Vortex Razor HD Gen III 6-36x56

[4O6shootist]

Do they take excessive amounts of torque to turn??? Mine are crazy tight and I have been dialing them, locking and unlocking the turrets to see I they will loosen up. They have loosened some but still tight.

I don't think they're tight. Easier to turn than my zp5. The lock/unlock is stiff but I'm okay with that. Ive been using it mostly in 20-30° weather though. Parallax(somewhat stiff) and mag ring(silky smooth) feel great. I like the zero system. Can get those 0.05 mils dialed out now.

 

[high right]

Yeah, my elevation turret is slightly harder to turn, I'll just jack off with my left hand for awhile and it shouldn't be an issue. To me, the glass is better than my 7x35 ATCAR on the high end, yeah the detent is different than my gen2, I put a square cut o ring in the gap too. Problem solved. I sent an email to Vortex and suggested doing away with the locking mechanism so I could run the turret in the down position. I like it enough to get another the way it is.

 

[sjbryan65]

Negative, mines perfect.

Thanks for the response. Mine is just slightly off. Didnt think that would be a normal thing on this scope.

 

[Glassaholic]

My turret lines up almost perfect, maybe a few microns off My elevation turret has more resistance than most of my other scopes, but not so much that I think it will be an issue. Parallax is stiffer and harder to turn, but I had a Schmidt once that took a pipe wrench to turn (I did send it back to Schmidt and they said it was an issue with the field lens, it was better after I got it back but still pretty tight). I'm hoping most of these are more "break in" issues than anything, time will tell.

 

[Glassaholic]

Thanks for the response. Mine is just slightly off. Didnt think that would be a normal thing on this scope.

I don't think that is "normal" and if it bothers you would be something that Vortex would be quick to fix.

 

[Jlcichocki]

What mount are you using? I’m thinking Spuhr, what model number? Thx.

 

[4O6shootist]

What mount are you using? I’m thinking Spuhr, what model number? Thx.

ARC M-brace with mine.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Just played with one in the store. I have owned a few Gen 2 Razors in the past. My super uneducated opinion so far:

- Do not like the turrets. They feel mushy and the pressure required to lock them is less than Gen2. I can see accidentally locking while trying to spin on the clock.
-The turrets have way to much shit going on, its like sitting in a fighter jet cockpit.
-Mag ring felt perfect, like smooth butter
-Eye box seemed very forgiving
-Glass seemed brighter and good resolution (yea i know its hard to tell in store, but it had nice POP)
-Weight feels about the same as the Gen 2, No issues there, I like a heavy optic.

Felt like a really nice $2-2.3K Optic compared to the Gen 2 as a $1600 optic. Not sure I would spend more than that with other options on the market. if you can get a cert or at a good guy price, it seems like a good buy. At $2500 and over, I would look elsewhere.

 

[Krazy_jim]

What do you mean by turrets have too much going on?

 

[JB.IC]

They have numbers. Spin in circles. Have a single set screw. Just a lot to take all at once.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

What do you mean by turrets have too much going on?

Have you not seen the turrets yet?

 

[Krazy_jim]

Have you not seen the turrets yet?

I have seen lots of pictures yes, nobody seems to carry this stuff up in the great north yet.

From sitting behind it, looks very similar to my Gen 2. Who is looking up at the top of a turret when “sitting in the cockpit” . Seems to me another pointless thing to bitch about.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Its just my observations after handling them. Not looking for your validation bubba.

 

[5RWill]

View attachment 7789098Anybody else's turret hashmarjs slightly off?

Mines perfect also. But my AMGs were off and i just lived with it for two years. Until now and let them fix it. It looks similar to your Gen III. They sorta fixed it. It lines up dialing now but on zero it’s slightly different.

 

[EscapeVelocity]

I zeroed mine yesterday and ready to shoot my first match of the year. Glass is great so far on my range but I'm ready to take it out to distance. Zeroing this thing is awesome.

 

[S3th]

I zeroed mine yesterday and ready to shoot my first match of the year. Glass is great so far on my range but I'm ready to take it out to distance. Zeroing this thing is awesome.

What scope did it replace?

 

[EscapeVelocity]

What scope did it replace?

It's going on my centerfire rifle without an optic so it really didn't replace one. I use my NX8 on my rimfire, and ordered an Arken EP5 for another. Should have a decent variety to try out!

 

[5RWill]

Just turned my windage turret it’s considerably louder than the elevation. But slides down with medium pressure, although not an issue I’ll never dial for wind. I hope my elevation turret sounds like that eventually I’ve got a short video i took.

 

[Holliday]

Have you not seen the turrets yet?

They have meds for that…….

 

[Jerzey1]

FWIW, Longshot is the first person I’ve heard claiming to have seen a durability issue in the Gen 2 Razor. Or saying they have a reputation for being hit or miss in terms of initial construction.

As much as guys like to rag on Razors around here, if either of those things were commonplace you’d expect to never hear the end of it.

well, he's a salesman!!!!!!

 

[Jerzey1]

I just opened mine and won’t be able to put it through its paces for some time. Maybe on the weekend. Good news is my turrets positively lock and stay locked. However my expectations (of the turrets) were well beyond what was delivered. It’s all subjective and anecdotal but none the less. Not to say it’s a bad turret, but I’m not sure it belongs in this price range. Feel wise it’s probably similar to my NXS or my original ZP5. You don’t really feel much click to click at all. There is resistance but it isn’t tactile. Audibly they’re pretty mute. Nothing like what I had expected from ILya and Area 419s video. Maybe they’ll break in? Right now i vastly prefer my brothers Gen II turrets. Certainly won’t change how the scope performs. Aesthetically it’s gorgeous IMHO. Love the color, the looks, mag ring is smooth as butter and so is the parallax. But the turrets (on my sample) aren’t alpha quality and that is disappointing.

I was at shot show this week and checked out 2 different Vortex Gen 3 scopes........they had a different turret feel and sound, they were actually pretty quiet. Personally I think The Mk5 has really nice turrets

 

[CSTactical]

Have you not seen the turrets yet?

Nice picture


We still have some in stock btw

Vortex RAZOR HD GEN III 6-36X56 FFP

RAZOR® HD GEN III 6-36X56 RIFLESCOPE Built around the perfect balance of magnification and field of view, the Razor® Gen III 6-36x56 FFP delivers the resolution and contrast you need for long-range, tactical shooting. To get the absolute most out of...

www.cstactical.com

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Nice picture


We still have some in stock btw

Vortex RAZOR HD GEN III 6-36X56 FFP

RAZOR® HD GEN III 6-36X56 RIFLESCOPE Built around the perfect balance of magnification and field of view, the Razor® Gen III 6-36x56 FFP delivers the resolution and contrast you need for long-range, tactical shooting. To get the absolute most out of...

www.cstactical.com

Sorry brother, you have the best pictures I could find on google search

 

[CSTactical]

Sorry brother, you have the best pictures I could find on google search

No problem at all

 

[4O6shootist]

Shot the gen3 in a wpr match today, scope performed excellent! Pretty dang happy with it, I'm no fan boy either. First vortex I've ran besides a few the HD LHT hunting scopes.

 

[Islas82]

Am just here to get the scoop. Been reading the comments and seems like the general consensus is the turrets suck or not great which is a shame. I have never owned a Razor but have always been interested only vortex product I own is a PST on an AR, one thing that I keep reading that’s exciting is the glass quality. I have a ZCO 527 that I absolutely love, sure the locking elevation turret is not my favorite but it also doesn’t ruin my day. My other optic is a MK5 5-25 PR2 which is what I want to replace, tbh when I take both rifles out and I switch from the ZCO to the MK it makes me a bit sad and I would like an improvement in glass with out dropping ZCO type money. Man not sure I can live with shitty turrets though…

 

[DangerRanger]

You have a mk5 you already do

 

[TrevK]

You have a mk5 you already do

Damn bro..you didn’t have to kill him like that lol

 

[viking78]

I’ll have to send it back to have Scott and the others at Vortex take a look at it. The turrets on mine aren’t getting any better even after playing with them a bunch and I’m pretty sure the locking turrets have an issue as well. If the turrets get fixed, this will be one of the best scopes on the market around this price point.

Tyler neesd´s to work these for that Vortex.

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[5RWill]

Am just here to get the scoop. Been reading the comments and seems like the general consensus is the turrets suck or not great which is a shame. I have never owned a Razor but have always been interested only vortex product I own is a PST on an AR, one thing that I keep reading that’s exciting is the glass quality. I have a ZCO 527 that I absolutely love, sure the locking elevation turret is not my favorite but it also doesn’t ruin my day. My other optic is a MK5 5-25 PR2 which is what I want to replace, tbh when I take both rifles out and I switch from the ZCO to the MK it makes me a bit sad and I would like an improvement in glass with out dropping ZCO type money. Man not sure I can live with shitty turrets though…

They're not shitty by any means. Just not as good as the hype was leading us to believe (at least not my sample). Just seems like there is a good deal of sample variance.

 

[Mormegil87]

What @5RWill said. Both of mine have good turrets, at least for me. I prefer them to be a little stiffer than say, the MK5. I don't have any issues with the turrets dropping into the locked position and can hear the dturret click into the detent.

 

[PowPowHawg]

No problem at all

Richard I should start picture trolling maybe you‘d talk to and hang out with me more???

 

[TheOE800]

They're not shitty by any means. Just not as good as the hype was leading us to believe (at least not my sample). Just seems like there is a good deal of sample variance.

The turrets don’t suck, not at all. They are at least Nightforce quality, but no better. TT stuffs 15 mils into a revolution; while the spacing is smaller, the clicks are “sharper” and much more defined. TT doesn’t take Hulk spin the turrets either, which is probably my biggest complaint about the Vortex turrets.

Side by side just glassing around the neighborhood glass quality is very good, but you can see the difference IMO. CA control is good, but not Tangent good. Parallax/DOF goes to Tangent handily, not to say Vortex is bad because it isn’t - TT is just that much better. Image/color goes to Tangent as well, but not by much - I would say this is what folks refer to as “micro contrast” in reviews.

 

[5RWill]

The turrets don’t suck, not at all. They are at least Nightforce quality, but no better. TT stuffs 15 mils into a revolution; while the spacing is smaller, the clicks are “sharper” and much more defined. TT doesn’t take Hulk spin the turrets either, which is probably my biggest complaint vis a vis Vortex.

Side by side just glassing around the neighborhood glass quality is very good, but you can see the difference IMO. CA control is good, but not Tangent good. Parallax/DOF goes to Tangent handily, not to say Vortex is bad because it isn’t - TT is just that much better. Image/color goes to Tangent as well, but not by much - I would say this is what folks refer to as “micro contrast” in reviews.

I actually don’t mind it being decently hard to turn.

In regards to TT I truthfully can’t expect it to compete being $2200 cheaper. Then again the Minox does so maybe that’s incorrect of me.

How is the resolution and FOV?

 

[TheOE800]

I actually don’t mind it being decently hard to turn.

In regards to TT I truthfully can’t expect it to compete being $2200 cheaper. Then again the Minox does so maybe that’s incorrect of me.

How is the resolution and FOV?

It’s a call back to what I said earlier…it’s a good scope, for the price. I see and feel the difference I paid for, but it both small and largely preferential.

Honestly, I wasn’t properly setup to compare to begin with so my quick and dirty FOV test wasn’t very good so I’ll hold on to my thoughts for now. I’d like to get out to the range for resolution at distance. If I didn’t mention it, eyebox absolutely goes to the vortex at same for same magnification.

 

[JB.IC]

If the Gen3 has a similar or better DOF and Parallax forgiveness to the Gen2, then I would be happy. I am not happy with some other scope brands that have worse DOF and parallax sensitivity.

I really need to take a deep dive into DOF and parallax forgiveness. I often wonder how both of those things play a role in the perception of optical performance.

My eyes are around 13/20 or 15/20 (lasik) so my diopter is normally set to 0. Which is good because that’s typically where parallax is calibrated at according to a technician I spoke with at S&B. So, generally, when the image is clear, it’s parallax free but not always because the image can have a range of being clear and not parallax free in that entire range.

I have a scope that has a horrible DOF and appears to have no parallax forgiveness. But is that a perception thing? Because the DOF sucks do I internally think they parallax is finicky? Am I giving too much credit to scopes with better DOF and saying their parallax is more forgiving?

Idk why I’m bringing this up other than I need to learn a little more about that. And I hope the Gen3 is on par or better than the Gen2 in that regard or every regard lol.

 

[4O6shootist]

@JB.IC you will be very satisfied with the gen3. I've never run a gen2, but have kahles K624i, minox zp5, atacr 5-25x56, mk5hd 5-25x56, cronus btr, and March. Had it next to a zco 420 at the match, yes the zco is better but I paid a LOT less $ for the gen3. Is zco that much better? Abs not. This scope will be very popular. The match I shot yesterday had small targets at 250y out to 1100 and everything between. I left the parallax alone for 90% the match. Just using lower mag for close targets and higher mag out past 600y. On the 900-1100y targets with scope at 20x and parallax at 1k I was warching trace and able to see impact on what side of plate and if I missed, what edge it slipped for correction. This was shooting 90gr bullets into a frozen/snowy range that consisted of only 3 colors, white or gray plates, gray sage rush, brown dirt or white snow. I'd never run this scope, chassis, or new barrel/cartridge in a match before and eked out a 3rd place tie after not really shooting a rifle for 2 months after hunting season ended. I'm a firm believer in this new system!

 

[EscapeVelocity]

I shot my match today with my Gen 3 as well. It was snowing like crazy at times but it slowed long enough to shoot the 900 plates. Here's what stood out to me:
-Glass is really good. I wish I had more "high end" glass to compare too personally, but it was better than my NX8. A couple others looked through and agreed. They were running good glass too.
-parallax was almost never touched. Really a change of pace after using the NX8.
-turrets tracked very well. I'll put it on my homemade 30lb scope block and run a tracking test, but there are no concerns there.
-zeroing was really cool with the fine dial on top. I'm going to bounce this from rifle to rifle so I'll be curious how it works.
-turrets are not bad at all. They are a little harder to turn and were a little less audible, but landed very precisely, unlike a lot of budget scopes that have a tiny play in them. It also didn't fall down into the locked position like someone reported. Very positive in the unlocked and locked position.
-the dam thing just is built solid. Can't imagine it not holding up like the gen 2.
-did I mention fanatic glass? I could see things downrange that I simply didn't before on the same range I've been shooting at for years. Detail on targets I mean. Still love it.

I can't wait until clear weather to truly see the clarity. Turns out you all that love high end glass are on to something. Jerks.

 

[ScarlettRed]

I've had mine since Tuesday. Unfortunately snowy weather has made it hard to evaluate. Today was great though. My turrets seem great, different but they work nice. Two of my friends chimed in above that theirs were too easy to lock, mine are fine. My only complaint would be the parallax is too stiff. It makes it slow if you are under the clock. Mine is on my elr rifle so it shouldn't be a problem. I compared it to my 7-35 ATACR an ZCO 4-20 at 35x, 25x, and 20x. The vortex seems true to color while the other two have a warmer hue which can be better in overcast conditions. However, the razor had incredibly good definition out to 2 miles and beat my nightforce at every power and tied the ZCO on 20x. I did not expect that. I tested back and forth several times and kept concluding the same results. I am so far very impressed with this scope.

 

[4O6shootist]

I've had mine since Tuesday. Unfortunately snowy weather has made it hard to evaluate. Today was great though. My turrets seem great, different but they work nice. Two of my friends chimed in above that theirs were too easy to lock, mine are fine. My only complaint would be the parallax is too stiff. It makes it slow if you are under the clock. Mine is on my elr rifle so it shouldn't be a problem. I compared it to my 7-35 ATACR an ZCO 4-20 at 35x, 25x, and 20x. The vortex seems true to color while the other two have a warmer hue which can be better in overcast conditions. However, the razor had incredibly good definition out to 2 miles and beat my nightforce at every power and tied the ZCO on 20x. I did not expect that. I tested back and forth several times and kept concluding the same results. I am so far very impressed with this scope.

I found the gen3 vs zco glass to be very similar in my back and forth comparison. Both were on 18x, as I deemed that the highest I'd ever be running on a stage with any movement in it. The zco turrets are a lil better, and it's eyebox is more friendly. I do love that mpct-3x reticle, and the short dimensions though.

 

[DangerRanger]

Sounds like whether this scope fits your needs or not this is a huge win for the industry that a main stream scope with Japanese glass is competing at this optical level. March was already doing it but they are boutique and kind of an unknown. Seems like this is pushing the ceiling of optical ability out of mainstream Japan scopes. That’s only a good thing imo

 

[CSTactical]

Richard I should start picture trolling maybe you‘d talk to and hang out with me more???

You're welcome to come to the shop anytime goofball

 

[koshkin]

Sounds like whether this scope fits your needs or not this is a huge win for the industry that a main stream scope with Japanese glass is competing at this optical level. March was already doing it but they are boutique and kind of an unknown. Seems like this is pushing the ceiling of optical ability out of mainstream Japan scopes. That’s only a good thing imo

Well, to be fair, Nightforce ATACR has been sorta playing with the big boys for a little while now and it is mostly out of Japan with some assembled in the US.

With the Gen3 Razor, the big questions to answer are whether it is as good or better than the ATACR 7-35x56 and how close does it get to the real topline stuff: TT, ZCO, S&B, etc.

I have March 5-42x56 and TT 5-25x56 on hand which kinda bracket the Gen3 from the high side of the price range. I also have SIghtron SVIII 5-40x56 and Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56 that do so from the lower side of the price range that Gen3 competes against.

That's my initial comparison, but at some point, I will need to figure out how it stacks up against the ATACR as well.

ILya

 

[DangerRanger]

Well, to be fair, Nightforce ATACR has been sorta playing with the big boys for a little while now and it is mostly out of Japan with some assembled in the US.

With the Gen3 Razor, the big questions to answer are whether it is as good or better than the ATACR 7-35x56 and how close does it get to the real topline stuff: TT, ZCO, S&B, etc.

I have March 5-42x56 and TT 5-25x56 on hand which kinda bracket the Gen3 from the high side of the price range. I also have SIghtron SVIII 5-40x56 and Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56 that do so from the lower side of the price range that Gen3 competes against.

That's my initial comparison, but at some point, I will need to figure out how it stacks up against the ATACR as well.

ILya

Yeah but somehow the atacr has always flown under the radar when people consider the viability Japanese glass optical ceiling.

 

[5RWill]

Someone send ILya a 7-35

 

[JB.IC]

Someone send ILya a 7-35

I have one for sale if he wants it

 

[koshkin]

Someone send ILya a 7-35

All in due time. I do not need it at this exact moment and when I do the comparison, it has to be either new or functionally new.

ILya

 

[Jerzey1]

All in due time. I do not need it at this exact moment and when I do the comparison, it has to be either new or functionally new.

ILya

Ilya, I'm curious to see your thoughts on the new Bushell DMR3 and XRS3 and how they stack up against their competition. I was watching one of your Shot Show videos saying you went to the Bushnell booth and nobody bothered to come talk.....HUGE fail on Bushnell's part.

I have Bushnell's, looking at the Mk5, Vortex gen 3 and XTR Pro. Personally I think the Vortex gen 3 and XTR Pro are the best options in the sub $2,500-ish range as I'm not interested in spending like $3K+ for the top tier scopes. Nothing against them, if I had an extra $20K I'd buy a few ZCO's.

 

[koshkin]

Ilya, I'm curious to see your thoughts on the new Bushell DMR3 and XRS3 and how they stack up against their competition. I was watching one of your Shot Show videos saying you went to the Bushnell booth and nobody bothered to come talk.....HUGE fail on Bushnell's part.

I have Bushnell's, looking at the Mk5, Vortex gen 3 and XTR Pro. Personally I think the Vortex gen 3 and XTR Pro are the best options in the sub $2,500-ish range as I'm not interested in spending like $3K+ for the top tier scopes. Nothing against them, if I had an extra $20K I'd buy a few ZCO's.

That's normal for Bushnell. When you go to their booth at SHOT, there is a bunch of Bushnell people talking to each other and ignoring everyone else. That's pretty much every year. I asked one about a particular scope and he showed me where it was, then walked off.

I did spend a good amount of time with DMR3 and XRS3 during range day.

ILya

 

[Jerzey1]

That's normal for Bushnell. When you go to their booth at SHOT, there is a bunch of Bushnell people talking to each other and ignoring everyone else. That's pretty much every year. I asked one about a particular scope and he showed me where it was, then walked off.

I did spend a good amount of time with DMR3 and XRS3 during range day.

ILya

Im VERY disappointed in Bushnell because they do NOTING to help promote their products.....unlike alot of other companies. Talking to people like yourself at Shot is a perfect way to market their product. What are your thoughts about the new Elite Tacticals?