4090Sharps
WKR
With AZ fall and winter deer seasons now upon us, and with two months of at least 10-15 min of daily use as well as multi-hour glassing sessions, I thought I would post some quick notes on the Vortex mini Razor big eyes setup from Adam's Adapters. Haven't seen anyone else here using these yet, but figured there might be some considering it.
Like many here, I've rotated gear--especially my optics--trying to find what works best for me. I'm not sure I've landed on the best with this big eyes setup, but I would recommend anyone interested in compact big eyes give the mini Razor HD package a hard look for the value it provides: ~$2000 for a compact, 5lb glassing setup that can compete with or exceed a Swarovski BTX depending on your goals.
I'll list what I see as pros and cons for this setup, and would be happy to answer any questions. Many pros will also find themselves on the cons list, and I'll explain. Other optics I have recently owned include the Swarovski BTX, NL Pure 12x42, and STC, so they will be used for comparison.
Pro:
Con:
For anyone interested in this setup, LS Wild (@hereinaz) may be coming out with some armor for it. Based on their other products, I expect it will be well thought out and quite practical.
Like many here, I've rotated gear--especially my optics--trying to find what works best for me. I'm not sure I've landed on the best with this big eyes setup, but I would recommend anyone interested in compact big eyes give the mini Razor HD package a hard look for the value it provides: ~$2000 for a compact, 5lb glassing setup that can compete with or exceed a Swarovski BTX depending on your goals.
I'll list what I see as pros and cons for this setup, and would be happy to answer any questions. Many pros will also find themselves on the cons list, and I'll explain. Other optics I have recently owned include the Swarovski BTX, NL Pure 12x42, and STC, so they will be used for comparison.
Pro:
- Compact package. Roughly 5.5"x5"x11", including the carry handle. I had a BTX previously that I took everywhere with me, but I hated having to strap it to the outside of my pack because of its angled body. This package fits into the side pocket of my EXO K4 7200 or the back pocket of my Durston Kakwa 55. I plan to make a custom, padded lid for my K4 to accommodate the Razors, but have yet to find/make the time to do so.
- Weight. 5lb 0oz without objective and lens covers. Heavier than 15x binoculars, but lighter than 15x binoculars and a scope. 3oz heavier than the lightest BTX setup, but with almost 50% more objective area to gather light.
- Zoom. Being able to glass at a lower power and zoom in to investigate an object of interest really speeds up glassing. Additionally, it's great to be able to glass with both eyes at various magnifications depending on light, distance, and vegetation. The Vortex is marked 13, 19, 25, 32, 39, so it's easy to set both eyes to the desired power and glass with both eyes open.
- Two-eyed glassing. Glassing with both eyes open seems to make up for some of the scopes' resolution shortcomings.
- Price. It's not too difficult to find a used Razor HD for $700-750. The adapter is $550 right now.
- Vortex. If it breaks, I know I'm covered indefinitely, and so does anyone I might sell it to. I had to modify the armor to get a close IPD, but that won't invalidate the Vortex warranty.
- FOV. Improved FOV from the 65/85mm BTX which had 44% surface coverage of the Razors (I prefer this metric because FOV diameter doesn't tell the whole story)
- Straight body. I prefer a straight body scope for tracking where I'm looking on the mountain.
- Accommodating IPD. I ended up with these big eyes over the STC's because my eyes were ever so slightly too narrow, but the Vortex Razor HD package fit right.
Con:
- Weight. This setup weighs more than a killer setup like an NL Pure 12x42 paired with Swarovski STC.
- FOV. NL Pure 12x42 has 407% the surface coverage that the Razors provide, STC has 22% more, and the new NL Pure 14x52 provides 275% surface coverage.
- Resolution. Resolution isn't quite as refined as Swarovski optics.
- Edge-to-edge clarity. Not as bad as some binoculars I've used before, but not nearly as good as say NL Pures or the STC.
- Vortex. Durability can be an issue with Vortex, but no problems yet.
- Straight body. You need a taller tripod to glass standing up than you might otherwise need with an angled body scope.
- Armor modification. You'll likely need to cut away some rubber armor between the scope barrels and remove the rubber on the focus ring.
- Lens covers. Once you've used the lens covers on the STC, until something better comes along, nothing else can compare.
For anyone interested in this setup, LS Wild (@hereinaz) may be coming out with some armor for it. Based on their other products, I expect it will be well thought out and quite practical.
VORTEX RAZOR HD ADAPTER
THIS ADAPTER WILL FIT THE VORTEX RAZOR HD 13-39 SCOPES VERIFY YOUR PUPILLARY DISTANCE PRIOR TO PURCHASE IF IT IS BELOW 2.625" YOU WILL NEED TO MODIFY THE SCOPES BY REMOVING SOME RUBBER ARMOR AFTER REMOVAL THE PUPILLARY DISTANCE WILL BE NO LESS THAN 2.5" ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION AND VIDEO INCLUDED...
adamsadapters.com
