

Posted: 6/29/2017 8:16:45 AM EDT
I could not find the answers after searching Vortex.com, or this site, so I figured I would ask. I've kindof come full circle to looking at the G2 Vortex after playing with a bunch of other stuff.
-Why is it so bloody heavy? It's not long. The turrets aren't huge. The tube isn't 50mm or anything. Glass is glass...aluminum is aluminum...so is Vortex using glass lenses that are stoopid thick? Is the main-tube very thick? Combo of both? Your Strike Eagle is much lighter....why? -How waterproof is it? Down to what depth? No, I do not plan on diving with my optic, but this usually says more about the integrity of the system used to me than dictating my uses. So what's the depth tested, and to what time? -How long is battery life on maximum? The website said "150 hours on a medium setting"...I am curious about all-out. -I recall reading about Vortex impact testing. This is capable of living indefinitely on a SCAR17 7.62, correct? Also, was SIDE IMPACT tested? That is what really kills tube-optics from what I understand, as well as counter-recoil like the SCAR's heavy bolt carrier slamming forward. -Is the mag ring still stoopid stiff, or did that get ironed out? -Is there any polymer, or is it 100% metal, including the occular ring? -Is the scope waterproof with the turret caps OFF, or ONLY when in place? If it is still waterproof, is it still to the same depth as stated above, or just "splash-proof"? -How durable are your lens coatings? Do they meet /mil requirements like Nightforce and Leupold? I know CAG and others have used the Vortex, but then, they've used all sorts of stuff. They get what they ask for. Doesn't mean it always "meets the letter of the law" regarding abrasion resistance, etc on lens coatings. -This scope is made in Japan, or America? I am feeling like it's a combo, can you expound loosely on that? -Is the reticle etched glass, or is it wire? How does the illumination work (reflection,holograph, fiber optic?)? Thanks for taking the time. |
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I'll answer to the best of my ability haha.
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I could not find the answers after searching Vortex.com, or this site, so I figured I would ask. I've kindof come full circle to looking at the G2 Vortex after playing with a bunch of other stuff. -Why is it so bloody heavy? It's not long. The turrets aren't huge. The tube isn't 50mm or anything. Glass is glass...aluminum is aluminum...so is Vortex using glass lenses that are stoopid thick? Is the main-tube very thick? Combo of both? Your Strike Eagle is much lighter....why? I'm assuming the body is milled thicker for durability just like all the 1-6x glass in this price range. The strike eagle feels flimsy next to the razor -How waterproof is it? Down to what depth? No, I do not plan on diving with my optic, but this usually says more about the integrity of the system used to me than dictating my uses. So what's the depth tested, and to what time? No idea, but I've dropped it into a 3ft swimming pool and it's still fine with no leaks or fogging -How long is battery life on maximum? The website said "150 hours on a medium setting"...I am curious about all-out. No idea but it's Aimpoint daylight bright! -I recall reading about Vortex impact testing. This is capable of living indefinitely on a SCAR17 7.62, correct? Also, was SIDE IMPACT tested? That is what really kills tube-optics from what I understand, as well as counter-recoil like the SCAR's heavy bolt carrier slamming forward. I'll let a Vortex rep answer this -Is the mag ring still stoopid stiff, or did that get ironed out? It is still gorilla stiff but you can send it back to Vortex and they'll loosen it up -Is there any polymer, or is it 100% metal, including the occular ring? Mine is all metal -Is the scope waterproof with the turret caps OFF, or ONLY when in place? If it is still waterproof, is it still to the same depth as stated above, or just "splash-proof"? Vortex rep again -How durable are your lens coatings? Do they meet /mil requirements like Nightforce and Leupold? I know CAG and others have used the Vortex, but then, they've used all sorts of stuff. They get what they ask for. Doesn't mean it always "meets the letter of the law" regarding abrasion resistance, etc on lens coatings. They seem pretty durable. I use mine for 3-gun matches and it goes through hell and back and have minor scratches but it doesn't affect clarity -This scope is made in Japan, or America? I am feeling like it's a combo, can you expound loosely on that? I believe it's Japanese components made there -Is the reticle etched glass, or is it wire? How does the illumination work (reflection,holograph, fiber optic?)? The glass is etched and presumably reflected Thanks for taking the time. View Quote |
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Just an update. I've contacted Vortex, and they will answer the questions, they are actually taking the time to get real answers from engineering instead of just spouting off. Props to them, and I don't want people seeing their lack of immediate response and taking it negatively.
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I could not find the answers after searching Vortex.com, or this site, so I figured I would ask. I've kindof come full circle to looking at the G2 Vortex after playing with a bunch of other stuff. -Why is it so bloody heavy? It's not long. The turrets aren't huge. The tube isn't 50mm or anything. Glass is glass...aluminum is aluminum...so is Vortex using glass lenses that are stoopid thick? Is the main-tube very thick? Combo of both? Your Strike Eagle is much lighter....why? Some of it comes from our IP and that is proprietary info, but durability has something to do with it. The internals of the scope have brass and steel components while most others use aluminum. This is part of what makes it so durable, and the turret system so repeatable and accurate, which you don't see in many 1-6 optics. -How waterproof is it? Down to what depth? No, I do not plan on diving with my optic, but this usually says more about the integrity of the system used to me than dictating my uses. So what's the depth tested, and to what time? Officially it is waterproof to 66 feet for 2 hours. -How long is battery life on maximum? The website said "150 hours on a medium setting"...I am curious about all-out. This is a very conservative number. It will run 150 hours on max brightness, but after that brightness will degrade to mid-level setting after that time. -I recall reading about Vortex impact testing. This is capable of living indefinitely on a SCAR17 7.62, correct? Also, was SIDE IMPACT tested? That is what really kills tube-optics from what I understand, as well as counter-recoil like the SCAR's heavy bolt carrier slamming forward. Yes to all , side impact testing is standard inspection/testing protocol for all of our scopes. -Is the mag ring still stoopid stiff, or did that get ironed out? The mag ring is stiffer than most for durability when used with a switchview, which most 1x scopes are these days -Is there any polymer, or is it 100% metal, including the occular ring? Aside from o-rings, bushings, wire coating, and glass, yes - it is all metallic components. -Is the scope waterproof with the turret caps OFF, or ONLY when in place? If it is still waterproof, is it still to the same depth as stated above, or just "splash-proof"? Yes - all waterproof testing is done with the turret caps off. -How durable are your lens coatings? Do they meet /mil requirements like Nightforce and Leupold? I know CAG and others have used the Vortex, but then, they've used all sorts of stuff. They get what they ask for. Doesn't mean it always "meets the letter of the law" regarding abrasion resistance, etc on lens coatings. Gen II Razor Lens Coatings exceed MIL-STD requirements. -This scope is made in Japan, or America? I am feeling like it's a combo, can you expound loosely on that? Civilian available scopes are manufactured in Japan. -Is the reticle etched glass, or is it wire? How does the illumination work (reflection,holograph, fiber optic?)? The reticle in the 1-6 Razor is wire. Illumination method is not something I'm able to share. Thanks for taking the time. View Quote |
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So in. I'm wanting a 1-6x and the Razor is at the top of a very short list.
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Awesome, and thank-you Vortex! Your response does lead to a few other questions, however. You have differentiated quite specifically between civilian, and military scopes. -Are the civilian scopes made the same way, using the same methods, materials, etc. or do you have a shadow-line like Leupold and Nightforce do, that go only to the military, and use hand-picked glass, glued-in lenses, and other features not on the civilian line. To help demonstrate what I am talking about, here is a link to what I call "the shadow line" of NXS optics made specifically for the military by Nightforce: http://i46.tinypic.com/i41ggm.jpg Does Vortex do similar? If Vortex does, is the data you gave me applicable to the military, or civilian scopes, or both? I have always heard that wire reticles are inferior and break, and that is why etched reticles are preferable. I know you are not going to say, because it would reveal IP, but is the "way you do wire" different from the way it was done that spawned the mindset I have towards it? View Quote The data I provided is applicable to all Razor HD Gen II 1-6x24 riflescopes. Today, wire reticles are lightyears ahead of where they were 20 years, or even 10 years ago. They are incredibly durable, and in many cases do the job just fine. The main reasons why you see etched reticles today is 1) "Floating" features that cannot be done with a wire reticle. 2) Illumination of multiple features. -RJ |
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+JohnDough - I'll answer these as much as I'm able. The data I provided is applicable to all Razor HD Gen II 1-6x24 riflescopes. Today, wire reticles are lightyears ahead of where they were 20 years, or even 10 years ago. They are incredibly durable, and in many cases do the job just fine. The main reasons why you see etched reticles today is 1) "Floating" features that cannot be done with a wire reticle. 2) Illumination of multiple features. -RJ View Quote Totally makes sense. Yes, I know you "can't" answer specifics about the use of the wire reticle, but you told me what I wanted to know. I'm not trying to build anything in my garage, just wanted to know it was 'tuff. I feel like at this time, you guys have dropped a "budget" 1-8, and I might be kicking myself if I do not at least wait until SHOT '18 to buy another scope. Based on the data of the 1-6 HDII, though, if you guys release something at SHOT in the 1-8 platform, I'll buy it. If not, I'll snag a Razor. I just feel like I owe it to myself to wait until SHOT! PS. I posed similar questions to Leupold, and was given a LOT more dancing than necessary. I did the same with Trijicon, and they were just as helpful as you, but I prefer your answering data to theirs. Kahles has responded with a game of E-mail tag between me, Swarovski, and Austria. Everything I have gotten on the K16i has been from industry professionals, Jeff Huber, and other behind the scenes types "who would know". Not really Kahles' fault per se, that, but it DOES show the benefits of an America company, when you live in America. |
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Awesome - I'm glad we could help! In regards to working with us, we're always happy to help! Thank you for your support!
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Hopefully I don't step on OP''s thread but I have a question.
If I make a minor diopter adjustment with my Razor 1-6 is that going to effect my zero? |
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Quoted: https://s26.postimg.org/knrsc9js9/IMG_20170627_145739128_HDR.jpg
I certainly am! Awesome optics, even though a bit heavy. Highly recommended! View Quote ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Addicted to razors ^ |
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No, that won't affect zero at all. Sorry for the wait on your question. Let us know if you need anything else. Thanks. View Quote ![]() My best finish at a recent 3-gun match was on the long range stage, but that was the ONE stage I forgot to turn on my camera for. ![]() One shot to hit the target at 477. ![]() One of your sponsored shooters hooked me up with some nice Vortex swag as well. I think I have had my Razor since 2013 and it has been exceptional. Still on the original battery, but I don't leave it on for long periods of time. |
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In response to this, I ended up buying a Kahles K16i some time ago. However, I sold that same optic to fund something else (non-firearm related), and partially because I simply don't like horse-shoe and dot, etc. I found. I want ONE SINGLE BRIGHT "AIMPOINT" for close and fast. Or rather, my brain and eyes do.
Now we have the "E" model, which is significantly lighter than the former. We also have the NX8 on the market. I am a HUGE fan of Nightforce, but the eyebox on the NX8 is fighting with the form factor big time for this intended use (12.5" SBR). The Kahles scopes are great, but none offer a clean mil-based reticle with ONE dot. The 3GR is close, but no cigar. I hate the 2nd dot. That leaves me with the MK6, NX8, and HD2-"E" as contenders. I have already owned a MK6, and was not impressed with Leupold's quality control. ---Are the optics, illumination, etc. visually/functionally better on the new "E" series? ---I wish you guys had made a proper integrated throw lever like Minox and Kahles, but in lieu of that (I have no affiliation with Aadland other than as a customer), this looks like it is going to be great: Properly interfacing throw-lever ---How is the "Dot" "Attatched" to the center of the cross-hairs? It looks off-center in some of the videos I have seen that review the optic. Here is a screen-shotted example. I did not "cherry pick" this nanosecond of footage. It appears this way in 100% of the video, at all magnifications. It is obviously skewed low and left from the shooter's perspective. This is a non-issue, but my question is: Could it physically dissociate further? That could be an issue, or is it "part of the wire"?: ![]() ---Exactly how much torque is this thing supposed to be mounted with? I know 15 is your normal recommendation, but this being a bit of a warhorse, is that a "hard number" or will it tolerate 25 in-lb in a NF Unimount? Thanks. |
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14mm and 4mm respectively. Hope this helps! View Quote For comparison, the exit pupil on the Z6i is 9.6mm and 4.0mm, respectively. The NXS 1-4 which I recall having an absurdly generous eyebox on 1x is 16mm, and that's a 1-4. If your data is correct, and I have no reason to imply it's not, that's some damn wizardry you guys have going on. My choice of NX8 vs. Razor HD 2 is going to be tough. |
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