Vortex razor gen 1 vs gen 2 difference

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Feb 7, 2023
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Anyone know difference between gen 1 and gen 2 Vortex razor spotting scopes? Looking to get one but curious about difference.
The focus wheel is a huge deal for me. I compared a gen 2 Viper to a gen 1 razor, and the razor beats it in the areas of optical clarity, light transmission, and chromatic aberration. In addition - the gen 1 focus adjustment is just infinitely easier to use, especially if you don't have a rock steady tripod. I hate adjusting the gen 2 focus wheel.
 

fmyth

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I personally have never looked through a gen II but I own a gen I 65mm.

The biggest difference is the focus mechanism. Gen I has fine/coarse two dial on top of the barrel and the Gen II has the single focus wheel integrated on the barrel (more common these days).

I personally prefer the dual focus because I think it’s easier to focus without shaking the scope but others will say it’s all the same.

There were some posts when the Gen II first came out that the glass was better. In my research I have seen as many saying it is the same or real close to the same.

If you can get a better deal on a Gen I I wouldn’t pass it up.
I have both Gen 1 and 2 Razors in 65mm and I agree with you. I am thinking of selling the Gen 2 because I prefer the Gen 1 focus control and can't tell a difference in the glass quality for my use.
 

Tahoe1305

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I have both Gen 1 and 2 Razors in 65mm and I agree with you. I am thinking of selling the Gen 2 because I prefer the Gen 1 focus control and can't tell a difference in the glass quality for my use.
Still selling my LER wide angle lens……just in case anyone wants it.

I moved to a swaro eyepiece for it.
 

SteveM80

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I know this is a older thread, but I would like to let everyone know that I have talked to two different reps from vortex and both have said that there opinion is, the glass and focuse wheels are definitely better in the gen 1. The only positive in the gen two is it weighs a fraction less and is a little more durable and they both would choose the gen 1 over the gen 2.
 

Fatcamp

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Gen 1 durablity:
20230527_170945.jpg

Wind blew it off the hill I was set up on yesterday. No damage I could see. Used it all day today, no problems.

For anyone interested the Burris 30x WA eyepiece fits the Gen 1 65mm, but I think it only makes 22x, 30x in the 85mm.
 

jimh406

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I guess someone can assume there is no difference when a company makes an improvement. I don’t quite understand that “logic to think that.

I prefer the Gen 2 focus vs Gen 1 type. However, I own angled models, so maybe that makes a difference.

The 85 is a lot heavier than the 65. I have both. The 85 is a bit better at low light, but it should be. I like both.

Finally, there was at least one video on youtube that showed digiscoped pictures for both the Gen 2 and Gen 1. There might be more now. I’ve had mine for a while.
 
Joined
Jun 17, 2024
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I got my Razor Gen 1 a few weeks ago and tried it out in the field a few times, then went to the store to look at the Gen2s. I will say optically it is better then the Viper, and feels equal to the Gen 2 Razor itI optics, granted I thought the field of view seemed worse on the Gen2 throughout the zoom range (I know it is different on the low end of zoom 20 vs 27). I think the Gen1 is easier to focus with the dual knobs then with the helical on the Gen 2s, but I do not doubt the Gen 2 will take a fall better.

Now I am just trying to confirm which 30x WA eye pieces work in the Gen1 Razor to have options, best I can see right now is the Burris 30x WA Spotting Scope Eyepiece, works based on reviews.

I also hear Swarovski 30x WA eye piece works but I have not been able to confirm a model number yet...
I just purchased a Gen1 85mm. Am very interested in a 30x WA LER eyepiece. What have you found that works??? thanks
 

Nine Banger

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Shoot2HuntU
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The Burris eyepieces work.

They have an oring too. I read a review that said they don’t come with one and you have to go to hardware store and get one but that wasn’t the case.

I have the mil reticle eyepiece and ordered from Amazon.
 

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Joined
Jun 17, 2024
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The Burris eyepieces work.

They have an oring too. I read a review that said they don’t come with one and you have to go to hardware store and get one but that wasn’t the case.

I have the mil reticle eyepiece and ordered from Amazon.
How accurate in ranging do you think the mil reticle is?
 

Nine Banger

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How accurate in ranging do you think the mil reticle is?
Hi,

It's a fixed power eyepiece, so I think the ranging is 100%?

The website stinks, but this is pasted in to the amazon marketing:

1721249496406.png


You can zoom in on amazon and see the hash marks.
 

Nine Banger

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PS: I was looking for a Leupold Mark 4 with the H32 reticle and bought this instead and am satisfied enough at the moment to stop watching those ebay aucitons for the better spotting reticle.
 

David61

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Dec 12, 2019
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Can confirm, this is a Swarovski 20-60 eyepiece from my ATS HD that is a perfect fit on my Gen 1 Razor HD.

Also, for what it’s worth regarding this thread, I have found the Gen 1 Razor HD to excel in sharpness and clarity over the Gen 2 Razor HD. Gen 2 has a noticeably wider field of view, but this was about the only noticeable improvement to my eyes.

While my Swarovski ATS HD handles chromatic aberration and delivers a sharp and clear image at maximum power much better than either Razor spotter, I would recommend the Gen 1 Razor HD hands down if for a sub $1,000 spotter.
Shit that's awesome do you think the swaro eyepiece would work on a viper hd ?
 

David61

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Dec 12, 2019
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Still selling my LER wide angle lens……just in case anyone wants it.

I moved to a swaro eyepiece for it.
How much ?
Can confirm, this is a Swarovski 20-60 eyepiece from my ATS HD that is a perfect fit on my Gen 1 Razor HD.

Also, for what it’s worth regarding this thread, I have found the Gen 1 Razor HD to excel in sharpness and clarity over the Gen 2 Razor HD. Gen 2 has a noticeably wider field of view, but this was about the only noticeable improvement to my eyes.

While my Swarovski ATS HD handles chromatic aberration and delivers a sharp and clear image at maximum power much better than either Razor spotter, I would recommend the Gen 1 Razor HD hands down if for a sub $1,000 spotter.
also is there a difference in the optics clarity when switching to a swaro eye piece?
 

Tahoe1305

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How much ?

also is there a difference in the optics clarity when switching to a swaro eye piece?
I sold it a while back.

It’s tough to notice a huge difference in optical quality IMO. I think the field of view was more on the swaro 25-50.

I felt the factory eyepiece was easier to get a good view behind (eye relief is tighter on swaro).

I have a swaro 20-60 now and it is similar to the factory razor. I personally don’t think worth the upgrade at this point. I have mine still because I own a 65HD swaro too.
 
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