The people (or at least I do) want a lightweight hunting version of the Razor. 3-12, 2-10, 3-18 at the most.

Vortex offers wonderful Razor spotting scopes and bino's. And yet, when it comes time to take the shot, it's back to the Phillipines with the viper line.
They need to take an honest shot at Swarovski in the lighter weight scope arena. They know the recipe for success.

The recipe is simple.

Japanese or USA made

quality hd glass

Keep the scope around 20 ounces.

Use the same capped turrets from the 1-6 gen2 except .1 mil instead of .2

side parralax

kick [censored] warranty

ffp reticles that are bold and easy to use at low power, and fine enough at the upper ranges to be useful.

Offer Mil and MOA adjustments. Although, I don't personally know anyone who uses MOA anymore.

While I'm at it. Can someone relay to Vortex that not all hunters use MOA. They seem reluctant to offer anything geared towards hunting in Mils.
They have a very usable cheap scope in the viper hs lr 2.5-10 ffp. Only they don't bother to offer this compact scope in Mils. Silly, I know.


Now, wouldn't these turrets be nice on a hunting scope!
http://www.vortexoptics.com/uploads/rfl_rzr-g2_s_1-6x24_cap_turrets-mrad-t.jpg
http://www.vortexoptics.com/uploads/rzr-hd-g2_1-6x24_16003_f-t.jpg

The gen II Razor glass is supposed to be top tier quality and would be awesome in a lighter package. That being said the glass in my gen I Razor is pretty darn good but the whole scope platform is huge and would take a ton of scaling down. The Razor ZS is tons better than the viper style along with night and day glass difference.

MOA is fine provided the turrets match the reticle. I have a NightForce in this configuration and have no issues with running it. I would think that offering both would be the best bet.

Those turrets would be awesome on a hunting scope!

I agree 100% with what your saying.

Why don't you e-mail them?

Viper PST line is made in Japan...But I see what you're saying and agree.

Unfortunately that is not quite accurate.
The Diamondbacks and Vipers are assembled in the Philippines. The Razor on the other hand is 100% made in Japan.

Thought the pst line was under light optical still and made in Japan

Nope

I figured it out parts are mfg by light in Japan and assembled in Lights' Philippines plant

Either way. I still want a light weight razor geared towards hunting.

It seems to be a glaring hole in the razor lineup.

They make the following razors.
long range competition boat anchors
3 gun scopes
red dot
bino's
spotting scopes

Lightweight and Razor don't tend to go in the same sentence. I understand the niche you are wanting filled and I do not disagree with it.

I don't know the internal machanical difference in the Razor vs. the Viper, nor do I know the weight of glass in each scope. The Razor, is built to be robust and withstand torture. All of these items adds a higher end weight to the entire scope. How thick is the aluminum in each respective scope? Again, one may be thicker than the other adding weight.

Scott at CS tactical recently said that the gen 1 razor alone has at least one patent on the internals and is designed as a battle ready optic.

A couple of points. Just because a scope is heavy, doesn't mean it will pass a tracking test or hold zero. My gen 1 razor went back three times for holding zero and reticle issues. vortex ended up replacing that scope.

LOW produces lighter weight scopes for several companies, nightforce and bushnell included.

True enough.

Kinda a side question isn't only a select few of the nxs line made in Japan?

Very true.

However, what is stronger, a 1/4" bolt or a 5/8" bolt?

My point is, they probably throw heavier duty parts into the Razor to make the parts that cause tracking stronger.

All nxs scopes were made in Japan except the F1 and compacts. They are made in Idaho.

I think the Beast is made in Idaho, but I'm not sure where the ATACR's are made.
SHV's and the new competition stuff, I have no clue.

No, I don't know who in the Philippines does it, but it's not made in Japan.

Interesting....

Bobo, where did you find that info? Got a link? Just curious.

along this line how does Zen ray factor into Vortex? There products look REALLY similar

NOPE! 100% made in the Philippines. IF they were made by (L.O.W.) they would actually have GOOD glass. Email or Call Vortex, the will NOT tell you where (or by whom) their glass is made (for the VIPER line), they will tell you that information is "proprietary". I know...because they wouldn't tell me, or even 'hint' at where/who it was made. Like they were 'ashamed' or something.

I purchased a Vortex Viper PST 2.5 x 10 x 44mm (illuminated reticle) and REALLY gave it an unbiased looking over. I have hunted with it now under a variety of conditions and although I like the overall 'features' of the scope, the glass is sub-par (IMO) at that price point ($600.00). I have other scopes in that same price range that DO have decent glass. The Vortex is not even in the running.

Hence the purpose for this tread. The people want a USA or Japanese made lightweight hunting razor.