Rifle Scopes Vortex Razor or Viper PST?

kwelhand

kwelhand

Sergeant of the Hide
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Sep 21, 2018
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#1
I have a hard time deciding whether I should pony up and buy Razor GEN II 4.5-27X56 FFP or pay half the price and settle w/ Viper PST GEN II 5-25x50?
My main goal is to mount either one on my Masterpiece Arms 6.5 Creedmoor rifle and the max range is 750yds @ my local long range.
Is it really that much of difference @ 750 yards if I step up w/ Razor?
Razor has been always on top of my list but the damn price is always holding me back.
Currently, I have Gen II Viper PST 5-25x50 and it has been adequate for 500 yds range.
However, I'm planning to step up to 750~1000 yds range and wondering whether I should invest more in Razor.
Sorry for the newbie question but somewhat confused and needed some guidance.
 
#2
The PST will do the ranges you are talking about but in the end the Razor II is a good step up. You have the PST now so go shoot with it. See if it or you will limit your shooting and then go from there. And if you shop around you can find the Razor IIs for much less than double the PST cost.
 
#6
kwelhand said:
Looks like everyone is also not favoring Viper even with big price difference.
Might have to pony up some more coin....
Click to expand...

You have one. Do you like it? That is what is important. You can get different opinions on any optic. The optic will do what you want. Are there better? Yup as the Viper PST Gen II is a mid priced optic but it doesn't mean it's a bad optic.
 
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#7
If you miss a target inside 1500 with a pst ii, it’s not the scopes fault. The razor is in fact nicer but it’s more money and -substantially- heavier. I wouldn’t put one on a hunting gun you have to carry, and except at twilight where 56mm bell gathers light you’re not losing much.

If decide you want a razor, wait for one used to come up, saves you a few hundred over new.

<i currently have both, in the same reticle>
 
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#8
This was at 727 yards with a pst. No issues with hits in 15-18 mph wind back in February when it was in the 30s. Keep in mind environmental conditions will play a role in optical clarity. Even the best Japanese or German glass will still get targets miraged over at certain magnifications. Are they better? Sure. But it comes at a price and certainly doesn’t mean you cannot perform with a cheaper alternative. I’d worry more about whether an optic tracks well and how usable the reticle is to you. Just my .02
 

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#11
The biggest differences are weight and optical quality in less than ideal conditions.

The Viper series are perfectly capable for use beyond 1000yds in normal daylight conditions.

The Razr is more durable and heavier. The glass quality is much better in low light or poor light conditions.

Just don’t look through a Razr AMG...
 
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#13
I like that. As my professional sniper mentor says when I want to skimp on glass (which is always), you’ll be fine as long as you’re shooting really big targets!
 
#14
You can drive your car with a dirty windshield, its just less than desirable. But it can be done and if it doesn't bother you then cheers, enjoy the savings. Better yet you can use the savings on training and ammo, which put to use correctly, will amount to more hits on target than a top tier optic will net you alone.
 
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#15
kwelhand said:
Currently, I have Gen II Viper PST 5-25x50 and it has been adequate for 500 yds range.
However, I'm planning to step up to 750~1000 yds range and wondering whether I should invest more in Razor.
Click to expand...

For those that had missed in the original post that he already has a PST Gen II. Not deciding between the two for a new purchase.
 
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#16
For 6.5 CM ranges/capabilities, I’d get by with the PST 2 while saving up for the Razor. I shoot both and am happy with them for what they are and what they offer. I always appreciate getting behind the Razor after shooting the PST 2 for a while. PST 2 lives on the 223, Razor on the 6BRA.
 
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#18
That's the comment I was looking for... I haven't seen anyone who doesn't appreciate the quality of Razor glass.
Looks like time to save up some money... *SNIFFS*

seafury said:
For 6.5 CM ranges/capabilities, I’d get by with the PST 2 while saving up for the Razor. I shoot both and am happy with them for what they are and what they offer. I always appreciate getting behind the Razor after shooting the PST 2 for a while. PST 2 lives on the 223, Razor on the 6BRA.
Click to expand...
 
#19
kwelhand said:
That's the comment I was looking for... I haven't seen anyone who doesn't appreciate the quality of Razor glass.
Looks like time to save up some money... *SNIFFS*
Click to expand...

I have both and like both. I routinely take the PST out to 1500 yards. So why get the Razor?

I can definitively tell the difference with respect to eye strain between the two and greatly prefer shooting through the Razor. I consider them each to be excellent choices for their price points, but if I'm looking for glass for anything approaching longer range, I'll pay up.
 
#20
If you are already thinking about it go with the Razor otherwise you'll be kicking yourself down the road. The optical quality is much better as are the adjustments. Look around the hide PX there are always Razors going for good prices.
 
#21
I had a 5-25 pst gen 2 that was great for the price, but I was never really happy with how it performed above 18x because the eye box got so tight. I sold it to a buddy and am planning on picking up a razor gen 2 or one of the 34mm tube torics when they drop.
 
#23
I have both and if I had it to do over again I would have just bought the razor. It is definitely better than the pst gen2. I love the turrets on the razor a lot better. They are much easier to work with than the pst. I like my pst but I would not hesitate buy another razor and sell the pst. Just my 2 cents
 
#24
Last edited:
#25
Arm chair expert here. After reading most every vortex thread going back to 2017…

Better glass is really nice and reason enough to go with the Razor, but for me it’s the difference in durability. The PST does not stand up like the Razor.

Not sure if this matters for your application.

Even if just for target shooting, it’s no fun working though issues and sending scopes back to the factory. Waste of time, ammo, range fees, etc. I’ve blown through hundreds of rounds, swapping mounts and scopes to isolate problems. SUX.

Reason enough for me to get the razor.

Love my Gen 2 Razor.
 
#26
The only real upgrade in the razor in my opinion is the eyebox is much more forgiving and the glass is a little better. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the PST. It's a great scope period.
 
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#27
I have both and the razor is better. I got to compare both side by side on a really bad day of mirage and the razor is a lot better at cutting through it. Also a very important aspect is the eye box on the razor is a lot more forgiving and that alone is worth the extra money. Since you already have the pst, I’d say keep it and spend the money on ammo and good reputable training. Shoot with it for awhile and if you feel the need to upgrade then do it.
 
#28
Currently own both the PST Gen II (5-25) and the Razor Gen II (3-18). I was saving up for an AMG (shooting buddy has one) and decided to compare all three side by side while the light faded one evening. We set all to the same power, approx 18x. The Razor was brightest BY FAR ( and the heaviest). The AMG seemed to be the clearest, but the PST hung in there to almost the same time as the others. Eye strain would have been greatest with PST had I been looking through it constantly. In the end, I decided the AMG wasn’t worth double the PST to my eye (scope evals are very subjective) and for my application (we all have different requirements). In this scenario, what I wish I could have compared along side the others is a 4.5-27 Razor (the 56mm objective) and a 3-18 or so AMG (better light ??).
Hope that helps with a test set of exactly 1 each.
I’ll double what Rob has said - you already own the PST. Mine has been very reliable, tracks and returns to zero perfectly , and has been over 1K and back multiple times.
 
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