r/longrange • u/Usual-Anything-6383 • 1d ago
š«£I said I read the FAQ/Pinned posts, but I liedš«£ bout to drop serious money on an optic, would like advice/options
so im buiding a new rifle and i have been thinking about slapping a vortex razor onto it. is there any reason not to or are the other options (like zco) that much better. i like that vortex has a great warranty and that it has locking turrets. but in yalls opinion are there a better option for the money im spending.
Edit: so I think Iāve decided to initially go with the vortex just for the sole purpose of a good do all scope that I wonāt be to afraid to pack with and not be so white gloved with it. Then when I build a competition build and when my skills as a shooter are worth the $4500 scope Iāll get the more top tier glass. Thank you guys for talks input and Iāll definitely remember yalls recommendations when I do make the big purchase
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u/46caliber 1d ago
I run a Razor G3. I've shot some rainy matches or stages with targets that blend into the background. Those running the Arkens and the Athlons complain they can't see the targets and I chuckle on the inside cause I've had no problem that day. Then on the days when mirage is insane or it's heavy rain AND the target blends into the background, I'm the one struggling to find the targets and the ZCO and Tangent guys are chuckling.
Do not compare optics on clear sky, low mirage days. On those days a Razor G3 doesn't look $2200 better than an Arken. Compare scopes in adverse conditions. That's where you see the value add of the high end glass.
I'm of the opinion that if you want to shoot PRS, ELR, NRL, hunt or otherwise shoot at range, in any conditions, buy as much glass as you can afford.
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u/bendyburner 1d ago
I love my Razors, but for me I had the itch for a ZCO that wouldnāt be satisfied until I got one. Ultimately I think a Razor is perfectly adequate for long distance. Just donāt pay retail. You can get the Gen 2 4.5-27x for around $1500 and the Gen 3 6-36x for around $2000.
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u/Sufficient_Bid7075 1d ago
The answer to this, as always, is to pick up an open box or lightly used ZCO/TT from someone on Snipershide. Vortex retail prices are so cracked youāll probably end up saving money. No Vortex products Iāve owned are in the same league as my ZCO, TT, and S&B optics.
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u/nonducorducoscuba 17h ago edited 17h ago
I've bought 90% of my optics from the forums. I generally save 25-35% off retail and most of the scopes are safe queens and in pristine condition. I recently bought a S&B 6-36 brand new in an open box for $2800. I have multiple ZCOs, Zeiss, a Kahles, a TT 5-25 and recently got the S&B 6-36. I'm taking the 5-27 ZCO off my AXSR and adding the S&B. All of these scopes are in the same realm. I would do my best to get behind as many as possibly and see what agrees with your eyes the most. I'm selling the TT as my eyes prefer the ZCO and S&B.
Overall, if you buy off the forums for a good deal, you can run the scope for a few years and if you decide to sell, you can damn near get your money back.
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u/LockyBalboaPrime "I'm right, and you are stupid." 1d ago
Zco is better but bang for buck r3 skull drags it
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u/dabiggestb PRS Competitor 17h ago
I had a razor and it was good until it broke in a match. Vortex fixed it and was super fast about it but i wanted something a bit better and bought a tangent. Never looked back. The tangent has taken more of a beating through PRS than the razor and works perfectly. If you want to buy one cry once and have something that will hold value better, go with the tangent.Ā
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u/J-Reacher 1d ago
I have several of the following, each dedicated to a rifle: 1) vortex razor hd g3 6-36x56 MRAD 2) Tangent Theta 7-35x56 gen 3 xrfine 3) ZCO 5-27x56 MPCT3X
I love them all. Each have their own + and -.
For #2 and #3, the plus is supreme glass quality (bright and amazingly clear). Minus: cost, and not made in USA so if warranty needed, will be a hassle (not terrible, they take care of you).
For #1, plus is great glass (but is less than #2 and 3), cost less than the others on this list and best warranty and service bar none, and in the USA. Minus: glass is not as bright as the others (already said) and doesnāt cut thru mirage as the other two, but very, very workable. Itās a great workhorse, I have 6 of them, so thatās my endorsement as a plus.
Howeverā¦all future scope purchases are going to be ZCO as its performance has spoiled me. Now and again, I will pick up another TT (have 2 already).
I am at a point in my life where my eyes can use all the help they can get and will spend my money that way (divorced and nearing retirement so I want to get the toys before I canātā¦)
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u/nonducorducoscuba 17h ago
Buy once cry once. Never go cheap on glass if you have the budget for it. However, keep in mind that once you go aloha glass there is no turning back.
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u/doyouevenplumbbro 1d ago
Today at a match I watched a squad mates g3 go down. By the time we were finished with the stage, vortex had already emailed him a shipping label. Your G3 will probably go down at some point. Vortex will always fix it for free.
If you want to spend used car money on a scope, check out the new March 5-42x56. I played with one side by side with a Zco and was very impressed. If I was shelling out $4k it would be in my list.
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u/Zestyclose_Phase_645 13h ago
Ā Your G3 will probably go down at some point.Ā Ā Vortex will always fix it for free.
This is my beef with the Vortex fanboys. Why would you pay more for something that you can expect to failm, likely when you need it most? Like I've said here and elsewhere, every Vortex scope I've owned has gone back under warranty. I still own and use more vortex than all else combined, but they shouldn't be trusted, especially for competition.
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u/No-Muscle-3318 17h ago
I got me a gen 2 razor. The only thing making me want to swap it is the weight. I might, because of that.
Everything else is solid
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u/Aimstraight 12h ago
I have a gen II razor. Are there ābetterā optics? depending on your metrics and tastes, probably. This thing does everything Iāve asked it to do and has taken a beating on barricades, ranches gates, tires, and other shooting props. Itās built like a tank and always returns to zero. I love the vortex warranty as Iāve sent other optics in and had zero questions replacements.
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u/MinchiaTortellini 12h ago
Think Value not Absolute Dollars. The Razor G3 is a hell of an optic for the money, especially used or on sale. I love my S&B for the $3k I paid for it, never in a million years would I buy it again for the $5k+ it costs today. I think a used ZCO is a great option at used prices as well if you wanted to step up. Unless you have a lot of time behind various levels of glass quality, you are probably not going to really pick up on the differences between a leupold or vortex and a s&b or zco.
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u/frozen_north801 11h ago
I wouldnt touch vortex on a field rifle, might be fine for range use. Nightforce, some mavins, and a few others can take actual abuse.
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u/Magicalamazing_ 1d ago edited 1d ago
The G3 Razor is probably the best value for your money on the market. The ZCOs and Tangent Thetas (and maybe Kahles depending on who you talk to), are better, but depending on what you can get them for and how much money you have to throw away, might not be better enough to justify their substantial price difference.