into peoples personal prefference fonboiness between these two, never owned a vortex product but i gots an F1, my eyes can't tell the difference in it and a NCStar. Reckon my only advice here is which one holds a higher resale value since I believe them to be equally comparable. Not that you plan on turning and selling but hey, thats one way to help decide if you cant. Of course I'm mildly retarded and am typing this and licking the screen all simultaneous like so hopefully someone smart will show up

^This

When the somebody smarter shows up, can he clean my screen too, VJJ?

Is my screen supposed to taste like Cheetos?

 

[VJJPunisher]

^This

When the somebody smarter shows up, can he clean my screen too, VJJ?

Is my screen supposed to taste like Cheetos?

I'd take cheeto flavor any day, mine tastes like baby batter and failure

 

[Sixfivesavage]

Something to consider when debating ruggedness between the two, there is a thread on here where 45 lbs of gear landed on top of a rifle that wore a razor. Landed on its turret, bent it, still tracked even though it turned tough. I can't find it now, but I know it's here somewhere. I think that's pretty damn tough personally. I like mine.

 

[eric.s]

Eric... take a good look at the MLR2 reticle. It's simply awesome. My favorite non Christmas tree reticle by far.

Dave, I have. I really like the MLR2 reticle aswell. I may end up going with that, however I like MD2 as well. Still undecided honesty weather to go with the F1 or razor. I think I'm gonna have to find a NF and vortex dealer and compare the both in person. The problem is all the local gun shops near me don't carry NF...

 

[TallShot]

Something to consider when debating ruggedness between the two, there is a thread on here where 45 lbs of gear landed on top of a rifle that wore a razor. Landed on its turret, bent it, still tracked even though it turned tough. I can't find it now, but I know it's here somewhere. I think that's pretty damn tough personally. I like mine.

I believe that was member "Ring" 's rifle/optic. He's got some luck lol

 

[hk dave]

Dave, I have. I really like the MLR2 reticle aswell. I may end up going with that, however I like MD2 as well. Still undecided honesty weather to go with the F1 or razor. I think I'm gonna have to find a NF and vortex dealer and compare the both in person. The problem is all the local gun shops near me don't carry NF...

I've owned both the MLR2 and the MD2 reticles in the F1. They're both great reticles. I went with the MLR2 because the larger hash marks make it faster to pick up.... but i love the floating dots in the md2 as they allow for serious precision work.

I don't think you could go wrong with the Razor though. Lots of folks love that scope.

The F1 is more compact though with a smaller tube diameter, but it's more than enough for any of the calibers I shoot.

 

[eric.s]

Thanks Dave for the insight and help. I think my best bet now is to find a nf dealer and compare them in person, along with the razor.