Vortex recently announced their new Viper HD series, which is an update to the existing Viper line that was already out there (Viper has always been a pretty solid scope). I will want to get my hands on one soon to evaluate closer, but on paper it’s going to be hard to beat.
Basically, they took some of the Razor LHT goodness and filtered it down to the Viper series. But, I almost think this update is going to undermine the Razor entirely. Like they are competing with themselves, and might end up sabotaging sales for the (historically) more premium option. For an idea of how good this deal is, compare the specs between the new Viper HD 3-15x44 and the Razor LHT 3-15x42…
Only a couple ounces heavier and almost half the price. I already had a hard time telling the difference in clarity between Viper and Razor scopes, so I usually defaulted to Viper, unless I wanted more zoom range or an illuminated reticle or something. But now these two scopes are like neck and neck… I am not sure if the new Viper will come with an offer for a free custom turret dial (similar to the Leupold CDS), but that is the only other potential difference I am spotting here. Kinda crazy. My only other thought is that perhaps an update is coming soon to the Razor series too, which will further push these apart?
Anyway, Jim has previously given the Razor LHT high marks, so I would love to see @backfire review the new Viper HD.
Your VPR-31502 retails for $1,049 (discounted to $749 on EuroOptic) and the VPR-31501 Retails foe $999 (discounted on EuroOptic for $699). And that’s for the 3-15/44 SFP. And since you mentioned FFP,
The 5-25/50 with VMR-4 MOA or VMR-4 MRAD both retail $1,399 (discounted to $999). I wonder how well they compare to Trijicon Tenmile 5-25/50 SFP retail for $2,100, discounted $1,249! At the discounted price Vortex is cheaper by $250!?
The MSRP is always way higher on vortex optics than in real life on store shelves–i.e. the Razor LHT 3-15x42 on their website says like 1,899 or something crazy. It’s $1299 most places normally, and I picked one up on sale for $999 (black Friday deals). So it is with all of their scopes. I was looking at Amazon, and I notice now that the $699 price is for the “Dead hold bdc” reticle with capped turrets in the Viper HD 3-15. So yes, $749 is for the exposed turret. That will be the “real world” price everywhere. Doesn’t change that this optic is a little too close to their Razor LHT at $1299. Still a killer deal.
Are the reticle options similar between the new Viper and the razor series? Or, is one more set for hunting style and the other for competition/long range?
So both the razor and the viper series have scopes that cater to both crowds. But I am looking just at the “hunting focused” ones more so. So the Razor LHT was targeting hunters with a lighter profile (the “LHT” stands for Lightweight Hunting Tactical if I remember right). And the new Viper HD 3-15 plays to the same exact purpose, and is only a couple ounces more than the Razor. Whereas the Viper PST (Precision Shooting Tactical) is more for the long range target crowd.
The reticle in the razor LHT is kinda neat, open top view. MOA or MIL sub-tensions for wind and elevation, with illumination for the center dot. And I think the rev stop turret models in the Viper have a similar reticle design but it isn’t an open top like on the razor. Otherwise they offer capped turret version with their BDC reticle, which is okay. The PST series, etc will come in the more Christmas tree style, options, etc.
For me - and I have 4 vipers - 3 @44mm and 1 at 50mm. I know that the 44mm I struggle with at dusk - the last 3-4 minutes of daylight I cannot see antlers at 100 yds. I see them with binos at the same power but binos are double the light. I have not compared my vx6 x50mm at dusk yet. I need to do this. Otherwise extremely happy with the vipers but I dont do the battery of tests on them - just my experience.
Yes, another reason I am looking forward to trying the new Vipers out–they upgraded the glass, which is why they call these new ones Viper “HD”–will be interesting to see how much this improves the quality (as well as the visibility at dusk). The upgrade is also reflected in the price, of course. So for example there was a 2.5-10 in the Viper lineup before, which is now replaced by the new “HD” 2-10 and it is $100 more than the one it is replacing ($600 vs $500 USD).
Update, I finally got my hands on one of these Viper HD’s in 3-15x44. 15% off right now at Cabela’s/Bass Pro. Wow is it fantastic. Home run for Vortex. The glass is superb, the reticle is crisp and clear, the illumination is just as good as Leupold’s “FireDot” and works much in the same way (single button control). The capped turrets are toolless reset, and they track perfectly. Is there another hunting scope for this price that is this good? I have a Razor HD LHT 3-15x42 (which I paid $999 for on sale), and a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 (I paid $1,199); I find it hard to understand why anyone would spend the extra money on a new 3-15 power hunting scope, when they could just go with this Viper and save $300-$500. Plus, the eye box is way more forgiving on this one vs. the Razor. I would say I can’t really tell a difference in the image between the Viper HD and the Razor, but the Leupold is still nicer glass. So, if you really wanted top optical clarity maybe you’d spring for the Leupold. But I think this might become a fan favorite…
