Released in 2020, the Razor HD Gen III 1-10×24 FFP from Vortex is one of several in the company’s Razor HD optical line intending to increase the amount of useable light through the optic, even in low-light settings.
With its overall length of 10.1”, the Razor’s 1-10×24 First Focal Plane (FFP) provides a solid optic platform for any full-length bolt or semi-automatic rifle. The variable magnification and parallax adjustability make it an ideal optic for competition shooters or the fall season hunter. The ArmorTec® coating provides an ultra-hard surface that resists scratches, oil, and dirt.
With a single-piece housing made of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum, the 34mm main tube and 24mm objective lens provide the greater overall dimensions to the Razor’s body. Its adjustable eyebell assembly provides the 1-10x magnification at a 3.6” eye relief. All connections within the Razor are IPX7 sealed with O-rings to prevent moisture penetration and argon gas purged to prevent fogging.
Features within the Razor optic include Vortex’s HD Optical System, which includes select glass elements to deliver a higher resolution while mitigating chromatic aberration, to deliver higher color, image sharpness, and light transmission through the optic. Moreover the lenses are index-matched to provide true-color representation across a broader spectrum of color.
The Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR-9) reticle is glass-etched, with elements using Vortex’s XR™ Plus anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass elements to maximize light transmission and clarity. The reticle also uses an illuminated reticle that is powered by a CR2032 battery that gives approximately 36 hours of continual run time.
The locking illuminator allows a push/pull dial with an 11-intensity setting for illumination of the reticle’s center, and a variety of low-light settings.
Both the elevation and windage turret are capped to prevent accidental contact, and allow access for elevation/windage adjustment, with grooves that ensure consistent alignment. Likewise, the elevation and windage turret are adjusted in ¼ MOA per click. Parallax setting is fixed to 150yd- to ensure best focus at various distances is attained. The elevation and windage dials themselves can be removed (via included hex key) to reset them to the desired zero.
Editor’s Note: For the purposes of this review, the Razor HD Gen III 1-10×24 FFP was paired with a 34mm scope mount from American Defense Manufacturing, but it did not play a factor into the review of the performance of the optic itself.
Specifications:
- Magnification…………….1-10x
- Eye Relief (1)…………….3.6”
- Field of View (@100yd)…116’(1x magnification) – 11.7’ (10x magnification)
The Razor HD Gen III 1-10×24 FFP is available only in a matte Black (featured), and can be selected between a MOA or MRAD reticle at the time of purchase.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Fair (2/5): At a manufacturer’s list price of $3,599.99, the Razor HD Gen III 1-10×24 brings together high-end optic glass, a robust housing, and low-light collection and reticle features with Vortex’s lifetime “No Questions Asked” service warrantee not found in other comparable rifle optics. The Razor can also be found at third-party retailers for MAP price at $2,499, but consumers should take heed in ordering from only trusted vendors as fraudulent or one-off optics are known to be sold by unverified parties. In contrast, the ATACR 1-8×24 ($2,795) from NightForce, the M8Xi 1-8×224 ($4,274) by Steiner, the Vudu 1-6×24 ($1,399) from EoTech, and the Tango MSR 1-10×28 ($759) by Sig Sauer all demonstrate that amid the market of alternative optics (with illuminated reticles and high definition glass), the Razor is among the higher price range, but at a fair cost for the consumer considering the quality of glass and manufacturing involved.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect the Razor held a good eye relief with full view down the optic. This eye relief also remained consistently smaller at maximum zoo, though did not become restrictive. The glass itself was amazingly clear, with no hint of colored tint around the edges of the field of view and high color definition. However, there was a notable fish-eye effect at the lower magnification where the glass had a somewhat distorted projection between the center and outer edge. The turrets and illumination dial did provide a clear audible and tangible click with each increment changed, and remained firmly locked into place throughout evaluations. Moreover, the line markings on the elevation and windage correctly aligned with each marking. The lack of a parallax adjustment (set to 150 yds) did make it slightly difficult to maintain image sharpness rapidly within the context of closer distances (< 25yd) with the 1-10x magnification (which is typical for this style of optic). But the adjustable Fast Focus Eyepiece could offset that to a significant degree, but had to be set prior to a specific distance.
- Durability – Excellent (5/5): Durability wise the Razor HD Gen III was coated in a low-glare matte black using Vortex’s ArmorTek ® coating, which gave the optic’s exterior enough hardness and abrasion resistance. As a demo unit, the optic received for evaluation had some pre-existing superficial marring and some was added from transport or moving the rifle around as the optic encountered varied surfaces. Likewise, the glass durability performed as expected and neither became loose nor scratched. The Razor (when purchased) does come with a lens cloth, sunshade (not included in this review), and a throw lever (also not included) to protect the glass during non-use and ensure it was properly maintained. Moreover, as mentioned Vortex does offer its lifetime “VIP Warrantee” should your optic ever get damaged.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally the Razor HD Gen III provided a good 1-10 magnification while keeping the glass clear. But the HD Optical System provided an immense depth of color and resolution, maintaining most of the coloration even at maximum magnification. The ability of the APO glass to transmit the maximum level of light through the optic ensured there was little color fade at longer-distance targets. The adjustable fast focus eyepiece helped to ensure that targets remained clear and mostly in focus throughout, and made hitting steel at 300 yards easy. The EBR-9 MOA reticle was crisp and clear, with incremental markings to adequately range targets and compensate for drop to the evaluated distances. Moreover, as the zoom level was increased, the reticle remained sharp and clear as it pushed from one focal point to the next. The illumination feature on the Razor HD Gen III did well in low-light situations and shadow, though was more difficult in full daylight settings. The windage/elevation turrets could be removed and reset after zero was attained, though doing so necessitated a hex screw to remove the dial and realign the markings to zero. Functionally, the only element of concern was from adjusting the fast focus zoom, which was seemingly locked down tightly, very stiff and the intergraded notched cuts on the housing did little for ease in manipulating. As such it could only be easily adjusted while the shooter was not firing.
- Weight – Average (3/5): The Razor HD Gen III 1-10×24 weighed in at 21.5 ounces and owed most of its weight to its anodized, aircraft-grade aluminum body, which provided a robust construction that resisted impulse of multiple rifle cycles, but was not so heavy as to make the overall rifle unbalanced. The Razor’s weight also ensured that, once mounted, it withstood transport and incidental contact with various objects on the range or in the field. In contrast, the ATACR 1-8×24 (21 ounces) from NightForce, the M8Xi 1-8×224 (26.5 ounces) by Steiner, the Vudu 1-6×24 (20.1 ounces) from EoTech, and the Tango MSR 1-10×28 (20.4 ounces) by Sig Sauer show that the Razor is appropriate (or average) amid the market of comparable alternatives, and for the consumer.
Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)
Product Link: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-razor-hd-gen-iii-1-10×24-riflescope+reticle-EBR-9~MOA
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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