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Vortex Razor Gen 3 (6-36x56) vs. Zeiss LRP S3 (6-36x56) opinions??
- Thread starter Atlas0065
- Start date
They are extremely close glass wise and I couldn't tell much of any difference there. Fantastic glass and better than anything else in this price range.
FOV is also about the same, but you see less "scope" around the image on the Gen 3. So FOV appeared larger to me on the Gen 3 than the zeiss.
I thought the Zeiss had better eye relief and marginally better eye box. Both very good eye box but the Gen 3 had the least amount of eye relief that I've tried in awhile.
The upgraded turrets on the Gen 3 are superior to the S3 turrets. So is the zero system on the Gen 3 compared to a more generic style set screw collar system on the S3. S3 still has good turrets that seem to track well in my limited use, but I think the turrets are a clear win for the Gen 3. Turrets on the s3 are a bit smaller, which I prefer.
I like the dual illumination and reticle of the S3 compared to the Gen 3. Zeiss's new MRI is the best reticle I've used so far. Especially considering my other favorites are the Vortex EBRs and Leupold PR2.
Zeiss is a little bit lighter and lower profile than the Gen 3. Can be a pro or con, depending on what rifle you will have it on.
Overall, I feel these are the two best scopes available right now for the price and features. It really just comes down to what reticle and features you prefer from one or the other.
Agree with most all of that but I like the Zeiss turrets better but more personal preference. I do really like the Zeiss reticle.
And to the OPs question, no the Gen 2 is below the Zeiss and the Gen 3 and Zeiss are the competitors to compare to each other.
Can be on Expertvoice and a little more from some vendors but you have to contact them to check.
Tracking aside, which should be the most important quality, the Zeiss turrets I played with had better aural and physical manipulation qualities versus multiple samples of Razors. That said I think the Razor turret is overall the better turret from a total package standpoint, though they really just have a lot of sample variance especially pre and post “upgrade.”
All great points! Thanks for the info. I finally got my hands on both of these scopes at the same time. It was heavy overcast, and temp/humidity was 75/85 respectively. Distance only took me out to about 600yds, so not as far as I'd like to get a long range viewpoint from both optics. Fit and finish i felt were great on both scopes. Truthfully I am quite impressed at how nice the Zeiss is at this price point. However i do see now what everyone was talking about wrt the razors turrets slipping down when adjusting. That definitely needs to be addressed at the plant.
I did however find the razor was easier to focus on objects out to 400-600yds a little more clearer than the zeiss. It seemed as if I had to work harder at getting the objects sharp and clear with the zeiss, where as the razor seemed to snap into focus quicker. Not sure why this was the case for me, but the others i was with tended to agree. Depth of field also seemed to be a little more discernable with the razor than with the zeiss. I also seemed to be able to break out smaller objects in the shadows a bit easier with the razor.
I did not notice much CA at all from either. Edge to Edge clarity and FOV was great for both at all powers however at the top end (36x) i tended to have to really work hard to get a clear focus with the zeiss a little bit more than the razor.
Reticles were very nice on both. Sufficient, but not too cluttered. Its amazing to see how reticles and tech has advanced in just a few short (5) years.
I'm glad that it wasn't bright and sunny and that i could compare on a day like this. Unfortunately I didn't have the time to do a review as thorough as i'd like. Overall they are both great optics in this price range and are going to be hard to beat by 80% of the shooting population.
Thanks to everyone for their input. As a new guy here at the hide I value everyones opinion and can clearly see the TONS of experience. Wished I had joined sooner. Thanks again!
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I had the opportunity to test the S3 for Zeiss and compared it to several scopes, including the MK5, TT, ZCO, NF, Kahles, XTR Pro and the Gen 3. My exact statement back to Kyle at Zeiss was that I think the S3 compares closest to the Gen 3 RZR. I slightly prefer the turrets and zero on the Gen 3 but gave the nod to the S3 in brightness and reticle. I personally think the S3 is the best bang for the buck at its price point.
Just bought a Zeiss LRP S3 6-36x56 .1 MRAD #16 Reticle scope... Figured I've looked through enough of them, might as well buy one. Not sure what I'm going to put it on yet, but I'll figure something out to upgrade. Thinking hard about my R700 5R Milspec .260 Rem...But unsure still.
Talking with Clay at EuroOptic, I told him I had looked through several of them at my local store. He asked me what I'd put it up against in the equal glass category... I told him I felt it was equal with the Razor Gen3. He paused, and said, "that's funny...all the guys in the shop said the same thing". And these are a bunch of guys who look through alpha-tier scopes all day long.
www.eurooptic.com
Talking with Clay at EuroOptic, I told him I had looked through several of them at my local store. He asked me what I'd put it up against in the equal glass category... I told him I felt it was equal with the Razor Gen3. He paused, and said, "that's funny...all the guys in the shop said the same thing". And these are a bunch of guys who look through alpha-tier scopes all day long.
EuroOptic.com - EuroOptic.com
Optics, scopes, & more for the precision marksman and serious hunter - Nightforce, Swarovski Optik, Vortex, Sako, Leica, Sig Sauer, Tikka, Trijicon, & many more.
I felt it was a hair better than the Gen III when side by side. Get it and try it out.
I haven't looked through the LRP S3 outside, but I have spent a lot of time with my V4 6-24x50's, and they are NO slouch in the glass department. I have high hopes for the S3 outside. It should be here Tuesday, so I'll be testing it next weekend for sure.
Never had to use it in the 20 years of owning Zeiss scopes. Every Zeiss scope I own/have owned has been absolutely flawless from out of the box, to current (or sale to someone else). And when I used to sell Zeiss scopes over 20 years ago, I can't recall a single time ever having to send one back for a customer. Can't say the same about a Swarovski, Leupold, NF, Nikon, Bushnell, Burris, S&B, Tasco, and the list goes on. I know that sounds weird, but honestly, I cannot recall a single time ever having to deal with Zeiss' CS for personal optics, or customers' optics. The number 1 brand of scopes we sent back was Leupold. Sent them back by the box full. Granted, their CS was great, and we never once had any issue about a warranty repair/replace, but they were basically the Vortex of yesteryear...The VX series really was shit (IMO).
Because Zeiss scopes get shot once a year on a hunting rig?
I've shot all of mine extensively throughout the years, some I've had for almost 20 years. I have one that has been on my custom .25-06 AI for a decade, and it's taken 50+ rounds per session on numerous occasions, and probably has 500 rounds on it, and no issues. As for my all my others, never had an issue there, either. My new V4's have taken some abuse from multiple long-string sessions on 7mm-08, .280 AI, and 7mm RemMag (all lightweight hunting rifles, so not the softest recoiling). No issues there, either.
I know multiple folks who have taken Zeiss to Africa, and killed all types of game on every continent in all terrain and weather conditions, and none of them had any issues, either.
They're just good scopes, and built very well. While it is true, they are mainly "hunting scopes", their new S3 and S5 is amazingly robust. If you haven't handled one and looked through one, I'd suggest finding one at a local store and doing so. You'll be impressed. IMO, in robustness, it is on-par with the Kahles K-series and NF ATACR, and glass-wise, it's on-par with the Razor Gen3 (maybe slightly better than the Razor Gen3, according to some folks).
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Try the Zeiss. I think you'll like it a lot. It really is built like a tank, and the balance on it is excellent. Like I said, mine hasn't come in yet, but I've handled a number of them in stores, in person, so I knew what I was getting into. It's an amazing scope. I wouldn't buy it if it was crap, and if I did, and it turned out to be crap, I damn-sure wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.
@Rob01 used to shoot for Vortex (might still do?) and has spent tons of time behind the Gen3, and has both models of the Zeiss LRP S3. I'd take his word for it, if he says the glass is slightly better than the Gen3. I know one thing I DO like about the Zeiss S3 is that the windage turret locks in place. I really like that feature, and wish more companies would implement that in their scoops with exposed target turrets.
Now, if you wanted to really step up into (what I like to refer to as) the "fuck you money" (+$3,500 range) level of scopes... The Zeiss LRP S5, Kahles K525i, Tangent Theta, ATACR, and ZCO are always an option.
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Why not try the Zeiss for about $800-1000 less than the G3 and report back on it. If you don't like it you can sell it for close to its purchase price.
It's usually best to compare very similarly priced optics- like the Zeiss you listed and the Razor Gen2- more of an apples to apples eval.
If price is the comparator, the Zeiss S3 glass will blow away the Razor Gen2. It's easily (IMO) on par with the Gen3, and Rob says it might be slightly better through his eyes.
Comparing like to like- new to new or used to used, and same mag range, where are you seeing Razor 3 for under $2300- like the Zeiss LRP S3 (not the more expensive LRP S5)? I ask in the context of pricing for most buyers, not just a special deal, friend, LE/Mil pricing perk, etc. Thnx
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The S3. I'm referring to a special deal that went on for the Gen3 by a vendor here. I think I'm not supposed to mention price details.
I have not tested S3 yet, i hope later on this year i can do that too.
But i have Razor on test, had it a little bit over a week now.
I must say, that it is deam good scope, way better than older gen 2 was.
Really like the new reticle, turrets and it is not a giant on size, even it is 6-36.
Quick picture with the cellphone thru the scope, wont give the justice to the image quality that really is.
My younger kid likes the Razor
But i have Razor on test, had it a little bit over a week now.
I must say, that it is deam good scope, way better than older gen 2 was.
Really like the new reticle, turrets and it is not a giant on size, even it is 6-36.
Quick picture with the cellphone thru the scope, wont give the justice to the image quality that really is.
My younger kid likes the Razor
I’ve had the G3 and S3 for some time now. This is how I feel about both scopes. Fit and finish I’d call it a push. They both feel great. Parallax knob on both is nice, the mag ring is nice. Coatings are nice. Turrets, I like the S3 a little better. Big turret, big numbers, audible clicks and good feeling. Parallax adjustment, I like the G3 more. I like the yardages on the turret. I dial it to 500ish and never touch it again. The S3 I have to get on target and then dial it, and never touch it again. Is it a big deal. No. Reticle, I’d call it a push. Both are easy to use and not super busy. Eye box, maybe a little better on the G3. To me it is a little easier to get behind. The focus ring on both is smooth. Glass, I’d give a slight edge to the G3. And I mean slight. Both are clear and bright. Colors and imagines look great. Both show detail great. Both get a little dark on top end, but not horrible. Both do well in low light. This is my thoughts on both scopes. Others well say different. Either scope is a home run. One won’t make you hit more targets then the other. If your on the fence about these two scope and want to save money or a little more bang for your buck. The S3 won’t disappoint. Very happy with both scopes.
You can dial before getting on target if at a match and set parallax before the stage. It's allowed. Also just from using mine for a few months I know where the 500+ area is on the parallax and also the 100 and in between. Just use the white markings that are there as reference points and if need be you can mark it yourself.
You are right on that. I do dial before shooting the first stage. I always seem to adjust it a little. After that I never touch it again. I was thinking of marking it like you said. I will adjust to it. It’s just a personal preference.
As a vendor for both (happy to quote if you contact), I think the Gen 3 is superior.
BUT, it is substantially more expensive, and not that much superior.
You will definitely notice a bit less scope around the FOV with the Gen 3.
The eyebox is a bit easier on the Gen 3 as well.
Turrets, I prefer the S3.
S3 is lighter, just not as big overall.
Both are kickass, and I think both are good values. The S3 is my favorite "upper tier" value optic.
BUT, it is substantially more expensive, and not that much superior.
You will definitely notice a bit less scope around the FOV with the Gen 3.
The eyebox is a bit easier on the Gen 3 as well.
Turrets, I prefer the S3.
S3 is lighter, just not as big overall.
Both are kickass, and I think both are good values. The S3 is my favorite "upper tier" value optic.
I don't about the Gen 3 being superior. I think the glass in the S3 is a hair better and no issues with the eye box using them in matches and have used both in matches. Had 2 G3s and 2 S3s to take that opinion from. I'd take the S3 over the G3.
S5 competes more with Tangent and ZCO in my opinion.
Absolutely fantastic glass, I like the large turrets, and undeniably the best illumination out there.
The best deal in high end optics.
You might check with Spartan Precision Arms. He's had sales in the past:
https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...x-free-shipping.7017776/page-18#post-10893266
You'll like the S3. Contact Clay Hawkins at EuroOptic (where I got mine). Or, talk with Tyler Kemp (above posts), he can probably get you a great deal on the S3, as well. He's a good dude. I've known him through the forums for over a decade.
Got my LRP S3 6-36x56 in today, and got it mounted in some ARC M-BRACE rings, and sighted based off my old scope's zero. Should be damn-close, but I'll confirm this weekend at the range.
I decided to pull the Arken EP5 off my 5R Milspec .260 Rem, and put the new LRP S3 on it. Nothing wrong with the Arken, I just wanted to put the new S3 on a range rifle that I shoot a lot, so I can put plenty of time behind the glass out in the environments and conditions to give some solid feedback.
I decided to pull the Arken EP5 off my 5R Milspec .260 Rem, and put the new LRP S3 on it. Nothing wrong with the Arken, I just wanted to put the new S3 on a range rifle that I shoot a lot, so I can put plenty of time behind the glass out in the environments and conditions to give some solid feedback.
Get on expertvoice asap! I just got the G3 for 1999.99. Zeiss is there too but not as low. You have until 5/31!
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