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Vortex Razor HD LH vs Swaro Z3

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wesgar View Drop Down
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    Posted: December/10/2016 at 12:08
Hunting scope for Tikka T3 in 7mm-08 for medium range deer hunting (to 350 yds)
Vortex HD LH 2-10 x 40 at $800 vs Swaro Z3 3-10 x 42 at $880
What say you?
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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/10/2016 at 12:12
I have no experience with that vortex, but know the Swaro and AV-series scopes well. Pending Koshkin's opinion, my money would go to Swaro, awesome glass, great eye box, great low light performance.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/10/2016 at 12:46
Two great choices there.

My Swaro 4-12 Z3 is one of my favorite scopes.  The BRH reticle (now called BRX-heavy I believe) is incredibly useful.

However, the Razor HD LH scopes I have seen are certainly at least competitive optically and have two great drop reticles available as well.

I am sure this is one of those "Can't go wrong" decisions.
-Matt
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wesgar View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wesgar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/10/2016 at 12:57
Thanks for the replies so far, and are the above mentioned scopes enough better than a Meopta Meopro 3-9 x 40 to be worth the extra coin? I have an older Zeiss Conquest 3-9 x 40, said to be identical or nearly so to the Meopta, that I like very much. I am taking an older Swaro Nova 3-9 x 36 off the Tikka that I am not overly impressed with. Veiling glare almost cost me my best deer ever about a month ago with 15 minutes of shooting light left, so that scope is getting the boot.
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Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/10/2016 at 13:09
The Meopro is also awesome optically and mechanically, but I do not like the reticles as much.

If you just want a standard #4 reticle though, it is a great choice, especially for the money.  It also has a large diameter eyepiece, so you may have to mount it higher than other scopes for bolt clearance.
-Matt
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/10/2016 at 14:06
Between Razor HD LH and Swaro Z3, you sorta have to pick what matters to you.

Z3 has better contrast.  Resolution is pretty close, although the Razor may have a slight edge there.

Both have good eyepieces. 

Razor has longer eyerelief, so if you are a stock crawler, it can make a difference.

Reticles are in the eye of the beholder.  I am obviously partial to the Razor's G4.  However, Swaro's BRH is essentially a mil-scale (albeit a weird one with half mil marks being long), so anyone with experience with a mrad-based system is immediately at home.

Aside from that, Swaro has a bit more FOV at the same magnification, but Razor has a broader magnification range, so if you need to go low and wide, it is a better choice.

When I started looking at the Razor, I put together this comparison table, so you can look at the specs side by side:



Vortex Razor HD LH 2-10x40

Swarovski Z3 3-10x42

Kahles KXi 3.5-10x50

Sig Optics Whiskey 5  2-10x42

Meopta MeoPro 3.5-10x44

Zeiss Conquest HD5 2-10x42

Minox ZA5 HD 2-10x40

Length, in

12.5

12.6

12.6

13.7

12.95

13.19

12.7

Weight, oz

15.4

12.7

16.6

21

17.64

17.5

16

Main Tube Diameter

1”

1”

1”

1”

1”

1”

1”

Eye Relief, in

3.8

3.54

3.54

4

3.54”

3.75”

4

FOV, ft@1000yards

56.2 - 10.8

33 - 11.7

33.6 - 12

49.9 - 9.9

30.9 - 10.8

52 - 10

55.8 - 9.6

11.52@10x

Exit Pupil, mm



14 - 4.7

10.7 - 4.2

11.8 - 4.4

10.6 - 4.2

17.5 - 4.0

Click Value

0.25”

0.25”

0.25”

0.25”

0.25”

0.25”

0.25”

Adjustment range

90 MOA


48 MOA

96 MOA

62 MOA

80 MOA

80 MOA

Reticle Illumination

No

No

Yes

optional

Yes

No

No

Price

$800

$880

$1400

$800

$900 ill

$800

$930

$600


ILya
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wesgar View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wesgar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/11/2016 at 06:58
Great info ILya. How does the Minox stack up against the Vortex and Swaro? I don't see where SWFA sells that scope, but they can be had very reasonably. Thanks.
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vortech347 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vortech347 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/11/2016 at 07:18
I'm no expert like Ilya but have two of the scopes you mentioned.

I have a Conquest 4.5-14x44 ZPlex and a Z3 4-12x50 BT 4W.  I also, have a Viper PST 6-24x50.

When I look through them at the same 6 or 12 power settings side by side the Z3 really pops in the eyebox compared to the other two.  

All three have good eyeboxes and good resolution to my eyes but the Z3 just really pops when you get behind it.  

I have it on a 300 WSM hunting setup and sighted in to 250 yds then use the BT dial for 350, 400 and 450.  I can dial out further but don't really need it even though the rifle would reach out as far as I want.

Honestly, the only thing I wish the Z3 had was side focus but on a hunting rig with 12x max I don't really need it.

I considered the Vortex as well but am not disappointed at all with the Z3.  Great scope.

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