Best value "duty grade" LVPO?

[rockapede]

Looking for a new LVPO for police patrol use. Durability, FOV, illumination (or a reticle that doesn't need it), and glass clarity are priorities over weight, focal plane, and power range. I much prefer capped turrets and this would mostly be used for MPBR shooting out to say 300 at the max, so mil/BDC might be nice but are not necessarily critical.

Is the Razor HD gen II still king of the hill in this class of optic? Is there anything cheaper that's truly a "bet my life on" proposition? The Steiner P4Xi looks nice but I've got my doubts about long-term durability. I've also looked at several of the Trijicon Accupoint/power options and while the durability is probably there, all seem to be compromises in various ways.

$12-1300 is probably my ceiling.

[Wake27]

Is the Razor HD gen II still king of the hill in this class of optic?

Yup. Max the budget out on the new -E model to save four ounces or buy a used regular version for around $900 and spend the rest on a mount like Geissele or Scalarworks.

[pointblank4445]

Looking for a new LVPO for police patrol use. Durability, FOV, illumination (or a reticle that doesn't need it), and glass clarity are priorities over weight, focal plane, and power range. I much prefer capped turrets and this would mostly be used for MPBR shooting out to say 300 at the max, so mil/BDC might be nice but are not necessarily critical.

Is the Razor HD gen II still king of the hill in this class of optic? Is there anything cheaper that's truly a "bet my life on" proposition? The Steiner P4Xi looks nice but I've got my doubts about long-term durability. I've also looked at several of the Trijicon Accupoint/power options and while the durability is probably there, all seem to be compromises in various ways.

$12-1300 is probably my ceiling.

Either enroll with EuroOptic or Experticity/Promotive with your credentials and get the Razor HD II E 1-6. It stands alone until you start to get up into the $1700's. It's the best value for that price point by far.

[gunnerblue]

Nightforce NXS with FC-3G reticle. Generous eye box and eye-catching reticle that doesn’t need illumination (and batteries) to work. I’ve seen video that compares the NXS’s eyebox very favorably to the Khales 1-6, though I can’t verify this personally. The zero stop feature is nice but not necessary and the BDC works with a variety of loads. Nightforce durability is a given and the optic only weighs 17 ounces.

[irondude]

It will be hard to top the Vortex Razor HD Gen II, your budget allows for a lot of performance. The new E model it noticeable lighter. I have the older heavier version and I still love it.

[WS6]

Nightforce NXS with FC-3G reticle. Generous eye box and eye-catching reticle that doesn’t need illumination (and batteries) to work. I’ve seen video that compares the NXS’s eyebox very favorably to the Khales 1-6, though I can’t verify this personally. The zero stop feature is nice but not necessary and the BDC works with a variety of loads. Nightforce durability is a given and the optic only weighs 17 ounces.

That's my video. The NXS 1-4 is much more forgiving of head position than any 1-6 I've used. That said...

I hated the glass quality. Chromatic Abberation was horrific. Fish-bowl effect was bad, especially on 4x past 100 yards. I could not dial diopter to give unity on 1x and a crisp image at 100 yards on 4x both. I could however shoot 1 moa groups with it, and it always dialed true when I changed the elevation and windage, and the form-factor was nice. That said, I'm currently using a Strike Eagle, and it's a much better optic, optically. Ouch. I'm buying an ATACR 1-8, currently. Why? Because if I don't like it, it's easier to sell and buy a Razor "E" than it is to sell a Razor "E" and buy an ATACR. Personally, I think I'll love the ATACR and keep it forever, though.

My other complaint about the NXS 1-4 was how large the scope body "ring" was on 1x. It divorced the reticle from the rest of the world, for me, much more than any of the other LPVO's I've used.

[rockapede]

Thanks, gentlemen. I suspected the Razor was probably it but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something else. I'd considered the Nightforce but have heard similar complaints about the glass on that particular model before.

[Wake27]

Either enroll with EuroOptic or Experticity/Promotive with your credentials and get the Razor HD II E 1-6. It stands alone until you start to get up into the $1700's. It's the best value for that price point by far.

Grant's MIL/LE discount is better than Experticity. OP, make sure you register for it, best price I could ever find on a new Razor and its where I bought mine.

[voiceofreason]

If they'll give you a better deal on either of these G2Rs, I'd go with it. Reticle is personal, but you're going to have to know your drops to your specific load regardless. I find MOA or MIL to be more consistent and easier when used with a ballistics app so I would go with that.

The E will save 4 ounces? They add up, and those ounces will be with you as long as you run that optic and the balance is very top heavy with a G2R. That said, I'd save the $ if it's not used daily/often or carried for long periods.

Check with Grant on this site and if his pricing is close, support him.

https://www.eurooptic.com/Vortex-Vip...?homepage_link

[gunnerblue]

[QUOTE=rockapede;2689780]Thanks, gentlemen. I suspected the Razor was probably it but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something else. I'd considered the Nightforce but have heard similar complaints about the glass on that particular model before.[/QUOTE

I haven’t noticed these issues in my 1-4’s, personally, but glass can be a very subjective matter.

How visible are the Razor’s reticles without illumination and what is the battery life? These are important points for me in selecting a patrol optic as I want it to be ready at any time, at a moments notice. Battery life in LPVO’s is simply not long enough for comfort without a bold reticle. I’m also about to try an ATACR 1-8 as the reticle on 1x looks bold enough for use- along with all the other Nightforce goodies.