Gen 1 razor hd disappointment. Recommendations?

[NativeIdahoan]

Just picked up one from a sportsman’s deal about a month ago, 85mm. Used it a couple times on camping trips and short range viewing was great and clear. Went out shooting and it struggles to get clear image of target and .308 holes are not visible at 400yds on cardboard. Am I asking too much? I’m coming from $250 konus pro, which I didn’t expect too much from.
Also did a little scouting for antelope and wasn’t able to easily focus, very small window on focus wheel with some clarity.
Already thinking about ditching the razor and saving some more to get to better scope. Kowa? Maven?
But I thought I’ve seen some decent reviews and digiscope pics from razors and thought it was a decent deal for sub $1000.
Any advice,
Thanks,
Mike


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[NativeIdahoan]

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[WI in the west]

I was in the same boat and switched to a kowa 774. I like it more. Im still considering bumping to the kowa 884 though but i was pleased woth the 774’s performance
The mule deer was at around 1000ish each photo not sure on zoom. The whitetails and moose were 600-800 for some reference

 

[NativeIdahoan]

Thanks for the reply. The kowa 77 is what I was eyeing to go to next.
My photos of antelope are around 300 yards or less. It was hot, so quite a bit of mirage. But was just thinking the razor would be better


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[WI in the west]

I never got to compare side by sode and only have one hunt with the kowa but i think the kowa has better color and brightness and clarity at high magnification.

 

[golfbum]

Unless something is wrong with your spotter the difference you will notice in sharpness is very minimal in the center of the image. A nicer scope won’t really help with mirage. Sometimes it’s just the way it is when it’s hot. Things you will notice in a nicer spotter (883 or Swaro, Leica) better colors, possibly a little more light in twilight hours, and sharper through the entire image not so much in the center. The razor is a great spotter at a killer price. You are going to have to pay a lot more for a smaller gain then what I think a lot of people think.

Just my opinion.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Now's a great time as we are running a Kowa TSN-883 / 884 Spotting Scope Super Sale. Please give a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss it

 

[Wapiti1]

You'll see an improvement in contrast above 45X with a top tier scope. I don't find the Vortex to have a useable 60X in anything but the best light. It starts to get grey and lose contrast, IMO.

The sale Doug has on the Kowa 88 is really good and the direction that I would go. I have not used a 77mm Kowa, but have no doubt it is excellent. Meopta (or the Nightforce branded Meopta) is another one to look for.

Jeremy

 

[Wheels]

I have a Kowa 774 and although I am happy with it, I find it’s hard to focus mid day with mirage using the camera on my phone. Instead of using photo option, use the video option, the phone will do a better job of auto focusing.
I had a Razor, both Gen 1 and 2, and they were fine, but the Kowa has a better image in my eyes.

 

[PathFinder]

Razors are overhyped paper weights. The one I had made me swear off of spotting scopes for years.
Used S series Swarovski 65s are on the classifieds all the time for 1200-2000. Ideally get a 25-50 eyepiece, or a 30x fixed to go with a 20-60.

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[Kyle Wheeler]

I would look at a demo Tract Toric if they have any. I’ve used it compared to the Razor and it’s a step above for sure without a big cost increase. If willing to go higher there are better options but I thought the Toric was better than the Razor and in the same ballpark regarding price. A really good value would be a used Meopta or Cabelas S2.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

The Razor spotters and binos are shit for what you pay for them. I like the razor scopes but the rest of the line is terrible. Unfortunately really good spotting scopes start around $2K. If you want a good spotter for the $$ look for a used Leupold gold ring or mark 4 tactical spotter. They’re decent around the $1K mark. Other than that you might as well double your budget and just go for a Kowa or Swaro.

 

[Banded_spooney]

I’m going to play devils advocate here. Knowing you probably picked that scope up for $700 during Vortex month I’m just gonna point out that to upgrade you’ll be in a different scope for 2k at least.

Is it worth 3x plus however much you lose on the resale of what you just bought? That comes down to how much of a trophy hunter you are or if this is how you make your living.

I’d love an 883 from Doug’s sale too but $2600 is a ton of money for something I use way less than my 10s or 15s

 

[WRO]

Unless something is wrong with your spotter the difference you will notice in sharpness is very minimal in the center of the image. A nicer scope won’t really help with mirage. Sometimes it’s just the way it is when it’s hot. Things you will notice in a nicer spotter (883 or Swaro, Leica) better colors, possibly a little more light in twilight hours, and sharper through the entire image not so much in the center. The razor is a great spotter at a killer price. You are going to have to pay a lot more for a smaller gain then what I think a lot of people think.

Just my opinion.

Absolutely not true, granted I run an x series but have side by side used it with a razor with clients in the field multiple times.

They suck. I literally had a herd of elk bedded at 900 yards picking through them trying to find a bull. I was up to 36 when my client finally found the 3rd through his razor. So I hopped on it trying to help him, color and ca control made it very hard to tell the difference between an elk ear and a leaf at that distance.

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[golfbum]

Absolutely not true, granted I run an x series but have side by side used it with a razor with clients in the field multiple times.

They suck. I literally had a herd of elk bedded at 900 yards picking through them trying to find a bull. I was up to 36 when my client finally found the 3rd through his razor. So I hopped on it trying to help him, color and ca control made it very hard to tell the difference between an elk ear and a leaf at that distance.

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Agree to disagree.

Currently own a Leica apo and razor.

 

[NativeIdahoan]

Thanks for all the replies. I did get a smoking deal on scope during vortex month and used a coupon for an extra $100 off plus $100 gift card. I guess for my price I am not going to do better. And I’m not trying to score animals, just find them and get a closer look before committing to a stalk. I’ll prob run the spotter for this fall and decide about upgrading next year.
We did go out again yesterday, and got a little better view through it. Less heat and mirage yesterday.
Found some antelope at 800 yds, stalked into 260 yds and my wife put one through the boiler room.

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[505Wapiti]

Surprised no one has asked you what tripod you are using…. Lots of folks love to bash vortex but I know a few people that had the larger razors on lightweight flimsy tripods that you wouldn’t be able to see anything clearly at distance no matter how expensive the spotter was.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I’m with golfbum. I like my Gen I 16-48x65. I use the swaro 25-50 on it as well. It makes it better but not a ton for the price.

I have no issue finding animals. I agree the kowas are better. But not 2-3 times better.

I’ve objectively tested resolution and edge to edge clarity with my razor and was beyond pleased with the results. Those threads are on here from back in 2019 or so.

To each their own. I’m also slightly convinced I may have got the best sample they’ve ever produced or something. I’ve looked through another one I bought for a buddy and mine was better.

 

[MuleyFever]

Get it before someone else does.

Sold - Kowa 774 new in box with eye piece

Brand new. Box only opened for pictures. Kowa tsn774 with the te11z wide angle eye piece. Drop shipped directly from Kowa to me in July. Was planning on using for a hunt that fell through. 1750$ shipped and insured.

www.rokslide.com