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Rifle Scopes Vortex LHT 4.5-22x50
- Thread starter Mr. Z
- Start date
I’ll have some through the scope images of the reticle when I get my review wrapped up
That reticle design looks PERFECT on schematic,
but it looks REALLY THIN scaled down in PS (?)
I'm hoping its a low res pic/ artifact and not
reflecting the final version/high res artwork.
Maybe one of the early field testers can comment.
but it looks REALLY THIN scaled down in PS (?)
I'm hoping its a low res pic/ artifact and not
reflecting the final version/high res artwork.
Maybe one of the early field testers can comment.
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I've had it happen a couple of times with my PST.
I make a habbit of checking my windage often but have found times where I've bumped it in the middle of some positional/barricade shooting, as I wasn't doing any dialing I didn't check my turrets.
If they put locking or capped windage on the PST and bumped up the magnification on the 3-15 to 18-20ish it'd be perfect (for my use) for under $1000, personally I'd rather have the extra weight to keep the super wide FOV of the PST vs the LHT.
Just my 2 cents.
I hear ya. Also have the PST II 3-15, and it's something special at that price point, ain't it?
A PS jockey eh? The reticle is basically the same as their EBR-2c/d so look up some through-scope shots on a Razor 4.5-27 or PST II etc and you'll see what it looks like. Maybe koshkin/dark lord of optics has a vid on it on YT, can't remember.
It is sort of invisible at low power, so that's what the thick outer lines (and illum) are for. And that's why some folks like a SFP scope for low power. For what I shoot (PDs/pigeons/crows/ground squirrels), I scan at lower powers but shoot at higher. I don't shoot at super-close ranges in a hurry, so FFP works for me. If I shot sub-100 at fleeting (or dangerous) game, I'd be looking at SFP or something like that 1-10 vortex FFP.
Time will tell but I don’t think so. Razor glass is very good Japanese glass and there is no competition for FFP at this weight. I personally think it will sell like hot cakes and what’s in stock now will soon be swallowed up.
When the LRTSi 4.5-18x44 fist came out I want to say it was in the $1400ish range, I find this scope to offer considerably more
Koshkin does have a vid up, and he also expects it to fly off the shelves and be out of stock for a year or so.
I should be more clear (if you're referring to my post): Koshkin might have a vid up on a vortex with through-scope shots of the 2c reticle so you can see what should be a very close approx of the XLR-2 reticle.
His live-stream I saw on this new LHT 4.5-22 didn't have through-scope shots, unless he just posted something today.
Ah, my bad, don’t think he has through-scope shots. But agreed that it shouldn’t be hard to find a very similar reticle on the Googles.
I reviewed the RS1, although admittedly a long time ago. Optomechancially, it is a nice scope, but lack of illumination and reticle dsign give me pause.
With Mark 5HD, I like the illuminated PR1 option, but it will cost you a good chunk of change.
When I come back from CompExpo (nice event by the way), I'll edit and release a "through the scope" video for the new HD-LHT.
ILya
I have not seen the 42mm March for some time, but I have the 4-24x52mm one. For field use, HD-LHT 4.5-22x50 is easier to get behind, requires less parallax manipulation and has better depth of field. March 3-24x52 has an edge in optical quality, adjustment range and available adjustment once zero stop is set. It will be largely the same for the 42mm, except a smaller gap in optical quality.
For rucking competitions and stuff like that, I would lean toward HD-LHT.
Out of March options, the 4.5-28x52, although a little heavier would be a better fit.
ILya
i think this scope is very LR hunting.
but if this LR hunting segment is not big, this scope wont sell good because I think it is too much tactical for ordinary hunting and too less tactical for tactical shooting.
how is paralax setting on this scope? from 500 to infinity? and how much of a turn for whole paralax setting; 1/2 or 3/4 ?
but if this LR hunting segment is not big, this scope wont sell good because I think it is too much tactical for ordinary hunting and too less tactical for tactical shooting.
how is paralax setting on this scope? from 500 to infinity? and how much of a turn for whole paralax setting; 1/2 or 3/4 ?
People are hard to please. This is what I’ve been waiting for, and as such I’ve ordered mine - should be here in 1-2 weeks.
Yes you are wrong, the LHT series is very different from the PST G2.
You are right in the 2nd sentence though, that would be impressive.
Unfortunately if they had done that it wouldn't weigh a lot more that 22oz and cost $3000+ not $1500.
This scope fills a niche in the market that is virtually untouched, unfortunately it's not a niche I (amd many others) need a scope for.
But if I do need an ultra light FFP hunting scope in the future this would be the dogs bollocks.
Well in my eyes it pretty close in specs. Shorter, lighter locking turret. I would be more inclined to call it a pst G3
There are 3-20, 1,5-15, 3-24 available but at higher cost. Also light weight. Problem is all reticle i have seen, have been unusable through the full range. That's why the ret on the razor G3 looks interesting. To get something like that in a 2-20 should be in the cards.
It would be a game changer.
As for weight March have solved that ages ago. And i do believe Leupold in the US also has light scopes.
I have had the LHT 3-15 at the same time as my NX8 4-32. Both compare optically. Really did love the LHT for 22lr long range matches too, and the glass was great. Not to mention it just "fits" a 22lr better. The NX8 is just more feature rich but does get kind of dark after 25x, which is to be expected. I'm a sucker for light weight compact scopes, and this FFP LHT would be a scope I'd consider if weight and size is your priority. Glass is very close.
Parallax is a half turn from 15m to infinity, if I remember ILya’s video correctly.
This is the only sub-$2500 lightweight FFP mid-zoom scope on the market. The fact that it has a properly-illuminated tree is buttercream frosting on the cake. I expect there are going to be a ton of people who are super happy to use this scope.
People on the internet: Razor G2 is awesome but it weights a damn ton!
Vortex: Here's a crossover Razor scope that gives up some top-end magnification but has the same high-end glass and is less than half the weight of the G2.
People on the internet: But the LHT isn't tacticool enough!
Vortex: Here's a crossover Razor scope that gives up some top-end magnification but has the same high-end glass and is less than half the weight of the G2.
People on the internet: But the LHT isn't tacticool enough!
I love that someone finally came out with this scope. I hope it sells well enough to drive other companies to make a competitor. I imagine these will be pretty popular in NRL hunter matches too. I will definitely end up with a few of these.
The glass in the Razor LHT 4.5-22 is better than the glass in my PST II 5-25 and 3-15 that I've had, I do not see a PST III competing with it either, two different lines with two different goals. The LHT FFP is clearly marked for the crossover market, it is not designed to meet everybody's wants or desires, it is designed for a specific niche that has been unaddressed for quite some time, the scope is not going to be for everyone, I personally wish it was a 4-20 or 3.5-18 but I still love it simply for all that it offers at its price point, for those who want the lightest scope possible with long range capabilities then this is it, there is no other competition at this weight unless you pay close to double (March and Leupold)Well in my eyes it pretty close in specs. Shorter, lighter locking turret. I would be more inclined to call it a pst G3
I recently picked up one of the newer Athlon helos 4-20 for my 22lr prairie dog rifle. FFP, nice reticle, locking turrets, 100MOA of total elevation which with some Burris sign rings make for a LOT of available dialing.
@koshkin have you taken a look at the Helos 4-20 and how it stacks up to the PST grade of scopes?
That said, I snagged one of these for my 6.5-06 that I used for both hunting with 156gr Bergers and 90gr Varmageddons. It currently wears a 3-15 LHT because it works, but I miss FFP for calling misses at less than full power.
Thanks, but it’s not enough lighter to make the switch (if I hadn’t already bought the razors).
It looks like someone researched what a bunch of people have been asking for, built it, and put it on the market. Its too bad the LH 2-10 never took off, its pretty nice little scope.
If I did go the Mark 5 route I’d definitely go the illuminated PR1-MIL. But I really prefer having wind holds in the reticle. If all they did is add non-illuminated wind dots/grid to that reticle I’d probably have sucked it up and spent the money already. I think Leupold is losing a lot of business on their reticle designs and up charge for illumination.
I’ll probably prefer this LHT on reticle alone from what I’ve seen. Look forward to seeing your through scope video.
Really want to compare one of these to the LRHSi 4.5-18 which I have on a hunting rifle and was a fantastic value at the price GAP was selling them at.
One of these LHTs will likely end up on my lightweight 7 SAUM hunting rifle, it has a good mag range, all the features I want, a good reticle, and is reasonably lightweight. Also happy to see it's made in Japan... I've had very mixed luck with the Philippine made PSTs over the years and had to send a couple back for service. Never had any issues with any Japanese made vortex I've had.
If these had 10y parallax, I'd probably buy 3 of them for my 10/22 and 2 PCP air rifles...
One of these LHTs will likely end up on my lightweight 7 SAUM hunting rifle, it has a good mag range, all the features I want, a good reticle, and is reasonably lightweight. Also happy to see it's made in Japan... I've had very mixed luck with the Philippine made PSTs over the years and had to send a couple back for service. Never had any issues with any Japanese made vortex I've had.
If these had 10y parallax, I'd probably buy 3 of them for my 10/22 and 2 PCP air rifles...
I think that's where the element nexus wins or even the Athlon Helos 4-20 with it's 10yd parallax.
Every dang thing I’ve needed/wanted lately, everyone else wanted too (first toilet paper, then ammo, mulch, vacations, car rentals, flights, etc etc etc). Darn if I ain’t gettin’ ma scopes!I only ordered one and am starting to wonder if I should have ordered 3 or 4
I'm going to try one on my hunting rifle and depending on how it works, I may use those on my target ARs as well.
Snagged two as soon as they dropped for my lightweight hunting rifles-- Vortex is definitely the first to fill this niche and I hope they did a good job. Have had and tried March 3-24, LRHS 4.5-18, Mk5 3.6-18 and will post up thoughts and comparisons once they arrive!
I did own a SFP LHT 3-15x50 but didn't care for the thickness of the reticle compared to the VX5 options for a SFP scope.
I did own a SFP LHT 3-15x50 but didn't care for the thickness of the reticle compared to the VX5 options for a SFP scope.
Ordered from Euro optics. Thank you vortex for listening to your customers!
I'll be comparing this to the 4-32nx8 and 4.5-18lrhs as soon as it gets here.
I'll be comparing this to the 4-32nx8 and 4.5-18lrhs as soon as it gets here.
That's what I'm sitting here thinking about I ordered an Athlon Ares 1-10x for my precision AR-15 and it hasn't arrived yet. Really thinking about this scope for that gun now... @gr8fuldoug would have to allow me to swap my deposit and I don't think that's possible to do. He already let me switch from moa to mil on the order. Still excited about the Ares but this LHT looks perfect for that role as well... actually, I don't even think they carry vortex anymore..
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Curious as to how it compares to the tract toric 4-20x. If anyone gets some insight it would be appreciated!
What would you like to compare? I have had the Tract Toric 4-20x and voted it as my favorite budget ($1k) FFP scope a few years ago; however, I feel the Vortex LHT 4.5-22 beats it in just about every category. Razor LHT controls CA better than Toric, resolution may be on par but I'd really need to do a side by side again to be certain. The one area where the Toric has an edge is you have 20 mrad of travel and when using the LHT with the RevStop you are limited to 11.5 mrad of travel, take out the RevStop and you have 22.4 mrad but I am a big proponent of zero stop so I think this was a bit short sighted on Vortex's part; however, in their defense this is a scope designed at the crossover community and as such, I don't know anyone who would need more than 11.5 mrad of travel in hunting situations as this gets you well beyond 1000 yards with most modern cartridges.
I like this scope for both uses, I think it is an excellent crossover scope but also and excellent option for AR platform in DMR/SPR role with an offset RDS!
FWIW, I rolled turrets many times; it sucks.
Usually, it is the windage turret against the side of your pack or back etc as you hump up and overstuff the slung rifle moves up or down. The more you crawl through stuff and bend up and down, climbing steep hills ( or anything that more creates vertical movement) the greater the chance. As far as matches you can also roll windage when setting up against a barracade. We used tape on our windage before the current locking and capped windages.
For elevation, it's less common, at least for me, but I have had it happen several times. Once non-hunting at the SHC as the same mechanics as mentioned before; a slung rifle moving up and down, but the Elevation was making contact with my sidearm. Just so happened it rotated almost 10 mills. When I saw it was not zero's I quickly move it a few clicks to Zero. At the stage: (Target package up in deep vegetation) Shooter ready? Beep... Bang, no visual (next target) Bang, no visual... flustered and task loaded I almost zeroed the stage before I looked up and realized I was 10 mils off. I should have looked closer in the beginning.
Moved away from a traditional sling for hunting and that really helped, my turrets and scope, in general, don't get as marked up from moving around; but also only locking and capped windages for hunting for me at this point.
For Western hunting:
Kifaru Gun Bearer. Is only about 4oz, much lighter than most all slings as many are over a pound. It's also faster than most slings once practiced. KUIU also makes a copy, but it completely sucks and they went too light and flimsy on the butt stock holder. It is hard to get the rifle in or out fast and quietly with the KUIU version.
Note that I am running it kinda backward to tuck the bolt in and to keep the muzzle vertical. Unlike many slings, the rifle even with the long barrel of the magnum is not above my head to catch on shit and tucked in tight. It also frees both hands and allows me to use two hands to scramble or move through the brush or glass. As a side benefit, I'm not having to take the rifle on and off my shoulder constantly.
FWIW I've also ditched the bipod and shooting sticks and flimsy carbon spotting tripod and actually am carrying less overall weight even with my dual-purpose TVC-33 RRS tripod. That has been a game-changer. The carbon hiking sticks are only 10oz for the pair. Stack an Elk quarter and some tenders and straps in the load-shelf and you'll love the poles!
For PRS:
I am still using a Rifles Only sling. They are not cheap at $130 (2x the cost of the gun bearer) and are really heavy.
@koshkin and @GlassaholicOn paper, the new 4.5-20 looks like the optic many of us have been waiting for. Locking turret, capped windage, FFP, illumination, great reticle and uber lightweight; all good but the FOV at 23' is rather crappy compared to the 41' of a PST.
I love the Vortex warranty, but dang, I've personally had 3 PSTs and a Razor lose their turrets AKA lose their zeros, as well as seen a lot of friends have similar issues. I still have a PSTII on my 22LR Vudoo, but no longer trust them for hunting rifles. To me, it seems at least where we hunt CO, Wyoming, and CA, hunting rifles put way more strain on scopes than match guns. They travel long miles some on rough-ass dirt roads, maybe a horse or side-by-side tossed in, packed, bumped, banged, and then shoot from super light magnum rifles; so durability is a huge issue. I've currently switched several rifles to the MK5 and they seem to hold up well for a lightweight FFP illuminated optic. That said I'd love to drop 5oz but is it worth it??
How do you guys think the robustness will compare to an MK5? Obviously, I have serious trust issues. What has vortex done to beef up their robustness over lines like the PSTIIs while still losing so much weight?
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Unfortunately that's near impossible to tell as we all experience different conditions, situations, etc. that can affect the "robustness" of a scope. The only way to know is for long term reviews from similar situations. When you say they are losing zero, you mean that you set zero before a hunt, go out, shoot at an animal, but miss, and when you get back to range you test zero and it's off by a margin of error greater than your capabilities?
