Is the Razor 13-39x56 really that subpar?

[Adamc55]

I'm looking into a new small spotter. I currently have a gen 1 razor 20-60 that I like for the most part, but it definitely has drawbacks. While western backpack hunting is something I'm taking into consideration, I only really get to do that once every 1-3 years, though I'd like to pursue doing it more often. I live in PA, so spotter use in a hunting scenario is not common for me. I do however glass behind my house very often, glass some larger areas like Allegheny National Forest, and would like to have a spotter to take on vacations (Alaska, Caribbean etc.) I don't love my current razors image as it approaches full magnification, and its just too big for me to want to carry around anywhere but my house.

All that being said, I immediately was looking at the razor 13-39. I was torn between straight and angled but I think I've decided on angled. I searched locally to see if I could check one out in person and they are nowhere to be found. Of course I watched a million videos, trying to avoid biased reviews. I'm finding a lot of reviews complaining about a purple hue, stiff adjustments, and a blurry edge image. Most of the reviews are comparing it to the swaro atc and Kowa tsn55, which I don't think is fair. I've found the vortex for $780 shipped which puts it basically at a third of the price of those other two scopes. I'd hate to order the vortex only to be completely let down. If I was just spotting to confirm game that I want to pursue I would have probably ordered the razor already, but I think a lot of my use will involve wanting a nice clear image and possibly digi scoping.

If you have the razor, are you happy with it? Any serious complaints? Should I save up and go for the ATC, maybe a used one?

 

[Macintosh]

M

Thread 'You traded in a big spotter for a compact…your feedback please'

Sep 27, 2025

I just sold my razor hd 27-60x85 spotter, which is my benchmark. I use it at the range to spot bullet holes on paper out to a couple hundred yards, and I only occasionally use it hunting. I just don’t live in an area where spotting scopes are relevant, so it’s only every other year or so on a western hunt that it even gets considered. This one is just too big, too heavy, so I’m not using it even when I travel. I would like to get into a compact, lightweight spotter that maximizes value, i.e. best optics for the money. My goal is to be able to see deer antlers in a general sense out to...

• Macintosh
• Replies: 50
• Forum: Optics

 

[5MilesBack]

I've found the vortex for $780 shipped which puts it basically at a third of the price of those other two scopes.

You can find the Kowa 553 and 554 used for under $1000 pretty frequently on here. I'd go that route. I haven't been impressed with any Vortex glass that I've tried.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I haven't used the newest generation baby razor but had the old. I got rid of it quickly. I could barely make out hits on paper past 200 yards at the range. The old model Kowas, like suggested above, were a huge step up.

 

[Adamc55]

M

Thread 'You traded in a big spotter for a compact…your feedback please'

Sep 27, 2025

I just sold my razor hd 27-60x85 spotter, which is my benchmark. I use it at the range to spot bullet holes on paper out to a couple hundred yards, and I only occasionally use it hunting. I just don’t live in an area where spotting scopes are relevant, so it’s only every other year or so on a western hunt that it even gets considered. This one is just too big, too heavy, so I’m not using it even when I travel. I would like to get into a compact, lightweight spotter that maximizes value, i.e. best optics for the money. My goal is to be able to see deer antlers in a general sense out to...

• Macintosh
• Replies: 50
• Forum: Optics

Thanks for linking that, sounds like you were in a very similar predicament. What did you decide on?

 

[Adamc55]

You can find the Kowa 553 and 554 used for under $1000 pretty frequently on here. I'd go that route. I haven't been impressed with any Vortex glass that I've tried.

I haven't looked into the 553 much, mostly the tsn55. I'm gonna look into it and keep an eye on the classifieds.

 

[5MilesBack]

I haven't looked into the 553 much, mostly the tsn55. I'm gonna look into it and keep an eye on the classifieds.

The TSN-553 is the angled version and the 554 is the straight. If these were 3 times the price of the Vortex, I'd say do whatever you have to do in financial sense for you. But when they're within a couple hundred dollars of each other, the used Kowa's are a no-brainer.

 

[Macintosh]

Thanks for linking that, sounds like you were in a very similar predicament. What did you decide on?

I ended up getting a used STC. Based on feedback from @Tahoe1305 I think I would have been very happy with the vortex, especially if I had the opportunity to buy in person and pick the best individual spotter out of several. But I dont have that opportunity. My wife ultimately pushed me toward the used swaro. I dont have the breadth of experience to say if it was the right choice, but it will certainly work for my purpose. I suspect I would have been perfectly happy with the vortex, impossible for me to say at this point.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I and a group compared a few fairly extensively a while back.

I own the mini razor still and am impressed for the size and cost. The higher end scopes were better.

I preferred it to the older mini Kowa.

Thread 'Crowd Sourced Optics Comparison (CO area) ***Updated 3/9/24***'

Dec 28, 2023

So I guess I’m bored. But 5 years ago or so I invested a good chunk of $ to purchase (then resell) a dozen or so $1000 binos and then eventually a few of the same in spotters and wrote some bro level, objective as possible, comparisons.

I know we see a lot of these online by folks who have way more resources and connections (provided from manufacturers) than I. I don’t know about you all, but I’m always a tad suspect of those based on whose getting paid for what.

Here’s what I have that I plan on comparing:

Spotters:
-Razor Gen I 65mm (I compared this five years ago and I loved it)...

• Tahoe1305
• Replies: 238
• Forum: Optics

• 

 

[Adamc55]

I and a group compared a few fairly extensively a while back.

I own the mini razor still and am impressed for the size and cost. The higher end scopes were better.

I preferred it to the older mini Kowa.

Thread 'Crowd Sourced Optics Comparison (CO area) ***Updated 3/9/24***'

Dec 28, 2023

So I guess I’m bored. But 5 years ago or so I invested a good chunk of $ to purchase (then resell) a dozen or so $1000 binos and then eventually a few of the same in spotters and wrote some bro level, objective as possible, comparisons.

I know we see a lot of these online by folks who have way more resources and connections (provided from manufacturers) than I. I don’t know about you all, but I’m always a tad suspect of those based on whose getting paid for what.

Here’s what I have that I plan on comparing:

Spotters:
-Razor Gen I 65mm (I compared this five years ago and I loved it)...

• Tahoe1305
• Replies: 238
• Forum: Optics

• 

Thanks for sharing that, I'll read through it a little later. I just wish I could see any of these in person

 

[Macintosh]

Are you near @EuroOptic ?