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 ?

 

[4090Sharps]

I've owned both the mini Razor and the STC, and was happy with both. Can't comment on the Kowas as I haven't owned them. I still own a Razor--two of them--which I use single or paired for big eyes.

If you're happy having a pretty good, compact spotter that's easier to carry around (and more likely to be carried) and a spare $1k+ to spend on other equipment, then you'll likely be happy with the mini Razor.

Overall resolution, FOV, and smoothness/ease of focus is better with the STC. Resolution is still very acceptable in my opinion, but there is more blurriness at the edge of the image. If you want to spend a lot of time glassing and scanning with the scope, definitely get the STC. If those sessions will be short and the scope will mostly be a "close look" complement to glassing with binoculars, there's a good chance the Razor will make you happy.

 

[guitarpreston]

The nikon ED50 with mc2 absolutely stomps the razor in edge to edge. But they eyebox is slightly better the razor.

 

[Adamc55]

Are you near @EuroOptic ?

Unfortunately no, about 4 hours away