Rifle Scopes Scope warranties

Cade09

Cade09

Private
Minuteman
Dec 31, 2018
16
7
34
Gould, Oklahoma
#1
Hello all,

Appologies in advance for any formatting issues as I am on mobile. I am looking at 3 different scopes to get for my new build. I am new to the PRS world, but have done a lot of research and have settled on one of these 3 scopes.

1. Vortex Razor Gen 2 HD Razor 4.5-27x56 MRAD EBR-2c

2. Kahles k525i 5-25x56 SKMR3 RSW

3. Minox ZP5 5-25x56 MR4

The thing I want to know is how these 3 company's warranties stack up to each other. Especially on second hand purchases as I plan to get a used scope. From what I understand Vortex has some of the best warranties out there, but I'm having trouble finding anything on the other two. Anyone's personal experiences would be awesome to hear as well!

Thanks to all in advance!
 
#2
Cade09 said:
Hello all,

Appologies in advance for any formatting issues as I am on mobile. I am looking at 3 different scopes to get for my new build. I am new to the PRS world, but have done a lot of research and have settled on one of these 3 scopes.

1. Vortex Razor Gen 2 HD Razor 4.5-27x56 MRAD EBR-2c

2. Kahles k525i 5-25x56 SKMR3 RSW

3. Minox ZP5 5-25x56 MR4

The thing I want to know is how these 3 company's warranties stack up to each other. Especially on second hand purchases as I plan to get a used scope. From what I understand Vortex has some of the best warranties out there, but I'm having trouble finding anything on the other two. Anyone's personal experiences would be awesome to hear as well!

Thanks to all in advance!
Click to expand...
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/resources/minox-total-coverage-warranty-for-zp-scopes.13/
Minox Info
 
#3
currently own all 3 of these...Vortex is beating both others in turn around time...never had to send my gen 2 in tho, but ive had to send back other vortex stuff...usually back within 1 week

ive had to use warranty on my minox...no hassles there either, but takes time to ship back and forth...the minox usa hub that handles the returns only ships to germany at the end of every month...so if you need something fixed, and its the first week of the month...it will sit in San antonio, tx for a few weeks before it goes back

i have a 525i also, fairly new...havent had to use warranty either, but ive got buddy's who have had to use kahles warranty...want to say it was 1-2 month range for return iirc (this was in 2017-18, not sure if anything has changed since)

IMO if you only have 1 scope...the gen 2 would be the go to...if you have multiple or at least a usable backup, the kahles and minox are slightly better optically...whether thats worth it to you or not, thats up to you
 
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#5
Vortex warranty is top of the line. I had a really cheap Vortex Diamondback once that had the reticle physically break the first time it was used (it wasn't an etched reticle, just crosshairs inserted into the tube). Vortex responded to my email by the end of the day with 2 things: a tracking number for the new scope headed my way and a shipping label to return the one I had.

I was not the person who purchased the scope since I was borrowing a rifle from someone to sight it in. They didn't ask for purchase receipts or any of that, I just included photos of what happened and that was that.
 
#6
morganlamprecht said:
currently own all 3 of these...Vortex is beating all 3 in turn around time...never had to send my gen 2 in tho, but ive had to send back other vortex stuff...usually back within 1 week

ive had to use warranty on my minox...no hassles there either, but takes time to ship back and forth...the minox usa hub that handles the returns only ships to germany at the end of every month...so if you need something fixed, and its the first week of the month...it will sit in San antonio, tx for a few weeks before it goes back

i have a 525i also, fairly new...havent had to use warranty either, but ive got buddy's who have had to use kahles warranty...want to say it was 1-2 month range for return iirc (this was in 2017-18, not sure if anything has changed since)

IMO if you only have 1 scope...the gen 2 would be the go to...if you have multiple or at least a usable backup, the kahles and minox are slightly better optically...whether thats worth it to you or not, thats up to you
Click to expand...

This will be my first real scope for PRS, so I won't have a backup. I got the opportunity to look through both a Minox ZP5 and Vortex Razor and really liked the Minox more. Started researching and like the overall look of a Kahles more than the others. Especially the Vortex, I think it is ugly as can be. I know how the rifle looks mean nothing when shooting, but I'd like to have something I like to look at as well as shoot.
 
#7
Of the 3 I'd personally say Kahles is likely to be consistently the best. Minox can be hit or miss with their glass and turrets, and while the Vortex is a solid scope it's a step below the likes of Kahles, S&B, and Nightforce (as reflected by the pricing difference). Vortex may have the best warranty of the bunch hands down, but the Kahles and Minox are going to have better glass with the Kahles also pretty much always having perfect turrets (never heard of or seen one that didn't track and feel good).
 
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#8
Cade09 said:
This will be my first real scope for PRS, so I won't have a backup. I got the opportunity to look through both a Minox ZP5 and Vortex Razor and really liked the Minox more. Started researching and like the overall look of a Kahles more than the others. Especially the Vortex, I think it is ugly as can be. I know how the rifle looks mean nothing when shooting, but I'd like to have something I like to look at as well as shoot.[/QUO


If you won't have a back up, I'd pass on the Minox. I have a new one being warrantied right now and if the timeline updates I have received from them are correct, I'll have been without my scope for over four months and once it comes back I'll be parting ways with the brand and selling all my Minox's. As good as the glass may be, it sucks being without a scope for that amount of time, so just keep that in mind.
Click to expand...
 
#9
I've dealt with Kahles and Vortex. Kahles is pretty easy as you basically fill out a form on the Swaro's site and send in your optic. When it arrives they acknowledge it and log it into their system. Mine needed to be sent to Austria to be fixed. The road island facility couldn't handle it. It took about 6 weeks turn around time. Vortex basically doesn't fix anything. They grab a new item and ship it out. Could be good or bad. In my opinion. For Kahles, I like the fact that when I send in an optic that it's going to be completely gone through and tested. When receiving another brand new item, there is a chance you could have a unit that is defective. Both have it's advantages for sure. I haven't dealt with the Minox though.
 
#10
ophious said:
I've dealt with Kahles and Vortex. Kahles is pretty easy as you basically fill out a form on the Swaro's site and send in your optic. When it arrives they acknowledge it and log it into their system. Mine needed to be sent to Austria to be fixed. The road island facility couldn't handle it. It took about 6 weeks turn around time. Vortex basically doesn't fix anything. They grab a new item and ship it out. Could be good or bad. In my opinion. For Kahles, I like the fact that when I send in an optic that it's going to be completely gone through and tested. When receiving another brand new item, there is a chance you could have a unit that is defective. Both have it's advantages for sure. I haven't dealt with the Minox though.
Click to expand...

I think I'm being sold more and more on a Kahles. Vortex would have an amazing warranty, but it's just not what I want.

Thanks to everyone who has replied, and let me know. Now it's just getting the last of the funds together to purchase it.
 
#11
Cade09 said:
Hello all,

Appologies in advance for any formatting issues as I am on mobile. I am looking at 3 different scopes to get for my new build. I am new to the PRS world, but have done a lot of research and have settled on one of these 3 scopes.

1. Vortex Razor Gen 2 HD Razor 4.5-27x56 MRAD EBR-2c

2. Kahles k525i 5-25x56 SKMR3 RSW

3. Minox ZP5 5-25x56 MR4

The thing I want to know is how these 3 company's warranties stack up to each other. Especially on second hand purchases as I plan to get a used scope. From what I understand Vortex has some of the best warranties out there, but I'm having trouble finding anything on the other two. Anyone's personal experiences would be awesome to hear as well!

Thanks to all in advance!
Click to expand...
Vortex has the best warranty hands down! I knew guy that had a truck fire and lost 3 high end guns, no insurance, all that was left was a burnt up razor, he sent them the scope, and they sent him a new one no questions asked.
 
#12
ophious said:
I've dealt with Kahles and Vortex. Kahles is pretty easy as you basically fill out a form on the Swaro's site and send in your optic. When it arrives they acknowledge it and log it into their system. Mine needed to be sent to Austria to be fixed. The road island facility couldn't handle it. It took about 6 weeks turn around time. Vortex basically doesn't fix anything. They grab a new item and ship it out. Could be good or bad. In my opinion. For Kahles, I like the fact that when I send in an optic that it's going to be completely gone through and tested. When receiving another brand new item, there is a chance you could have a unit that is defective. Both have it's advantages for sure. I haven't dealt with the Minox though.
Click to expand...
Not true, I bought one of the early viper pst gen2 , I had tracking problems, I sent in on a monday and had it back on Friday, they fixed it in house. There were none available at the time, most places were 6 to 9 months back ordered on that model. They have me a tshirt for my troubles.
 
#15
Rugster said:
Vortex is probably the quickest and easiest turnaround process. But I seem to hear about it being used a lot more than Kahles...
Click to expand...
It's because Vortex operates on a model similar to many car manufacturers. They procure less expensive parts from overseas to assemble in the US, but they know the failure rates and it's factored into the final price. The overseas parts are still cheap enough to make their scopes less expensive overall, however, even factoring in the cost of the warranty repairs they know they will have to do.
 
#16
Rugster said:
Vortex is probably the quickest and easiest turnaround process. But I seem to hear about it being used a lot more than Kahles...
Click to expand...

Vortex sells cheap scopes to their most expensive high end Razor line. NF, Kahles, S&B sell only high end optics, so what you are hearing about is people using warranty on the cheaper scopes, not necessarily their Razor line.
 
#17
A warranty is important, but do not stress too much about it. Go to a match. See what the better shooters are using. Ask them questions. Most competitors were in the same boat as you and will gladly offer advice. Maybe they will let you check out their equipment ( I would). Pay attention to the turret feel, glass quality, reticle design, Etc. I can tell you for sure that while at a match, I have never seen a top 10 shooter miss and say, "If I had a better warranty, I would have made that shot."

Bang
 
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#19
I know a lot of you say it’s not the razor that gets returned, it’s their cheaper models. And there’s some truth to that by the numbers I’m sure. But I’ve personally seen 3 gen 2’s go back for service and 1 AMG. Haven’t seen any Kahles go back. This experience comes from a circle of 20 PRS shooters. Historically the gen 2 razor outsold the Kahles, but the new data published would say Kahles has made great strides to catch up and could be getting close. I’ve owned both.
 
#20
kahles has just about caught up it seems like in the top end crowd

2-3 yrs ago the gen 1 and 2 624s were going back constantly it seemed like...i think i remember 3-4 in one year from our tx club or shooters

one of the top shooters in country was on a team sponsored by them and refused to run them after multiple of them gave him problems

by all the accounts the gen 3s and the 525s seem to be rock solid

ive seen a couple razors go back, and 1 amg (parallax knob still worked but it got rough), but vortex usually outnumbers kahles at our club matches 5 to 1

ive also bought a gen 2 razor off a guy who said it broke during a match and wouldnt hold zero...i mounted it up and won the next club match with it lol still using it to this day

i take everyone's "broke scope" reports with a big grain of salt regardless of brand unless theyve taken the time to really prove them out including rings/mount/etc, which most havent...
 
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#25
Mach U said:
Not true, I bought one of the early viper pst gen2 , I had tracking problems, I sent in on a monday and had it back on Friday, they fixed it in house. There were none available at the time, most places were 6 to 9 months back ordered on that model. They have me a tshirt for my troubles.
Click to expand...
The OP didn't ask about the warranty for a Viper PST Gen 2. The OP asked about the warranty as a whole.
 
#30
I have been doing some research on warranties recently as well. I ended up with Vortex simply because they have a proven track record with their warranty service. One thing that was told to me by a vendor, if you buy vortex, you will probably end up using the warranty. He didn't think as highly of the product but the warranty is great. The other nice thing with vortex as has been mentioned above, they don't require any sort of receipt, you having it in your possession is proof enough and they will honor the warranty. I own a few vortex products now based on the quality (being good enough) and the warranty. Good luck with your purchase.
 
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